jesus; socialism, social justice and equality in the eyes of GOD

there is been quite a debate going on, on my facebook page regarding the thoughts that CHRIST would have a been socialist. i watched a news anchor make this claim because of taxation. that if you make $250,000 or more than you have to pay more in taxes and CHRIST would be ok with that. i get it i understand why the government wants to tax people more, because we need the money because we are debt. we cannot sustain our economy now without making drastic cuts to all government programs. it will not be fair - GOD never said that life was going to be fair, or an easy ride.

we all know where the theory of socialism began. it began with karl marx. karl marx did not believe in GOD. karl marx was a poor man financially. he believed that the monarchy of russia was breaking the backs of the working man and the working man was entitled to all things that the monarchy had. well, we all know how that turned out. the royal family was shot at gunpoint, the era of communism began and the poor still went hungry.

there are many countries that have socialist governments and they are in as much financial trouble as the american people. the only thing i can really say about all of this is that we all seem to be poor stewards of our money. there is a verse in the bible regarding taxes. people came to CHRIST and asked; should we pay our taxes? HE asked to see the coin so HE could see who's face was on the coin; ceasar. HIS response was you pay your taxes and you pay what is owed to GOD. the myth in this country is that they rich don't pay enough. the rich carry this country. over half of the american people don't pay income tax. this is public knowledge, not some craziness started by the right-wing conservatives.

social justice was defined by st thomas. he talked about the equality man. he talked about the poor treatment of man. he was correct in his teaching because we are capable of great good and great evil. social justice has become the platform for the progressive movement in this country, not because of what st thomas said though. they base their ideology on the new deal. the new deal was based on a lot of ideas and teachings of a priest named john ryan. he wrote a book called the living wage.

the new deal was created to help americans if another depression hit. government assistance was created so individuals could get back onto their feet and move forward. this did not mean you continued to take government assistance and not move forward. first of all everyone has had a point in their life where they have needed help financially. all of us have had to move forward.


GOD does not define riches based on money. the story of the young, rich ruler that asked CHRIST what else he could do to have eternal life is an example. CHRIST said give away all your money and your possesians. the rich ruler failed GOD by not doing it. this story can apply to anyone that is rich, or poor fiscally.if CHRIST asks you to leave all things behind to follow HIM, that is what HE requires of you. that includes your family, your friendships - everything.

we are blessed with riches, because we have GOD in our lives. we are equal in GOD's eyes because we are capable of great goodness and great evil. we cannot condemn every man that we think has enough to spread around, because you feel you are entitled to it. that's envy, that's greed. we cannot condemn, or judge those that have more because remember you will be judged also. please stop thinking that you are entitled to something that you're not. if GOD wants you to have it; you'll have it. your rich because you have HIM in your life; not because of how much money you have.

we can talk about unbelievers, we can group all rich people together, and say that they don't give enough. well, then i'm about to rebuke some christians. i know christians that don't give money to homeless people, because they think are drug addicts even when they felt led to give that person money. i know christians that go to church each sunday that don't even give a dollar to the church, but will go on a vacation the very next week. i know christians that give money and won't even go next door to help their neighbor because their too busy. i know christians that don't even give money, or time to the church, or anyone else for that matter. these are all their choices, and GOD will probably question them about it. we are no better than the rich, young ruler. if you sow generously, you will reap generously, if you sow poorly, you will reap poorly.

in our afflictions

when you stand for CHRIST and HIS way you may not win the popularity contest. i have written over 160 posts on this blog. some were happy, some were romantic, some were offensive, some were political, some did not go over well with my family, some were a little too harsh, and they were all my opinion alone of GOD and my journey. i do not regret one posting. i have changed in my journey; HE has made me stronger in HIM. HE has opened my eyes to my sin and my strongest gifts.

i like it when individuals respond to the postings, because there is more for me to learn about GOD; about scripture. we each have different interpretations of scripture. it's like how men and women here something different when they are trying to get a point across. we can all learn something from someone if we are humble enough to receive it.

i have to say the deaths of my grandmother and uncle have taken a bigger toll than i thought. i miss both of them terribly. i have really pulled away a great deal
from the world. i am becoming more of an observer in my journey. sadness is a hard thing to get over. my husband and my father even noticed my new hermit tendencies. my dad asked if i had lost my drive. i don't think i have, i'm just in a new phase. my heart is broken right now.

