Never good enough? Feels like it, doesn't it?

Some days I curse the internet, some days I bless ARPA for creating it.

I find it far too easy to get my hands (eyes) on content that is not beneficial to moving closer to God (also Dad, in my world), but I also get to share lessons and encouragement easily and for free. Today, I've done both. Unfortunately, for the first, but now I have a reason to write something. I realize this isn't the best way to get content, but in my weakness, He is strong, and His will will always be accomplished.

So, don't discount yourself if you've failed. Even if you've failed, and continued to fail, long after you feel like you should have overcome whatever it is. I've been saved for a little over 5 years now (I know, kind of still a toddler) and I still struggle with two big issues, in particular. I won't reveal them here, because it's not the place, but there are things about myself that I feel that if people in my life knew, they would end the relationship, or change it such that it's not worth having anymore. I'm working on getting past that fear, but I'm not there yet.

I say all that to say, while it may feel like a big deal to you when you fail, Dad's not surprised. He knows that you're not perfect. What's more, He expects you to fail, and is even happy when you do. It means that A) you're trying, and B) since you feel the conviction and yes, guilt, it means that you're still sensitive to the Spirit calling to you, and there's still hope. It's when you stop feeling guilty that your heart has become calloused, and the likelihood of you turning back to Him lessens. Also, I know guilt is a dirty word in Christian language, but I believe that as long as you don't just sit there feeling guilty, if you commit to listening to the Spirit and not your own feelings/knowledge, it's definitely constructive. I know how easy it is to feel hopeless after you fall victim to an aspect of your old life that died when you were reborn. Trust me, I know. But the thing about grace is that not only does it not do to as you deserve, it gives you what you don't deserve. Through His grace, He gives you His Spirit of power and love and and mercy and wisdom and all the things He is, so that you can live the life He's called you to live. It's just up to you to choose to listen to the Spirit inside you, rather than what you feel like doing. And don't feel bad if you only go a day between falls. When you were a baby, learning to walk, did your parents ever say, "Only three steps? That's not good enough. I expect you to make it across the room, already."? Of course not. It was completely new to you, and so you had to practice. And each time you fell, you learned a little more about how to do, and not do, the series of controlled falls that we call walking. I can't stress enough that when you fail, it's less, "Goodness, why did you do that? I expected better from you," and more, "Great try! I'm so proud of you for attempting that! What do you say we try again?" from God.

Please don't ever forget that it's His power that gives us what we need to live a godly life, not our own willpower (1 Peter 2:3). It's not our job to build up the self control and strength and determination to do what we know is right. It's His job to provide all that. It's our job to listen for His will, in the Word and directly from Him, and to carry it out. (John 15:5). I feel like I'm rambling, so I'll stop for now. I'm available, if you have any questions. Just click the link below and email me. Present your requests to Him, with thanksgiving, and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

I may not have it all figured out, but I do say what I think. If you have any questions about faith in Jesus, don't hesitate to email me. It's my job to help you out. Have an idea for me? Let me know in the comments! If you see any spelling/grammatical errors, PLEASE let me know in a comment. I expect others to use correct English, so I should too. Twitter:@GetItReallyReal Please subscribe and/or share.

Does Jesus really need us to stand up for Him?

The other day on Facebook (I know, I'm not on Google+ [what!?]) a friend of mine gave voice to her outrage about President Obama not having Christmas trees in the White House this year, that instead they would be called "Holiday" trees, since this is no longer a Christian country, but a country of many faiths, and how we need to let him know that this is still a Christian country and "stand up for Christ."

While I appreciate her virtual zeal, I believe the President is right, for three reasons.

First: This has never been a "Christian country." While the majority of its citizens have professed to be Christians, that does not make our system of government and rule Christian. Even the founding fathers, most of whom were influenced by Christian beliefs, worked very, very hard at keeping them out of designing a system of rule that has yet to be bested. Thus, "in the name of God" could not be used to justify any type of action, whether good or bad. They stated that this was a government "for the people and by the people," not by the God that they professed. While a theocracy, with God as the ultimate authority, is the ideal form of rule, that won't happen until He comes back. In the mean time, we humans will have to do the best we can, calling on His help if we believe. Apparently we, the people, have chosen a representative who does not believe in the same God that I do. Constitutionally, that's perfectly fine. There is no law stating that the occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Drive need be a Christian, or believe in anything at all, for that matter. Only that he, or she, be at least 35 years of age, a natural born citizen, and elected by the people whom he or she serves.

Second: This is, in fact, a country of many faiths. I'm not sure what the numbers are, but I've heard that we're second in religious diversity only to the UK. And that's alright. It's part of what makes this country the greatest country in the world (again, not a perfect country). Here, anyone can accomplish anything and be anyone they want, without the government telling them they can't, or that some other way is better. It's not the President's job to be a Christian and represent a Christian nation. If he is and does while he's in office, then that means we chose the type of man (or woman) who would do that. If he doesn't, that means we chose a person who wouldn't do that. The officials elected reflect the true desires of the people who elected them. It's that simple.

Last: Does Jesus, the One who was, and is, and is to come, the One by whose Word all things are held together, in whom we live and move and have our being, whose words become reality, who sees all of eternity before Him, really need anyone to stand up for Him? He's the One who gave the office of President authority in the first place! Don't forget: He wasn't surprised when Adam and Eve sinned. He had planned all of time before there was such a thing as time! So, instead of "standing up for Jesus", I think we should get on our knees before Him and then change the world around us. Go witness to a lost friend. Put up the biggest manger scene in your neighborhood. Pray for that single mom who looks so forlorn at the store. Smile at your coworkers. Teach your children about His love. Read the Word. Pray.


I may not have it all figured out, but I do say what I think. If you have any questions about faith in Jesus, don't hesitate to email me. It's my job to help you out. Have an idea for me? Let me know in the comments! If you see any spelling/grammatical errors, PLEASE let me know in a comment. I expect others to use correct English, so I should too. Twitter:@GetItReallyReal Please subscribe and/or share.