What if someone asked YOU about being a Christian??

It's' Saturday...I'm still in my pajamas as I write, but I had an intriguing morning. My husband is out for the day and my little one and I are having a lazy day at home. It always makes me nervous when we get visitors at the door, trying to sell us something, etc. (stemming from a group of vaccum "salesmen" who refused to leave my doorstep once and I had to call the police). Today, a young teen and older man in suits knocked at the door and I was in clear view of the window. I had to answer. They were making the rounds and asking people about their faith. They were sharing their faith as Jehovah's Witnesses. They asked me what I thought was the biggest difference between my religion and theirs. I honestly didn't know what to say. After they left, I did some research and filled myself with ways we are different.

The biggest thing I wanted to share is that the Bible says,

"For sin shall have no dominion over you: for you are not under the law, but under grace." Romans 6:14

I am so excited to share that Christ died for ALL sinners!, not just the ones who "attain Christ-likeness". We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, but the good news is that we are not "ruled" by the old law of the Old Testiment...Christ is our new "law" His grace is sufficient and he forgives over and over.

I've messed up so many times, haven't you? God loves us anyway! He gave his son, so that we can be free from the burdens of sin and one day have life eternal with him in heaven! Not just the "special ranking" Christians, ANY and ALL who love him and make Christ the center of their life. THAT is good news!!! Would you like to read specific scriptures about this topic? HERE is a site I looked at today with some good points and scripture to back it. I believe there are also links to other tough topics.

Please note that I am not at all upset or angry with my visitors today, nor do I view them as lesser because of our differences. Like Christ, we were not sent here to judge, but to love and to speak the truth. Be filled with grace today!

Living Humble in a Joyful Way

I'm going to go ahead and plead your forgiveness for being such a slacker when it comes to keeping up with posts. There's obviously no excuse, because I update my other blog almost everyday...and God is way more worth it ;) It feels good to get to spend some time here tonight.

We've been doing a series at church called "unshakable". It's all about living joyfully even though our world and our economy is upside down right now. My husband is literally losing co-workers to his left and right, and we keep praying for his job to be secure.

I learned a big lesson this past week about living humbly, and I wanted to share it with you. It seems that overlooking injustice is really difficult for me...in a way that's good...I never let the sun set on something that isn't set "right". However, I've risked some temper flares in a few of those "fights for injustice". I might have been a good lawyer, but I digress...

Someone bullied me this past week and ripped my self-esteem right from under me. My first instinct was to "rip" them something new, but it occurred to me that our sermon this Sunday was about esteeming others as better than ourselves. We can live joyfully in a humble manner. Now, I certainly don't mean that it's okay to let our self-esteem plumit and allow people to walk all over us, it is good to remember that we aren't #1. It's good to remember that God loves the other person just as much. It's also good to keep a clear conscience when it comes to things we say to one another.

So,...I bit my tongue. I responded kindly.....and just as momma always said, you only attract bees with honey. The other person responded back in a kinder manner. It had the potential to be really ugly, but it's better to have peace in knowing God will set it straight later.

Psalms 37:11 "But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace"

Proverbs 11:2 "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom."

Proverbs 28:25-26 "A greedy man stirs up dissension, but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper. He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe."