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woman holding sword statue during daytime

<figure id="figure-xws21lqlzm2llk016"><img id="xws21lqlzm2llk016" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1589829545856-d10d557cf95f?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxNXx8VGhlJTIwTGF3JTIwb2YlMjB0aGUlMjBTcGlyaXQlM0ElMjBGaW5kaW5nJTIwRnJlZWRvbSUyMGZyb20lMjBBYm92ZXxlbnwwfHx8fDE3Mjk2NzExODl8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="woman holding sword statue during daytime" title="woman holding sword statue during daytime" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1589829545856-d10d557cf95f?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxNXx8VGhlJTIwTGF3JTIwb2YlMjB0aGUlMjBTcGlyaXQlM0ElMjBGaW5kaW5nJTIwRnJlZWRvbSUyMGZyb20lMjBBYm92ZXxlbnwwfHx8fDE3Mjk2NzExODl8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure>Dear reader -Today I was meditating on Romans 8:2-4 and had a beautiful revelation about spiritual freedom. It struck me how we face these competing laws in our lives - God's external law making its demands, our mind's law that agrees with God, and that frustrating law of sin in our body that keeps fighting and defeating our good intentions.But then I saw it - what a gift we have in our spirit! The law of the Spirit of life dwells right there within us. This isn't just any law - it's the most powerful force in the universe. Nothing can stand against it. No enemy, no circumstance, no inner struggle can defeat it. It's like having an unstoppable, spontaneous power source inside me.I love how this law sets us free in such an unexpected way. It made me think about warfare - in the old days, surrounded soldiers had to fight their way through enemy lines. But now? We don't need to fight horizontally - we have vertical freedom! It's like having a spiritual helicopter lift us above the battle.I imagined saying to my spiritual enemies: "You might seem powerful compared to me, but you're missing something crucial. My God isn't just in heaven - He lives in my spirit! And while I might struggle to reach heaven on my own, it's effortless for Him. So you can surround me all you want - I have an escape route you can't block. You're under my feet, and I am truly free!"What an encouraging truth to hold onto. No matter what surrounds me, freedom is always within reach through the Spirit of life.Until next timeChaplain Mark

The Law of the Spirit: Finding Freedom from Above

<figure id="figure-5ra1o9z3vim2k7kdfg"><img id="5ra1o9z3vim2k7kdfg" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1604881991108-a3a35673b7c4?crop=entropy&cs=tinysrgb&fit=max&fm=jpg&ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxMHx8Q291bnNlbGxpbmd8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzA3MjU3ODg3fDA&ixlib=rb-4.0.3&q=80&w=1080" alt="person holding black ceramic mug" title="person holding black ceramic mug" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionX="undefined" data-positionY="undefined" data-fullWidth="false"/></figure>Dear reader,I was reading this morning about how amazing God's promise of the Holy Spirit is. It struck me how different things were in the Old Testament - only a few special people like priests or prophets would receive the Spirit's power. Sometimes there might be just one person in all of Israel with this gift, showing up maybe once in a generation.But what fills me with joy is how different it is now! After Jesus rose and before He went to heaven, He promised something incredible - that ALL of us could receive the Holy Spirit's power. He even told His disciples to wait in Jerusalem for it. Even though they already had the Spirit living in them and were praying faithfully, God had something even more special planned.Ten days later, on Pentecost (the fiftieth day), it happened! They were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Reading Acts 2 today, I can clearly see this was the Spirit working on them from the outside, different from His work inside us. It's fascinating to see in John, Luke, and Acts how the Spirit works in these two ways - both within us and upon us.What an incredible blessing that I don't have to be a special prophet or priest to experience the Holy Spirit's power. This promise is for me too! It makes me appreciate even more what Jesus has done for us.Reflecting gratefully, Chaplain Mark

