Welcome Them With Open Arms

Throughout my 'faith journey' I have encountered many people who have been Christian's their entire life. They have always lived the Christian life and can not seem to comprehend the idea of what life is without the Lord. To them I say this:
'Good for you! Awesome! I am so happy that you never endured the pain, and shame that comes with turning your back on the Lord! - But please, quit judging me.' Do not get me wrong, not everyone who has always been a Christian or is a Christian now judges others who approach the Lord, but I have encountered quite a few of them.

I, am a sinner. We, are all sinners. It is only by the Grace of God that any of us are granted an audience with the Lord; let alone His unimaginable Love and Salvation. God's Love is welcoming to all people who seek Him; all those who accept Jesus Christ as their Saviour. We are all equals under Him.

As a person who chose to live my life outside of God's will for a long time, I can testify that when a person, like myself, begins to actively search for God, it is only out of desperation. You feel like you have nothing left within yourself. You seek anything to fill that emptiness, and if you're fortunate, something tells you to seek God.

When you walk into a Church for the first time in a long time, you want to turn around and run out. You watch for the reaction; waiting for the disapproving glares, the quiet murmurs, the snears and snickers. All it takes is one person's disapproval to make you turn away from the Church forever.

In our generation, being a Christian is not 'normal', it is not the 'cool' thing to do. I believe this is largely due to the fact that non-Christians believe Christianity requires perfection and they acknowledge that they will never achieve it. There are not many people who willingly accept that they will fail and still put in a credible effort. But what these individuals do not understand is that, as a Christian, you don't miraculously stop sinning and become the portrait of perfection; the difference when you're a Christian, is that you have Salvation; your sins are Forgiven.

I remember a sermon that Pastor Randy gave, it was based on a similar topic and he said 'The number one reason for Aethism is Christianity.' Non-Christian's look to us for an example of what being a Christian is all about. If we pray on our knees on Sunday's and prey on our neighbor's every other day - what kind of example does that give them? If we refrain from cussing and indecency on Sunday's, but come Monday we've got our trucker-mouth strapped on and we're shaking our bums at everyone - what kind of message does that send? I can vouche for this theory on Aethism, because I thought these same things.

I'm ranting. The point of this blog was to send this message...

Welcome sinners into your Church; welcome everyone into your Church. Always try your best to be a shining example of the Lord's Love and Mercy, because each day could be the day you encounter a 'New Christian' and all they are looking for is one person to give them an excuse to turn away. Please don't be that person.



And another song:

If We Are The Body – Casting Crowns

It's crowded in worship today,
As she slips in trying to fade into the faces,
The girls teasing laughter is carrying farther than they know,
Farther than they know,

But if we are the body,
Why aren't His arms reaching?
Why aren't His hands healing?
Why aren't His words teaching?
And if we are the body,
Why aren't His feet going?
Why is His love not showing them there is a way?
There is a way,

A traveler is far away from home,
He sheds his coat and quietly sinks into the back row,
The weight of their judgmental glances,
Tells him that his chances are better out on the roads,

But if we are the body,
Why aren’t His arms reaching?
Why aren’t His hands healing?
Why aren’t His words teaching?
And if we are the body,
Why aren’t His feet going?
Why is His love not showing them there is a way?
There is a way,

Jesus paid much too high a price,
For us to pick and choose who should come,
And we are the body of Christ,
Why aren’t His arms reaching?
Why aren’t His hands healing?
Why aren’t His words teaching?
And if we are the body,
Why aren’t His feet moving?
Why is His love not showing them there is a way?
There is a way,
Jesus is the way

Stand Still - The Isaacs

Ok, so I was totally serious about this song. It is amazing. It really means alot to me right now cause of some things that are going on. It's not exactly the same as listening but you can't put attachments in the blogs, so read the words - if you're doubting, if you're unsure, if you're stuck - it really does help.

