Freedom

     Life. In one word so many things come to mind. Life is breathing, eating, sleeping, working, and for most of us FREEDOM. Yet, so much more is associated with these letters. What about service, care, love, faith, hope, joy, they are also part of life. Beyond that there is stress, studying, school, family, friends, shopping, sorting, checking off lists, paying bills, packing, exercising, and again FREEDOM.

     Last weekend, for the first time, I was truly made aware of what life looks like without freedom. It was heart wrenching, tear jerking, and life changing. We all hear about slavery in school, in the news, and in great literary works. Nevertheless, seeing it displayed in a museum, dedicated to sharing the plight of those once in and still in slavery, gives a whole different look at the tragic, money making industry of human trafficking.  

     A few weeks back I was told that Mom, Dad, and Carson wanted to take me away for the weekend. They wanted me to come up with a fun way to spend our time. I have always wanted to spend time in Cincinnati down by the river so, to the city we went. After some research I found the Freedom Center. This museum is the most saddening museum I have ever been to. It started with slavery back before the Civil War, and ended with slavery that continues still today. 

"There is a spark inside all of us to stop slavery, fan the flame"

FREEDOM CENTER 

The eternal flame

The museum is built right across the river where many freedom seekers crossed 

This was an amazing quilt like thingy. A lady, who is still alive, made it to represent her families lives in slavery. 

She put the Emancipation Proclamation on it, as well as September 11, 2001. It is an amazing work of art.

"DON'T LET IT HAPPEN AGAIN"

This is the only slave pen still around. Most of them were demolished after the war. They were called a pen because no one wanted to admit the slaves were human. The slaves were considered animals that were to be exchanged for money. Going inside that building brought tears to my eyes. It was really used to store men, women, and children. 

I'm not an art person, but there were some AMAZING works portraying the lives of slaves. This one starts in Africa, and ends in the grave.  

The slaves who were granted freedom had to wear these tags saying they were free.

     What broke my heart more than anything was the modern day slavery exhibition. Yes, slavery was ghastly before it was Abolished in 1833 (England), and 1865 (USA). However, nothing breaks my heart more then the men, women, children who are still living in bondage. There was a sign that said "the United States is one of the worlds busiest destinations for sex traffickers. 

We don't see it, and its all around us 

     As a follower of Jesus Christ, I am called to tell others about the FREEDOM He offers. Here are just a few verses in the word of God about FREEDOM. 

"So if the Son sets you FREE, you will be FREE indeed."

~ John 8:36

"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is FREEDOM"

~ 1 Corinthians 3:17

"For you are called to FREEDOM, brothers & sisters. Don't use your FREEDOM as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."

~ Galatians 5:13

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim LIBERTY to the CAPTIVES and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at LIBERTY those who are OPPRESSED, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor".

~ Isaiah 6:1-2 & Luke 4:18-19

    The way the above verse is lived out is found in Matthew 28:19-20 & Mark 16:14-18 

"Go therefore and make disciples of ALL nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

     How are the captives going to be set free, the blind given sight, the lost saved, the poor taken the good news, the oppressed given FREEDOM if someone does not GO? How is someone going to go unless they are sent? We all have a part in seeing those in captivity brought to the wonderful thing called FREEDOM. Not just physical freedom, but also the real FREEDOM in JESUS CHRIST!!!!! 

"How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of who they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent?”

~Romans 10:14-15a

Last Post in the USA

     Well...tomorrow is the big day. We are heading to Seattle around 6AM. The house is still busy with van packing, floor sweeping, and child chasing. Its going to be a grand blessing from God if any of us sleep tonight. However, God will supply the strength we need to get through our travels. Please pray for protection as we embark on this amazing journey.
     I thought I would list a few things I am thankful for before we leave. (NOT in any particular order, just the order the thought happened to come in!). This is kinda a prayer of thanksgiving in my heart.

*That Jesus lives today*

*Freedom to live for Jesus*

*The call on my life*

*The Word of God* 

*Dad, Mom, Trent, Malinda, Cody, Natalie, Carson, Morgan, Tanner, Bebe*

*Shane, Cindy, Hank, Nikita, Brandy, Aspen, Lacy, Hunter*

*Gale, Shirley*

*The ability to read*

*Freedom to travel*

*Support from friends and family*

*My dear brothers and sisters in Christ*

*Prayers of the saints*

*Funds that make this trip possible*

*Health*

*Healing of my ankle* 

*Clean water*

*Warm beds*

*Hot showers*

*INTERNET*

*Cell phones*

***The list goes on and on***

     Please pray for us each day as you think of us. We all know that God has called us for such a time as this and we are willing vessels of Him. Thank you all for the prayers you have already said and the prayers you will continue to pray. We feel them and know that they make a huge difference in our lives! 

     I will do my best to keep the blog up. It totally depends on the internet connection and the amount of time I will have. Perhaps this is something else to pray for?!?!?! :)

A servant for the King, 

Bree

The Return

      I found this post I had written a few months back. It seemed very fitting considering we are leaving for Thailand in a few days! :)

     One day soon things are going to change. Are you going to be ready: am I? Matthew 24:44 says, Therefor you must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.* We are already seeing the changes. Mark 13:8 says, For nation shall rise against Nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.* Look at the world around us. Earthquakes = Haiti, New Zealand, and Japan. Nations against Nations = the Middle East. Famines = everywhere except the wealthy in Canada, USA, and Europe...but when you really look at the city's...its here too.  The Son of Man is coming soon!

      As I look at the Bible and I compare it to the things I see happening, I know that the end is coming soon. So I start to ponder: How would I spend my life if I knew that Jesus was coming back in a week? That is 7 days, 168 hours, 10,080 minutes, and 604,800 seconds. Would I spend my time complaining about pain in my ankle, taking photos, blogging, reading anything other than the Word of God. When I look at life in this manner I think I would spend my time in the Word of God, and telling the people I am around about Jesus! He wants to have a personal relationship with each one of us. My friends, please realize your need for Jesus!!!

My Place Has Already Been Taken

     I feel a drop, and look up. The sun is shinning so brightly behind You: I can't make out Your face. There You hang, the Savior of the world. My hand goes to my head where the drop landed, I look down and see the crimson red. Mixed emotions overwhelm me. Do I cry for the pain and suffering, or do I rejoice in my salvation?

     As the blood flows over me I feel such pain and sadness. My sin caused this suffering. I should be the one hanging to die. Instead, You have taken my place. God, Your love, I simply can't understand. Why do You keep choosing to forgive me, and why did You take my place? Hell and eternal suffering is all that I deserve, yet You offer me a FREE gift. All I need to do is ask and You forgive. Thank you Jesus for giving up your life for me!

     Its not over, Your life is going to reign on the land again. Three days after being placed in a tomb, You come back to life. God, You are alive and living today!! Thank you Father. However, its still not over. One  day You are going to come here again. I am ready Lord. I can't wait to see your face and forever be by Your side! You have promised; no more suffering and pain, no more sin and sorrow, no more sickness and poverty, no more death and loss. Thank you God! Praise be to Your name most high!