slowing down though has had it's benefits. i recently had one of the best check-ups i've had in years with the old ms doc. i was physically stronger this time, which was a blessing. reserving my energy for just the family has helped me, and it's given me more peace. i find that i have stopped forcing myself to do more than i can, or want.

i admit i was overtaken with great joy at bin laden's death and then i caught myself remembering a verse in proverbs that says "do not rejoice over your enemies death." it has also made me mourn again for what we lost, because of such evil. for a lot of us we are reliving the great fear and sadness of 9/11 over again.

i can't even imagine the wrath of GOD for this man's life. i can only pray that he found a way to accept GOD in his final moments; that he felt some repentance for what he had done. i don't think he did though. i praise those that captured him and my prayers for them have only gotten stronger in recent days.

i pray that our nation can begin to heal and have some closure. i don't believe that all pain goes away, but it does make us stronger. i believe that our faith will sustain us. i believe that GOD in all HIS glory, grace and love will pull us through if we just believe.

"love must be sincere. hate what is evil; cling to what is good. be devoted to one another in brotherly love. honor one another above yourselves. never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the LORD. be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." romans 12;9-12

blessings are miracles; everyday life

"because you have seen ME, have you believed? blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed." john 20:29 (nasb)

verses 30-31 talk about the acts performed by CHRIST in front of the disciples the ones that were recorded in scripture and the ones that weren't. all acts were performed so that we would know HE was the SON OF GOD and we would have eternal life in HIS NAME.

i think a lot of people think that miracles have to be of the supernatural kind. the miraculous gift of healing when there was no hope, the weeping of a virgin mary statue, or even an angel appearing before someone. we've all heard those stories and they are a miracles.

it is a miracle that you have life. every breath we take is a miracle. each bite of food you take to nourish your body is a miracle, or the water you drink. children are miracles everyday, all day (even when they are driving you crazy). my son was born 7 weeks early. my husband and i had so much fear about his young life and what would happen. it was a miracle that he was allowed to stay with us. my second son was not planned by us, but we had thought of having another child in our lives. it was a miracle that GOD gave me another when i didn't know if i could have another.

GOD gives us the desires of our heart. most of us may be thinking i want a vacation, or a new house, or a new car and those are the desires of my heart. well as in paul's words "count them but rubbish." for some right now the desires are they want to get out of debt, they still want a job in the morning, or they want to live free from tyranny. GOD doesn't tell you how you will always get those desires, but HE will give you what is best for your life; HIS WILL ALONE.

miracles don't have be supernatural to be a miracle. miracles are in our everyday lives. some big, some small and they are to be cherished and recognized for what they are. our trials are miracles, because they make you stronger. overcoming a tragedy is a miracle. look at japan right now. we can blame everyone that built the nuclear plant and it's radiation, but look at what has come out of that tragedy. the world came together with money, food, clothing, shelter, etc all to help japan because they needed it desperately.

my favorite miracle in the bible is paul. i love paul. this is one person i would love to sit down with and talk with. GOD took his heart and changed it from evil to love. every word that he has written we can learn something from. i've heard christians say that he was too harsh in his rebuking. i don't think so. he just pointed human nature. he pointed out what we are blind to. i love that about him.

i have been blessed to be surrounded by powerful individuals in my life. i'm not talking about what they've done in their careers, i'm talking about who they are in there hearts. each one is beautiful and so significant that i hope that they know this about themselves. if not then i am telling you are. i have be blessed to have the courage to stand up for my beliefs through him. i have been blessed to give love when it is needed and to still love. i have been blessed to have humility in my mistakes and try to learn from them. the wisdom that i have sought from GOD is miracle and that it was given even when i didn't always want to hear the truth.

each circumstance, good and bad, has been a miracle, because we have been given the opportunity to learn from HIM. in HIS death and resurrection a great gift has been given to us by GOD. HE gives each day of life to do HIS whether it be big or small to do HIS will. we have been saved from ourselves because HE died for us. please give yourself the chance to accept HIM and let HIM love and cherish you for who you are; a miracle.

