Gallant Gazette

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Location: Cambodia

Tim was born on December 25th, 1978. Tiffany was born on March 22nd, 1980. Tim and Tiffany were united in marriage on July 7th, 2001.

Tuesday, January 24, 2006

Freedom!

To all of our readers… We want to apologize for the lack of posts that have appeared on this webpage. We hope that you will accept our apology and continue reading our blog and viewing our pictures. We are changing the format of our pictures on this page. They will all be on the links on the left margin of this page. We will work to keep you updated in the future, for we know that God is always at work in our lives.

This post begins with a little movie trivia for all of you movie buffs. Movies usually have at least one quotable phrase or line i.e. “I’m Spartucus” or “There’s no place like home.” Can you name the movie whose famous line is “Freedom!” Hint: The line is delivered when the main character is being tortured to death. The answer of course is the movie Braveheart, where the Scottish leader William Wallace uses his final breath, not to plead for his life, but to proclaim the purpose of his life, freedom for his homeland.

A Cry from the Cross…
As we humbly sit at the foot of the cross, listening to our Lord’s final words, we hear “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”(Mark 15:34) and “It is finished!” (John 19:30) Both are a cry for freedom for all who believe in the Name of Jesus Christ as their Savior. Our Lord knew that if He was forsaken by God that we would never have to be, and that for the last time a lamb, the Perfect Lamb, would be offered as a sacrifice for the sins of the world.

As the pressures of the world (raising our support), our pride (being where we are, Sweetser, and not being where we want to be, Cambodia), and just plain exhaustion have been weighing heavily on our hearts, we praise God for the continual reassurance of the FREEDOM we receive by being His children.

1. The cross gives us freedom from the pressures of this world because we know that God is in control and our work for Him is not in vain.
“Therefore my brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord knowing that our toil is not in vain in the Lord.” I Corinthians 15:58

2. The cross gives us freedom from being devoured by our pride, because we are able to rejoice as God performs His will in us, for His good pleasure and His pure glory.
“For we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

3. The cross gives us freedom from exhaustion because our strength is not our own, God is our strength!
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tried and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:30-31

Praise GOD! At just the right time in our lives, God reminds us of the FREEDOM that we can find in Him! The past months have been full of opportunities, though they were not the opportunities that we were hoping for. God provided opportunities to spend quality time with our families over Christmas break. Tim was able to go to a men’s retreat where God refreshed him and refocused his purpose. Most importantly, God has provided opportunities to grow in Him, in our relationship with Jesus Christ, the true source of the FREEDOM that we have in this world.

As you seek Him this week, may you not take a single step without Him!
In Christ,
Tim and Tiffany