John 8:32 (NLT)
32 “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Freedom. It was something that I never knew and am just now beginning to know. It’s the freedom of my soul. I may be trapped by the riches of the west in many ways, but my soul is slowly crawling to freedom.

I know I have brothers and sisters who are doing the same all over the world, many under much more horrific consequences than I will ever suffer. Yet, we’re slowly crawling to freedom.

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Freedom. Freedom to live right, not caught up in the ways of the world.

Psalm 56:4 (NLT)
4 I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?

The eternal perspective. I’m baffled by those who rail against God. Those that rail against religion, not so much (yet the let’s not ignore that the Christian Church is responsible for much of what is good in the world today – from founding universities to drastically reducing world hunger and increasing access to clean water, to our world view about what is right). But against Christ? No, that makes no sense. Yet, days are coming (again) where believing the words of Christ are, or will be, outlawed, the followers of Christ will be condemned. Guess who’s word will last? Guess who has it right? It isn’t the world.

1 Peter 4:16 (NLT)
16 But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name!

Nope. If someone thinks I’m a jesus freak, I’m totally OK with that (and blessed by it too) and any consequences that arise because of that. What can mere mortals do to me? Yes, the truth will set you free. Slowly crawling to freedom.

John 8:31-50 (NLT)
31 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. 32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
33 “But we are descendants of Abraham,” they said. “We have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean, ‘You will be set free’?”
34 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin.35 A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.37 Yes, I realize that you are descendants of Abraham. And yet some of you are trying to kill me because there’s no room in your hearts for my message. 38 I am telling you what I saw when I was with my Father. But you are following the advice of your father.”
39 “Our father is Abraham!” they declared.
“No,” Jesus replied, “for if you were really the children of Abraham, you would follow his example. 40 Instead, you are trying to kill me because I told you the truth, which I heard from God. Abraham never did such a thing. 41 No, you are imitating your real father.”
They replied, “We aren’t illegitimate children! God himself is our true Father.”
42 Jesus told them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, because I have come to you from God. I am not here on my own, but he sent me. 43 Why can’t you understand what I am saying? It’s because you can’t even hear me! 44 For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 So when I tell the truth, you just naturally don’t believe me! 46 Which of you can truthfully accuse me of sin? And since I am telling you the truth, why don’t you believe me? 47 Anyone who belongs to God listens gladly to the words of God. But you don’t listen because you don’t belong to God.”
48 The people retorted, “You Samaritan devil! Didn’t we say all along that you were possessed by a demon?”
49 “No,” Jesus said, “I have no demon in me. For I honor my Father—and you dishonor me. 50 And though I have no wish to glorify myself, God is going to glorify me. He is the true judge.”