This photo was taken in the hallway of a Liberty University dorm building. The girls decorate the outside of their doorways and the common theme currently is “founded, freed, flourishing.”
That will preach, yes?
I told Hannah I may have to use their theme in my blog post – thank you, Erika for the pretty artwork.
Since it is the season of gratitude and thanks-giving I cannot think of anything to be more grateful for than being found, freed, and flourishing in Christ.
Can you?
I was blind but now I see.
I was lost but now am found.
Jesus Christ found me a very long time ago – and then stupidly, I got lost again. I lost my way. I left The Way and began wandering on side roads and blazing some trails that only led to destruction. But in His grace and mercy He stopped me (almost) dead in my tracks and said, “This is The Way now walk in it.”
I began my journey back to being …
Found.
When the Son sets you free – you will be FREE indeed!
What does that even mean? Free? There were no chains or shackles,
or, were there?
Guilt was the chain that held me. Grace was the key that freed me.
Freed.
Flourishing means peace, or shalom, in every direction.
Peace, or shalom, is not just an absence of conflict, but a positive presence of the Lord’s blessing.
To know shalom is to know God’s favor. His face will shine with pleasure on you. His face will look in your direction. He is noticing you with approval.
To know shalom is to know God’s gracious presence in all areas of your life.
The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree,
He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
Those who are planted in the house of the Lord
Shall flourish in the courts of our God.
They shall still bear fruit in old age;
They shall be fresh and flourishing,
To declare that the Lord is upright;
He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him. Psalm 92.12-15
So, if flourishing means peace “in every direction” then the righteous will have peace like a palm tree (I’ve never seen one having a breakdown); they (the righteous) will have peace in God’s courts; they (the righteous) will be fruitful in old age and they will be renewed and peaceful.
Those girls at Liberty University?
Flourishing.
Are you?
Am I?
xo
Footnotes: https://tifwe.org/the-biblical-definition-of-flourishing/
Peace in every direction. I love that so much. Happy Wednesday, friend. xoxo
Like a palm tree bending in the soft breeze. Holy Spirit, the wind of HS comes and brings PEACE.
Oh, Susan. You spoke to my heart and to my soul today. Guilt and fear are the chains that keep trying to bind me. And, yes, grace is what sets me free.
I just love this whole post and for it to be here in the morning after I spent almost the entire night lying awake contemplating… Priceless. A divine appointment.
Thank you
Then receive it sister…When I wrote “Guilt was the chain that held me – Grace was the key that freed me” I said, Yes Lord. Thank You Holy Spirit. From HS to my fingers – HIS WORDS.
Susan, wonderful words. “Flourishing means peace, or shalom, in every direction.” I began to think and pray about my one word for 2017. Flourishing may just be it.
IN EVERY DIRECTION – do you not love that?
And what a fun thing it is to see you flourishing, Susan!
What a great alliterative way to think of the Christian life. I wouldn’t be surprised to see one of those “f’s” showing up in someone’s 2017 Word because of reading your blog post.
Michele? I’m thinking He is speaking Flourish to me!
This was definitely for me. Thank you for listening to Holy Spirit when you write. Love you!
Kathy
Nothing BUT HS – I thought the post was weak in substance. xoxo
This is such a powerful word combination. Ministered to me today as I am breaking free of the ‘stuff’ that is holding me back from my destiny. I am freed from the ties. I don’t need things to spark memories. Powerful indeed!
Karen
I felt this post was weak in words but reading the comments? It is exactly what Holy Spirit wanted said to His daughters!!! I love that God does that.
Great post! I love the description of flourishing- peace in every direction sounds good!
I think we all need that, Lesley!
In every direction! love it –
and you are such a prolific author!! blessings abound (in every direction!!) happy thanksgiving, friend!
And, happy thanksgiving to YOU!
My quiet time this morning reflects the themes you’re talking about here, Susan. Our sins truly do keep us bound up, but there is such freedom and flourishing when we let the Lord lead and heal us. Thanks for this inspiring post!
Thank YOU, Beth, for always visiting with me over here!!!
Susan, I love your writing style, but mostly how you are in love with Jesus; it just overflows through your keyboard and onto the screen. Been noticing palm trees and the passage you shared. Ah, to flourish!
Christina – palm trees are holy examples of FLOURISHING!!!
“Guilt was the chain that held me. Grace was the key that freed me.” Wise words Susan. Living in that abundant, flourishing, grace and peace is so freeing. Thanks for the reminder!
Jill, thank you for the visit!
Peace be with you! 🙂
IN ALL DIRECTIONS!!!
Thank you honey, these past couple of days the evil one been hitting me with things of my past. I’ve been praying our Lord , Peace and Grace over me. The battle starts in our minds.
The great battlefield of all time.
Love this: “Guilt was the chain that held me. Grace was the key that freed me.”
Pure Holy Spirit, Nicki….
“Flourish like a palm tree…” I’ve never seen one break down either. When I was growing up we had one in our front yard. One year we actually had a little snow and it looked really weird on a palm tree. LOL But it seemed nothing would kill that tree.
Blessings to you, Susan! xo
Palms are pretty tough. They were created to bend in the breeze. In the flourishing.
I’ve never seen a palm tree have a break down, either! Ha! I love how you broke down these blessings for us! Glad to be your linkup neighbor today. 🙂
Kelly! Don’t you love linkup friends?
Palm trees being still or swaying in a strong breeze, watch them and reflect. Pray that we all flourish along with our country. A great word to remember.
Who would have ever thought? God’s peace reflected by a palm tree!
A palm tree having a break down. HA! What a great picture. Love this theme. Thanks for sharing!
And, we can FLOURISH like that!!!
Beautiful words and great wisdom like always.
Oh my, what a kind and generous thing to say, wise woman of two sons!!! Aren’t they blessed!
“Peace, or shalom, is not just an absence of conflict, but a positive presence of the Lord’s blessing.
“To know shalom is to know God’s favor. His face will shine with pleasure on you. His face will look in your direction. He is noticing you with approval.”
I love this.
And, of course, this: “The righteous will flourish like a palm tree.” I was just reading that pruning a palm tree is very tricky…
Very tricky…almost unnecessary, except for dead branches and overgrown “stalkers.” Now, that’ll preach?