Children

2 nights ago I was in so much pain. It felt like my muscles were being ripped apart inside me. Yesterday, I didn't make it to church. <Gasp> a pastor's wife didn't make it to church? I know, right? But get this. I'm human and I have struggles just like every other human on this planet. My biggest struggle is my health, and many times it does not allow me to do what I would like, including church. You see mornings are my hardest. So even if I can get going by the afternoon, I still might not be well enough to function in the morning. And then by the end of the day I'm done for again. And here I go explaining/defending myself for no reason again. Well, anyways, I'm still in a lot of pain and very weak. And you know what, I believe God has a purpose for this. Writing. I need to get back to writing.

So this is what's on my heart.

Our church is very small. It currently does not have a children's ministry. That means there is nothing for the kids besides a bulletin to draw in. This is tough. At times it lays heavy on me. I want to do more. I want to be the person that starts up a children's ministry. I want to lead their hearts to Christ. But then reality hits. And it hit hard with this current flare up.

You see, our church has been working on updating things, starting new things, with one of those being starting a new children's ministry, because seriously who will bring their young family to a church without one? I very casually mentioned to J maybe I could start it. Well, I kind of mentioned that without thinking it through.  We went with that initial idea that I could do this and thought maybe I could start just by putting in a Veggie Tales video so they at least have some sort of teaching on their level. But then this flare up and I got to thinking realistically more and more. Really, what was I thinking? Me and multiple kids, or sometimes even just one, don't always go well together. Kids very quickly pull all the energy and strength out of me. Even just putting in a Veggie Tale could become a big problem. The kids room is downstairs. Walking stairs with a neuro-muscular disease is not easy. I already have to walk one set to get into the church. Kids ask a lot of questions, oh how quickly I've learned this in my short time as a stepmom. Just answering those questions and interacting, again really pulls out my energy. What if someone got sick, if there was a baby needing to be changed, if one kid ran one way and another went the other? What would this one person with health issues do?? And that scares me.

I want the best for the next generation and I want them to receive teaching about Jesus. But I don't feel I am the best for that position. Not because I don't want to or can't in my head, but because I don't feel that is where I am meant to be nor qualified physically to be there given my situation.

I got to thinking more. Now I'm going to start this by saying I do not at all feel this way from our church and this is not at all directed at anyone. However, I have read, heard from others and learned that many times being a pastor's wife is a very tough, thankless, under appreciated "job." A pastor's wife is often expected to work alongside the pastor, filling in at the church wherever is needed, show up at everything, lead groups and ministries, have and raise a family, and sometimes have her own career on top of all that. Like I said no one has said these things directly to me or made me feel this way, but I often am too hard on myself so I take things like this and then feel bad I'm not doing more.

But something hit me this morning along with this current flare up I'm struggling through. What is my job as a pastor's wife? My answer- Supporting, honoring, respecting, serving and loving my husband. He is the pastor. I am his wife. Yes I love the church, but as a Christian I believe I am to put God first, then my husband, then others. If I try to take on more than I can handle. If I use up all my strength and energy on a children's ministry, what have I got left to give to my husband? Is it wise of me to make myself more visible at the church only to come home and need to lay in bed the whole rest of the day and let cooking, cleaning and everything else fall on him? Is it wise of me to be so drained I can't even connect with the one God has blessed me with? My answer- absolutely not. What is wise of me is making sure I keep my priorities set and straight- God, husband, others.

So yes I want to serve, and yes I will keep doing so. But it will have to remain behind the scenes. It will have to be even more of a thankless type of position because no one sees it- the editing of his sermons, bulletins, website, creating business cards and handouts, the brainstorming sessions with him of how we can grow this church, the endless discussions and prayers about and for this church and God's Kingdom. But it is also serving in another huge way- serving him. When I have the energy to cook and clean, do laundry, take care of bills and keep up this house, I am serving him by allowing him to rest and refuel, to come home where home should be a refuge and retreat, to relax and enjoy some time together and as a family, so that we can then together best serve God to the best of our ability- different unique abilities where one is very visible and a leader and the other is behind the scenes in a supportive role that was meant to be.

