July 17, 2011

(this is basically a summary of both Sunday Schools & sermon.. some of them I can remember where it was told some of it I can't so I basically summarized it all.

I went with a friend to First Baptist Church in Valley. Tonight's service was about the mercy of God , and how we can be changed by it. I don't remember the whole conversation or how this got started up but the youth minister asked us this question: "Do you believe that God is powerful or do you believe God is POWERful?" For some reason this question hit me like a ton of bricks. I then began to think.. I believe in a God, who a) created everything and everyone b) created all the people in HIS image c) sent HIS ONE and ONLY son to die for OUR sins d) He forgives me even though I don't deserve it e) craves a relationship with us, even if we turn away

back to the points.. God created us in HIS image, that means that we don't need to worry about what people think about us, say about us, nor should it matter how big or small you are so on.. God and our relationship defines us, not what "they" think..


... sent HIS ONE and ONLY son to die for OUR sins.. now tell me, how that is not loving and caring. How many other "gods" have done something that big? none, that I can think of (correct me if I'm wrong though)..

... forgives me even though I KNOW I don't deserve it.. tonight a very interesting question was asked "If you don't forgive someone, do you go to hell?" In response the youth pastor answered "I don't have the right to answer this.. but I know that personal experience when I have had someone do wrong to me I think about how forgiving my God is and how we are supposed to be like Him because he dwells in us. I can only forgive that person, because God can forgive me for my sins that put his son on the cross. God didn't make us like puppets or robots so we have choices."

.. craves a relationship even if we run away.. God never leaves.. God is ALWAYS there even if you don't feel him with you.. I saw a quote in Alaska that said: If you only see one set of footprints in the sand, that is because I am carrying you." - Jesus
That quote just blew me away.. Why? Because in the bible the Sheppard's would search for that one missing sheep and leave the other ones behind, and when he found the lost sheep he would break it's leg so it couldn't walk and that way they'd learn not to leave the sheppards's side. God has to break us down and bring us to rock bottom that way we will grow closer to Him and He will carry us when we can't move/ or go on, on our own.

We broke down mercy and had a meaning to each letter.. Letter "R" was remember what God has saved you from. Youth Pastor "Now, this doesn't mean to go on dwelling in the past everyday and bring up everything, remember where you were before you became a Christian and after you came a christian." and instantly the song "Family Tree" by Matthew West started playing in my head:

Are you gonna be like your father was and his father was?
Do you have to carry what they’ve handed down?
No, this is not your legacy
This is not your destiny
Yesterday does not define you

I know I am one to love and care and forgive for someone, but I never.. ever forget. I am weary at first but slowly open up. Just tonight, I faced a *HUGE* stepping stone in facing fears, and I hope that this stepping stone keeps pushing me to move on.

This was a whole lot of babbling I know, but I couldn't figure out how to put everything in there that I wanted.. so here it is.