On a More Personal Note

I received this personal note from a wonderful friend from Church that I so look forward to seeing every week. Granted we don't hang out, but I still consider him a dear friend.

Most heterosexual men don't walk up to a Gay man every week and give him a hug. But this friend does. Even better then that, I am actually old enough to be his father. And since I don't have or never really could have had kids, it kind of makes his friendship so much more meaningful. Most of the college kids, really can't or don't want to relate us old folks. Hey I get it.. I was the same way.

My friend not only heard my story in church, but had also taken a 5 week group session with me and others from church, where we all had to share our emotions and thoughts on each of our individual brokeness.

I skipped church today due to feeling a little down this week about my issue with anger, and my partner brought this letter home to me from this friend. I so needed this today. And Honestly, don't we all need this once in a while? There is nothing better then a handwritten note. They mean so much more than just a random email or letter typed from an impersonal keyboard, or worst of all, never at all.

This is what its all about my friends. Telling and sharing your story in the hopes that others are touched by it. Everyone has a story and every story can change lives, minds and people's hearts. This is why I always say to be open and up front on what's ailing or hurting and effecting your very being. This is just another small part of why walking with God and those who love him, is so wonderful and fulfilling. How often do you get a note like this from a friend, a co-worker or a boss for a job well done or just a note of thank you, or just simple kindness? Most likely never. But I get them all the time.

Jef, I may have said this before, but in case you didn't know, I admire so much of who you are and the tough questions of faith you ask the Lord...

Thanks for being so real, Jef, and for putting your trust in the hands of the Father who loves you and cares for you so MUCH.

Your life I know, is a testament of God's power and His good news, and I pray our Lord fills you each and every morning with the unshakable conviction that who you are is enough, and that there is no fear for those who love Him.

You are mighty, Jef, and I really do look forward to sharing and hearing more stories with you

Sharing your brokeness brings forth all kinds of amazing things. Brings you prayers of healing, people you can relate to, a closer and more honest relationship with others, starts relationships with new friends, it makes you a stronger person and so much more.

Never be ashamed of your story. Believe it or not, even in a church setting, your weaknesses bring you and others strength and glory. If your not allowed to share your brokeness within your church, then I ask you.. Are you in the right place?


Forgive me today God that I skipped Church and let the evil one tell me that I didn't deserve to go.

Forgive me this week God for bursting out in Anger at a stranger for no real reason at all. For dwelling in Depression and pulling away from everyone, with the thoughts that I am a terrible human being.

Forgive me this month God for giving in to so many temptations.

Forgive me this year God that I am full of angry words and can't get it under control.

Thank you God today for this wonderful letter from a friend at church. It came at the perfect time.

Thank you for this week God, that I am taking on my anger and trying for the first time to really get it under control.

Thank you for this year God. Free of addictions. The opportunity to share my story in church. For A year of growth. A year of weaknesses made into strength. A year of your unfailing love and forgiveness for the wretched person that I am. All the new amazing friends that you have given me, and most of all, Thank You for pulling me back to you and showing me that I too, am Forgiven and worthy of your LOVE!!!

If you ask most people, the answer to this question would be Yes. But the truth of the matter is NO.. Unless of course you are 100% perfect, and that quite frankly is impossible! It just can't be done.. We lie, we lust, we steal, we judge, we hate, we complain, we anger, etc...etc...etc...

Why do I feel the need to blog about this? First and foremost, because it has been on my heart for weeks. 2nd, because I was listening to a sermon in which they first interviewed people on the street about this, and the majority didn't care or thought that just being good was enough. 3rd; and really the most important reason is because, although we don't know each other,  I so love you and feel that you might need to grasp and understand the truth.

Nobody should have to die, then stand in front of Jesus and be perplexed when hearing the words, "I am sorry, but you never knew me, nor did you try to know me. You are found to be Guilty and you are not worthy to enter my Kingdom". Guilty of what you say?

Only God is perfect and God did create us to be perfection. However, sin entered the world. Yes, God could have fixed that in the beginning, but because he loves us so much, rather than for us to be robots, he gave us the free will to live our lives as we wish and do as we choose. Which we all know leads us as humans to do terrible things to ourselves, to each other, and to all that he created. We are all guilty and not one of us is innocent.  Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

God does love us all and nothing would make him happier than for every single one of us to go to heaven.                 
1 Timothy 2:3-5 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.

When we do terrible things, more often then not we have to pay the price for it. When we break the law, eventually we get caught, thrown in jail, and sent to court to prove our innocence. We have to hire a good lawyer, stand in front of our peers to be judged, and hope that our lawyer knows enough about the court system, the law and has the goods and smarts to save us from a just punishment.

This is exactly what will happen should a person die just believing that they were good enough to enter the pearly gates. They will be judged by the creator and they will be punished. God is Omniscient. And let's be honest here. Nothing you have done is hidden from God. Every single thing that you have done, said or have even thought, in public or the privacy all to yourself; God knows Everything and never forgets.

