[Mama_Bear]

Today we are celebrating Warm Fuzzy Wednesday in The Old Bay State!

[Mama_Bear]

I’ll be back in the morning. The sandman beckons. Good night everyone.

[Majie Purple]

One of my fave things about Massachusetts is, New England/Boston Clam Chowda!(Chowder)

I make my own from scratch, from watching my Mom make it when I was younger.

'Cept in my batches I don't put onions.

My Mom was sweet & thoughtful to separate some out for me before she put in the onions in every food item.

I didn't even ask Her to...She just did so out of love for me!

& for loved ones I'd put them into their food... if they liked them in!

:)

[The Mayor]

September 26, 2007

Jesus Sets Us Free

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READ: Galatians 5:1-6

You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. —John 8:32

Perhaps no one since the apostle Paul has written more graphically about the experience of spiritual bondage than the great theologian Augustine (AD 354–430). Although blessed with extraordinary intelligence, in his younger years he had wallowed in deep depravity.

Looking back, Augustine gave this account of his struggle: “I was bound by the iron chain of my own will. I was rather an unwilling sufferer than a willing actor. And yet it was through me that habit had become an armed enemy against me, because I had willingly come to be what I unwillingly found myself to be.”

Many of us have gone through a similar struggle. We wanted deliverance from sin yet found ourselves unable to shake off the chains of habit. Then, as we turned in faith to Jesus, we were liberated and could repeat the words of Charles Wesley’s hymn: “Long my imprisoned spirit lay fast bound in sin and nature’s night. Thine eye diffused a quickening ray, I woke—the dungeon flamed with light! My chains fell off, my heart was free; I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.”

Jesus alone can break the shackles of sin in your life. Receive Him as your Savior, and “the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).

Out of my bondage, sorrow, and night,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into Thy freedom, gladness, and light,
Jesus, I come to Thee. —Sleeper

True freedom is found in serving Christ.

Bible in One Year:   Isaiah 1-2; Galatians 5

[The Mayor]

Beautiful job Mama Bear!
I feel guilty I wasn’t able to contribute more.

When you look at the incredible history of my home state and look at it now it is hard to believe American history began there.

I always love to go back to visit and Cape Cod is my favorite place to be. Ashland and Hopkinton have changed very little. The main business districts are the same as they were 25 years ago.

[GodBlessUSA]

Beeeeeautiful!!!! :)

I love visiting MA. It's a beautiful state. I have family there also. Which has me go visit more often than I may have.

[MEG33]

Massachusetts State Bird

Good Morning To the Finest

A wonderful visit to Massachusetts today !
Thank you, Mama Bear for this beautiful thread..and Just Amy and Rus for helping.

[Billie]

Simply Supurb, Lori! Thank you so much for giving us yet another cyber tour of another state in this great land of ours. Don't stop - we still have a few more states to visit. :)

[La Enchiladita]

Thanks for the ping, Mama_Bear.
It’s a beautiful thread, full of history and beauty.
I have never been to New England, so a trip there would indeed be exotic for me...:)

And, when it comes to the menu, I could go for the clam chowder, followed by the cranberry-apple pie...!!!

[Diver Dave]

Outstanding presentation, Mama Bear.

Been to Massachusetts only one time back in ‘95 when I was a chaparone for a group of high school exchange students. Would loved to have seen more, but we were on a pretty tight schedule.