"16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” matthew 28; 16-20

our temptations

some of you may not know this, but my husband and i have had an ongoing war about our garage and how awful it is for years. we both have brought into the arguments about why it isn't done and why it should be done in every fight. yesterday, i posted about what satan does to tempt us. well i had dream last night about our garage. in the dream i could feel the anger i had about it and when i got up this morning i was mad. my poor, unsuspecting husband was about to have wrath brought upon from a dream i had regarding our garage.

there is scripture where paul says "it's all rubbish," and i had to realize that in my fight with anger satan wanted to take an inch even in my dream. the greatest deceit that satan ever played on the world was to make them believe he didn't exist. i don't have to tell you that evil does exist even in our blessed lives. while reading an article i read a posting that a woman put about evil that i had never heard regarding GOD. she said "i don't understand why GOD allows such evil to happen, unless it is to show us that evil does exist, that satan does exist, and we should not forget that."

one of the biggest temptations out there is to spend. i don't care who you are there is always something to buy that we want, and most of us end up buying it. i have a problem with buying books. i love to buy books, and i have no idea how i am going read them all. my grandparents grew up in the depression and went through world war II. they were used to making sacrifices that most us don't even have an idea about. it shaped them on how they saw money the rest of their lives. they did it the right way. they didn't spend more than they could and they saved for what they needed. they saved all the time. i don't even think they had loans, and i know they didn't have a credit card until they had to get one to rent a car. my family laughs about it now how my grandma could save anything and re-use it. i miss my grandma.

here is where the temptation is going to play out. our current financial problems pretty much means that we as a nation are going to have to start thinking like the depression era generation. if you don't need it, can't afford it, or haven't saved for it don't buy it. we are all in the same boat now. this is a hard one, because all of us have been trained to just spend, or buy what we want. if you're in debt then it looks like cutting back is a pretty good idea. you could turn a blind eye and stay asleep, assume that it is all going to work out, but are you willing to take that chance knowing what you are already feeling it in your pocket book. job security is not out there any longer in my opinion.

people are under a lot of stress and they are doing things that just really don't make sense anymore. our emotions are to the boiling point. some of us are in great despair right now and it scares me to be honest. we are being tempted to do things that we would normally not do, or react in a way that is not in our nature. 2010 was by far one of the worst years of my life. too many things happened that i just could not handle. i lost myself to the boiling point and that's why i've pulled back.

one of my struggles with my faith is that i have felt over the years that i had to give my heart to everyone and everything to prove that i was a christian. well, in my journey with so many wise friends they have corrected me regarding this. while yes i do have to be kind, i don't have to do the rest of it at all. i don't have to give my heart away to everyone and i don't have to feel ashamed about that. this has been a tough one for me. i see it as a temptation. satan wants me to feel guilty and use CHRIST'S words against me. he plays on that emotion.

temptation is a hard one to figure out. if you know it's wrong and you can feel it your gut then it's wrong. if you are suffering right now because of mistakes you have made, don't repeat them - move forward and learn from it. if you feel like you can't get out the cycle then ask for help. no one can change your circumstance for you, only you can do that. your temptations are completely your own, so try and fight them.

during CHRIST's prayer before HIS death HE came upon the disciples while they were sleeping and HE said "could not keep watch for one hour? keep watching and keep praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." mark 14;37-38

the passion of the christ

i've only been able to watch the movie the passion of the christ once. that was at the very beginning of my journey with HIM, and to watch the beating and crucifixion of CHRIST was beyond any human emotion i had ever felt. reading about it is hard enough. knowing what CHRIST went through for us when HE died makes our lives seem small in comparison. our justification for sin is nothing compared to what GOD put HIS son through for us.

it's probably been over a month now, but one of our pastors during his sermon asked us why JESUS came to us. all the usual answers came out, in exception to the actual words that CHRIST said; GOD'S will alone. HE came so that we would know GOD. HE came to die for our sin, HE came because that was GOD's will. our trials and hardships, our distress, our fear is nothing compared to what CHRIST did for us.