God makes us each very different. I believe he definitely did that for a reason. Everyone has a purpose and a place. Some are visible and in the spotlight, others are behind the scenes or unnoticed. But God sees you. He sees each and every one of you, and He created you for a purpose. Pray that you find that purpose, and then live it. It is together as a body of Christ, each in our own unique roles, that we can be the church God meant for us to be. No matter your age, your disability, your circumstances in life, if you are here you have a purpose. Accept that purpose and glorify God through it, even if no one can see it except Him.


And with that, I have this on my heart as well...

Romans 12New International Version (NIV)

A Living Sacrifice

12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Humble Service in the Body of Christ

3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a]faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Love in Action

9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[c] Do not be conceited.

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[d] says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
    if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”[e]

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Originally Posted: What do you desire?

***When I returned to Chicago 3.5 years ago for my surgery, I started a blog as one place all family and friends could go to read updates on my health. I then realized it was also a way of promoting awareness. Shortly after that, I started a second blog, for the purpose of sharing my faith. As time went on, I became convicted about something.

It was wrong of me to separate the two, as my faith, Jesus, is the absolute reason for my strength in getting through this. I could not exclude Him from my health blog even if others suggested to do so. Thus, I started talking more about my faith on my main blog. Now, many times, it's more about Him than me, which is where I came up with the current title 'About Me, Not About Me'. This story may be about me, but really it's not about me, it's about Him. That old blog still sits out there no longer being used. So I decided over time I will begin to move those posts from there to here to have everything in one place.

In just beginning to read some of my first posts, I've realized the amount of work God has truly done in me. A lot of times we hate the journey and want to get to our next destination, but it is in that very journey that God molds you into who He created you to be.***

Originally Posted: March 12, 2014
What do you desire?

There are days I decide I'm not going on my computer... for whatever reason... I need to rest, I have other things to do, I need to take a break from technology, etc. Those most often seem to be the days a topic is placed inside me to write on. Most of the time it passes before I get on the computer, sometimes I write it down to write later. But by the time "writing later" arrives, the energy of that topic has subsided. It all brings me to realize with God's time, the time is now. It doesn't matter what I have planned or don't have planned. If he placed something in my heart, it is my job to carry it through.

So today, I "planned" to rest- watch movies and read some books- all from the library which I stopped at yesterday. I did a lot yesterday and so today I need to rest. That was my plan at least. So I'm watching a movie, "Oblivion" of all things, as well as reading a book someone recommended to me "Chasing Francis" by Ian Morgan Cron. Crazy combination of the two but together they brought about a thought, a topic to write on. I almost let it pass, let it slip away, and then I thought no- there might be someone out there God wants to read this, I have to write it. So I closed my book, turned off the tv, turned on my computer and here I am.

We all have desires... for people, for things, for feelings, for accomplishments. What we desire is what we go after. But will a desire ever be enough? Will any thing or multiple things ever be enough? Will people ever be enough? Will you ever be enough or I ever be enough? Will we ever fill that void we feel with all these things and people? Can we, at any point, say we obtained it? We achieved it? We reached it? And if so what more do we have to go after? If we have nothing left to go after, why are we still living? Are we going after the right thing? Are we living for the right thing? For the right people? Is a desire nothing more than something to keep us going? And therefore is what we desire keeping us going in the right direction?

We want to feel needed, we want to feel wanted, we want to feel like we matter. We want to give and to receive. We want happiness, pleasure, fun, enjoyment, success, enrichment. We want it all, yes as humans we want it all.

Has any human ever had it all? Has any human successfully filled their desires, that void, with people, places, things? And if not, then why not?

I believe at the root of all these desires is the desire for love... to love and to be loved... and everything that falls into the middle. And I believe even if many people realize that the base of their desire is love, that they define it incorrectly and thus end up going after the wrong people and things.

You can define love in so many different ways. But if you look Biblically you find- God is love. So backing up, if the root of all our desires is the desire for love... then the root of all our desires is the desire for God.

We desire God. We need God. Only God can fill that emptiness, that void, that space we desire to be filled.

