St. Matthew, 20:25-20:27 :

"You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them and their high officials exercise authority over them.  Not so with you.  Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave."

I honestly think that what Jesus was trying to say here is that, in order to get somewhere of great standing, you must first work for it by gaining the trust and respect of the people.  If you wish to be a respected police officer, first you must gain the trust and respect of the public.  If you want to be an authority figure of any kind, you must first know how it feels to have someone else's authority over you.  That way, you know how they feel.

Power is not a right but a privilage.  If you do not learn how it feels to have someone have power over you, it is not likely that you would make anyone a good authority figure.  Those who never had to work for it half the time don't have respect for the people that they are supposed to serve.

The way I've always seen it is this: a king is not a king without the people there to serve him.  If he is a good ruler, he will get down there in the dirt with his people and work just like the rest of them, and they will know that he cares for them.

Jesus is a good Lord not only because he loves mankind, but also because he acted on this love in the Bible, and still does so to this very day, watching us from Heaven.  He was, indeed, for many years of his life, a wanderer.  He served his people well, preached to a lot of unsavory characters, and went into some places (think Samaria) that most people would rather not go.  God was always well-pleased with Jesus because he worked hard to teach people about his Heavenly Father.

Just imagine the blisters on Jesus' feet after walking miles in wooden sandals, with no place to rest his head at night.  Think about how he traveled, with very little food and water.  God didn't put Jesus on this Earth to pamper him, but to teach through Jesus what he wanted from his people.  Why do you think that God always said, "This is My Son, whom I love; with him I am well-pleased" ?  It was because Jesus knew how it felt to have a bad day, but kept working; kept reaching out to the people, and never once complained.  He knew that hard work pays off.  The more Jesus taught, the more that followed him and listend to him.

I'm not trying to be preachy, here.  I guess, what I'm trying to say is that God recognizes hard work, and so do a lot of other people out there.  If you really want to get anywhere in life, work hard, earn your keep, work an honest job, and you'll get noticed.

Everybody starts out small, but it's all about baby-steps.  Just go through, day by day, putting one foot in front of the other, and soon, you'll get there, and you'll be rewarded for it.

Jobs aside, the same goes for faith and believing in God.  It might be difficult, at first, to believe.  I know that it was for me.  Life is not easy, nor did God ever intend it to be, from the very moment he banished Adam and Eve from the Garden.  But we are all children of God.  He knows how hard it is.  But if you start just a little bit at a time, the strength of your faith and belief in God will grow.  You just have to open your heart and listen.  Try your hardest to live by God's way.  It's no easy task.  This path, this faith, isn't an easy one.  But even if you make a mistake and have to go back to God for forgiveness, He'll know that at least you tried, and believe me, He'll take that well into account.  After all, His love is infinite.

God Bless You & Keep You,

child_of_faith

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St. Matthew 5:44 - "Love your enemies." :

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that despitefully use you, and persecute you.

Personal Interpretation: By forgiving those that hate you and have hurt you, and loving them, instead, you are actually healing yourself.  It means that you are taking a great load off your shoulders, and a lot of stress out of your life, which is actually better for you.

If you spend your whole life hating someone, it will fester like a wound, and eat you alive inside, until there was nothing left but hate, and hate is a waste of time and often ends in tragedy, if only small tragedies.  Believe me, I know from personal experience that holding a grudge doesn't do anyone any good.  This is not the path that God has meant for us.

I have held many grudges over my life-span.  All they do is make you obsess over the person who has hurt you.  They take up all of your time, and they make you very unhappy.  It took me years to realize this.

I Believe: God teaches us to forgive because he wants us to be happy and at peace with ourselves.  Why?  Because He loves us.  The very act of forgiving allows us to heal ourselves of the hurt and pain that our 'enemy' has caused us.  In the act of forgiving, we let go of our problems and give them to Jesus.  Why worry about it?  Let God worry about it, and everything will fall into place as time goes on.  After all, Jesus was known for taking on many people's problems and solving them quite effectively through the love of the Father and faith.

