HAVE YOU TAKEN THE TIME TO GET TO KNOW THOSE WHOM YOU PERSECUTE?

If people who  claim to be Christians put as much effort into loving those around them as they do in hating them, the world would be transformed. No longer would I see hateful pictures/memes/posts about Christians from non-Christians, or the same from Christians about a myriad of other groups. I can imagine Satan rejoicing at how well he has deceived those who are spreading this Christian agenda of hate. Through the idea of taking a moral stand, which sounds righteous and right, a hatred and dissension has been created that does not, in any way glorify God.

I see no love, I see no broken hearts for people who do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I see an agenda, on both sides. The LGBT community fights because they are given no rights, there agenda is equality. The Christian agenda is to squash immorality. In itself, I do not see anything "wrong", however legalism and hate is what is leading this agenda. This is what makes it bad. There is no love, no compassion.

While I agree with talking to girls who desire abortions, where are the people waiting for them when the procedure is done to show them love and compassion. Because you know what? Those girls are hurting.
What about those in the LGBT community? Many of those people are hurting, too.

 Guess what? People, all people regardless of their sexuality or choices in life, are BROKEN. Including many of those Christians pushing this agenda full of hate.

If you are one of those people who push and push this agenda, have you taken time to get to know people in the LGBT community? Have you heard their stories? Their hearts? Do you know what motivates the decisions they make? Do you know what part of their lives are broken?

I know people who are a part of this community. The one's I have met are very nice, they truly love each other and their children. I have made friends with some, and just remained acquaintances with others. I have also apologized to others for my attitude in the past. 

HAVE YOU TAKEN THE TIME TO GET TO KNOW THOSE WHOM YOU PERSECUTE?

My heart is breaking. I opened up my Facebook this morning to a post about how people are boycotting Chick-Fil-A because the owner is donating to anti-gay groups. I see Christians arguing and being hateful to those boycotting, and since those boycotting are already on the defensive (BECAUSE CHRISTIANS HAVE PUT THEM THERE), arguments ensue and Satan is glorified.

 Hate is glorified.

God?

He's not.

I do not agree with the homosexual lifestyle. However, as I have stated before: I firmly believe that is between that person and God. My part in it is this: to LOVE.

In Luke 7:36-50 there is a passage about how Jesus was dining with a Pharisee (the only people, to my recollection, that he got angry with), and a sinful woman came in to anoint Jesus. Of  course there was protest! I mean, come ON! Jesus was supposed to be a Holy Man! How could He let such a woman come near Him, no less touch Him!?!?! This was not done! This was unacceptable! How DARE HE!?!?!

What did Jesus do?

He LOVED her!

Not only did He love her, but He FORGAVE her. He loved her right where she was, all dirty and sinful. He loved her. He wanted to know her, and wanted to spend eternity with her...a sinful woman.

All you people who can honestly take a look at your moral stand, I challenge you to search your heart. Are you full of compassion for these people you persecute? Do you love them, as Christ loves us? Do you protest because of rules? Or again, is your heart truly broken for them?

Because until your heart is broken for the lost, not just those in the LGBT community, not just the little girl down the street who comes from a bad home, but broken for those who do NOT know the Lord you need to keep your mouth shut.

Yeah, I said it.

You are doing no good, only further wounding those that have not had the privilege of knowing the Lord.

Before you post those pictures/posts/etc. Pray about it, think about it. Search your heart and determine why you are posting those things.

Have you prayed for those you fight?

My heart is utterly broken, and I am reminded of the Crusades. People were murdered and mutilated in the name of the Lord so many years ago. Where that was physical, it is now happening spiritually and mentally.

Until we are broken by the passion that God has for those who do not know Him, we cannot bring about change in the world, not positive change anyway.

I read something about the moral decline our country/world is in, and I honestly believe that because of the lack of love and compassion by Christians to all these groups we oppose, we are just as at fault for that decline as everyone else.

Think about it.

Please feel free to  comment, but don't be hateful. I will delete hateful comments.

However, please remember that I know there are people out there who love the Lord, who are just as disgusted by the bigotry as I am, and are doing something about it. Thank God for a remnant of people who want to please the Lord, and out of that are ministering out of LOVE to those who the Church has shunned.

Becoming Off Center

Sometimes I swear my daughter wakes up with the intent to drive me as crazy as possible. To push me to my absolute breaking point. To the point where I just want to hide in a completely dark, silent room where no one can reach me. Any mothers reading this (and probably dads too) know EXACTLY what I mean.

Well, it is not even just the child's fault, they are just an ingredient in the recipe for disaster. Add in the television being on more than it needs to be, and drama from Facebook, or whatever other source and it all adds up to multiple distractions that cause us to become off center.

This always makes me think of that passage in Isaiah 64:8. This says, "Yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand."

I have very little experience with a potter's wheel, however I DO know that it is important to ensure the clay is centered on the wheel. If I remember correctly, if the clay is not centered it will cause distortions in what the potter is trying to create. The wheel will become unbalanced.

This is how I feel when I have taken my eyes off the Lord, and become distracted. My mind "goes crazy". I cannot think straight, EVERYTHING annoys me, and I cannot enjoy the little things in life, like being able to stay home with Emma and see her grow. Or enjoy her laughter or triumphant smile as she learns a new trick. Instead,I get short tempered with her.

I think it is at this point that parents can fall into resenting their children, and even their spouses. If we do not recognize the situation for what it is, and give in to the anger and irritation, resentment will take root and grow. Identifying the situation at the offset is vital to the health and relationship you have with your family.

Anyway, when we take our eyes of the Lord, when we stop finding our joy and fulfillment in Him, we become unbalanced and for me at least, unmanageable.

I have heard it said that religion is a crutch and it is said in a very derogatory way. You know what? Jesus IS my crutch. Why? Because I am weak. We are all weak people. We struggle with anxieties, and fears. Without Jesus as my center, life seems crazy and I completely understand the occurrence of things like anxiety attacks.

I have heard it said that the eye of the storm is an incredibly peaceful place. Life is a storm, and it is in Christ where we are able to find peace in the midst of all the chaos. It is times like this where the Scripture in Psalms 46:10 really comes alive: Be still and know that I am God.

It is at these times that all the distractions go off: the television, the radio, and the internet are turned off. It is at this time where I quiet my mind, and re center myself on God.

 And I be still.

And I know that He is God.

And peace is restored, joy is restored, and I can enjoy my daughter, my husband, and life. Her screaming for the heck of it no longer makes me want to bang my head on the wall :) but I can turn around and realize she just wants my undivided attention. I can give that to her, and enjoy her and be the mommy I want to be.