Mirror Mirror on the Wall...

You no doubt remember this famous fairy tale line. "...who's the fairest of them all." You may not say it each morning when you look into that mirror for the first time. Rather you're probably like me and utter that "ughhh" at first glance. (It's probably because of the now famous Nunley Hair that is created by the pillow during the night.) But today I want you to take another look in the mirror at the person not the hair or the lack of make-up. Do you love the person looking back?

It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don't use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that's how freedom grows. For everything we know about God's Word is summed up in a single sentence: Love others as you love yourself. That's an act of true freedom. If you bite and ravage each other, watch out - in no time at all you will be annihilating each other, and where will your precious freedom be then? Galatians 5:13-15, The Message

While it's easy to claim this free life in Christ, it is harder to fully explain and to live. It's because we are so inclined to live by rule and law. And where there are no rules, we usually make them up for ourselves, not so much for others to live by, but for us to live by. We need some rules to lead us, but whose rules?

I'm anticipating a football game this evening. It's the NFL Season Opener as the Colts host the New Orleans Saints. It will be an exciting evening as so many of us have waited patiently for the last 7 months for footbal to begin again.

But as I watch football and other sporting events I find it interesting to watch the reaction to calls by the officials. One simple whistle can evoke cheers and boos at the same time. It all depends on which side of the call your on. Why is it that we want a tight game for our opponents and a more liberal game for us?

I believe it is exactly what Paul is talking about to the churches in Galatia. The difference is in how they see themselves. They claimed freedom as long as it was good for them, for their own self interest. The problem with this kind of freedom is that it's not freedom at all, but another rule of law...ours. And that's not what God has in mind for us.

Instead of always looking at how we might benefit from any circumstance, freedom is acting in love to benefit someone else. It's learning to love yourself so that we can truly love others. It's a new freedom to love beyond our selves and to accept our selves all at the same time. That's the freedom Paul describes and God designed.

So look in the Mirror today and love that mug looking back at you. God sure does. And when you do, you'll find it quite liberating to share that love with those you meet.

Peace & Love ><>
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$12 M Hairess

I've discovered the job I'd love to have, the primary caregiver for Trouble. Trouble is the now famous dog of the late Leona Helmsley who just inherited a cool $12,000,000. (Yes, that's six zeros.) And the caregiver also received several million! It pays to be an heir, especially a hairy heir. (I just couldn't resist.)

But when the time arrived that was set by God the Father, God sent his Son, born among us of a woman, born under the conditions of the law so that he might redeem those of us who have been kidnapped by the law. Thus we have been set free to experience our rightful heritage. You can tell for sure that you are now fully adopted as his own children because God sent the Spirit of his Son into our lives crying out, “Papa! Father!” Doesn’t that privilege of intimate conversation with God make it plain that you are not a slave, but a child? And if you are a child, you’re also an heir, with complete access to the inheritance. Galatians 4:4-7, The Message.

The benefits of being an heir are simple and understandable. (Except for the 2 Helmsley grandchildren who got nothing from her estate!) Those on the outside are left to observe while the benefits of the estate are distributed to the insiders. And we have been called insiders, children of God, heirs with Christ!

Yet there are times when we don't live like heirs of God, either because we don't believe it or on the other side, we think it puts in a special position. But we are heirs simply because of our faith in Christ and that puts on us a great reponsibility.

We have been made free to live the life God created for us, a life of generosity and grace, the way of our ancestor, God. We may not have $12M to spend, but we do have a life to spend in a way that honors the one who generously named us in the estate.

That's the duty of the heir...

...of us, children of God!

Peace ><>
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Back Again!

Yes, we are back from our camping excursion. We had a great and relaxing time in the "wilderness" of the campground. It had most modern features except wireless internet! That's why there have been no posts for the last few days. But thanks to all of you who just keep checking in.

Peace ><>
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