(no subject)

[acresofhope]

I think I've expressed to some of you before how I think we just need to love people for the sake of loving them and leave the agenda of conversion out of it. And I still believe that. It's just that tonight I realize if I really love people, I'll want them to know Jesus. And that is just how crazy this is. I shouldn't love people with an agenda...but if I love them at all, how could I keep the most amazing love of all to myself?! I mean, how loving is that?! I mean, most of us think or have thought at one time that we're good people, right? And therefore how could a loving God send us to hell? Well, let's just take the Ten Commandments and say that's the standard of goodness. Have you ever lied? Shoot, I have. What do you call someone who lies? A liar, right? Well then, I'm a liar. Have you ever stolen anything, even if it's something small? If so, you're a thief. Have you ever lusted after anyone? Jesus said if anyone lusts after anyone, they've committed adultery with them in their hearts. Now I if I've done it, most of you have probably done it too. And here's the one that got me tonight. Jesus said if you hate someone it's just as bad as murder. So here I sit, a lying, thieving, adulterous murderer...and that's only four of the Ten Commandments, and probably not even 1% of the entire law given to the Jews. So who thinks they're a good person now? I don't.

And here's the statement that changed my life: your sin, my sin, which is just missing the mark of who God made us to be...it hurts God. I read a verse in Jeremiah 13 last week of God speaking to the people of Israel saying "if you do not listen, I will weep in secret because of your pride; my eyes will weep bitterly, overflowing with tears, because the LORD's flock will be taken captive." God wanted to save them so badly, and He loved them so much that He wept bitterly when they were taken captive. Jesus Himself wept bitterly over His own people because they didn't recognize Who He was and listen to Him. And I think He does the same thing now when people sin. I think He just says to Himself, "They think they're so liberated, but they're not! And when I try to turn them away from the very think they're destroying themselves with, they don't listen to Me!" and He's just bawling His eyes out.

I'll tell ya, one time I saw this cover of a Wiccan book, and the picture was of who I'll assumed to be their goddess, who I used to worship, and she was on this tree...and to be honest, it looked remarkably like Jesus on the cross. The first time I saw it, I was furious and I wanted to burn it. Well, I saw it again the other day...and when I looked at it, I just wanted to cry. These people long for Him so much in their hearts that He works His way into their artwork...but they're so convinced that they're right and they won't listen long enough to let Him change their lives forever. It breaks my heart, because I remember when I was like them. If I could...if I could give up my salvation just so all Witches and Wiccans everywhere could know Jesus, I would. And don't say I don't mean that, because I do. Just knowing those people, and I guess in a way, my people...just knowing they would be experiencing the Love I know for all eternity would make Hell seem like Heaven to me. But I can't. Only they can decide if they really want Him or not. But how will they know the love of Jesus unless someone shows it to them? And how can I love them without wanting them to know Him? It's all this big, confusing yet wonderful circle.

Ok...I've written a book tonight...or if I haven't, I should. Anyway, I could sit here and type all night, but I need to memorize some Scripture. Later.

Comments

[shinzakura.livejournal.com]

Congratulations on your desire and ability to want to talk to others about God. Wish I had that skill when I was younger, and it's only now that I'm getting into the development of our ministry that I'm able to talk about it with a little more candor. I still have problems dealing with it sometimes, and that is up to me, with the Grace of God, to get over, but I will do so.

But I can certainly sympathize with you thoughts on how they perceive Christ, yet still don't get the picture. I had a Catholic schooling, complete with well-meaning but overzealous priests, monks, nuns, and laymen who were so fervent about His message that they went off-message. As a result, I somewhat drifted eastward, into the realms of Buddhism and Shinto (though this was more asthetic than actual belief). Ironically, it was in these two religions that I came to understand my beliefs in Him a lot better, and though nowadays I'd probably be the first to vote that we should dress nuns up like miko, I'm also a lot stronger and based in my faith than I ever was, because it's now something I understand, something explained to me in a way I could comprehend.

In this case, it might not be the relevancy of His message that matters (as His word is always relevant), so much as how it's explained. Which is why the manga I'm creating is part of my ministry. Which is why Christian voice actors spread the Word at cons. Because sometimes it just needs to be explained.

Hope this helps a bit. ^_^

[acresofhope.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Rob. I can really only attribute all this to God, cause I'm really a shy person. Since I became a Christian, though, it's like whenever God comes up, I can't shut up! I mean, it's like "Yack, yack, yack Jesus, yack God, yack yack the Bible" "Shut up, Liz!"