Stand Still - The Isaacs

The Father has a plan,
Though its hard to see it now,
You feel you're walking all alone,
But He is there, no doubt,

When the storm around you rages,
And you're tossed to and fro,
When you're faced with life's decisions,
Not sure which way to go,

Stand still, and let God move,
Standing still is hard to do,
When you feel you have reached the end,
He'll make a way for you,
Stand still, and let God move,

When the enemy surrounds you,
And the walls are closing in,
When the tide is swiftly rising,
And you wonder where He's been,

Friend there never was a moment,
that His arms weren't reaching out,
You can rest assured, and be secured,
God is moving right now,

Stand still, and let God move,
Standing still is hard to do,
When you feel you have reached the end,
He'll make a way for you,
Stand still, and let God move,

When you feel you have reached the end,
He'll make a way for you,
Stand still, and let God move

The answers will come,
But only in His time,
Stand still, and let God move,
Stand still, and let God move.

So, that's it, pretty amazing, eh? I guess depending on where you are in life it may affect you more, but I think it can speak to anyone. Cause really, aren't we all feeling unsure about something? So, Stand Still. Cry out to God. He will not let you down. All things are possible through Him.

You know, one day, I'm gonna work up the nerve to audition for my Church's worship team, and if they're crazy enough to put me infront of the congregation, I hope they let me sing that song.

A Little Less Personal

So, there was a far more personal version of this entry up before - but I had a small panic-attack and deleted it. Here's to being impersonal!

My Grandpa Dickau (who, by the way, is not my 'real' grandpa) always tells me "It's not the one you can live with, it's the one you can't live without. Find that person and you're finished searching."

Great advice! But how do you know which person is the one you can't live without. I mean you COULD live without anyone if you were forced to - so is it a matter of who you would least like to live without?? I don't get it.

I think other people have probably been in the same position; you've had a few serious relationship's which could have easily ended in 'happily ever after' but due to timing, life choices, etc they didn't. So then is it more a matter of readiness for that one big cliff jump?

I've had two relationships which I was sure (at the time) would end in marriage and for whatever reason they didn't, yet they still have yet to be entirely ruled out (one moreso than the other). Is that due to my own inability to disconnect from those people and my insecurity that I'll never find anyone else or is it because one of them really could be 'the one'?

I know, I know; when you're unsure of something and you need advice - ASK GOD! But I've asked, and asked - maybe I'm just not listening.

When I was taking the Alpha Course (which is amazing and I highly recommend it) through my Church, I remember having a conversation about how God will bring you to your limits; take you to the point where you don't think you can handle anymore and then He will answer all your questions and grant you peace. A test of your devotion to Him. I find myself wondering if I have not succeeded in that test and perhaps that's why I have no answers or peace in this.

I always wonder if this is God teaching me patience - it is a virtue. Or perhaps since He knows me better than I know myself, He is giving me time to work on myself - before I start working on an 'us'. The old addage 'You can never truely Love anyone else, until you Love yourself'.

Honestly, this could just continue in circles for hours - the question's never end.

Just something I've been thinking about. I guess I need to take some advice from a little diddy called 'Stand Still' by The Isaacs. Yes, The Isaacs from The Gaither videos - so I watch The Gaither videos with my Daddio, so what - some of those people can really sing! Anyways, very good song "When you’re faced with life’s decisions, not sure which way to go, Stand still and let God move".

Maybe I'll just 'run-on-the-spot'; don't wanna start packin' on the pounds till AFTER I find the man.

The Power of Prayer

OK People! We need some heavy duty prayer power!!

A friend (something like a cousin) of mine, had a very bad accident last week. Currently he's paralyzed from the nipples down and is losing the feeling in his hands and upper chest.

I'm asking for you to send a prayer up for Mike - no matter how small or meak, the Lord hear's them all.

If you want to know more about Mike, the accident, and his progress you can check out the blog his brother's set up for him http://mike-barker.blogspot.com

Thanks guys!! God Bless!