Now we all know that the statement; "innocent until proven guilty" truly does not apply anymore. We are often seen as Guilty first and need to prove our innocence beyond a reasonable doubt. In the eyes of God we are guilty and CANNOT prove our innocence. We are Guilty first and there is no doubt about it.

The good news is that there is ONE lawyer that is so good, that He can represent us to God; earn our freedom and erase our rap sheet. Who is that lawyer you ask? It is the judge of all mankind, Himself, Jesus Christ.

But God is just and the law is clear. Those who have sinned must be punished. Even with Jesus representing you, the judgement is to be served. Someone must be punished for the wrongs that you have done as well as the laws that you have broken. And that punishment is death. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

So there you stand in court, and you have been given a guilty sentence, and then the most amazing and incredible thing happens. The judge stands up from his pulpit, walks down to where you are, and says, "I will take this person's punishment, if he will let me"

Did you just do a double take when you read that? Did you have to read it again in case you read it wrong? Did you say, "Say WHAT?, that would never happen!" This judge is going to take your punishment for you. The Death Penalty!!! and you my friend, get to go free.. And all you have to do is say YES!!!!

The God who created us saw that terrible sins were taking over the world and He had to do something about it. So He came to earth in the form of a human, Jesus Christ. Just as the judge did, to take the punishment for our sins. And all He has asked us to do is a very few simple things. To believe that He exists and to believe that His son, Jesus Christ died on the cross for us. That He loves us so much, by His Grace and Mercy, we are forgiven. He paid the ultimate penalty. His life was taken for no other reason than for us and to pay for OUR sin. He was sinless and NEVER broke any laws. Did you get that? He was the only one ever to be sinless and had no price to pay. Yet he paid the price. For everyone who believes. What a Gift. A Free Gift. Given to us because he is Graceful and full of Mercy.

Mark 16:16 "He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.       

John 3:15 so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life.                               

Acts 16:31 They said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household."
 
Now that you know this, you should be so joyful for his love and that unbelievable free gift that you will want to go even deeper into a relationship with Jesus and follow him. Believe me, it is a wonderful journey. I have been cleansed of addictions, depression, and God is still working on my anger and other desires, but my whole mindset and outlook on life has and is being changed.

He also commanded us to love him with all of our hearts and to love our neighbors (meaning everyone). Turning away from our sins also makes him very happy. This isn't as easy as it sounds, but first and foremost, find a loving church that teaches the true bible and the love of Jesus, one that will accept you just as you are at this moment, and all else will eventually fall into place.

There are many churches who teach that God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are three separate people or entity's, one not having to do with the other or variants of the same idea. It is hard to wrap your head around, but believing and following the True God is knowing that all three are the same, yet separate, all are as one.

We must first believe and continue believing that Jesus Christ is LORD. He is God. He is the Only Son of God, yet is also the One Almighty God. He is not the Father but is the exact image of the Father. He is part of the one "What" and three "Who's" with each "Who" possessing all the attributes of Deity and personality that make up the Trinity.

The Lord Jesus Christ is also sovereign.  When we believe on the "Lord" Jesus Christ we lay down our rights and our very life, nailing them to the cross of Christ, and He becomes the complete King, President, Boss, Director of our lives.

He is also "Jesus" "Christ". He is the Redeemer and He is the Messiah, the Anointed One of God. He is the only one who can deliver us from our sins.

In this one statement we can see the 100% humanity and 100% Deity of Christ.  And we must keep believing that! Here is a great article I came upon about the statement, "Believing in Him"  (please note, that I do not fully agree with the use of the word cult in this article)

Now most people will have the thought that this is just too much to ask. I love living my life as I wish. I shouldn't have to give up anything. I ask you to think about it. This life is so very short and goes by so fast. But the afterlife will be for ETERNITY!! NEVER ENDING!! Hell will be full of those who partied, people who lived life to the extreme, who did everything they wanted, but let's be very clear here. It WILL NOT be a party place. There will be no enjoyment.

Satan gets all his joy in knowing that most people think that way. He enjoys every soul that he can keep from God and every hateful thought that goes thru our minds or out of our mouths. Every foul thing we do to ourselves and each other gives him joy. I hardly think that his Eternal place is going to be good when he thrives on all that is terrible.

Heaven on the other hand is going to be more beautiful, more colorful, more everything that is good. Beauty beyond what any of our tiny little minds can imagine. A place full of so many things to do that you will never be able to do them all.

All it takes is saying YES YES YES.. I do believe. I do accept. Please accept the invitation of Jesus to take your place. He has set you free and he promises a life full of joy, freedom and peace. I pray that you will be joining me in Heaven where there truly will be an eternal party. No more tears, no more sin, no more hurting, depression, sorrow, etc.. Just pure joy, dancing, singing and playing.. Real love that we don't know on this earth. A love that transcends all other love. A love that you will physically feel go thru you, within you and surround you. That's where I want to be. Will you join me?