hurt healing

    In my lasyt blog I referenced the fact that the snow and the whiteness of the page reminded of Christs gift to us>>>ETERNAL LIFE! Since my last blog my head has and still is filled with so many varied thoughts and contemplations that I feel like my head is going to spin into orbit much  like Emily Rose's in themovie "The  Excorcism ." The only thing I am sure of is that God loves me despite all my faults and human imperfections. That statemet alone is so INCREDIBLE . Knowing that no matter what I have done (or may do) God loves me unconditionally !! As Iwas sitting home watching tv dealing with another night of insomnia(late night tv highly overrated) I was forced to see at least 25 commercials /infomercials. Almost all of them involved quick miracle fix its : everything from  teeth whitneing,to get rich schemes,to instant body shapers (guaranteed to give you that new body you have been dying for ).
   As im watching them im thinking two thoughts first of all the world is in far worse shape than I realized. WE all are in a hurry for a quick fix without any work ,other submitting our 16 digit credit card number to some telephone operator ,wait for pkg to arrive then Shazaam instantly our lives willbe better>I THINK NOT my friend. Anything in life that is worth having takes time and our effort . This is especially true in our Christian walk. We must not just acknowledge HIm, but follow his word through our readings,our fellowship in church as well as in our daily interactions with others:believers and nonbelievers alike.Secondly, Im so greatful to know that regardless of the ploys set in place by marketing gurus to entice viewers ,I can simply say I dont need  any of those materialistic possessions for I have Christ and HE loves me for who I am,just the way I am. He doesnt care if im rich,thin,or drive a Ferrari and have white pearly teeth and flowing blonde hair that blows in the wind. No,Christ loves me for me!
    The past week has been as I said full of much soul searching. As I mentioned in my previous blog, in 2010 I found a wonderful chruch where I am accepted and loved for who I am. I made the decision just prior to Christmas to join the church so this coming Sunday I will be baptised and formally become a memebr of Renovatus. I knew all along I desired to be a member of this church, the baptism well that was a little harder. It was not my faith  but rather my nerves that had me questioning this decision. I am TERRIFIED to get up in front of large audiences. But as I was praying the past few weeks to the Lord for guidance the Holy Spirit moved me and beckoned me to cast my fears aside and to show my love of Christ through my actions. At first I was not sure how He was going to move me...?I just KNEW HE would in HIS time .My Heart is filled with such love and yearning to serve Him that I cant contain it. God has been moving mountains in my life.
    I have been praying for one of my friends that has yet to come to accept Christ and Im seeing the change . It isnt happening overnight but its definitely happening. They asked for the church website info to watch services when they cant physically attend. For anyone who knows someone who isnt a believer  and follwer of Christ you know what Im talking about,the beginning stepsin their walk with Christ. I have no doubt that God will embrace them and help open their eyes and heart to hear Him more clearly.
     Im currently reading "Hurt Healer" by Tony Nolan. In this book Tony shares what it looks like for us as Christians to reach out to others>>>INCREDIBLY MOVING!!! Tony s one phrase that sticks with me is " not help is to hurt". In this book he shares the story of the man beaten in the streets and left for dead by thieves. Three people walk by  a Levite, a priest and a samaritan,but only one helps, he of course we know was the Samaritan(Luke 10). Samaritans were believed to be lesser people because of their genetic components(they were produced from tthe act of rape by the  romans against the jewish women). These people suffered insurmountable ridicule ,pain and suffering . Despite that or perhaps because of their pain is why the Samaritan helped this man.(they knew what it was like because they had been there). Tony does a wonderful job explaining how to reach out to others much like the Samaritan in the Bible. As I  heard from someone this week :"it is those who can less  afford to help that do offer to help more so than their more "privileged"counterparts."
     I have always tried to be kind to others but through this book  I have gained new insight . Tony talks in the book  about "practical heresy" .Pracitcal hersey is described  as "...when we refer to practical heresy., we are referring not to beliefs but to behavior,not to doctrine but to deeds"(Nolan,p.43). Our lives here on Earth may not be perfect ,but when Im experiencing my low moments ,I remember that Im not alone and one day we will meet Him face to face and how incredible that day will be.On that day when I meet my creator face to face all I pray to hear is "well done my child". My love of Christ means that I do not NEED to get applauded for acts of kindness towards others. In fact if we are doing acts of kindness for mere adoration ,then we are not living according to His will.
    My hearts desire is that this new begiinning is not only an outward acknowledgement and proclomation of my love but an inward change within my heart and soul  as well.