Deep inside us all is this hole that needs to be filled. We fill it with desires. But none of those worldly desires will ever be enough. No person will ever be enough. I will never be enough for anyone, and no one will ever be enough for me. The only One large enough to fit that space is God.

If we put God first, and always first, He will lead us. He will show us where to go and how to get there. He will lead us to others He wants us to have relationships or friendships with. He will strengthen us. He will equip us.

God works for the good of those who love Him and who have been called to live according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 HIS purpose. Not mine, not yours. HIS.

But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33

So I wrote... I had a slight delay of course as I didn't immediately listen to what was placed inside me, but I can only hope and pray what He wanted me to say came out and reaches the right person, whoever that is out there. After all, we all need to constantly be reminded of this as we struggle to live in His spirit with the desires and surroundings of the flesh. Stay encouraged. Stay focused. Keep your heart set on Him. In His love, God bless.

Originally Posted: Defining Success

***When I returned to Chicago 3.5 years ago for my surgery, I started a blog as one place all family and friends could go to read updates on my health. I then realized it was also a way of promoting awareness. Shortly after that, I started a second blog, for the purpose of sharing my faith. As time went on, I became convicted about something.

It was wrong of me to separate the two, as my faith, Jesus, is the absolute reason for my strength in getting through this. I could not exclude Him from my health blog even if others suggested to do so. Thus, I started talking more about my faith on my main blog. Now, many times, it's more about Him than me, which is where I came up with the current title 'About Me, Not About Me'. This story may be about me, but really it's not about me, it's about Him. That old blog still sits out there no longer being used. So I decided over time I will begin to move those posts from there to here to have everything in one place.

In just beginning to read some of my first posts, I've realized the amount of work God has truly done in me. A lot of times we hate the journey and want to get to our next destination, but it is in that very journey that God molds you into who He created you to be.***

Originally Posted: February 8, 2014
Defining Success

Are you successful?

How you answer that is based off of how you define success.

So how do you define success?

Do you define success as being a CEO of a top company, and yet you are just a mid-level employee having trouble moving up? Then I guess no, you cannot consider yourself successful.

Do you define success as having "things" and you have many of them yet you are deeply in debt because of it, but you don't care about that debt? Then I guess yes, you can consider yourself successful. 

Perhaps deep inside you don't feel such a thing is truly success, in your eyes it is different, but you become blinded by what others think and want for you. Your definition of success is skewed based off of how you were raised, your environment, society and even the media.

So what truly is success? Is there any common ground to base a definition or goal to attain off of? And, does it matter?

I think at the end of the day, success, achievement, strength, beauty, every thing- comes down to the bottom line of what you believe in, morals, what is absolutely more important than anything else to you.

For me, that is God. If I place my eyes on Him and let Him be my guide, I know I cannot go wrong. He is the one constant in life. The One and only who will never leave or forsake me. The one unchangeable. The everlasting, omnipresent God. So truly, if I want to be successful, I should base it off His will for me. That will give me something to go after, something to strive for, not based on materialist things or worldly ever changing society filled with confusion. It will be based off the One and only who knows what's best for me. And if I want to be successful, it seems there would be no other way to reach it than that. 

What is God calling you to do? We all have spiritual gifts, we just have to find them. Your spiritual gift(s) will lead you to what you should be doing in life. That may be a job that fits into how society defines success, or it may be helping others without getting paid at all. It may fit along with how you define success or what you desire to do in life, or it may not. But truly if you find your calling and follow it, I don't think you can go wrong, because God will be there every step of the way and it is His purpose for you. If we all lived for His purpose, what a beautiful peaceful world this would be.

In society's eyes, am I successful? Let's see. I do not have a job that pays a regular income, I do not own a house, I do not have my own family. Society could very well say I'm a failure. 

I am not a failure. What happened to me is not a result of my own doing. I was extremely successful in society's eyes in college. I was on my way to what I thought would be an amazing future. Then the world came crashing down. Guess what? That amazing future still exists. Because my success isn't based off of a job, another person, or money. My success is based off of God. God is with me. God is leading my way. God is the glory of anything good I do. God gives me the words to say and when to say them. God touches others through me as I am only a vessel. Whatever His will is for me, let it be done. He sees me as successful. And if you turn your life over to Him, I know He sees you as successful too.

