Chains that Bind
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Consider the scene from the classic, “Christmas Carol” and poor Marley, bound in chains, definitely not a happy camper. We’re frightened by his predicament; our heart goes out to his condition – such a pathetic creature. But also consider poor Scrooge. Scrooge was aghast at Marley’s chains but Marley was burdened by Scrooge’s “chains”. Scrooge’s reply to Marley’s comments about Scrooge’s chains should haunt us. Did you hear Scrooge’s words: “I see no chains”. Is it possible that Marley’s portrayed chained status and Scrooge’s hidden chained status are no different than ours? Is it possible that we walked into this worship center burdened with chains, chains that bind? Part of the spiritual warfare we all engage in is found in the desire of our enemy, as Galatians 2:4 states, “to bring us into bondage”. Paul reminds believers in Romans 8:15, “For you have not received a spirit of slavery”. What might these chains look like?
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Brent is a family man, married to Sherrie since 1976 and father of two adult children, Jason and Kristin. While he has practiced business/corporate law in the Chicagoland area since 1976 and currently serves as Vice President, General Counsel of Heritage-Crystal Clean, a publicly-traded company based in Elgin, Illinois. He has journeyed on a parallel ministry path for over thirty-five years. Brent has served his local and other churches and through the Christian Legal Society and Peacemaker Ministries. He has sustained his "love affair" with "children of all ages", serving for six years as Chairman of a Christian Elementary and Junior High School, leading for ten years a college/career Bible Study in his home, teaching Business Law for four years as an Adjunct Professor at Judson University and teaching in churches for over thirty-five years in classes ranging from Junior High through Senior Adults. Brent is a free lance writer for Standard Publishing. He has served as a church moderator for over twenty years. His ministries have been sustained and expanded through God's grace and the exercise of the spiritual gifts of teaching, administration and encouragement. Brent strongly believes that God continues to call him to these ministries.