Romans One

by emma | Oct 3, 2007 | Faith

This term I’m studying Paul for one of my university classes, and as we’ll be starting off soon into Romans, I thought I’d take the chance to go back and read it again. Tonight I read Romans 1 (read it here). Some thoughts…

1v1 : We are slaves; we are not our own, we are bought at a price.
1v8 : Is our faith being known worldwide a suitable aim? It should never be the aim, but a result of faithfulness in the everyday choices. Brings with it greater scrutiny, perhaps greater need for accountability.
1v 11 : Is Paul being big-headed? The assumption that he can bring something they cannot get by themselves?
1v19-20 : Does this negate questions of ‘what about those who haven’t heard the gospel?’ Paul seems to be saying that everyone can/does know about God because they can see the created world.
1v25 : Wow, hard hitting. How often I do this.
1v32 : We know what we should do, but we just don’t DO it. There is such a dichotomy between what we say and what we do.

“They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.”

[ Romans 1:25 ]

Freedom

by emma | Oct 2, 2007 | Faith

“Freedom—I want to be free.

I want to hold back the hands that cut, unlock the prison doors, dance in the sun rise and swim in the waves. I want to scream truth louder than the lies, give the hungry, thirsty, homeless and poor everything they need to meet every single need they have and will have. I want to not be crippled by my past and shortcomings. I want to encourage rather than gossip. I want to bring healing. I want to comfort those who mourn. I want to proclaim victory. I want to lead the way to freedom. Where children can laugh and dance and be embraced by their parents. Where the poor are rich and the last are first. Where addictions are weak and chains are broken. Where the only blood that will be shed has shed and cheeks know not the touch of tears. Where hearts are confident in love and community thrives in fellowship. Where slavery is nonexistent. Freedom. Freedom. Freedom.”

[From ‘Hearts Crying Louder Than The Rocks‘ by Stephanie Sandmeyer]