Some may see this as a way out, a way to feel you are worth more than you are. But again, what is worth? What does it ALL come down to at the end of the day? For me, it's God. He is my judge. He is who I live for. So others can kick me down and tear me apart and tell me I'm not good enough, but God is right there telling me yes I am and He works for the good of those who love Him. I love Him. 

So how do you define success, and is it an ever lasting, never changing, brightest light that ever existed to rest your definition upon? If so, go get it! God is with you.

Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
    and he will establish your plans. Proverbs 16:3

Originally Posted: Be a Doer

***When I returned to Chicago 3.5 years ago for my surgery, I started a blog as one place all family and friends could go to read updates on my health. I then realized it was also a way of promoting awareness. Shortly after that, I started a second blog, for the purpose of sharing my faith. As time went on, I became convicted about something.

It was wrong of me to separate the two, as my faith, Jesus, is the absolute reason for my strength in getting through this. I could not exclude Him from my health blog even if others suggested to do so. Thus, I started talking more about my faith on my main blog. Now, many times, it's more about Him than me, which is where I came up with the current title 'About Me, Not About Me'. This story may be about me, but really it's not about me, it's about Him. That old blog still sits out there no longer being used. So I decided over time I will begin to move those posts from there to here to have everything in one place.

In just beginning to read some of my first posts, I've realized the amount of work God has truly done in me. A lot of times we hate the journey and want to get to our next destination, but it is in that very journey that God molds you into who He created you to be.***

Originally Posted: January 31, 2014
Be a Doer

Often you will hear people say "get with the times" or "It's 2014!". All these comments are indicating you need to let loose, adapt to fit into society... their personal notion of society.

Do you?

No.

Let society adapt to fit in with you. That is, if you are a true Christian and striving to live the life of one.

The amount of years I've been on this world is nothing compared to the amount of years since the beginning of time. And yet, the amount of change I've seen over those short amount of years seems like a lot, and not in a good way.

As the years go on, people get further and further away from the truth. Yes, things change, but where we are grounded should remain the same. Why? Because God does not change as times go on. God does not say "oh it's 2014, better let go of that now." Absolutely not. And if we are grounded in faith, remain close to God, we should not change either. I'm talking in reference to morals.

The Bible tells all we need to know. The Bible should be our guide for life. Not other people, not society as a whole, not what year it is.

If we allow one thing to change this year, and another the next, where are we going to be in 20 years? I mean goodness, look where we are already. If you have kids, don't you want them to have a good grounding? Good morals? And wouldn't you want their kids the same? So why do allow such adaptation in the wrong direction? Why do we permit lying, cheating, stealing, so on and so forth? Why do we say it's ok to do something that 50 years ago would have been frowned strongly against? Just because it's 2014? That really doesn't make a lot of sense if you really think about it.

So many people lack commitment. So many people lack strong values. So many people lack morals. And as we are lacking, we are allowing the bad to get in, the evil, the temptation, straying away from the truth. Stop. Stop right now and reformulate who you are and who you are meant to be in Christ Jesus. And lead others to do the same. You want to make a difference? Do it. Be the change you want to see, and make sure that change is in the right direction. Let God lead you.

 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. James 1:22-25

Originally Posted: Journey or Destination

***When I returned to Chicago 3.5 years ago for my surgery, I started a blog as one place all family and friends could go to read updates on my health. I then realized it was also a way of promoting awareness. Shortly after that, I started a second blog, for the purpose of sharing my faith. As time went on, I became convicted about something.

It was wrong of me to separate the two, as my faith, Jesus, is the absolute reason for my strength in getting through this. I could not exclude Him from my health blog even if others suggested to do so. Thus, I started talking more about my faith on my main blog. Now, many times, it's more about Him than me, which is where I came up with the current title 'About Me, Not About Me'. This story may be about me, but really it's not about me, it's about Him. That old blog still sits out there no longer being used. So I decided over time I will begin to move those posts from there to here to have everything in one place.

