Written on a Sunday morning after church, I realized you may be tired of stories of people from bible times. And perhaps you have been wondering why Jo spends so much time writing about the Old Testament. It's not complicated. People are people through the centuries and we do the same things, make the same mistakes, and have similar needs. So, the study of people is always good, for there is so much to learn from the mistakes of others.
Besides, my journaling daily has much to do with it, as well. You see, Jerry and I have been doing this journaling for many years. Each day gives us an Old Testament passage, a New Testament passage and sometimes a psalm for us to read and journal about, mainly to teach us what we must learn to do differently. In our reading we listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit and write about what He is teaching. One time, I realized it could be very special if I could pass along what I was learning to another. But whom? And then I thought of blogging it. I have no idea if anyone reads my blogs, but if not today, then maybe in the years to come. (I understand there is a "cloud" which holds the unread for another day!)
Sharing what I have learned is very important to me. I had few friends growing up, so sharing ideas was something rarely experienced. I felt hungry to tell others about this person of Jesus Christ who made my life new and wonderful and to share the bible with them which saved me from great sadness. Coming from an unchurched home, there was no one who knew or shared the love God has for us!....... And these are the reasons I started blogging.
I considered myself, as a child especially, to be really imperfect. Who would want to know me? I figured I needed God to help me to be nice enough that I could have friends. I didn't find perfect people anywhere, so that was good! And I made a few friends, but moving a lot as we did (13 times in 13 years!) it still was very hard, and worrying.
Well, now I'm 81 years old, have moved many, many more times than 13, and have lots of friends...and family. And I learned you don't have to be perfect, only forgiven. I have given myself forgiveness, as Christ has shown me, just as I forgive others for offending me in some way. I found acceptance from God and his people and can turn around and give it to others. When I fail to do what is right, I am nudged by the Holy Spirit, and change what I am doing. God is as real to me as my own reflection in a mirror. He is a wonderful God, the only One for me, and He is as real as real can be.
You, too, can know God. He is probably waiting for you to introduce yourself if you haven't already done so. If you don't know it yet, you will come to know that he is a friend, and a friend who is needed in this old world. He does not hate. He does not ask us to kill, main, or hurt in any way another person. He asks us to love and forgive, even when it is a hard thing to do. He asks us to be tolerant toward others who think differently and to not think we are superior to any other human being. It is hard not to hate sometimes, when others hurt and kill for their own positions, but He asks us to be forgiving. This is a very hard thing to obey. But He asks us. And how do we dare refuse? He hung on a cross and died rather than hate the murderers. We, too, must be obedient to Him, and He is only asking us to love and forgive. And this is the hardest thing to do, particularly when love seems to be non-existent. He isn't saying "love those who love you", but "love those who hate you!"
Can we do it? Maybe we can, if we help each other, remind each other and not take offense. And keep trying.
Thank you, God, for this teaching. Thank you,, too, Martin Luther King, who learned to do things God's way!
Love is everywhere! Are you looking for it?
Jo INMN
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