1. Would you call yourself a Christian?                                                                                                          YES

2. Have you made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ that is still important in your life today?              YES

3. Do you believe that you will go to heaven when you die because you have confessed your sins and accepted Jesus    Christ as your saviour?                                                                                                                                     YES

4. Do you believe that you have a personal responsibility to share your religious beliefs about Christ with non-Christians? YES

 

5. Do you believe that Satan exists?                                                                                                               YES

6. Do you believe that eternal salvation is possible through grace, not works?                                               YES

7. Do you believe that Jesus Christ lived a sinless life on Earth?                                                                     YES

8. Do you believe that the Bible is accurate in all that it teaches?                                                                    YES

9. Do you believe that God is the all-knowing, all-powerful, perfect deity?                                                       YES

10. Do you believe that God created the universe and still rules it today?                                                        YES

 

I got married and thought I was in love:

My husband was handsome, smart, gifted and just fun to be with. We met, and fell instantly in love with one another. When I tell you he could do anything, I mean this. He could cook (cornbread, that is), and steaks—actually he turned out to be a grill master at it. He played the guitar—he was self taught. He had so much imagination and was able to come up with lyrics and music. He could build things and work on cars, from bodywork to body paint to engine—break it down and rebuild it. He knew how to frame houses and put roofs on, hang doors, put on windows.

In short, he knew enough to be able to do anything. He also had a great memory. Our first years together were awesome, we learned a lot from one another. He was very jealous, controlling and loud when he wanted to be. I was too short, too fat, too quiet, too skinny, and not wild by any means!

He met friends who did drugs, and he quickly got absorbed into this. It got bad so quickly that it was scary.

I wanted to leave but had nowhere to go. My family was thousands of miles away...they do not know anything about my difficulties, even now. He cleaned the accounts out. The abuse started—at first verbally, and then physically. Encounters were not loving to me anymore but, of being taken advantage of. Pain would run through my entire body and I would start to bleed.

As a Christian, I kept praying for him, I knew that God could work on him, Twice he went to church with me and inside I jumped for joy. Only to be shot down by his evil comments and, to my soul, the most hateful words would be uttered. Many nights I prayed...every night. I knew there was a good man inside of that drug infested body. It got so bad that I awoke to being suffocated by him, I awoke to his demise and got away. After catching my breath , in the mirror I saw two black eyes and a black nose.

Hot tears streamed down my face. And excuses I would make for him clouded my mind.

That happened more than once. I was terrified. I thought it all to be my fault, somehow. Accusations from him echoed in my brain, I worked and came home, waiting on him hand and foot. I was not allowed to go out, have friends over, or go anywhere unless he went with me. Yet he accused me of cheating. I tried to understand how it got so bad, how as a godly woman could I handle this? I got so close to God during this time that I believe I survived because He wanted me to.

I came home one day to an empty house. I remember my footsteps echoing in the hallways. I was crushed, I had prayed to God to deliver me out of this, but this was a head-on collision with a Mack truck.

I fell apart. I always turn to the Bible when times are good, as well as bad. Tear-filled eyes can not read and like a child I wiped my eyes on my sleeve. Finally, it stopped enough that I could start to read HIS WORD. I must have been reading for 30 to 45 minutes when I put the bible down because a weight lifted from my heart and the pain had stopped. The words I heard were: “I will never leave you.”

I started to laugh and marveled at God: You are awesome and you do have a sense of humor. I gain my strength from him. I decided to throw myself into work, worked two full time jobs trying to pay the bills. Even after he was gone he still managed to mess me up.

Two months after he had been gone, I awakened out of a deep sleep at 3 am to the words: “Get up now and get dressed!” I awoke, then again, I opened my eye to see if anyone was there, but no one was. Then I heard it a third time. By then I sat up and said, “Yes Lord”; and corrected myself and said, “Yes Jesus.” I got out of bed and got dressed. By the time I got into the living room I heard his truck coming down the road and pulling into the driveway. The engine stopped...I held my breath. Thoughts were entering my mind at lightening speed. When his house key turned in the lock, I gasped for air. In my mind I thought, “Lord I never changed these locks!” The door opened and I saw a gun. He had taken the furniture...I had no place to hide. He had not seen me yet, but would soon enough. “All right, God, what now?” I had nowhere to hide.

