Unwinded

We're back, bloggers!!

Man! Our trip to Aruba was fantastic!! After days of sunbathing; snorkeling at the Antilla reef, above the 400' sunken Nazi ship, at the Baracuda reef (including driving a Rhino Rider which is a jet-ski-like-boat); a safari trek sightseeing a lighthouse, indian church, gold mine ruins, natural bridge and relaxing on De Palm island; shopping in downtown Oranjestad; visiting Baby beach and the church of Christ in San Nicolas; and cruising along the Caribbean sea for an amazing sunset sail, we're finally getting ourselves back on track with a fresh mind! There's so much to see and a two week vacation would be an ideal time! However, we're so thankful to the Lord for this wonderful opportunity to escape and unwind.

Speaking of the word, "unwind", I was looking this word up in the dictionary. Here is what the dictionary defined it:

To reverse the winding or twisting of: unwind a ball of yarn.
To separate the tangled parts of; disentangle.
To free (someone) of nervous tension or pent-up energy.

Our enemy makes every undying effort to entangle us with the world. We, often, fall prey to whatever the trap the enemy has set before us. Sometimes, it comes to us as a surprise. Oftentimes, we knew it was coming. When a person is aware of the trap that is set before us, we're given a choice to whether to entangle ourselves with it or to flee from it. 2 Peter 2:20-21 quotes,

"If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have know it and they turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them."

God passed this message through Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ. If you are a Christian and have buried your life in the Lord in baptism, you have "..escaped the corruption of the world.."! You were crushed in heart knowing you have sinned against God, though we're still sinners, Christ died for us! There will be a time when you have simply lost your faith in God, have wallowed yourselves among the world and its ways and have disconnected your relationship with God. Some of you may be in this state of divorce from God or are in the process of "divorcing" yourselves from God. After days, months and even years of faithful service to the Lord, the weariness sets inside the core of your heart which will eventually lead to a burn-out, or even worse, a divorce from God, turning your back on Him.

How do we avoid these serious consequences that may destroy the faith and relationship we have with God?

1. Daily bible reading and prayer with God.
2. One-on-one chat with a fellow Christian at Starbucks (or any convenient place).
3. Several vacation plans with family (get out to unwind - leave your computer/pager at home.)
4. Escape to the Shenadoah Mountains (or a countryside drive) and breathe.
5. Bible study - how many time have I told you this? Weekly studies together do a whole world of good! Believe me! If you're not reading and studying, you're depriving your soul of Living Water and Bread of Life. In other words, you're starving and dehydrating your soul.
6. Worship God 24/7, especially every Sunday!
7. Understand God's Divine Power which He has given us the ability to overcome!

Now that Aruba is seen in our rearview mirror, we're looking ahead with a fresh mind and Spirit. We were emotionally and spiritually drained prior to leaving for Aruba. Now, the enemy is returning for another round of beating. We will simply rely on God, His promises, and His divine nature then constantly escape the corruption of the world caused by evil desires. (2 Pe. 1:4)