Don't Politicize Jesus

I follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. I believe that He was the greatest man that ever will live.  I know that through His grace and love hearts can be changed forever.
I do believe, however that I make a lousy "political Christian."

Since the beginning of time, nations have crippled each other in the name of  God; villages destroyed, women raped, babies murdered.  Somehow, in the eyes of radicals, all is justified, perhaps even required if done in the name of "Fill in Entity of your Choosing Here."  I would like to believe that the religious  radicals are the minorities in our non secular society, yet with the birth of the Religious Liberties bill, I have my doubts.

 I can acknowledge that I myself, have a deep, burning love for Christ, and at times my desire to want to share His Word with someone of conflicting mindset is overwhelming and frustrating. It is not because I am trying to prove my rightness over their wrongness, rather I truly believe that through my relationship with Jesus I have been given a peace and love that can transcend no other and as a lover of all humans, I desire that beautiful gift to be realized by as many people as possible.

This I know with no doubt: The love of God can not be imposed.  Do not try.  Share it, offer it, live it, explain it.  Never force it.  Jesus did not do it, and He is the teacher if you call yourself a Christian.  Be a light filled person. Let the light of Jesus shine from your being and saturate the earth.  Be the goodness.  It is my sincerest belief that hearts will be changed by kindness, compassion and grace.  A genuine relationship with Christ can not be born from brow beating and manipulation.  Jesus did not operate that way.

Matthew 5:9  “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Simple enough, folks.  If you love Christ, emulate His words and actions.  

If you find yourself in a quandary over the moral righteousness of your fellow man, know first and foremost, we as Christians are called to love one another.  If you feel your own uber Christian super status somehow entitles you to discriminate against those you see as morally corrupt, remember who it is Jesus, Himself would be hanging out with if he were to happen our way.  He does not call us to act as the judge in His absence.   

Love one another.  That means everyone.  Even if you do not like the way they live their lives, love.  Even if they do not want to know your God, love.  Love those that are hardest to love first.  Love them the most fiercely.  

The Religious Liberties Act is taking the teachings of Christ (or whatever deity deemed worthy enough to discriminate for) and telling believers that it is okay not to do exactly what we as Christians are being called to do. If an individual, or a business is more concerned about taking a stand against their fellow man than showing love and compassion, then the teachings of Jesus have been lost.  If one is so racked with tormenting anguish over the possibility that their forced dealings with a person with opposing views will only lead to the further decay of one's soul, then I would remind you, that trusting in God is paramount to a Christian life, as is prayer.  Discrimination, hatred, belittlement and marginalization are in direct contrast to all that Jesus spoke of.

 

Isabelle

Today is the one year anniversary of Isabelle's death.

I cannot quantify how much I love and miss her.  Ours was an odd relationship, but beautiful, and her passing has left me with a deficit.  I am so thankful that the time we shared was never wasted; every conversation mattered.  She was a philosopher at all times and I learned from her constantly.  Even when I disagreed with her, and I did often, I always felt further along in my own journey of truth than I was when we began.

Some people just have beautiful souls. Hers is one of the most beautiful. 
In her dying days; in her misery, she insisted on ministering to my children and I.  To her, healing came through love and discipleship. Until her final breath, she stayed on the path she felt God had called her to and although not always conducive to interpersonal relationships, she never made apologies for it.  Fiercely independent and strong willed, she was authentically Isabelle until the very end.

The course of my life has been altered in unfathomable ways by her presence in it.  I am so very thankful for her.

Shine On

The longer I live, the less I know, but that which I DO know, I know with certainty.

We are transcendent people.  Our relationships and experiences may be transient, but the effects of our presence can not be erased.  Every interaction we have with one another will write on the soul of all involved; often subtly, sometimes so profound that what once was, will never be again.  In knowing this truth, it is impossible to ignore the responsibility that comes in knowing the power we all possess; both in beauty and light and wretched agony.

Love yourself enough to recognize the tremendous impact you have on the world.  Love the world enough to be the light.