The Holy Spirit - A Gift for All of Us

<figure id="figure-e0gdqx21zkqm1qiiexf" class=""><img id="e0gdqx21zkqm1qiiexf" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/15cBzOfGkCO0RbwOValKPvetPzbsWRUMf0m2ZJp8UybOBsmbmxCYQX4mWOQiwzl4.jpg" alt="low angle view of cross with red garment" title="low angle view of cross with red garment" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/15cBzOfGkCO0RbwOValKPvetPzbsWRUMf0m2ZJp8UybOBsmbmxCYQX4mWOQiwzl4.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure>Dear Reader, &nbsp; Today, I found myself reading some profound words in Romans 5. It's fascinating how Paul traces the origin of sin back to one man, Adam. His disobedience in the Garden of Eden seems to have opened a Pandora's box, unleashing sin into our world. &nbsp; What struck me most was how Paul personifies sin. It's not just an abstract concept, but a living, active force. He describes it as something that can reign over us, deceive us, and even kill us. It's a chilling thought - this idea of sin as an invasive presence, dwelling within us and sometimes acting against our very will. &nbsp; I've always thought of sin as just bad actions, but Paul's words paint a different picture. It's as if sin is an alien element, not part of God's original design, that has been injected into our very being. We weren't created as sinners, but somehow, we've been "constituted" as such. It's like a fundamental change in our spiritual DNA. &nbsp; This led me to a sobering realization: sin isn't just about what we do, it's about who we've become. It's woven into the fabric of our nature. No wonder it feels like such a struggle sometimes - we're fighting against something that's become part of us. &nbsp; And the consequences? Universal. Paul doesn't pull any punches. Because of Adam's transgression, all of humanity stands condemned. It's a heavy thought, but it makes the message of salvation all the more powerful. &nbsp; I'm left with a lot to think about. How does this understanding of sin change how I view myself and others? How does it impact my daily struggles and choices? And most importantly, how does it magnify the incredible grace of God in offering redemption? &nbsp; These are questions I'll be wrestling with for a while, I think. &nbsp; Until next time &nbsp; Chaplain Mark

Adam's Apple and the Worm Within

<figure id="figure-wc0vvje0n9m1rq9z4a"><img id="wc0vvje0n9m1rq9z4a" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/351mUCeKDjoJZERc56OX55MKpwjuXaQprnIcXR0cs4J5oASI0AuBweMHQEFRQ3AO.jpg" alt="person catching light bulb" title="person catching light bulb" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/351mUCeKDjoJZERc56OX55MKpwjuXaQprnIcXR0cs4J5oASI0AuBweMHQEFRQ3AO.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure>Dear reader,Today I read Acts 7:2-3 - the transformation from being called to becoming a believer. Abraham's journey keeps rattling around in my mind. It's wild to think about - this guy just up and left everything behind on a divine whim. No GPS, no five-year plan, just blind trust in the Big Guy upstairs.I mean, imagine getting a cosmic voicemail saying, "Hey, drop everything and hit the road. Where to? Don't worry about it. Just go." That's basically what happened to Abraham. Talk about a leap of faith!It's like God was playing some divine game of "Simon Says" with Abraham. "Simon says leave your comfy life. Simon says trust me completely. Simon says don't ask where you're going." And Abraham just... did it. No questions asked. Well, probably some questions, but he went anyway.The more I think about it, the more I realize God wasn't looking for Abraham to be some sort of spiritual superhero. He just wanted Abraham to stick close, like a divine buddy system. "Just hang with me, Abe. I've got this whole plan thing figured out. You just focus on the 'following' part."It's kind of refreshing, honestly. No pressure to perform miracles or build arks. Just trust and follow. Sounds simple, but man, it must've been tough. I wonder if I could do that - just roll with whatever God throws my way without trying to take control.This whole "believing race" thing is starting to make more sense now. It's not about having all the answers or being perfect. It's about trusting the journey, even when the destination is a big ol' question mark.I guess that's what it means to be part of Abraham's crew - just a bunch of folks stumbling forward on faith. Kinda makes me feel better about my own muddled path. Maybe I'm not lost after all. Maybe I'm just on a divine detour.Food for thought, Until next time,Chaplain Mark