I think of the extremes that GOD has gone to, to make us aware of HIM; to worship HIM. HE flooded the earth to destroy mankind and then made the promise that HE would never do it again with the sign of a rainbow (genesis 9). HE sent HIS SON to die so brutally in front of us so we could understand what sin does to GOD. if you have never seen the movie, read the story of CHRIST's death, or resurrection you should. it puts everything into perspective about your life. it shows you how blessed you really are.

there are different versions in the books of matthew, mark, luke and john when CHRIST goes to pray at gethsemane before they come to arrest HIM. the wording is different, but the meaning of course is the same. HE is praying for HIS disciples salvation, the world's salvation and HE is in great distress of what is about to happen. the great strength that HE shows us to follow through with GOD's will is empowering; beautiful.

on an old posting i put a visual test out there to everyone reading that if CHRIST was physically standing there and watching you what would you do? well, i thought about that visual and then i thought what if satan was physically standing there tempting you and CHRIST was behind him watching to see if you had the strength, the will and the faith to fight him. would you? could you? right there is what the passion means; are you willing to fight the temptation?

there is so much anger and hatred out there right now that we are more willing to turn a blind eye, then to fight it with GOD and HIS will. it's too hard for some us to face the possibility that we have fallen so far from HIM and given in to our temptations that we don't have to the strength to fight. recently i watched a video of a man that was so angry at the injustice of what was done to him and his way of life that he took it out on a child. at that moment it wasn't the injustice that GOD was looking at, it was the man's anger and how he had allowed satan to feed that anger. you give satan an inch, he'll take a foot, or more.

i haven't been writing as much this year only because i had to face some things that were inside me no matter how hard that was do, so i could be with CHRIST more. in our solitude we learn things about ourselves and the world that we don't want to face, but we have to because HE has given us the strength to do it. when you put yourself out there more you're tempted more. by removing myself from situations i am losing one of my biggest temptations; anger. praise GOD for that. i am finding great peace in my heart that i have longed for, for a very long time.

if you have never read the story of the death and resurrection maybe take some time this easter and search the books of matthew , mark, luke and john (matthew 26, mark 14, luke 22, john 17)

"the sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord." 1 corinthians 15:56-57

we have to face our problems america

after 9/ll everything changed. we are not going to be able to go back to the way things were. it's a harsh reality that we are going to have to accept. i really don't care anymore if you are a democrat, or a republican, both sides now have to face the consequence of their actions. all americans have to face it and realize that we have dug the hole and now we gotta figure out a real way to get us out of it. it's not always going to be fair, but we don't have a choice. we have to accept the financial crisis that we are in.

how could we demonize the government for spending just like we do in our real lives. they wanted to give to everyone, everything, and still have everything at the same time - just like us. how many of us are in debt? massive debt? we could raise taxes, but if we don't make cuts and follow a budget we are still going to need more. the rich could still give more money, and we would still have problems. the poor would still have problems with higher costs and still wouldn't have everything they need.

we can talk about defense cuts and that we are in 3 wars. we do need to bring our troops home; i agree. wars cost a lot of money. i've been reading quite a few books that take place during world war I and world war II. all the characters are the same in the beginning - excited! they want to seek revenge, or solve the plight of a group of individuals. they end up with poverty and no more money. they couldn't sustain it, and the needs of their country.

some of you can blame president bush for sending us to the middle east, but it wasn't president bush that killed thousands of americans on american soil. we wanted that war - how many of us have forgotten that? george washington said we must always be prepared for war - not because of our greed, but there will always be an enemy. i agree with president washington - we have big time enemies.

i have been trying to figure out the mentality of our current politicians. most of them can't say no to the world. most of them are trying to compromise on things that cannot be compromised anymore. we cannot financial sustain our system if we continue to allow the system to be defrauded. we have to reform what we have; we cannot keep paying for everyone and everything. many of them are children of the 60's generation. the vietnam war poisoned them i think. so many of them just haven't moved on from it. they decided in all their efforts whether good or bad they were gonna give back to the american people what was taken from them by the government.

so many of them left their parents values at the door step. they put aside the lessons of a generation that went through the depression and world war II, because they were angry. i get it. i get that so many people are angry, but enough is enough we can't solve problems with anger and we cannot give to everyone. all of us have to pay our own bills. what if we can't even help our own families? how in the world are we supposed to help another family? sometimes the best love you can give is cutting someone off.

i ask my parents jokingly if they had some early form of crack that damaged their brains because of the actions of so many in their generation. it seems as though they have no common sense what so ever about the way the world works (i'm not talking about my parents). the reality of living so far beyond their means, means now we are becoming a dead beat nation. other countries don't believe that americans can pay their debts; that their good for it.