Why not follow the examples of Jesus?  Here was a man that was persecuted by many, and constantly mocked wherever he went.  And yet, he forgave them, because he loved them, and, most-likely, because it allowed him to focus on his missionary work and not be bogged down with hate.

Another good reason to forgive is that it is likely that the person who is hurting you is in a lot of pain, themselves, and, because of that, they are bitter, and do not want anyone to be happy.  You see?  It's a cycle.  Wherever hate goes, it spreads, but wherever love goes, it also spreads.

Out of forgiveness also comes love for the person who hurt you who might be in pain.  God teaches us to love those who are suffering, even strangers.  He teaches us to have sympathy for the wrong-doers among us because it is likely that, if they are hurting, they are doing what they do out of grief and suffering, not out of spite towards you, and, if that is the case, they desperately need to be loved and lifted up.

When I was first diagnosed with schizophrenia with bi-polar disorder, my whole life went into disaray.  I stopped believing in God, and, even though I never meant it, I started being unkind to people.  There were many things that I did out of grief.  I may never have really physically hurt someone, but I came close a couple times.  If I wasn't happy, I guess I didn't want to see anyone else be happy either, because it felt as though they were mocking me and didn't understand.  But, after a while, when things calmed down, I got better.

If we forgive, we are blessed with the gift of healing, and, in sharing that love, we make the world a little brighter.

But, sometimes, we need a little help.  If you find it hard to forgive someone, sometimes, it helps to pray to God to take on our burdens.  God loves us all, and because he is All-Powerful, he can take on all the burdens of the world.

If you find it hard to forgive, pray.  God is listening, and He loves you very much.  There is never a time when God does not listen, for all of his children are important to him, including you.

God Bless You & Keep You,

child_of_faith

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Hello, and may God Bless you!

Today's blog is a little different from the usual.  Since I have only just recently found God again, I have decided to knuckle down and start reading the Bible.  Since I will be learning new things, I would like to share some of those things with my readers along the way.

Many have suggested to start wtih the New Testiment, as the Old Testiment would probably scare the snot out of me, and discourage me from reading the Bible, which has happened many times, so I'm going to take their advice.

The blogs, that I will be writing, however, will not be those of hell-fire-and-brimstone.  In the New Testiment, I am going to try to rediscover the love that Jesus had for his people, and of God's mercy.  In other words, I will try my hardest not to be preachy.  After all, most people shy away from someone who is, even though accidentally, making them feel guilty.  I don't really need that.  Do you?  I thought not.

The things I write are meant to be loving and uplifting.  You will be hearing my personal interpretation of what Jesus had meant.  Feel free to comment on it, and write me whenever you like.

Again, may God Bless You, and may you have a wonderful day.

Signed,

child_of_faith

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Dear Child,

I know you feel desperate.  I know you are scared.  I can hear it in your voice.  You feel that you are alone in this world, but you are not.  I am here, and I will protect you, even throughout the longest of nights.  You are not alone.

You have been through much pain, so much, in fact, that you have chosen to hide away from the world and all its creatures.  You have locked your soul away from My Son, and therefore, Me.  And you have chosen to hide in darkness.

You thought that, in the darkness, no one could find you, that you could rest, because no one could see.  In fact, My darling, it is you who cannot find you.  You have lost yourself and now, you cannot find that which you lost.  And you believe that you have done something so horrible that you have lost Me.  But I am here, and I have found you.

Darkness is a tricky thing, My child.  You thought you could rest and hide from the world, but the reason why you feel so alone is because he dwells there, and he has drawn up pretty pictures, illusions of what life would be like there, when, in fact, you are in your own private hell.

You say, "How do I come out into the light, when, for so long, I have lived in darkness?  The darkness is all I know."