 

“Hey Baby, what are you doing here? I love you!”I quickly said. ( God must have popped that thought into my head)

I remember his startled look and the gun disappeared. I walked over to him...boy did he reek of Meth; he stank. He asked me, “Why are you up?” I bravely looked him in the eyes and said, “God told me you were coming!!” He looked at me and stated, “That's why I can not be with you, He always lets you see things and I can not even sneak up to you in the middle of the night!” ----------- What a relief!

I told him how much he stank and advised him to go and take a shower. He said he had to talk to me. I knew God had saved my life and I did not want to hang around. By this time it was 3:15 AM, and I was wide awake. I sat and he sat on the fireplace.

He started with an apology and I just looked at him and asked, “You had to do this at 3:00 in the morning? I guess when you're high, time eludes you.” He thought it was perfectly normal. I told him that I forgive you and that it is water under the bridge, with that he began to shake, as if a demon was escaping from him and all the sudden he said some of the nicest things about me. And how it was not my fault but his. He went as far as telling me I was his best friend; the best wife he could ever hope to have, but just did not want.

He was not going to the same place as I was after death and did not want me to hold on to him any more. He told me that he felt as if I had a rope wrapped around him, heading down a mountain. “Let me go.”, he pleaded. I laughed at him, and said, “You're not dead yet, even though it would be easier for me if you were.” He seemed to relax...or the effect of the drugs lessened. I told him I would pray for him—after all he was still my husband. The look he gave me was so sad...as if he thought, “I am not worthy”. I felt pity for him and prayers in my head had begun to formulate. “The gun!”, I thought

What seemed a short amount of time was actually a couple of hours. I just stood up and said, “I have to go to work.” It did not dawn on him that it was 5 AM, and if I left for work already, I would be sitting in the parking lot at work for several hours. But that did not matter to me. Thus far, everything had gone well. But the drugs were still in him, and one never knows what could happen. I went ahead and left. Later, in the car, half in shock, I praised God for His intervention. I prayed for my ex, that he would be able to stop the drugs and that he would find Christ.

I did not see him again until the divorce. In court, my lawyer had to point him out to me...I didn't recognize him. He had changed. I know he will be drug free one day. And I'm sorry that I will not be there to see him come to Christ. He remarried the day after we divorced—may he be happy.

Last year, his mother phoned me to say, “I think he misses you.” --------Too bad!

Being respectful, courteous, kind, mindful and dignified are all ways taught to us as children by our parents. To act them out simply means you are an adult. Being classy is not difficult it just takes practice and humbleness.

So, if you are invited somewhere become familiar with their customs. Know what is expected from you. I would never intentionally disrespect anyone nor, would I condone disrespectful behavior. As Christians this should be second nature to us!

Apply this to all aspects of your life and you can never go wrong. Sadly enough more than less, is this forgotten in our society. If we place God at the head of our lives and make him the focus of it, it becomes painfully clear that his love commands it. Most of us have conformed to this world. We have become rude, outspoken, vulgar and just crass. We say and post things with out thinking that it just may upset someone. We appear half nude and think that it is sexy???

In my most inner being I always wonder:" God is seeing me what does he think about this?"

If we conform to Him and His word these things become trivial, because it is second nature. Whatever forum you may appear we represent him and we are always at our best. Are we not?

Should our outlook not be the if Christ humbled himself to wash the feet of his disciples before the last supper, and he became the servant. What can I do to humble myself and respectfully and with dignity treat my fellow human beings?

 

1. We are challenged every day to start with, ourselves:

 

Countless mornings I open the door to my closet and beneath my breath I utter words of disgust at myself as I can not find what I like in this stuffed closet.