the only way i could make my case to some individuals to understand is by example. by law in this country i could currently apply for disability because of my MS. well for those of you that don't know me and are reading this by looking at me you would never know that i have MS. for those of you that do know me wouldn't you be a little angry if you found out i was taking money from the government (your pockets) right now to provide for my life? wouldn't it bother you that i was taking away from individuals that really needed the money? i do not live in a fancy mansion, have fancy cars, expensive clothes and i promise you i am surviving.

the mentality that is being taught to our society doesn't have to do with GOD. the idea that the rich have to continually give to the poor because they are rich is not GOD's idea, that's man. the idea that because you are poor means that you are more deserving than another man that has worked hard to provide for his family is man's. the idea that we are to continually provide for everyone without asking why we are doing it is ridiculous. the guilt trip that so many are feeding the american public is ridiculous. we are all in the same boat now.

i could talk about GOD right now and what the consequence is by ignoring HIM. i know that i could quote scripture that says if you don't work then you don't eat. there is scripture about being good stewards of your money and to pay your debts. all of that is in the bible. i know people that don't believe in GOD, aren't religious and are very successful and giving individuals. i know people that do believe in GOD, and are so angry about what they have been given in this world that they are like poison to be around.

now we are having to cut things that never should be cut; education, military, health care, medicare, medicaid etc because we have chosen to ignore those that do steal from our system. there is a mentality that only the rich are greedy, but even some of the poor are greedy. i want to help people that are willing to help themselves, but i don't understand why we are giving to individuals that aren't willing to do that?

i'm am so confused by this thought process and really wish someone would explain it to me. when CHRIST said that we are to help those in need and the poor did HE just mean the financial part, or did HE mean the spirit also? we are enablers. if we do not teach individuals the great satisfaction of a hard day's work, or the satisfaction of achieving a goal when you are physically capable of doing that than why wouldn't you do that?

we have to accept that this is our trial - all of us. we have to stop playing the blame game. we can't do it anymore.

the different sides of a person

our perceptions of individuals can be somewhat misleading sometimes. who we think they are and whom they really are inside is our blindness to human nature. i enjoy watching individuals and their personalities unfold. their hearts and their minds become a search for me sometimes. i like to know what makes a person tick. what some individuals try to reflect on the outside isn't always what's on the inside.

i have friend that once told me she didn't know that i was so sensitive. she hadn't realized that i wore my heart on my sleave. she made a very accurate obeservation. my husband of course was very aware of my heart when he married me and that is one of the reasons he did. in the last 4 months i have begun to explore the possibilities of my heart and my mind; find my passions. i have begun to become the woman that i dreamed of.

one of my greatest passions is to read. i love books. i love to get lost in the story and imagine what it would be like to live those characters lives. my ultimate goal is to write a book, and to be quite honest i have tried on many occasions to do this. i don't know yet if i have the ability, or even the courage to do it.

GOD will lead me where i need to go. with that said i almost feel that i would have to reveal a side of me that i have chosen to bury; or that i have chosen to lose. with most books i have to assume that the author is revealing something about themselves in each word. i often wonder what it was like for adam and eve when they ate the apple and were flooded with the emotions of man.

each person has parts to them that are their own. those hidden thoughts that make them unique. what we choose to do with the emotions and the passions can sometimes be our fall. if we pretend that we don't have sin inside us then according to GOD we are living a lie, but if we choose to face it then what a great hope there is in finding grace; peace.

it seems the world has gone crazy around us. it would be a great relief to have simplier times and know what individuals believe; what they hold to be true. there are so many possibilities when we tap into our hearts with GOD, and then everything else just flows behind it - the way life should be.

"24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize" 1 corinthians 9:24-27

superficial christianity - the washington times

Christianity Today recently documented the fact that America's churches are not only "failing to attract younger worshipers," but they are also "not holding on to the ones" raised in the church. Research studies indicate that "70 percent of young people leave the church by age 22" and that figure "increases to 80 percent by age 30." The American Religious Identification Survey (ARIS) revealed that the "percentage of Americans claiming 'no religion' almost doubled in about two decades" (8.1 percent in 1990 and 15 percent in 2008). Among the young (18 to 29 years old) the number doubled (11 percent in 1990 to 22 percent in 2008), with 73 percent coming from religious homes and 66 percent describing themselves as "de-converts." Consequently, according to the Southern Baptist Convention (America's largest Protestant denomination), church growth is not keeping up with the birth rate.

