Carmen Menefee became a Christian and soon found that she was expected to be in church every night of the week. As a wife, mother, daughter, and employee, she struggled with competing demands. For twenty-three years she served in various positions in her previous church and experienced the damaging effects of misplaced priorities. Now freed from the religion trap, Carmen has learned the importance of keeping her relationship with Christ first. Have you slipped into the religion trap? It can happen to the most genuine believer. We shift our focus from being right with God to doing the right things. Emphasis on the external gives us a false sense of security, and the downward spiral begins. Becoming religious, we go through the motions and grow cold in our relationship with Christ. The enemy may have ensnared you if: . You're busy but not fruitful in the purposes of God. . You feel manipulated to attend, serve, or give at church. . You're more concerned with other people's sins than your own. . You're neglecting your family because you're at church too much. . You're not free to experience the Holy Spirit's leading in your decisions. Jesus Christ can free you from the religion trap so you can enjoy a satisfying, intimate relationship with him. Walk away from the bondage of legalism into God's glorious grace. Carmen Menefee holds a B.S. in Business Management and serves as a Bible study teacher. Carmen and her husband Larry lead the marriage ministry at New Life Evangelistic Center in Jacksonville, Florida. She has one son Lawrence, daughter-in-law Monyette, and grandchildren Sydney and Jarin.