 

2. Spouses challenges our best at our worst:

 

Oh Dear I hope mine is gracious enough to overlook my iniquities

 

3. Children can make your hair curly

 

Not to worry I would not trade you in , but I am grateful for grandparents....

 

4. The drive to work

 

With all other ten thousand people who should have left 10 minutes earlier

 

5. Our Work

 

Deadlines, conferences, Changes

1. Social networks

They are people like you and I, we vary in education, color and creed. But all of us are humans, God made us this way. Be kind if you do not like what they say simply unfriend them

 

7. Commitments outside of that

 

By than I am usually on my last leg, but do not worry because by that time my second wind will kick in......

 

Being respectful, courteous, kind, mindful and dignified are all ways taught to us as children by our parents. To act them out simply means you are an adult. Being classy is not difficult it just takes practice and humbleness.

 

NOW THIS IS A CHALLENGE,  BEING A CHRISTIAN IS NOT EASY BUT, IT CAN BE DONE

 

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If only one written note talks to someones heart, I am pleased. For whatever God sparked in me is, to be a fisherman of men. I am just a humble servant, a mere woman. Bring my people to me, they shall hear my word and follow ......

 

If he knocks open your heart, open the door!

 

There is no responsibility on you for the work; the only responsibility you have is to keep in living constant touch with God, and to see that you allow nothing to hinder your co-operation with Him.

 

 

Again, one can choose to read the bible in its entirety or just pick certain scriptures to fit your need. I myself like to read a chapter in its entirety and not take it out of context.

I have always read my bible with an open mind. It has been a revelation to me as I continue to read on to fill my need in a spiritual sense.

When confused, or upset it is an eye opener for me to find that God's word can to this day relieve me of stress and confusion. You see, not of my own doing but, His Word, the Word of the ages still reigns, if you are listening.

"Because you have faith in God and follow his ways, God will have mercy on you and save you."

Often I ponder about scripture to get a better understanding and I cannot live without studying and refreshing my mind. Many of my friends have opposite views from my basic Christian views and I pray for each and every one of them daily.

I guess to say it simply, when reading God's word, it is he who said to have a mind of a child, maybe God is saying do not over-analyze, which most of us are very good at doing. The danger we place ourselves in is that we stray from what is essential to God's word. We place him in a contraption if you will, a box and make him to fit our needs. Maybe this is why Biblically it states do not lean to our own understanding, or do not add or take anything away.

I do believe that God is an all-inclusive God. We are his children to be forthcoming in spreading the Gospel in the four corners of the world. He wants us to come to him, to recognize that it is He who is worthy, the Alpha and Omega, the Creator, Our Father.

When studying the Word of God it is essential to have an open mind and not go at it with a presupposing state, because then we will only focus on what we want to see and that is all we get out of it. The same if this is all you want to learm than this is all you will get out of it. This is all we are open to because we will believe this to be so.

When reading without a prerequisite mind, we are letting God do the explanation within us. We gain an understanding, beyond the BOX, if you will ......

Our limitless God is so far beyond our capabilities it stands to reason that we may never understand him fully, until he reveals it to us. I am but a mere mortal, created in his image.

The danger of not going in with an open mind may cause one to fall in the grip of a cult and a very left thinking mind.

It is dangerous because when you are not strongly established in his word you tend to fall for this cultic behavior and before long your mind is gone. Not to say you are brain dead but you are dead to the love of God's word, spiritually speaking.

Once one establishes boundaries for one self it is very hard to see beyond that. If you only give God this much credit than you will only comprehend that much and never see his amazing grace/

 

His grace is enough to embrace all of us, to include all of us. His blood was shed on Calvary for all of us. Hebrews 2:9

Be a seeker of the Truth, study the Truth and proclaim the Truth

God's Word so wonderfully written, the account each apostle gave of their shortcomings and disbeliefs. Their wrong doings, not hidden from us but, plainly out there an account of their deeds

for all of us to read and study. May be for us to get an understanding, because even we have doubts at times. It is human nature to want to see, to believe. But as I have learned my eyes can trick me and give me only what I want to see as well as my ears will let me hear what I want to hear.