According to Christianity Today, most current unbelievers are church dropouts. The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life reported in May 2009 that "young Americans are dropping out of religion at a disturbing rate of five to six times the historic rate (30 to 40 percent have no religion today, versus 5 to 10 percent a generation ago)."

Church historians explain the youth dropout rates as a "phase" that young people frequently go through - they go to college and quit going to church, but return when they marry and have children. Others have trouble accepting that argument because the current trend to later marriage means a decade-long hiatus that, along with a more pluralistic culture, means less "gravitational pull" back to Judeo-Christian values and habits. Others insist that colleges "deprogram" young people; still others blame the cognitive dissonance that occurs when students behave in ways inconsistent with their professed Christianity.

In his Weekly Standard review of Robert D. Putnam and David E. Campbell's "American Grace: How Religion Divides and Unites Us," Joseph Bottum finds that the "massive increase" - from 5 percent to 25 percent - of those with "no religion" is because of a "fear of religion's apparent lack of tolerance." In Mr. Bottum's view, Mr. Putnam and Mr. Campbell see the source of intolerance as sex: "[T]he percentage of Americans who held that premarital sex was not wrong leapt from 24 percent to 47 percent" in the early '70s and "has continued upward ever since." Indeed, the divisiveness of "libertines and prudes" fighting over sexual morality is what prevents the Putnam and Campbell ideal of a "gentle, get-along religion" that would attract and keep young people in the fold.

Actually, as Mr. Bottum points out, "America needs its believers to believe something" and the lack of deeply held beliefs is behind the drop in church membership.

Drew Dyck, author of the Christianity Today article, concluded that most young people leaving the church "had been exposed to a superficial form of Christianity that effectively inoculated them against authentic faith."

In her book, "Almost Christian: What the Faith of our Teenagers is Telling the American Church," Kenda Creasy Dean describes her assessment of the data from the first wave of the National Study of Youth and Religion (NSYR): "It is hard to read the data from the NSYR without the impression that many American congregations (not to mention teenagers themselves) are 'almost Christian' - but perhaps not fully, at least not in terms of theology or practice." She writes, "American young people are, theoretically, fine with religious faith - but it does not concern them very much, and it is not durable enough to survive long after they graduate from high school." Ms. Dean places the blame squarely with teens' parents and those of us who call ourselves "Christian." She writes, "Since the religious and spiritual choices of American teenagers echo, with astonishing clarity, the religious and spiritual choices of the adults who love them, lackadaisical faith is not young people's issue, but ours." Lest we miss her point, Ms. Dean adds that the secret to young people keeping the faith is for them to see modeled "the kind of mature, passionate faith we say we want young people to have."

The NSYR pictures the spiritual life of teenagers as one of "Moralistic Therapeutic Deism" - a religion to make people "be happy and feel good about oneself." Such lukewarm goals and lackluster faith lack the vitality to challenge young people. Ms. Dean declares that many adolescents "harbor no ill will toward religion" - they just see it as a "good, well-rounded thing to do." She adds, "American young people are unwittingly being formed into an imposter faith that poses as Christianity, but that in fact lacks the holy desire and missional clarity necessary for Christian discipleship."

Three out of four American teenagers claim to be Christians and most belong to a church, but only half of them consider their faith as very important. If we are to bring our young people back to authentic Christianity, we must acknowledge:

"Teenagers with consequential Christian faith share a profound and personal sense of God's love and forgiveness on [their journey of faith]. They know that the family stories the church tells along the way include them. They are confident that Christ has a part for them to play in bringing about God's purposes and that the journey they are on contributes to God's good direction for the world. But such consequential faith - faith that grows by confessing a creed, belonging to a community and pursuing God's purpose and hope - is not the faith that most American teenagers seem to have."

We have failed to "meaningfully share the core content of the Christian faith" with our young people; is it any wonder that they see the church as insignificant and our God as unimportant?

No wonder they shrug off that insignificant faith and ignore that irrelevant God when they enter college. Such banal, faux Christianity is unlikely to bear up under scrutiny and highly unlikely to survive into adulthood. There is a tremendous price to be paid if we do not teach and model the "real thing" for our young people.

the adulterous woman

in the book of john there is a story about a woman that is caught in the act of adultery. she is brought to CHRIST for judgement. the pharisees and scribes tell him that in the law of moses she should be stoned. CHRIST says to them the one without sin can cast the first stone. one by one they left and CHRIST was left alone with the woman. HE forgave her and instructed her to sin no more.