I know, My child.  Remember, I am God, and, being as powerful as I am, I know everything that you think and feel.  I have come to find you, My little lamb.  You have lost your way, but I am here.  Take comfort in My embrace, for you need not be alone anymore.  I have found you, and I am taking you home with Me, where you belong, safe in the arms of your Lord.  After all, you are My child, and I love you.  I watch over you so that, should anything happen, I will be right there to stop it.

But you are ashamed.  Like Adam and Eve in the Garden, you feel naked, and you are afraid of being seen by me, because you are humiliated by your own short-comings.

But don't you understand?  Everyone is naked before the eyes of the Lord.  There is not one of you that can hold your secrets from Me.  You are all bare before Me.

There is no reason to be ashamed.  I have created you in My image, and I love you.  My beautiful, beautiful child, there is so much to love about you, so many wonderful things.  I wish to show you those things, so that you may be happy, for I would not wish you pain.  I love you too much to let that happen.

Yes, you have sinned, but let My son wipe you clean, so that you may come to me.  My child, My precious one, I welcome you with open arms.  I have always accepted you.

You have thought that I have cast you out, that that was the reason why you were in pain, but that is not so.  You are in pain because you won't let Me in.  I am knocking on your door, My little one, but there is no answer.  Some would say that the house is empty, but I know better.  You are there, but you are scared.

You are a good person, with many special gifts.  You deserve a life of love, a life that I wish to give you, but you refuse to answer the door.  But I will keep trying, for I am the Lord, your God, and I love you very, very much.  As long as you are among the living, there is hope for you.

Why do you think you are a bad person?  Is it because of the things you have done?  You all fall short of the glory of Me.  Have I not always forgiven you?  It is not as if you have murdered someone, and even if you had, if you repented, and came back to Me, I would love you still.  I love all My children.  It is not I who has not forgiven you, My child, My little one.  It is you.  You are sad and ashamed of yourself, but I am not.

Open the doors, My little one.  Let Me in.  Follow me.  It is time to come home.  And I will wait for as long as it takes until that happens.

Love,
Your Eternal Father,
God

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I love You.  Even before I knew You in my mind, I knew You in My heart, and even then, I have loved You.  Please, God, teach me Your ways and guide me to Your sacred place.  Let me love You, for the door to my heart is open, and I am ready to accept Your Love.  Please, Lord, teach me to serve You gladly, with an open heart, and an open mind.  I implore You, oh God, teach me to worship you, for I would love nothing more than to adore You more with each passing day.  I am ready.

I realize that I am a drifter, oh Lord, but, always, in my heart, I come back to You.  Teach me Your love, teach me the ways of Your light, for it is to You that I belong.

I cannot possibly live without You by my side, my Guardian, my Protector, and, last but most importantly, my Father, who accepts me as His child, who loves me.

God, You are my strength.  You are my guiding light that gives me the cold, hard resolve to grit my teeth and keep on pushing, keep on moving, no matter how much it hurts.  You walk with me in the Garden.  You shelter me.  You protect me.

Please, oh Lord, teach me to love You.  Teach me to rejoice in You, for I would love nothing more than to follow You as a tender lamb that has found its shepherd and is following Him home, back to You.  It is You, oh Lord, that I long for, You that I adore!

The road in lfe is long and, sometimes, painful, but with You by my side, anything is possible.  I rise and fall with You.  I breathe you in, I breathe you out, for it is You that sustains me, gives me life.

You blessed me with a mother who has not once given up on me.  You gifted me with a brother and a sister so that, even in my darkest hours, I would never be alone.  You speak through their love, through their actions, and I thank You for that, for only You would have any idea how deeply grateful I feel, knowing that, through them, You are there.

You have given me so much that I long to give back, Lord.  If only I could!  For I feel acknowledged in Your presence as someone important, worth something!  It feels so good, Lord, and I feel peace and joy within You, for I know that I live in Your Heart, and therefore, now, you reside in mine.  And I know that I would hear You, if only I would listen.