Henceforth educate your self, have a clear mind and stay focused, lean not to lean towards your own understanding but let God into your heart and soul, let him reign.

We are sanctified by the truth ( John 17:17) We must worship in truth ( John 4:24) It is the truth that sets us free ... ( John 8:32)

“For this I came into the world to testify to the truth” (John 18:37) Next sentence states: “Everyone on the side of truth listen's to me” ... implying that there are other sides

I John : 4: 6

We are of God: he that knows God hears us; he that is not of God hears not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

So philosophically speaking what is thinking, purpose, the meaning of Life?

Let God transform and renew your mind

 

I slept so well last night...maybe it's because I had heat for the first time. I hope that little propane tank will hold out just a few more days. I cannot tell you how nice and warm it was in this house—praise God.

 

I had another dream last night, and it was so very special. I saw this room filled with toys, and they all looked so familiar. Then it dawned on me that these were gifts for my brothers—which, of course, they never got. I am talking about stuffed animals, and puzzles, and erector sets. A child's heaven. When the door opened, Bobby, Donato, and two other brothers (whose names elude me) were there. My Pappa, Nonna, Uncle Gulio were there as well. Wow, I was impressed! I thought I'd died and gone to heaven.

 

I gave all of them an embrace and told them I loved them. It seemed my brothers made a bee-line to the computer. (What was that doing there?! Back then, we didn't play with computers.) But lo and behold, it was my laptop and and they were going through my notes. They laughed and told stories I had forgotten. It was as if, somehow, through my stories, they got a chance to see how much they are missed. It reminded them of good times they'd had. They talked about my Mutti (Bobby thought she was “the bomb”), as well as my mother. His eyes were so dreamy, and filled with kindness. I asked them about Jesus, and they said He is more than you can imagine and He is with you all the time. My life is dedicated to Him, I said. That is good.

 

It was as if I got a nod of approval from everyone, and they were charmed, to say the least. Nonna stated, “How do you remember all this?” My response was, “Love never forgets.” I asked my brothers if they still played with these toys. They laughed, and said no. I asked, “What would you say if we handed them out to kids who have no toys?” They said they would love that. I couldn't hold back the tears as I looked into my brothers eyes. Bobby said, “It is not time yet. Be strong you have a beautiful life ahead of you—embrace it.”

 

We went through all the toys, and had fun reminiscing. I think sometimes even the ones who have passed on don't realize how badly they're missed by all. What a void there is when a life has been taken. I choose to pray about it and talk to my brothers when I can. They are at peace, that is all I could ask!

 

I knew it was time to go. I didn't want it to end. All too quickly, all to soon. I think I got out “I love you” before it all disappeared.

 

What a wonderful dream it was!

And here come the tears .....

First, I have to admit that I'm still a work in progress when it comes to being a Christian (aren't we all?) It has been an arduous journey for me to get to this point in my Christian faith, with forays into the "high church" world (Catholicism), the "low church" world (charismatic congregations), and several points in between--as well as a few points rather far from the faith. The "pilgrimage" has not been an easy one, but I do feel I'm at a point where I'm comfortable in my faith in Christ...even as I yearn to learn more deeply what it truly means to be a Christian.

 

And that is perhaps why I'm feeling my present discouragement. I find myself desiring something which has become more elusive these days--a church that is truly a "church", in the primitive sense of the word. What do I mean by that? Well, let me try to share some of the experiences I've encountered recently, and compare those experiences with what I perceive to be more in line with the Scriptural model of a community of believers.

 

At one end of the spectrum, you have what I mentioned earlier as "high church". A "worship service" typically involving a rather ritualized order of service; liturgy and creeds; dogma and choreography. Once you've been immersed in such patterns, you could easily walk through such a service in rather zombie-esque fashion--totally disengaged from worship of God in any intellectual, emotional, or spiritual sense. And you're left wondering whatever happened to those 90 minutes of your life--an hour and a half that you can never recover, but are left wondering just how you squandered that time.

