Barnes family: Quins 1st Birthday Party 2-7-08

Quin's first Birthday went great. It's amazing how much we put into a 1yr. olds birthday party.. by the end of the day they don't remember a darn thing. I've been told the party is really for the parents. I don't totally understand that, but hey, I love any excuse to entertain and get family together. Anyways, Quin was very excited about waking up to all the balloons in the house. When it came to opening the gifts he was more interested in the trash...box that is. He was not about to sit on Dads lap to open anything. When all gifts were open, he took a real interest in the blue ribbon... not the gift. I made a cake just for him...ya, that was uneventful. As soon as he got chocolate on his hand he couldn't focus on anything else but getting it off. It's like he's a clean freak or something...now who on earth could he have got that from. :) He didn't seem to be a real big fan of chocolate....now I know he didn't get that from me! So the cake was pretty much untouched. It's so amazing to see the differences in your children. With Keena, she left the four corners of the cake and ate the rest. Thank you all for coming. It means the world to us!!

Relationship, not "religion"

I feel sometime that "religion" is killing people. In 2nd Corinthians 3:6, Paul said, "The code [of the Law] kills, but the [Holy] Spirit makes alive."

There are so many precious people who seek a relationship with God, and the religious community continues to tell them they need to "do" something else in order to be acceptable to Him (Jesus).

Do not be offended by my use of the word "religion." I realize that it has been popular, spiritual-sounding word for centuries. I am only trying to present a clear difference between an impersonal set of rules and regulations and a personal relationship with the living God.

Jesus talked of His personal relationship with the Father, and the religious leaders of His day persecuted Him. I am amazed when I encounter certain people who are opposed to hearing others talk about God in a personal way or about feeling empowered by God. Obviously, Satan hates a personal relationship with God and the power it makes available in the life of a believer.

In certain religious circles, if you and I were to talk about God as though we know Him, we would be judged and criticized. People would ask, "Who do you think you are?" Religion wants us to picture God as being far away-- somewhere up in the sky--not approachable by anyone except the "elite" of the church. And, furthermore, they want us to believe that He can be reached only through rule keeping and good behavior.

This "religious spirit" was alive in Jesus' day, and He died to put an end to it and bring people into a personal relationship with Himself, the Father, and the Holy Spirit. That same religious spirit still torments people to this day if they do not know the truth.

The Law was given in order to show people their need for a Savior. We try to keep it until we realize that we absolutely cannot, and then hopefully we humble ourselves and ask God to help us, which He did in the person of Jesus Christ. As you walk with God, remember to keep your relationship with Him at the center and to keep "religion" far from you.
- Joyce Meyer

Thank you God, for loving me so much that you gave up Your only Son so that if I believe in Him, I will not perish, but I will have everlasting life. I know that You did not send Your Son to condemn me, but that I might find salvation through him.

Quins 1st Birthday Party 2-7-08

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