I am frustrated….I am angry and I am concerned….
I haven’t talked about the situation in Iraqthrough a blog yet….it grieves me deeply, on a level deeper than September 11th 2001.
I am a Christian….and I have the ability to freely pronounce this without fearing for my life or the lives of my children because I am an American citizen and thank God that my right to freedom of religion is protected through our Constitution.
You see….the people in Iraqthat are losing their lives because of their faith, are my brothers and sisters in Christ. I know it sounds “cheesy” but it’s the only right way to phrase it. If you aren’t a Christian you just won’t get it….it’s sad and horrific news to most but to me and to other believers it’s gut wrenching.
The Christians in Iraq did not die in vain….and I’d be a fool and hypocrite to not honor them if I remained silent about my faith……
I accepted Christ years ago when I was a child, I was four years old, I lived in Macon, GA at the time and I remember being in my bedroom, alone, looking out the window and asking Jesus to come live in my heart. At that moment, I didn’t “feel” anything, but I became part of a body of believers, I was baptized in the Holy Spirit at the age of 10 years old, but it wasn’t until I was in high school that I really came into a relationship with Jesus…that is….I wanted to know him….. I greatly desired to know him and I found him. I experienced the almighty presence of God at a youth retreat up in the mountains of Colorado. It was such a powerful encounter that I could not stand…..my knees buckled under the heaviness that I encountered….a love that I had never known hit me like a Tidal wave. The creator of the universe gave me a tiny ounce of what it was like to be in His presence and I have never been the same.
I found truth and the truth I found is the most beautiful thing to ever exist. I had so many questions….so many things I wanted answered… like -why do bad things happen to good people? Is healing for everyone? What is the will of God? Is Jesus the only way to salvation?
I got answers. I found them in the words that Jesus himself gave us…the Bible. If there was ever a time to cling to what is in that book…it’s now. Anyone can read it….but when the Holy Spirit dwells in you and is active in you…it becomes alive. I wanted to know this truth in every realm of my life, I began to understand more and more, the more time I spent seeking the truth.
You see we are not powerless victims here on this earth wandering about aimlessly…. We have been given the same authority that Jesus had when he walked on this earth. That’s why Jesus came, the power didn’t die with him…it was passed on to us. That it why Jesus told us to go and do the same!
I’ll be the first to admit that I am imperfect. My faith is still growing, I have good days and I have bad days….trust me, I haven’t “arrived”….I am challenged daily –but I have truth to hold onto. I do know people that are stronger than me spiritually and those are the ones I turn to when I need counsel, incite and advice.
My heart is in mourning for my brothers and sisters in Iraq. I have had many restless days and nights over this situation, many questions I want answered, many things I want God to show me…..but I know this, there is power in prayer. There is power when Christians unite. I have first handedly witnessed miracles in my life. I have seen sick people healed; I have watched broken lives made whole again and I know I serve a GOOD God. What these terrorist can’t take is the Spirit. We are essentially a spirit, we have a soul and we live in a body.
Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
I know who the enemy is and I know what 1John 4:4 says- “The one who is in me (Jesus) is greater than the one who is in the world.”
I am still on a journey in my Faith. But I think it’s important to share it. I think we have to, as Christians, begin speaking out and speaking up. When all is said and done….your eternity and the eternity of your loved ones is what matters.
The truth shall set you free. I am free.
Conservative Momma 