{"id":26944,"date":"2015-05-05T23:13:27","date_gmt":"2015-05-05T23:13:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.freedomfrommedom.com\/wp3\/?p=26944"},"modified":"2017-12-03T23:57:22","modified_gmt":"2017-12-03T23:57:22","slug":"the-criminal-mind-restored-to-innocence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.freedomfrommedom.com\/wp3\/believe\/the-criminal-mind-restored-to-innocence","title":{"rendered":"The Criminal Mind… Restored to Innocence"},"content":{"rendered":"
by<\/em> Steven Gledhill\u00a0<\/em><\/span>for FREEdom from MEdom Project<\/span><\/h5>\n

\"67-mustange-junk-yardHave you seen any of those reality television shows where someone purchases an older, run-down house and “flips it”? Cable networks have a show called\u00a0Property Brothers<\/em>. There is usually a couple looking to purchase a new home. They have their wish list of what they would like in their new house. There are these two brothers. One is a big-time realtor and the other a builder. They show the couple a beautiful home with everything on their wish list. The house costs a small fortune and isn’t even close to being within\u00a0their budget. The couple pretends\u00a0they have never actually seen this program they are on and act upset that they were shown a house they cannot realistically afford. Why would these property brothers do that?<\/p>\n

The realtor\u00a0brother then show the couple an older home that is a wreck. The carpet is old and stained. The wallpaper is outdated and ugly. The place is a mess. There is mold everywhere, cracks in the foundation, rotted wood throughout the base of the house. There might even be dead mice laying around. It’s altogether ruined; destroyed; disgusting.<\/p>\n

The builder brother pulls up the carpet and reveals the original hardwood. Wipes the hardwood with a wet rag and the finish still looks good. He shows the couple computer renderings of design ideas after walls are removed and the house is restored to its original beauty… how the house can again be what it was always meant to be.<\/p>\n

The couple looking at the hideous-looking house struggle to believe it is possible to restore this house to its most innocent state; it’s original condition. They are persuaded to take on the challenge and they buy the house. By the end of the program, through the hard work of recovery, the house is restored into something \"67-mustange-junk-yard<\/a>once again beautiful and given new life.<\/p>\n

The couple moves their family into what feels like a brand new\u00a0house. The outside of the house still shows its age. But on the inside… Wow… Amazing! The house is full of life and love. The house is valued and taken care of. Only the best for this home.<\/p>\n

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new<\/b> person. The old life is gone; a new<\/b> life has begun! 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)<\/span><\/p>\n

This chapter is quite long. But it is the story of my work counseling men who live in prison cells because of the mess they have made of their house. For many of them, their families have moved out. No one wants to live in their life with them until there is house is gutted and rebuilt and given new life; so that which was dead is alive again in the hope of being restored to its original condition… something quite beautiful.<\/p>\n

He brings out those who are bound into prosperity. Psalm 68:6 (NKJV)<\/span><\/p>\n