Well, here I am in the brand new world of blogging. I've thought about it for a long time. I have so many words that roll around in my head, and with a house full of males, I don't always feel it's fair to share it with them. By now, I have learned to recognize the awkward silence and note the eyes rolling back, as if to say, "Mom (Linda), I just can't listen anymore. My capacity for words is less than yours and I've already heard and spoken all I can process for today." They are all sweet, loving guys who wouldn't hurt my feelings (but would readily tease), and I want to be fair to them. So, now, you, dear reader, get to read them!
I haven't started a blog earlier, because I know that words can be easily misinterpreted. The Bible even says that "in a multitude of words there is great iniquity," so I want to be careful. Especially since we live in an age where words are twisted and misused for all kinds of reasons. So, let me just give it to you straight: what I write is what I feel is important--and things I've learned along the way. I'm not perfect. I may offend someone--but I certainly don't mean to do so. I don't have a political agenda. I know who I will vote for after looking at what the candidates say and seeing if that matches what I believe--but I don't belittle those who disagree. You will find that I am passionate about many things--but I also have a deep respect and compassion for others. I know we come from different backgrounds, and that there are many ways to look at many things. All I ask is that you show me the same respect when you read my blog. I am an only child, and I think that gives me a distinctive view--I've always been able to look at both sides of an issue, even if I disagree with someone. I truly love people. I don't just see issues as a way to manipulate people to my way of thinking; I see them as ways to solve real problems that happen in a world that is broken from ages past to people who are hurt and struggling.
The most important thing you can know about me is that I am a follower of Jesus Christ. Not perfect, by any means, and still trying to figure a lot of things out. You may come from a background where Christianity was rigid, impersonal, or even mean. My Jesus is none of those; he died on a cross because of His love--for me, for you, and for everyone. His love asks us first to accept what He has done for the awful cancer that lives inside of us--sin. Sin is what separates us from God; it is our selfish desire for control in a world that is out of control. But the paradox is that sin is what makes the world--and us--out of control. God did not desire for us to live in the mess we find ourselves in; it was not part of his original plan. So, he sent Jesus to die in the most excruciatingly horrible way possible--a Roman cross--so that you and I could have a relationship with Him. My faith is not a bunch of do's and don'ts, but a relationship with Christ. Because of that relationship, I want to do what He says, and to avoid things that He says are destructive for me. And that's why I want you to have the same relationship. Jesus asks you to do some things to have a relationship with Him, He asks you first to admit that you have sinned. I did this fairly early in life---as I recently said to a mom at my school about her son, I didn't try to find trouble, but it certainly did find me! I knew right away that I had a problem. And the problem was sin. I wanted my way; many times, I still do. But the problem is that if I try my way, it rarely works out. I usually make a bigger mess. Sin, like many cancers, or AIDS, is incurable by our own efforts. So, Jesus asks you to believe that he is the cure--that his death on the cross and resurrection paid the penalty for your sin. What's the penalty? Death--physical and spiritual. You must believe that Jesus was the Son of God and was able to conquer sin and death. Now, I don't have all the answers to why bad things happen or every discrepancy in the Bible, but I do know this; Jesus has made my life worth living. Jesus has answered my prayers,and has blessed me far above what I deserve. He is the source of everything in my life that is good, and my strength during difficult times. After this, Jesus asks you to let him control your life. I have found this is the best way--although at times I forget, and then things go terribly wrong. This doesn't mean you won't make mistakes, or that your life will be blissfully peaceful with no trouble--but it means that you always have a resource for the battles in life and a Friend who will always listen. If you don't have this relationship, talk to Him in prayer and invite Him in today; nothing would make me happier. And, if you are a fellow follower of Jesus, you are a princess (or prince) in His kingdom, and I'd love to have you along for the ride! The journey is never boring, and Jesus shows me amazing things so often.
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