 In the silence, in the quiet, I can hear Your voice, calling softly to me: "Come back to Me, My child, for you do not know how much I love you!"

Sometimes, I do not listen to You; I cannot hear you.  But, please, Lord, know that I do love You, and that will never change.  Please, Lord, know that I fall short of Your Glory, and take me into Your arms, despite my flaws.

Please know that I love You.  Teach me devotion; teach me love; and I will follow You to the end of my days.

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I know that you are in great pain.  I can see you weeping, hear you crying, but you need not be afraid.  I am here, and I will comfort you.

You are hurting.  I can tell by the sound of your heart that it is breaking.  Come to Me so that I may fix it for you.

Come to Me, My child, when your soul is battered and bruised, and your heart needs rest, for I love you.  You do not know how much I love you!

 I love you more than the birds of the air, and the fishes of the sea.  I love you more than the beasts that walk upon the earth, for, behold, I love all that I have created, and if this is so, then I love you above all other things!  You are My child, and I love you!

I know that you feel broken, sometimes used, like an empty pitcher that once harbored a sweet drink.  Let Me fill you with My love.  Let Me fill you with My light, for I care deeply about everything that happens to you.

As how every parent feels about their little ones, so the same with Me: My child, you are the love of My life.  My love, My child, My little lamb, I adore you!  I felt your first heartbeat when you were yet in darkness, and could not speak.  I heard your first cries when you were born and I rejoiced, for a beautiful thing had occured: you came into My world!  Yes, I have heard everything, and I love you.

But now, you are in a time of trial, and you believe that I have forgotten you.  How could I forget you, when I spent so much time creating you, making you special and unique, just as you are?  I built you out of love and devotion, and you have a special purpose in this world.  You make it that much more beautiful to Me.  Why would I ever abandon My own creation?

You think that I do not love you, that I despise you, and no longer want you.  I now remind you!  I will now show you how much I love you by reminding you of the many blessing I have placed in your life, and by giving so much more!

You have devoted yourself to Me, My child.  You have made an unspoken oath that, no matter what path you take, you will never stray from Me.  Yes, I know that, sometimes, it is hard to keep that promise.  You have swerved, veered off, but have I not always brought you back to Me?  Held you in My arms?  Lain your head against My Heart?  Be silent, My little one.  Be still.  Listen to the sound of My heart beating.  It beats for you, oh child of Mine, for it is you that fills it with joy!

You are so special, and you do not even know it!  Know, My child, for I have set a very important task for you!

When your people betray you, and even when your own family turns on you, I will be there to raise you up.  How many times have I told you that I love you?  A thousand.  A million.  And I will tell you a million times more: I love you!  I adore you!

Come back to Me, My child, for My very heart aches when you are not here!  Let Me hold you, and shower you with praise.  Let Me bestow My many gifts upon you, for you are special, and are worth more than a thousand suns, a thousand worlds.  To Me, you are worth more than any wealth that could ever be counted, more precious than the finest gold.

You say that you are worthless and broken, that you are defective in some sort of way, and I know that some days, you wish you were never born!  Do not wish such a thing, My child!  It breaks My heart, just as it hurts Me when you hurt!  It hurts when you say that you don't belong with Me, but in Hell because you feel so worthless!  Don't you understand?  How could I love something worthless?  You are My most precious and prized possession!  How could I not love you?

There is a reason why I created you!  I made you in My own image!  Imagine what that says about you!  You are everything to Me, My child, if you would just go up to the mirror of My heart and see why!  Did I not give My only son so that you may live?  What does that say about you?  Look at how precious you are, My sweet, sweet child!  I cannot help but love you!

I made you to love you, to hold you, because you are a precious spirit, so full of light and wonder!  My diamond in the rough!  You are bright with light, and I can see it, even when your heart harbors sorrow and pain.  You cannot hide your light from Me, my child, no matter how hard you might try.  I cannot help but to love what I have created!

