Whirlwind.

This blog isn't really like most of mine. It honestly doesn't even matter if people read it. When I am studying scripture or something like that and blogging I love people to read, but this blog is really just so I can unpack my mind. But, if you care and are bored, read ahead anyway.

So, last Saturday at noon is when it all began. I had my going away party (thank you if you came). It was a great time. I felt like a kid again, something I haven't been able to say for a long time. With all the fun were also many bittersweet moments. I said, what I thought would be final goodbyes that day with several people. The week progressed and I went to, what I thought would be my last Bible study at New Journey. Then this past weekend came. I went to Tupelo for the Oh, Sleeper show and to see Kojo and Kayla one last time. Those goodbyes were really hard. Then, once we came home, Sunday rolled around and I saw my pastor, for what I thought was the last time. That afternoon I got to see Amanda and Blanco, same thoughts apply. Blanco and I went to sonic to hang and as much as I didn't want it to, the time for him to leave came and we said goodbyes. I walked back to the mall (that's where my bike was) to waste time and enjoy the weather. I was heartbroken and didn't have much left in me. I was still confident in God though. He always has everything under control.

Little did I know within an hour my life would come within inches of ending.

Getting hit by a vehicle is scary. Getting hit by one when you're not in another one is terrifying.

But, God obvious was with me.

My small injury is certainly a testament of that.

And then finding out I can't go to basic next week.

I was angry.

Because there are people I can easily blame for being in the situation I was when I got hit, but God is still sovereign. Always is.

Now, I'm here with lots of unanswered questions.

What-ifs.

But that's the beauty of faith.

Walking when I can't see.

I love it.

My life, she has been changed, for the far better.

I feel like I was in a valley and God put a jetpack on me and set me at the top of a mountain.

I am absolutely joyful.

I am absolutely founded.

I am absolutely confident.

God is good.

Not because of anything I can say or anything He did or didn't do.

He just is.

But, because He loves us He chooses to be good to us.

Amen.

I love you.

If you're reading this and don't feel the joy and relief I do, get up with me.

I'd love to talk to you.

I'd love to pray with you.

Slavery. Marriage. The Gospel.

Reading the book of Romans is always an interesting activity. It seems as though every time I read it God reveals more truth to me, tis why it's my favorite book I suppose. :)

When reading Romans 6 specifically one thing is certain. Paul is concerned with slavery. Not a normal type of slavery, but slavery to sin. It didn't start here certainly. From the first chapter until now he has dealt greatly with this matter (Romans 1:17-32; 3:10-20). In verse 14 of chapter six he really begins what I want to hit on.

Romans 6:14-16

For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?

I believe my point that, before and apart from Christ we are slaves to sin.

Paul, and I, are about to change the way we explain this.

According to God's Word, the wife is the servant or helper of her husband (I AM NOT CALLING WOMEN SLAVES). In this time though, women were much indeed like slaves. They were physically bound to their husbands by law. They didn't have a choice, really.

But.

I love but, it means the story is shifting. In this case, from bad to good.

Paul opens chapter 7 with theses words:

"Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? For the woman which hath a husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; BUT if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband." verses 1-2

So, though it is no excuse, without Christ, we really don't have control. We are slaves to sin. We might grumble, complain and not like certain things, much like a physical slave would, but we lack real power to change anything.

UNTIL.

Back in chapter 6 verse 6: "Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

Hallelujah.

Christ came and died, and with Him the sins of mankind. Because of that we are free from the law and sin and death and allowed to marry another (verse 3 of ch 7).

And as verse 4 says:

"Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ: that ye should be married to another, even to Him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God."

We are not bound to sin anymore.

If you're old man has died, don't remain married to him. Be faithful to Christ, by Grace through faith.

I pray for ears to hear.

I love you.