Week 20 - Take A Bath

TAKE A BATH

Wash your face and hands, and brush your teeth.

Bird Bath

Bird Brain

Bubble Bath

Bathe

Hot Bath

Cold Shower

Dirty Bath Water

Draw a Bath

Bath Tub

I don’t need a bath

Bathing Pool

Soak it in hot water

Take a Bath

Bath House

Bathroom

Don't throw the baby out with the bath water.

Bath, [bath, bahth]

plural baths  [bathz, bahthz, baths, bahths]

verb, noun

1.  washing or immersion of something, especially the body, in water, steam, etc., as for cleansing or medical treatment

The TV is on. Non-stop images and sites and sounds wash over our minds: Fat-Free; Look and Feel Skinny; Feel Sexy; The New You; Long Luxurious Hair; Eat This; Run Like That; Drink This; Soak in This; Go here; Eat There; It's Fun To Be Like Mike. This is the same TV that said “Smoke This, it’s good for you!”

We turn on the radio. The music sings out: Kiss this; Give it up for that; Shake Your Booty; Give It Up For Him; “Rock and Roll Hoochie Coo”.

It is easy to flop down on the couch in front of the TV and let it minister to your tired soul. And I can hardly imagine driving down the road without the radio turned up.

The waters of this culture have saturated us with their ideas of happiness and success and the latest fad to make us feel good. They lie.

John the Baptist stood in the Jordan River. The children of Israel never kept the law of God, and the stains of their sins could be seen in their slavery to the Romans. The people of Israel came to be washed of their sins. They confessed their transgressions, and John plunged them in the water. But John cried; this is not enough! There is coming one greater than me, he will baptize you in holy spirit.

The fact that our covenant with God is not based on Mosaic Law does not mean that there is no standard for right and wrong: Just the opposite. The spirit that the Father is raining down on all mankind produces conscience. The call for repentance today is just as valid as when John compelled men to turn from their wicked ways, and turn to God.

Like a silly song that we can’t get out of our head, sin has a way of clinging to us. Sin clings to us like dirt. Some dirt is easier to wash off than others. Grease under the finger nails may take some time. Some dirt leaves a stain. Stubborn stains must be soaked in some liquid solution in hopes of dissolving it. For our conscience to be cleansed, we must meditate, be bathed, be soaked, be baptized in the holy words of the Father. The Father’s word is the water that cleanses every stain and heals every wound. The best surgeons in the world cannot hide the scars of some wounds. But the Father, the Father not only heals your every wound, he renews your heart, without a scar. He makes your conscience without a spot or wrinkle!

Water Baptism – I wish it were that easy!

Spirit Baptism – This is not passive like listening to the radio. This takes commitment of will. This requires loving God with all of your heart; all of your soul; all of your mind; and all of your strength.

So take a bath! Every day, whether you need it or not!

Courtney

The fruit of the words of God in your life are evident for everybody to see! Keep planting. Keep watering. Keep growing! I am so proud of you.

Dad.

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Week 19 - Freedom

FREEDOM

Freedom

Freedom of Speech

Born Free

Freely

Free

Buy One Get One Free

Unencumbered

Live Free Or Die

Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death

Born To Be Wild

Freely You Have Been Given

Freely Give

Free. Not Cheap.

Set Me Free

If You Love Something

Statue Of Liberty

Land Of The Free

Free Will

Set The Captive Free

Get Out Of Jail Free Card

“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it on to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.” ~ Ronald Reagan 

“Freedom is the standard against which I measure all human endeavors. A government that protects and preserves freedom is good. An industry that enables men to prosper in freedom is good. A religion that sets men free is good.” ~ Kris Carrara

“It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery” ~ Apostle Paul

"Conformity is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth." ~ John F. Kennedy

“I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.” ~ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

free·dom / frēdem

Noun:

1.    The power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint.

2.    Absence of subjection to foreign domination or despotic government.

Synonyms: liberty; independence

Courtney 

We have received from the great gift of freedom from the Father. Jesus died to pay for this freedom. The apostles were martyred for proclaiming this freedom. We are free to choose to walk with God. Our relationship to God is no longer defined by a law carved in stone, but rather by a breath of love impressed upon our hearts. The free will of the Father is not to be feared but embraced. If we can give good gifts to our children, then surely the Father will give his good word to us. You have prayerfully chosen a path to travel. The Father has promised that he will never leave you nor forsake you. Walk with God, and whatever you do, do it with all of your might.

Happy Valentines Day!!

I love you.

Dad