Full-time Freedom

Little did I know that writing a simple blog would begin a new chapter in my life. Six months ago, I resolved to write in the New Year. My first writing would be a short blog, dedicating anything that came of it to the Lord. It was a simple statement of commitment, or devotion, to pursue a God-given desire. Since that time, God has opened doors for me in writing and in ministry. Assuredly it was not the blog that opened the doors. To date, I have written only two other blogs, neither of which has received any comments from the possible few who may have read them. No, it was the Lord. He honored my small step of faith in ways I could not have imagined. This summer, I will be formally published as a Christian writer. God did not wait in responding to my commitment. He was ready and waiting on me. I did not seek out any new opportunities, only surrendered my desire to Him, believing Him to be the source, as it says in Phil. 2:13, "For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose." As a result, He brought the work right to my doorstep. He opened the door and said, "Here it is."

The burden to leave my full-time career as a school principal then became so heavy, I knew that I must lay it down in front of the cross. My decision was confirmed six days after my resignation, when the school district began discussing the possibility of closing my school. Within six weeks, the determination was made. Next year will be its last. God protected me from the difficulties of closing a school, a school in which I have given my heart and soul for the past nine years, while filling me with hope for His next chapter in my life. How great is the Divine Author of Life and Faith!


"Throw yourselves wholeheartedly and full-time--remember, you've been raised from the dead!--into God's way of doing things....You're living in the freedom of God."
--Romans 6:13-14 (The Message)

"Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the AUTHOR and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."
--Hebrews 12:1-3

Free to Write

One publication that I use regularly for my devotional time is "Our Journey: A Daily Walk in the Word." Today's reflection is written by the legendary Beth Moore and it ministered to me in a unique way. She defines a stronghold as something that overpowers one's mind, distracting one from focusing on God and keeping one from living the abundant life in the power available to believers through the Holy Spirit. Addictions are a common stronghold. But a stronghold can be less obvious. Today, I realized that a stronghold in my life is the negative thinking associated with my ability to write for God's kingdom. While in my heart I believe I have gifts in this area, in my mind I have allowed Satan's influences to replace my faith in God to utilize these gifts with doubt in His will and power to do so. This negative thinking about my own God-given skills and His potential purposes for giving them to me is a stronghold, as this goes against my knowledge of the Almighty and His sovereignty. If it is His will to utilize my writing in some way to further His kingdom, then nothing can get in the way, unless I allow strongholds to rule my mind, limiting my ability to hear from the Holy Spirit and my courage to follow His leading. May it never be!

"The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:4-5

"To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."" John 8:31-32

(Special thanks: http://www.walkintheword.com, http://www.bethmoore.com)