Rocky Cliff

I believe that God really puts people in your life at right times in life to get you through those times, good and bad. Its like when you go rock climbing... through parts of it, you don't really feel like you need anyone to get you to the top, but those people are still there holding your belee line. Which is much like when you are going through life with friends and you don't realize how good it is to still have them there. But then at times, you are so close to the rock that you can't see where to go next, That is when it is best to have those people in your life that aren't up against the rock to help you find the next ledge that you can't see from where you are. And in those times in life, that is when it is so good, and such a blessing to have those true friends. The ones that may not know what you are going through but can help you find the way you need to go even if you can't see it. And true friends are a blessing from God. And I have seen lately that in some peoples lives, friends are Gods gift to them to help them through their roughest of times.
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Journey

There has been a lot that God has been teaching me over the last few months, but especially now. There has been many things going on in life that has been a burden on me both spiritually, and in time it took its physical toll. But through it all God always is teaching me. It continues to be an awesome journey with Him. And what He has shown me lately is that the ways things happen in life are truly in His timing. From relationships that are no longer around to the things that I'm going through now. And with what I'm going through now, I have been shown that's why the relationship I talking about isn't there. Its because with life situations now, God wanted me to solely lean on Him to get me through every situation, not anyone else. And with that happening it has only made me stronger in Him. And with that, it has allowed me to have a continually renewed relationship with my Savior, and it has been awesome. And my encouragement to all who read this, is that no matter what happens in life, good or bad, it is all part of Gods plan. And that even though you may be going through things right now that you may not understand, He has a plan for all of it. And in His timing if you seek Him as your source of strength, He will reveal to you His ultimate plan for your life. And in that, you can find joy in life through your struggles.
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Busy

I have been so busy lately. It seems like all I ever do is work now. And it has made me think about things. How often do we all get too busy with everything going on in our lives that we get to busy for the things that are really important in our lives? I know I have been guilty of it. But, my priorities lately have changed and it has made such a change in how I view things. I have always wanted to have a close personal relationship with God, but without the pursuit of Him daily how can that happen? Being busy with life happens, but can we really use that as an excuse? I have had an awesome trip with God lately, I have been learning things about Him that I have heard before, but now have a new understanding of Him. It has been an amazing time with Him. I never really thought about really getting into the Old Testament before, but I have been going through the minor prophets lately, there is a lot of awesome things in that part of the Bible. So many things that are as true then as for us now. And I just say this to encourage anyone who reads this, that even though times get busy, you should find time to spend just sitting and listening to God and what He has for you. And if you truly seek Him, you will truly be blessed even in your busiest of times.

Megaphone

Have you ever heard the guys that stand on the street corners that use the megaphones and yell at you to accept God or hell fire and Brimstone is coming your way? He has the booklets about everything that he is talking about. And how no one really listens because all he is talking about is hell and to repent, then you hear the word Jesus come out of his mouth. Then he goes on to quote verses about the anger and wrath of God and if I don't repent, how I will spend an eternity in hell. And how I might die tonight, and this might be my only chance. And that if I die I will have a life of misery and spend an eternity in hell. And no one is stopping to listen. Well this is me, talking to "the megaphone guy", I don't think its working. All the yelling and condemnation isn't working, I think its making it worse. And I don't think it is what Jesus had in mind. And ya know, it is confusing to me, you preaching all this condemnation, that isn't what Jesus was about. And you and I end up being compared as the same people as a Christian. Didn't Jesus say that He came to save, not to condemn? Think about it, when the chief priest brought that woman that was caught in adultery, and the people had already condemned her to death, He said "I don't condemn you." That's why God is so awesome, because He tells us over and over again, how much He loves us, no matter where we are in our life, He loves us just where and as we are. It comforts me to know that with all the mistakes that I have made that He still loves me. Mega phone guy, you might be trying to tell the good news, but with the way you are presenting it, does it come across that way? What's important? To love God with everything that we have, and all that we are. And to love those around us just the same. So the defining thing as a Christian, is love. This guy in the Bible, John, said that to love Jesus, is to love others. Which in a way, is saying that if you don't love people, you don't love God. That is why the megaphone guy is disturbing to me, like he is just trying to convert people, just to see how many he can get. Anything that is done to condemn and not to show love, is not anything of God or what He is a part of. God loves the world, and everyone is valuable to Him, so Christians views of people should be the same. Now that doesn't mean that we can't have an opinion, it just means that we need to speak our minds, and tell what we believe, but we need to do it out of love and respect. And when we show that love, something powerful will happen, something that cannot be denied. Love always wins, people can tell when we are real. God loves everyone, it doesn't matter your background, doesn't matter what life you live, or what you have done, God loves you. He even loves those that don't even think that he exists. The writer James says: "God shows no favorites." So that is what this place is for, not a place to be condemned, but a place to find someone to listen, not to preach to you, not to convert you, but to listen to your pain, a place for you to tell your story.