February 13, 2009

Greetings My Friend,

Ok, I’ve been pondering this for a while now and I need to explore it “out loud.” Most people know that Jesus is important to me, that I am attempting to follow Him etc. Recently I had someone who does not read their Bible or go to church talk to me about “sin,” in my life. Do I sin? Yes I do. I am born of Adam and so I entered this world with sin and I have sinned throughout my life. As much as I try to walk away from sin, there are moments still where I will sin. As I have journeyed along with the Lord, the Holy Spirit helps me to see changes that I need to make and I attempt to change.
In life, we tend to listen to people “in the know.” For instance we tend to do what our doctor suggests because they have studied and know what is best for our health. A lawyer has knowledge of the law and will guide us as well. We don’t … not listen, we believe that the extra education makes them knowledgeable and that knowledge helps us at times. People who don’t go to church, don’t read their Bible often feel they can be “religious” and speak to me/other Christians who practice their faith as “one in the know.”
When I ask God to forgive me…He is faithful and just – He will forgive me. God also teaches me if I want to be forgiven, then I must forgive as well. For years I had so much pain, bitterness and anger in my heart. I could relive a pain that happened to me for years on end. I could see each detail play itself out in my mind’s eye. This really kept me in a constant state of hurt. I was a “victim” over and over again.
As I began praying, I started to ask God to forgive me. I learned even to “name” the sin such as “Lord help me to walk away from pride, impatience, intolerance, lust, greed, envy etc. I also realized that there were people in my life I needed to have a better attitude toward, to forgive, to accept their strange to “me” ways. I asked God to help me there as well.
Another struggle I have is about judging people. You know “judge not least you will be judged.” It seems that people think Christians can’t make a judgment type of thought. It isn’t right to judge because we think “we” are better than someone else. Still we know people by the “fruit in their lives” which means you have to make a decision – a judgment. To me people who are living, breathing, and over all trying to seek another’s highest good – are bearing fruit. It is going to happen. If you don’t see “fruit” then it makes me wonder and question a person’s faith journey.
This leads me to one more thought. Voting….for me, I vote for people who tend to agree that abortion is wrong, that believe marriage is “one man and one woman” etc. I don’t go by what their words say – I go to their voting record and then I vote accordingly. I have had people tell me that I can’t do that. Personally, I want someone to lead me who has good values, good morals etc. Do good people fall – of course they do. Still, I am searching – striving for God’s way.
As I close, I have a question….is there someone you need to forgive? Is it time to “let go, let God?” You know that forgiving is more for you than the person you are forgiving….did you know that? When we forgive others in our hearts, we free ourselves from a burden.

May God bless you and keep you, make His face to shine upon you.

Love
Janet