Freedom From These Chains!

God has been SO gracious to my family, but particularly my 23 year old brother Josh. =) I know my sis has already posted on all this, but I wanted to share with you all as well.

This year's theme for our statewide conference 'Celebration' was sovereignly titled "Freedom". The logo that was used for the conference is a beautiful picture of a wooden cross with severed ropes hanging off it, symbolizing the freedom Christ gained for us on the cross! I went into the weekend, knowing God was going to set me free from some personal sins, I just wasn't fully aware of WHAT He was going to do that weekend. God was so gracious to soften my heart (in the week leading up to the conference) in specific areas of sin that I was so blind to, and He continued pursuing my soul throughout the weekend, all the while drawing me closer to Him. =)

Unbeknownst to me, my brother Josh was at home realizing the much bigger battle...the battle for his soul! Josh was 16 (seven years ago) when he verbally realized he was not a Christian, and chose to follow the desires of his flesh, rather than pursue God's call on his life. Since then, my family and countless friends have interceded for my lost brother. I remember at first, praying for God to protect Josh from the 'evils' of this world, keeping him safe from bodily harm. But as Josh continued to be seduced by the lurings of this world, my prayers turned from self-righteous sighs of protection from physical harm, to desparate cries to guard his soul above all else. Over the years, I've received countless prophetic words, encouraging thoughts, and scripture to continue interceding for my prodigal brother. Only my Saviour knows the number of tears I've cried to Him, begging Him to at last woo Josh's soul over. On Saturday August 30th, my brother's soul was finally captivated by the King. Josh spent a lot of time on his knees that day in our living room, weeping. Not because he was crying out to a God who had turned a deaf ear! Not because Josh was asking God for things He would not give him. But because the scales on Josh's eyes had fallen, and he was seeing Christ for who He really is! He was experiencing the unfathomable forgiveness from his Heavenly Father!

I have been overwhelmed at all the people that are pursuing genuine relationships with Josh since Celebration. Side note: My parents drove back on Sunday during the conference to pick Josh up and bring him back in time for the ministry session that night, where tons of people (not knowing the status of his soul yet) came up to him, chatted, exchanged numbers with him, etc. I am so grateful for the local church's commitment to reach out to the lost AND the newly converted! What a blessing!

Please continue to pray for Josh, only now, pray for the Holy Spirit's voice to be loud and clear to Josh so that he will not give in to temptation. =) Josh has already shown much fruit in the way he's responded to different situations in his life. And I can already see God using him in the lives of his unsaved friends. Praise the Lord for His saving work on the cross! Hallelujah! Our God IS mighty to save! =)

Below is a picture of Josh at Celebration the first night, reading a letter Todd had given him.