 

At the other end of the spectrum, you have what I called "low church"; and here I've encountered at least 2 distinct "philosophies" of worship. The first of these is similar to the "high church" ecclesiasticalism, with a high degree of form and function dictated by tradition--you're locked into a rigid pattern of "worship", and Heaven help the person who questions any of the elements! And to top it all off, you're typically treated to some form of sermon that tries to scare the hell out of you, as well as make you believe that anyone who does not conduct themselves in similar lock-step fashion is already condemned to the agonies of Hell. A sort of "my way or the highway" theology.

 

If you don't have that, you have what I perceive as an over-commercialized form of faith. Marketing schemes to attract more "upwardly mobile" young Americans to discover why this particular church is the greatest place to bring your family; a mini-mall outside the worship hall, where you can have your half-caf, double-dip, no-cal latte while tweeting about the latest self-help spiritual guide you just found in the bookstore, after dropping the young'uns off in the Kristian Kids theme park, before going into the glitzy state-of-the-art Hallelujah Hall to participate in the health & wealth pap that will give me an ego boost to last through the coming week.

 

Now, before you "flame" me into a well-charred crisp, I'll admit to a good amount of hyperbole in what I've just written. I did that simply because I want to express what I'm desperately missing in communal worship--a community of like-minded believers who simply want to gather together and worship their God and Savior; who want to sing songs of adoration and praise; who want to study from His powerful and divine Words of Life; who want to emulate what to read  in the book of Acts. People who gathered together as they could and where they could, sharing of themselves with one another of their talents and possessions and needs and desires and faith and hope and aspirations and love. That's something akin to what I'm looking for, and something which I have not yet found.

 

I'm sure there are those who will quickly tell me of their successes in finding such a faith community for themselves, and I rejoice in their blessings at having such in their lives. But I'm still looking for such a thing in my life....

“Recognize that something has been coming between you and God, and get it readjusted at once. “

 

 

Wow, I read this line today, only to figure out how true this statement really is. As I ponder my life, I cannot speak of regrets, because I had choices I made—some of them unwise, and sometimes in haste; often without even giving adequate thought to those choices.

 

I say I have no regret, because it didn't matter how difficult, I knew that Jesus was, is and will be, there for me. And if I failed, He would never tear me down, nor be ugly. I would have refuge. I'm not saying that I made bad choices because of this faith, rather mostly I was simply an idiot.

 

Everything I've gone through or endured I always gave it 100%. I tried to be my best at my worst. When it really came down to it, I was alone and I am here to tell you Jesus had to be there. Without Him, I would not be at this point.

 

So now that I'm over that, I have to consider my actions—in particular my mouth. Sometimes I appear to be a quick thinker and my mouth will pop out a smarty pants response just as quickly as it has come into my mind. And I did it again. To all my family, friends and foes, I do apologize if I could only tame this tongue of mine, lest people feel or get offended. I do this without thinking, and without any bad intent. Of course, being a Yankee with something other than a Southern accent, the way I formulate sentences or utter them are bothersome to many. I'm very direct and to the point. I cut no corners and call things as I see them. However, never with being malicious—I do have finesse and avoid confrontations. As I said, I simply open my mouth and things come out—truthful and to the point. I'm not sure where all this came from, but obviously I must be owing someone an apology and here it is. I am sorry.

 

There has got to be a lot between me and God and it is not easily removed or forgotten...at least not on my part. You see, I've broken every commandment...if I haven't done it in deed, than I've thought about it. That carries as much conviction.

 

I seem to have realized much later in life than I'd have wanted that I'm no better than anyone else and what sets us apart is being able to repent and acknowledge sin before God. I'm not interested in your mistakes, and I'd like to think that you're not interested in mine. It matters between you and God. God knew before you were born, and even knows the outcome. Does your free will come to him and say, “Lord, it is time that I confess.”? Nobody likes doing that. I am still trying to reconcile myself to God. Since my mouth is the biggest loser, I try to keep it shut most of the time. Or at least avoid situations which could stimulate a response fitting the occasion...but there I go again.

