Hi I'm Louisa Stranack, a Christian friend of Gregg's living in Salt Rock on the North Coast in Kwa-Zulu Natal South Africa. I hope to write a few words each week, summarizing how I and others are experiencing as we like to say, "Being Born Again, Again!" What I mean is that after being a Christian for 28 years, I felt disillusioned to say the least. Many aspects of my Christian experience left me cold and miserable. But over the last few months of honest soul searching and desperate cries to God, slowly changes have occurred which have enabled me to begin to see things in a different light. I have begun to see things through a grace filter and what a change this has made. One of the greatest changes I have noticed in my life and in the lives of others is JOY!
How can I not be deliriously happy when I realize how blessed I am? When I realize that Jesus paid the price in full for my salvation! I am redeemed and free, no wonder I laugh out loud often. I'm living in the Good News again and loving it....
I would love to hear of your experience where ever you are in the world because I know my experience isn't unique.
Isaiah 9 in the Message version of the Bible sums up how I feel.
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.
For those who have lived in a land of deep shadows-light! Sunbursts of light!
You repopulated the nation, you expand its joy.
Oh, they're so glad in your presence! Festival joy!
The joy of a great celebration, sharing rich gifts and warm greetings.
The abuse of oppressors and cruelty of tyrants-all their whips and cudgels and curses-
Is gone done away with, a deliverance as surprising and sudden as Gideon's old victory over Midian.
The boots of all those invading troops, along with their shirts soaked with innocent blood,
Will be piled in a heap and burned, a fire that will burn for days!
For a child has been born- for us! The gift of a son-for us!
He'll take over the running of the world.
His names will be: Amazing Counselor, Strong God, Eternal Father, Prince of Wholeness.
His ruling authority will grow, and there will be no limit to the wholeness He brings.
He will rule from the historic David throne over that promised kingdom.
He'll put that kingdom on a firm footing and keep it going with fair dealing and right living,
Beginning now and lasting always.
The zeal of God-of-the-Angel-Armies will do all this.
Here's to an increase in JOY!
Louisa
3 comments:
You gave me a good word for today. I needed to hear it.
Grace!
Doc Burkhart - The 100 Goals
http://the100goals.blogspot.com
The Fellowship of Christian Veterans
http://fcv-usa.blogspot.com
The Christian Homeschool Network
http://chsn-usa.blogspot.com
Hello! First off, I want to say thank you for sharing this passage when it's not even Christmastime. ;)
And secondly, I love the phrase about feeling born-again again. I know it's true that we're only born again once, but after years of religion, when the lights finally begin to start turning on, you really do feel renewed all over again. It's very refreshing!
I remember feeling so very fresh and clean when I first began my "serious walk with the Lord" when I was 22. I felt light, as if all my burdens were lifted and all my sin was gone, gone, gone. But it didn't take long for the legalistic preaching to lay weights on me that were heavier than I'd ever had to bear previously!
I thank God that He sent people my way to help me with that "grace filter." WOW... there's a lot of JUNK that gets filtered out!
If it's not good news, it's not the gospel!
Hi, I have been enjoying your blog, and I too completely relate to where you are at! I said the same thing about feeling born again -again! The message of Grace has such power and the gospel truly is radical and amazing! Joy is now abundant and freely flowing in my life as well! I am deeply encouraged to hear of others around the world being transformed by the Gospel, and by pure Grace! Keep enjoying and reveling in your new found freedom!
Post a Comment