In just beginning to read some of my first posts, I've realized the amount of work God has truly done in me. A lot of times we hate the journey and want to get to our next destination, but it is in that very journey that God molds you into who He created you to be.***

Originally Posted: January 11, 2014
Journey or Destination

They say it's not about the destination, it's about the journey. I've pondered this before.

I think we need to back up even further and ask, what is your destination? Do you know? If you don't know then how can you possibly decide- is it about the journey or the destination? If you do know your destination, perhaps the answer of what your destination is will help clarify this.

My destination is Heaven. Heaven is where I will spend all eternity. This life, even if I live to somehow be 100, is so short compared to eternity. It's about my destination. It's about Heaven. It's about Jesus.

When that is clarified, this makes more sense. Life makes more sense. And it comes about full circle where in fact since it's about the destination, which ultimately is Jesus, it's also about the journey, still Jesus.

Why? Because I am a Christian. I'm not a Christian because I say that is my "religion." I am not a Christian because I go to church. I am a Christian because I am saved and I have a relationship with Christ Jesus. My entire life is lived for Him, because He died for us. I strive to do what is good, what is right what is true. I strive to be the best version of myself, following God's will. That's not to say I don't fail, I do. But Jesus remains in my heart.

If you have the same destination, does how you are living clearly tell others that's your destination?

So does it really matter? Is it the journey or the destination or both? And if you don't know your destination can you truly answer this question? And if you can't answer this question, what in fact are you living for and how does that define you? Is it worth it? Is living your life for anything other than the One who died for you to be here really worth it?

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me. Philippians 1:21-26

Originally Posted: [God Moments]

***When I returned to Chicago 3.5 years ago for my surgery, I started a blog as one place all family and friends could go to read updates on my health. I then realized it was also a way of promoting awareness. Shortly after that, I started a second blog, for the purpose of sharing my faith. As time went on, I became convicted about something.

It was wrong of me to separate the two, as my faith, Jesus, is the absolute reason for my strength in getting through this. I could not exclude Him from my health blog even if others suggested to do so. Thus, I started talking more about my faith on my main blog. Now, many times, it's more about Him than me, which is where I came up with the current title 'About Me, Not About Me'. This story may be about me, but really it's not about me, it's about Him. That old blog still sits out there no longer being used. So I decided over time I will begin to move those posts from there to here to have everything in one place.

In just beginning to read some of my first posts, I've realized the amount of work God has truly done in me. A lot of times we hate the journey and want to get to our next destination, but it is in that very journey that God molds you into who He created you to be.***

Originally Posted: December 28, 2013
[God Moments]

God is amazing. Truly amazing. I felt the urge to get on here and write about it. I know if you're reading this you may not know what is going on in my life right now and I can't post it here unfortunately. But just know this, I am going through an incredibly hard struggle that I've been placed within, on top of my health. But as long as I stay with God I am ok, I'll be ok. I truly believe that.

So just to show some "God- moments" as proof of Him working wonderfully in my life... I no longer think there are such things as coincidence. Lately, it's just been too much happening that just has to be worked out by the hands of God.

Briefly, today I was sitting here, thinking to myself, I wish I knew someone going through a similar situation that I could talk to. I must have a friend who has a friend dealing with something like that that they can get me in touch with. And then a specific friend's name popped into my head without thinking about it. At that exact moment, that exact friend messaged me. What did she message me? She wanted to introduce me to someone and that someone to me because she felt God calling her to do so- because of the situations we are both in. Wow. It gets even more "coicidental" for lack of better word, but I'll leave it at that. God is truly at work here.

Here's another one. Some of my friends and some family members have been a HUGE encouragement and of support to me going through this. I am so absolutely blessed to have them in my life and thankful for their time and kind words and gestures. So thankful. There is one woman in particular who I felt a connection with before even talking to. I felt I needed to contact her for some reason without knowing the reason. This was a little while back. After hearing back from her the very first time, I knew it was again God at work. She is meant to be in my life right now. She has been SUCH an amazing blessing to me. Well today I typed something and moments later she told me she had just written out almost that exact thing in a letter to mail to me. God is speaking to me through her.