 

Let's be real! All of us fall short of the glory of God...do not kid yourself.

"Follower of Christ; Christian."

So there is a change that occurs within us. Not only do we believe, but we talk the talk and walk the walk. The way that you are living your life is the reflection of what kind of Christian you are. If indeed you have accepted Jesus Christ, there should be compassion, love, understanding, leniency, praise, smiling, honesty, communication, compromise...daily prayer. You are reading the bible daily and become closer to God. Once you have committed your trust in Him

He is in charge. Trust in Him and praise Him. Have Faith in Him.

You do not conform to this world, which is filled with Evil and wrong teachings.

It also stands to reason that if Jesus dwells within you that there is no room for being ugly and hateful or smart alec to others. Especially on public forums. We are all created equal. All of us will have different opinions and outlook on issues. What makes it so interesting is the fact that we can learn from one another. Learn other perspectives and broaden our horizons.

I am intrigued by the intellect of friends on my friends list they are from all over the world, how much I have to gain from learning from them, especially when their way with words is so superior to mine. I am like a sponge and take it all in. I am fascinated and I am continuously looking up words because I did not understand before. It does not intimidate me, my perspective is that every day is a learning experience and there is so much I can learn.

All this being said, I do not condone ugly name calling and immature behaviour. We are all adults and should act accordingly. If you do not wish to conform please, de-friend me!

Please, be kind and respectful to one another, you will still have different opinions. That is what is so great. we have much to learn from one another.

 

 

Being a Christian,

 

 

A Christian believes that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who assumed the form of a man, gave Himself as a perfect sacrifice for our sins, then rose from the dead to defeat death for all of us. if you truly believe that Jesus is the Son of God, that He died for you and rose again, then you have faith in Jesus Christ.

 

The Bible repeatedly points out that faith without “works” is dead. The term “works” is defined by the actions we take and the way we live. Having a faith in Jesus does not make one a follower of Christ; it simply makes you a believer. Jesus commanded that those who would follow Him would need to leave everything behind and trust Him for all their needs. A Christian is one who no longer is enamoured with the things they were before they trusted in Jesus. Turning your life over to Christ means getting rid of your selfish motives; it means living for something bigger than yourself. Instead of focusing inwardly, our focus must be on those around us. You have the Spirit of God within you. You have a new voice inside that will constantly remind you of the way you should be living. Following Jesus means doing the things that He did. That means we are to love everyone and show compassion to all. It means we must look after orphans, the homeless, widows and the single mom’s. It means living life generously instead of hoarding money and possessions.

No longer are we entrapped by trying to measure up to the standards of our world. Instead, we are free to be different; we are free to express the love of God to everyone we meet.

 

Everything necessary for being and behaving as the Christian one has become is inherent within and derived from the One with whom we have spiritually identified and united, Jesus Christ. Being and living as a Christian is not a religious exercise of conformity to the example of the historic life of Jesus Christ, striving to be Christ-like. Attempts to pattern one's behaviour after that of Jesus amount to nothing more than self-serving attempts to "parrot" or "ape" the behaviour-pattern of another. The Christian life is not an imitation of Jesus, but the manifestation of His life and character in our behaviour, "that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal body" (II Cor. 4:10,11).

Living the Christian life is not comprised of going through the motions of repetitive religious rituals. Nor is it the legalistic keeping of behavioural  rules and regulations in conformity to an ethical morality. Ecclesiastical involvement is not the essence of Christian living either; not church attendance, participating in religious programs, or tithing ten-percent of one's income.

Being and behaving as a Christian is enabled and empowered by the grace of God in the dynamic of the life of Jesus Christ in the Christian. In His departing promise Jesus explained, "You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you" (Acts 1:8). "God's grace is given according to the working of His power" (Eph. 3:7), providing "all sufficiency in everything" (II Cor. 9:8). Therefore, consistent with our becoming a Christian, it is not what we do to behave and live as a Christian, but the recognition of the sufficiency of the life of Jesus Christ within us. "He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus" (Phil. 1:6).