Divine Detours

<figure id="figure-i4q227hnu9m2iq1zco" class=""><img id="i4q227hnu9m2iq1zco" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/2bgAUxcmo8Ks8vxYbKF5IYcVzJKgqQiPJPGEdV2JxG1lgnN9UkdsAxC5HtdatbFq.jpg" alt="women and man talking outside the building" title="women and man talking outside the building" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/2bgAUxcmo8Ks8vxYbKF5IYcVzJKgqQiPJPGEdV2JxG1lgnN9UkdsAxC5HtdatbFq.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure>Dear Reader,Today I read from Paul's writings in Romans, particularly chapter 3. It's pretty intense stuff. He quotes from the Old Testament, and those verses really drive home the point about our human condition. I wrote them down to remember:"There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one. Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit. The poison of vipers is on their lips. Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and misery mark their ways."And then in verse 19, Paul concludes: "Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God."Wow. It's a harsh picture, but it really made me think about where I'd be without God's grace in my life. Before I found faith, I was just wandering, you know? No matter what I did or who I thought I was, I was still under God's judgment. It's humbling to realize that.But here's the thing - Paul isn't just trying to make us feel bad. He's setting the stage for something bigger. It's like he's saying, "Look, we're all in this mess together, but there's hope!" And that hope is Jesus. Whether I'm trying to be a good person, or following religious rules, or just living my life - none of that is enough. I need Christ.What really struck me is how Paul uses this tough message to open the door for something beautiful. He's not just condemning us; he's preparing us to receive Christ. It's like he's clearing the ground so that Jesus can come in and make His home in us.I keep thinking about that verse in Romans 8:10 - "Christ is in you." It's amazing to think about. No matter who I am or what I've done, Christ can be in me. That's the whole point of Paul's message.Today, I'm grateful for this reminder. It's not about being perfect or having it all together. It's about recognizing my need for Jesus and letting Him in. Paul's words might seem harsh at first, but they're actually the beginning of something beautiful - a way for Christ to enter our lives and change us from the inside out.I want to hold onto this truth. No matter what happens, I need Jesus. And He's here, ready to be part of my life. That's something worth celebrating, especially when I remember where I'd be without Him.Until next timeChaplain Mark

From 'Viper Lips' to 'Christ Within

<figure id="figure-9ouf7b0cglm2hckc5y" class=""><img id="9ouf7b0cglm2hckc5y" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/0C5j5dzQgajovNplkPXSgoTaH8IZwuCXuJq5hGlxLDjFIBvQtgkKaNvTmQ16OxYS.jpg" alt="photo of person reach out above the water" title="photo of person reach out above the water" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: undefined undefined;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/0C5j5dzQgajovNplkPXSgoTaH8IZwuCXuJq5hGlxLDjFIBvQtgkKaNvTmQ16OxYS.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: undefined undefined;"></figure>Dear reader,This morning’s devotions got my attention to the power of gratitude and its impact on my life. It's amazing how easy it is to forget the importance of acknowledging the good things around us, especially when life gets challenging.I've noticed that when I neglect to take time for reflection and appreciation, I tend to feel more negative and stressed. It's like a domino effect - the less grateful I am, the more I focus on problems, and the worse I feel overall.But today, I made a conscious effort to shift my perspective. Instead of getting frustrated with my usual triggers, I tried something different. When I felt my temper rising during a difficult meeting at work, I paused and thought:"I'm grateful for this job and the opportunity to contribute. I choose to focus on growth rather than frustration."It's incredible how this small shift made such a big difference. I felt my anger dissipate almost immediately, replaced by a sense of purpose and calm.I'm realizing that gratitude isn't just about saying "thank you" - it's a powerful tool for personal growth and emotional regulation. It's helping me break free from negative patterns that I've struggled with for years.Moving forward, I want to make this a daily practice. Even on tough days, there's always something to be thankful for, even if it's as simple as a warm cup of coffee or a kind word from a friend.I'm curious to see how this practice will shape my life in the long run. Will it improve my relationships? My work performance? My overall happiness? Only time will tell, but I'm excited about the possibilities.Note to self: Start each day by listing three things I'm grateful for. It's a small step, but I believe it can lead to big changes.Until next timeChaplain Mark

The Transformative Power of Gratitude

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