Lastly, I'm sitting here and yet another friend messages me... about angels... and this comes after another just recently told me that I am surrounded by angels of hope, of protection, of good health and of God's love. And again, at that moment, what do I hear? Bells ringing and immediately the thought of those bells coming from angels and from Heaven came to me. It most likely was the tv in the basement, but you know what? Maybe it wasn't. It was pretty loud to have been the tv in the basement when I'm on the 2nd floor upstairs. Even if it was, maybe it's God telling me "Don't worry child, I got this." Thank you God!

Thank you to all who listen to the voice of God and deliver His message. After all, isn't that what it's all about? We as Christians must keep one another encouraged and close to Christ Jesus. Don't ever let one another give up, stay down or stray away. Always be of positive light, encouragement, hope and love.

Life is SO much better when you have God and Jesus on your side. For if God is for us who could be against us?

 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31

Originally Posted: Grace

***When I returned to Chicago 3.5 years ago for my surgery, I started a blog as one place all family and friends could go to read updates on my health. I then realized it was also a way of promoting awareness. Shortly after that, I started a second blog, for the purpose of sharing my faith. As time went on, I became convicted about something.

It was wrong of me to separate the two, as my faith, Jesus, is the absolute reason for my strength in getting through this. I could not exclude Him from my health blog even if others suggested to do so. Thus, I started talking more about my faith on my main blog. Now, many times, it's more about Him than me, which is where I came up with the current title 'About Me, Not About Me'. This story may be about me, but really it's not about me, it's about Him. That old blog still sits out there no longer being used. So I decided over time I will begin to move those posts from there to here to have everything in one place.

In just beginning to read some of my first posts, I've realized the amount of work God has truly done in me. A lot of times we hate the journey and want to get to our next destination, but it is in that very journey that God molds you into who He created you to be.***

Originally Posted: December 12, 2013
Grace

"They don't deserve anything!"
"They deserve to go to hell!"
"They are horrible people!"
"They have some serious problems and need help!"

What do you think of those statements? They are quite harsh aren't they? I think so. And yet I can bet the majority of people have said one of these or something along these lines many times in life. Why?

Maybe they don't deserve anything.
Maybe they do deserve to go to hell.
Maybe they are horrible people.
Maybe they do have serious problems and do need help.

You know what, though? Maybe you are/you do too. And that's not to be mean. We have such a subjective view, hypocritical, unfair and biased. We often think so highly of ourselves and our inner circle, but harshly of those with opposing views whether it be political, religious, personal, etc. when most of the time we don't truly know those people. We place judgement where judgement shouldn't be.

If you are human, you are a sinner. If you are human, you are not perfect. Without Jesus, we all deserve nothing, even worse, we deserve eternity in hell for all of our sins. We absolutely do not deserve Jesus to have nails pounded into him, suffering and dying on the cross for us.

That's where grace and mercy come in. We have a merciful God who blesses us tremendously with saving grace. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— Ephesians 2:8

Next time you start complaining about other people, calling someone a name, putting them down, stop. Just stop. Take a moment. Turn inward to yourself. Maybe you don't show the negative qualities they do, but you do have negative qualities even if they are different. Maybe you didn't commit the sin or crime they did, but you have sinned and done wrong. Maybe you are at a high place in your life, but at one point in the past or in the future you have and/or will be at a low point like maybe they are now.

What would happen if we all stopped pointing the finger? What would happen if we all strive to live as Jesus did and acted kindly no. matter. what. Not responding to what happens in a positive or negative way, but living in such a way to show kindness, love and compassion to all in every and any situation. Allowing our hearts to be transformed by the Holy Spirit.

Without Jesus, we are doomed. We will be cast away to hell for all eternity. We deserve nothing! And absolutely nothing we do can get us a place in Heaven because we could NEVER be good enough. But accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior is the only way into Heaven. Accept Him, pick up your cross, and carry it.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-32