Settlers, Stuck, Slavery

Yesterday
We had Jacky, Alicia, their son Micah, and also Nikki over for dinner last night and to play Settlers. We had a great time. Jacky got stuck in the bathroom, but ended up freeing himself after about half an hour. The internal workings of the lock broke, so there was nothing to do but break the internal workings of the handle/lock even further. I guess we could have broken the door, kicked it in, or taken the hinges off, however none of these options were as easy to remedy. The hinges weren't coming off, because he had no tools inside the bathroom.

When playing Settlers I changed my attitude from very competitive and I must win, to everyone should just have fun, and if I win that is okay. I also tried a little different strategy, but really I just played, it was more to do with my attitude. And I was distracted, Jaime put on a cartoon for Micah and I love to watch cartoons. I should say we hardly ever watch TV or movies. We spend most of our time studying Chinese.

The Daily Bible - Exodus 9-11
Plagues of Dead Animals, Boils, Hail, Locusts, and Darkness with intermittent agreements to allow the people (or just the men) to go and then reneging.

How often do we hear the Word of God and then waffle between obedience and our own desire? God wants us to trust him, to follow him. Are there plague like things in my life? If I would have chosen to obey at different times, how much more fruitful and joyful would my life be now? So, I must start each day with the purpose in my heart to be obedient and have the goal of increased relationship with the Lord so that I can be fruitful in every way which brings glory to God.

Boundaries in Marriage - Setting Boundaries with Yourself
Boundaries on Our Attempts to Control
A spouse must truly be free. The marriage cannot lead to other-controlled living, Galatians 5:1 is all about being free! Galatians 5:23 is all about having self-control, not other-control. Even God doesn't force us to make the good choice, so one must allow their spouse to make good or bad choices without our constant observance, coercion, and manipulation.

Prayer
Lord thank you for always blessing me with a renewed spirit for your will in my life. Thank you for changing my heart, attitude, and actions into increasing holiness. I pray your Spirit is in control of all that I think, say, and do. Let me offer my life to you each day as a sacrifice of praise.