I smile when you are happy.  I mourn when you are sad.  But don't ever, ever say that I have regretted that I have brought you into this world, for I do not.  I have not abandoned you!  Oh, My love, I am right here where you need Me!  Just turn around and look!

I need you!  I created you, because you have meaning to Me.  I made you out of love because of that reason, for no other could ever take your place.

You have lost faith, stumbled, lost your way, and yet, you've never given up, because you know somehow, that I am here.  Keep that knowledge with you, My child, for it is your armor, your greatest strength.  Faith in Me protects you from all the wrong that has been done to you in your life.  Faith in Me raises you up when you are so low that you can no longer reach what you are looking for.  Faith in Me gives you light when, in your darkest and most desperate hour, you can no longer see.  And Faith in Me protects you from harm.

My child, My love of My life, come back to Me!  Rejoice!  I am right here, and I am waiting!

You say that you are hideous, but do not believe such venomous words!  They are nothing but lies, created to decieve you by the serpents of this world, made to harm the precious person that you are!  You are beautiful!

Believe in Me, My love, for, when I created you, even when you were yet to be born, you were the love of My life, and are still!  All My children are, and you shine among them most brightly!

Believe.  Have Faith!  I am here, and I will let no one harm you.  You will not find death in My embrace, but your own salvation, for that is why I am here.  That is why I have brought you to Me, for I love you, and I do not want to see you hurt.  Ever.

Believe in Me.  Have Faith in My love, for I do love you, My precious, precious child.  I will never abandon you.  I will shelter you.  I will bring light to you in the darkest of nights, and when you are uncertain, trust in Me, and I will make everything clear.  I will protect you from the dangers of this world, and I will guide you into the next.

Do not fear for what you do not have, for I will provide for you.  Yes, times are difficult for you now, and the dangers of slipping into the darkness are nipping at your heels.  I know this, for I am God, and I know that, for all the beauty in the world, it has its dangers.  Let Me light your way.  Let Me provide for you.  All you need do is look inside your heart, for there is where I dwell.

You say that you are lacking, that you are weak.  Yes, I know this, but you are not alone, and in those times, I will give you strength.  Without Me, you are weak, but with Me, you are strong!  Let it be known that, with Me by your side, you can accomplish anything.  No mountain is too high for you to climb, no ocean too wide, no desert too vast.  I am here to help you, to raise you so that you may fulfill your greatest dreams, take pride in your accomplishments.

I know how you hurt, for I feel it everyday.  I know how hard you struggle.  But, as I have bestowed gifts upon the world, so I bestow these gifts upon you: strength ... courage ... resolve.  Do not fear evil or dangers, for I am with you, and I will let nothing harm you.

Remember that you cannot hide from Me.  I am always there, thriving within you.  I am the blood in your veins.  I am the beat in your heart.  And I am the echo in your mind, in your very soul, that softly whispers to you, "Do not give up."

So many times, you have wept, saying that you are alone, but, even knowing your pain, your sorrow, your hurt, I have smiled because I know better.  I am here!  You are not alone!

I know that you are tired and weary, that your bones ache for reprieve.  Do not give up!  Hold on!  I am on My way, little one.  I am coming for you.  Rest.  I am here.  And I will always be right there beside you through your most difficult challenges and your greatest of accomplishments, for is that not what I have promised to do?  You pain is done, so be at ease.  Let this weight that you have set on your heart be lifted by My loving hands, and know that you will find rest in Me, peace in Me.

Yes, there will be trials in your life, but I am always at your side to guide you, if you would just believe in Me, and know that I am there.  If you do not believe in Me, how can you hear Me?  For I have loved you forever, and I will love you forever still.  I was ... am ... will be.  I am eternity, and I will always be here.  Rest in My arms, now, child, and sleep with the ease in knowing that I love you, even when it hurts, for you are My greatest of treasures, and nothing could equal to you!

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