Freedom Stories

Story 1: Perception in Not Reality

Having the right perspective seems to change everything. It s real easy to be critical of others or situations based on what we think we know about people and certain situations. Just when we think we have it all figured out God, gives us a new nugget of information that changes everything. Suddenly, our perspective just got bigger and our attitude changes. We realize that perception is not reality and that we failed to be a light for Christ to that person or situation. The book of Philippians tells us to be a light for Christ in this messed up world. Philippians 2:14-15 says:

4 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”[c] Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky

Listen also to this story that illustrates these truths to us in a relevant way.
Luke Air Force Base is west of Phoenix and is rapidly being surrounded by civilization that complains about the noise from the base and its planes, forgetting that it was there long before they were.. A certain lieutenant colonel at Luke AFB deserves a big pat on the back. Apparently, an individual who lives somewhere near Luke AFB wrote the local paper complaining about a group of F-16s that disturbed his/her day at the mall.
When that individual read the response from a Luke AFB officer, it must Have stung quite a bit.
The complaint:
'Question of the day for Luke Air Force Base:
Whom do we thank for the morning air show? Last Wednesday, at precisely 9:11 A.M, a tight formation of four F-16 jets made a low pass over Arrowhead Mall, continuing west over Bell Road at approximately 500 feet. Imagine our good fortune! Do the Tom Cruise-wannabes feel we need this wake-up call, or were they trying to impress the cashiers at Mervyns early bird special?
Any response would be appreciated..
The response:
Regarding 'A wake-up call from Luke's jets' On June 15, at precisely 9:12 a.m . , a perfectly timed four- ship fly by of F-16s from the 63rd Fighter Squadron at Luke Air Force Base flew over the grave of Capt. Jeremy Fresques. Capt Fresques was an Air Force officer who was previously stationed at Luke Air Force Base and was killed in Iraq on May 30, Memorial Day.
At 9 a. m. on June 15, his family and friends gathered at Sunland Memorial Park in Sun City to mourn the loss of a husband, son and friend. Based on the letter writer's recount of the fly by, and because of the jet noise, I'm sure you didn't hear the 21-gun salute, the playing of taps, or my words to the widow and parents of Capt. Fresques as I gave them their son's flag on behalf of the President of the United States and all those veterans and servicemen and women who understand the sacrifices they have endured..
A four-ship fly by is a display of respect the Air Force gives to those who give their lives in defense of freedom. We are professional aviators and take our jobs seriously, and on June 15 what the letter writer witnessed was four officers lining up to pay their ultimate respects.
The letter writer asks, 'Whom do we thank for the morning air show? The 56th Fighter Wing will make the call for you, and forward your thanks to the widow and parents of Capt Fresques, and thank them for you, for it was in their honor that my pilots flew the most honorable formation of their lives.
Only 2 defining forces have ever offered to die for you....Jesus Christ and the American Soldier.
One died for your soul, the other for your freedom..
Lt. Col. Grant L. Rosensteel, Jr.
USAF
What do we do when this happens to us? We realize that we are wrong and we seek forgiveness. We move on in the grace and freedom of Jesus Christ, and hopefully we learn from our mistake by living a life of freedom within the boundaries of Holy Scripture. After all the Bible has already told us that there is freedom in not complaining or grumbling.

Story 2: One Stone at a Time

Several months Jessica Page, a member of WBC, traveled to Sudan to carry Christ love to the people there. During her time there God taught her an important truth about freedom from 1 Corinthians 3:5-10 which states:
“What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds.”
Listen now to how this passage has worked itself out in Jessica’s life. These are her words…
(Becka, include the one stone at a time image somewhere close to here in you layout.)
I took this picture the second or third week I was here. It’s a picture of the foundation of the building that will soon be finished showers and toilets that is right beside my room. I found myself completely intrigued by the process starting from the ground up. I walked out one evening to see what progress had been made that day and saw this and for some reason found it to be just beautiful.

Sitting here, over 3 months later, I know why. He wanted to make a very clear point to me, and has brought me back to this picture, and more importantly, the message of this picture time and time again during these past 4 months.

I am a big ‘ol boulder.

In a country that has the history such as South Sudan, there is much, much work to do…on so many levels. I’ve found myself day in and day out going about the work God prepared the way for so long ago. Many days I struggled with the tediousness of it. Others, I was absolutely blown away by the unexpectedness of it all. All of the days, I was being used as a boulder.

One stone at a time His Kingdom is being revealed. One stone at a time His Kingdom is growing. One stone at a time lies of Satan are being extinguished. One stone at a time the Holy Spirit is being welcomed.

To Him be all the glory, forever.

Can you believe it? Jennifer Jones, Ami Trull (Also from WBC), and the rest of the team are in route as I type this. It’s so surreal. I’ve got butterflies. This time tomorrow, Lord willing, I will have welcomed them to my home here. I am just so overwhelmed with just how sweet Jesus is to me. He didn’t have to allow me the privilege of coming here. He for SURE didn’t have to allow me the privilege and enormous blessing of having two of my closest friends joining me for the last week. I would consider Him no less good if Jenn and Ami weren’t coming, but it just goes to prove that He knows how to woo me. He loves me so!

It’s bitter sweet, for sure. Those are just words though. They can’t really explain what’s going on in this heart of mine. I have so many loves in so many places, with one physical body. This is life here, and makes me that much more excited to reach my real Home. Nothing will be bitter. Only the sweet.

Come, Lord Jesus, come.

Jessica’s words point us to the truth that we do not have to all of God’s work ourselves. It’s great to see the Word of God alive inside a member WBC on the other side of the world as she realized the freedom of being one part of God’s plan for the Sudan people. It’s also great to see that God is gracious enough to send other people to help her carry the burden of His work in Sudan as He builds His kingdom one stone at a time.

Story 3: God is Wild About You

On July 18-22 we will be hosting Vacation Bible School at WBC. VBS will be based on the truth of God found in Psalm 139. The teachings and events will unpack the truth that God loves us unconditionally and we do not have to work to receive his approval. Although all of us are sinners God sees us as His work of art. He desires for us to come to the place of freedom in Him. He sent His son, Jesus Christ to the earth to die for us so that our sins can be forgiven. Here is the layout for the week:

Day 1:
Bible Point: God made you.
Bible Story: God creates the world. (Genesis 1) NLT
Bible Verse: “Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!” (Psalm 139:14) NLT

Day 2:
Bible Point: God listens to you.
Bible Story: Elijah confronts the prophets of Baal. (1 Kings 18:16-39) NLT
Bible Verse: “You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord.” (Psalm 139:4) NLT

Day 3:
Bible Point: God watches over you.
Bible Story: Jonah tries to escape from God. (Jonah 1-3) NLT
Bible Verse: "Even in darkness I cannot hide from you." (Psalm 139:12) NLT

Day 4:
Bible Point: God loves you, no matter what.
Bible Story: Jesus dies and comes back to life. (Luke 23:1–24:12) NLT
Bible Verse: “Lead me along the path of everlasting life.” (Psalm 139:24) NLT

Day 5:
Bible Point: God gives good gifts.
Bible Story: God gives Hannah a baby. (1 Samuel 1:1–2:11) NLT
Bible Verse: “You place your hand of blessing on my head.” (Psalm 139:5) NLT