[white-locket.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure I know how to put a band-aid on this, so I'll try my best: People are free to a certain level. Some of these people hurt God without knowing, and others know but don't do anything. Then, there's people like you who know and try to stop all the pain that's being passed around from one sinner to the next, and eventually to God. Nobody is perfect, and a whole lot of people are almost anti-perfect. But, you, my freind, are just about the right amount of everything: you sinned, but you try to fix it. You pray for others out of the kindness of your heart, and you try to obey Him as best as you can. Don't worry about all of those things, because like you have said before, He created everyone. Many love Him, but others don't, and some probably never will. But, He's God, and God can do something: He can forgive. He can't forgive everything, but sometimes, the ignorant people are ignorant, the clueless people are clueless, and the stubborn are stubborn. I'm not sure if this helped, but, yeah. I'll use me as an example: At first, I was like: "Wow, another Christain? I wonder what'll happen if I freind this person? Will she judge me? Will she yell at me like so many others have?" but dude, I was wrong. Instead of yelling like I thought you would, you helped. You were nice, and you still are. You were when so many others showed me cruelty and hatred. Basically, you made me realize that I can't go saying that this is this or this is that when not everyone is the same. You are, like, the coolest person I know, because you understand, and instead of sticking on the negative, you shine a flashlight on the good stuff. You helped me, and you should be happy, because you make me happy whenever you tell me to keep going or to move on from something bad. If you can help me, the most blah person ever, then you can probably help others. You are great at what you do, and I think that you should tell them about God. Inform them if they didn't know. And if they choose not to follow, then you tryed, and that's what counts. If they want to learn more, then Great! You did what you were trying to acheive, and that's good. Yeesh, I wrote a book, didn't I?

[acresofhope.livejournal.com]

I'm glad to know I've helped you. I really have to apologize to you for all the wrong that Christian have done in the name of Christ. It's really horrible. I really wish they'd shut their faces if they don't love Him enough to try to live as He did. Really, I probably "preach" more to them than I do to non-Christians because they claim to love Him, but don't seem to care about Him at all. "He who loves Me will obey My commandments." Or something to that effect. And I really should try to find out exactly where Jesus said that. *sigh* I can remember the verses, just not the notation.

Don't worry. I'm not going to get bogged down if the whole world doesn't come to know Him. I know they won't, and it's not really my job to make them. My job is just to love them enough to tell them. It's the only reason I'm here. If only one person comes to know His love, it'll be worth all the hatred and cursing anyone has ever thrown at me for what I believe. And if I could pick a person and would be sure that person would come to faith, it would be you. He wants so much to give you a life you can't even imagine! And all you have to do is believe! And not that pansy kind of believe, and I think you know what I mean. I mean those people who say "yeah, I believe" then don't care a lick about what He says. A kind of believe that leads you to repentance, or turning away from sin and turning to Him.

Anyway, I'm not gonna write a book, even though it's fun!...but if you ever want to talk more, ask questions and what not, my IM is ChristianLadyLiz and my e-mail is on my profile. Don't feel like any question is too stupid, cause it's not. I have some pretty stupid questions sometimes. Anyway...shutting up now.

[white-locket.livejournal.com]

Cool, thanks. ^__^

[kibbutznik.livejournal.com]

Imitation in some senses is flattering, but counterfeiting begets empty dreams and failed expectations, what a ruse. And nothing more.

So many christian church's across the board, are right up there with witchcraft, only those involved in witchcraft that I've known have known exactly what they serve and explain it to me readily, even if they can't see its the real answer. They know that what the christian's observe is pagan and wiccan based, so its no wonder they don't see much of a difference or reason for that matter to seek toward Yeshua the Christ and G-d.

On the flip side, the christian's do not even know of the mixed stuff they do. Quite a paradox if you ask me, they are both blind to the epiphanial perspective of reality. Funny how that is. Hope these thoughts make sense.

I see your willingness to give up salvation partly as a heart of Christ, what could you do, what would you do, but it wouldn't help would it..., but the sacrifice of G-d's son, Yeshua that took care of it all. The unfortunate part is..., or fortunate, depending on how you look at it,we have still have choice, but that is really the ultimate point aye?! The true love of G-d.
Shalom.

[acresofhope.livejournal.com]

Actually, most of what you said made no sense. Try explaining it again.

[kibbutznik.livejournal.com]

Really..., and I spent a long time thinking through it too. Darn.
Satan counterfeits, and does it in witchcraft and christianity as well. In christianity..., he has caused them 'many people' through historical time to begin to worship the pagan and not know its pagan and wrong.

Now those in pagan worship like wiccan and witchraft often consider it merely 'natural' and 'earthy' etc, lots have told me they think its interesting that christians observe the pagan holidays and rituals without knowing or maybe not caring what they really are.

Synops:
Things are so messed up when both pagans and christians observe the same holidays yet have totally different views on what they are. Even while what G-d has said in scripture tells all of them not to do such things.

I think I actually wrote more explaining it the second time. Sorry, I so tried.

[acresofhope.livejournal.com]

Now that makes sense. The holidays bother me, too.