Day 20 of 40

 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Romans 6:11

I've been coming across a lot of alive, death, and love stuff lately.  God is trying to tell me something.  Maybe living in this moment?  This one.  This moment. 

Day 19 of 40

 So look upon your old sin nature as dead and unresponsive to sin, and instead be alive to God, alert him, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Do not let sin control your puny body any longer; do not give in to its sinful desires.  Do not let any part of your bodies become tools of wickedness, to be used for sinning; but give yourselves completely to God-every part of you-for you are back from death and you want to be tools in the hand of God, to be used for good purposes.

Romans 6:11-13

Like he said.

Day 17 of 40

 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

1 John 4:10

Love is when you give all to someone who did not deserve it.

Day 16 of 40

 Yet, even though Christ lives within you, your body will die because of sin; but your spirit will live, for Christ has pardoned it.  And if the Spirit of God, who raised up Jesus from the dead, lives in you, he will make your dying bodies live again after you die, by means of this same Holy Spirit living within you.

Romans 8:10-11

Yea, I am not sure I'm getting this one.  It's deep.

dAY 15 OF 40

 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

1 Peter 1:18-19

It's interesting that he uses the word perishable when talking about silver and gold, but not with a man.  The man goes on forever, he counts, he lives on.  The gold and silver, though never die, never live either.

Day 14 of 40

 He saved us because of his mercy, and not because of any good things we have done.  God washed us by the power of the Holy Spirit.  He gave us new birth and a fresh beginning.

Titus 3:5

It's all brand new.  It's a wash.  All new!

Day 13 of 40

 God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself.  Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin.  Therefore, as the scriptures say, "If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord."

1 Corinthians 1:30-31

You have done nothing.  Your sins are the same as everyone else's.  The only reason you are free is because Jesus made you that way.  Stop bragging.

Day 12 of 40

 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death-that is, the devil- and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.

Hebrews 2: 14-15

If it's good enough for God, it's good enough for you.

day 11 of 40

 Remember that in those days you were living utterly apart from Christ; you were enemies of God's children, and he had promised you no help.  You were lost, without God, without hope.  But now you belong to Christ Jesus, and though you once were far away from God, now you have been brought very  near to him because of what Jesus Christ has done for you with his blood.

Ephesians 2:12-13

Sacrifice brings people closer.  For the sacrificer and the sacrificee.  The giving and the taking changes everything.  Jesus gave all to bring us closer to also give all we have as well.

Politics & Poland

 July was the month of poles.  Politics and Poland.  Politics was kind of boring.  Poland was pretty fascinating. I though it would be the other way around.  Poland is the land of my people and I gotta admit, I was impressed.  The music, the food, the literature....nice.  Politics seems all heated on the news/propaganda, but when learning about it, it got dry quick.  

I only read 2 books: "Build the World Better" and "The Last Wish" which is a Witcher novel written by a Polish author.  Highly recommend it.  I watched Sons of Liberty on TV during a 4th of July marathon and the Hamilton musical.  On Curiosity Streaming:  Meteorite Men (in Poland, got to see current landscapes) and America's Declaration.  On Great Courses: Rosa Luxemburg; Gorecki; Investigating the Presidency; America's Changing Democracy.  On commune I watched a couple of days of political videos.  

On podcasts I listened to Poland's Lost Generation; Biden in Poland (a twofer); and Pantsuit Politics.  

I also made or ordered some Polish food.  I must say if you've never had Polish pancakes you should try them.  They have apples in them and are so delicious.  

Last month I learned that the food and music in Poland is amazing.  Between Chopin and Gorecki I spent several days just listening and meditating.  Beautiful.  I also learned that what is displayed to us through the media about politics isn't all together true.  It is more cut and dry, yet passionate.  The people (not all) are more into the country that into themselves.  But they are just people.  The are both good and bad and make a ton of mistakes.  Only theirs has more effect.

August:  the Irish and music (not just Irish).   

Day 10 of 40

 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Romans 8:1

You are forgiven.  If you believe, you are forgiven.  No matter what.

Day 9 of 40

 He gave himself for us to set us free from every wrong and to make us a pure people who belong to him alone and are eager to do good.

Titus 2:14

He bought us with his life to save us a from a life of slavery to wrong to ownership to do right.  To be eager to for it.  Are we eager?