1 but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. 3 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4 and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” 6 They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” john 8:1-11

i like this story because of the acts of grace and forgiveness. i like this story because it is something that today's world can relate to. i like that CHRIST compares all sin as equal. i like that HE questions those that judged this woman about their own sin. the idea that GOD does not forgive is a man made myth; it's man that doesn't forgive. it's man that does not show grace. do you know anyone that can cast the first stone against someone else?

i fear GOD's judgement, because HE has always known the condition of my heart. the saving grace in this is that HE has forgiven me of my past transgressions and has shown me grace. that is peace and what HE has done for my heart. you can put any sin in front of this woman; envy, anger, fear, vanity, greed, worry, anxiety, pride and they are all equal. we are all equal in sin.

what if we can't forgive another and we just choose to ignore it? what if we say the words i forgive you, but in your heart you haven't really? what if we seek forgiveness, but that forgiveness is not given? what if you proclaim to be a christian, but you can't show forgiveness and grace to another? i don't think these arguments will work with GOD; i think that HE will turn it back on you.

we pick and choose what we forgive and whom we forgive. we play favorites. we choose to not look at all sides of a story. we choose not to place ourselves in someone else's shoes. GOD doesn't do that? does HE? i'm not even going to pretend that i have not done this is my life. i have read this story over and over again this year just to remind myself that i cannot cast the first stone. we have too much pride in thinking that we are always correct in any situation.

the bible is a book of human nature. in every page there is a story to learn from. there are such remarkable individuals that changed because of GOD'S GRACE AND FORGIVENESS. HE removes the blindness from our eyes; HE leads us out of the darkness.

“‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.
15 For this people’s heart has become calloused;
they hardly hear with their ears,
and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them." matthew 13;14-15

today

our pastor said something yesterday regarding our journeys that made a lot of sense to me; you can become depressed and show despair. you can also become passive. you can become so worried about getting into heaven that you forget to see what HE's already blessed you with, or how HE's shown you grace. you can also become passive so much that even in your trials you can't see any longer what you've done wrong, or what you need to learn.

one of the best and worst traits i have is i think too much. i am the worry and anxiety queen. i've done better with it this year than what i've done in the past. i fear things and situations before they happen. i get my hopes up about something that may, or may not take shape. i actually do not live each day as it comes. i plan so far ahead that in the end i really have no idea if that is going to happen according to plan, or not.

as a woman i think that it is worse, because we have put so much pressure on ourselves to be everything; do everything. i think that i have added the pressure to myself because of my ms that i need to do double duty to prove that i can, then i beat myself up when i don't get something done. i always ponder these things almost to the point of insanity, and then i'm exhausted. the past is the past; good and bad. moving forward is the goal and to live just one day at a time.

this year when i made the decision to slow down, it really was a no brainer for me. GOD, my husband and others had been urging me for years to do this and i think i know why. not only did HE want me to focus on my husband and children more, HE wanted me to dig even deeper into HIS word; HE wanted me to find peace.

i have on more than one occasion felt great guilt about this though, because my acts of physical service have almost stopped. i very rarely make obligations that i can't keep any longer. not that i don't want to it's just my physical energy has to be reserved for my husband and children. this is the right choice.

for one thing this is hard for me because i have such beautiful individuals in my life that have done so much for me that i have the desire to give all the time to them. i have had to change the way i give now. i pray for them, or listen when they need me to. this is all that i can give right now. sometimes that is all GOD asks of us to give. i have very loving friends and family, so they know my heart belongs to them in so many ways.

the state of the country right now is one of despair that we forget the everyday miracles. if you have food on your table that is a miracle. if you have clothing on your back that is a miracle. if you have a home to go to that is a miracle. with all of those that are in need there are still individuals that are willing to help. there is still hope and beauty in this desperate time. we still have faith and courage that GOD's will, will prevail.

the new challenge to myself will be to take each day as it comes and to say thank for those little miracles of grace and love that HE gives me and my family. instead of asking for the long term goal of surrendering completely to him; it will just have to be a day to day goal. instead of asking what i can do for HIS GLORY for the rest of my life i need to just ask what HIS will is for me today.



"4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. 10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength. 14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. 17 Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. 18 I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen."