May 28, 2013 - My Health Enemies

Hello to you all and I apologize for unplugging for a few days without notice. I am fine, just had a friend here and then a holiday. Crazy busy for the next couple of weeks as I am certain you are. As I meditated on Memorial Day, I was more aware that Jesus is our great defender and as we paused to honor our veterans, I paused and honored the sacrificial life Jesus gave to set us free, place us in a free land, and post a guard (the Holy Spirit) to assist in maintaining our freedom. When this level of freedom is attained in our natural settings, there are often years of battles, negotiations, broken relationships, destruction, and devastation. Many are affected and known life recalculated. I am reminded of the Carmen video that depicts Jesus as the Champion. Yes, there was conflict, struggle, death, and devastation - but only for one man, Jesus. He alone offers us victory and none of us can proclaim we had any part in winning the war. Jesus overcame the destruction of death and offered to each of us a path to a new and better life. (John 3:17) I have never lived during war times, but I have read many accounts. The books and articles do not convey an easy journey. And for Jesus, the journey was more that difficult. But by His own nature and position He was the only possible choice to attain our freedom. He came freely, died freely, and gave each us an opportunity to be eternally free. For that I grateful beyond any words that can be typed. We celebrated freedom yesterday - food, family, swimming, fun gatherings and fireworks. It is easy to enjoy life when one is free and lives in a free nation, isn't it? I don't imagine those living in war zones celebrate freedom as we do. Sometimes we need to stop long enough to sink into a place or realization. Freedom is costly and often not pretty. Some of us know that too well. As we choose to daily walk in freedom as it relates to our health, we often have to murder our attitudes and desires. We cannot entertain peace when we know our health is at stake. Making friends with the enemy can be extremely detrimental. At this phase of my life, making friends with my health enemies means I surrender my land to disease and pain. Not me - not now. As you start this new week, be grateful for your freedom and recognize your health enemies quickly. They are bad dudes with ill intent. Don't shake their hands.