Eternity.

I am excited about a few future blog posts (stay tuned) that I hope will be uplifting and convicting. But before I uplift and convict there is something I need to share. I don't know who is reading this. I don't know what your situation is, what you're going through, or what you're thinking as you stare at your computer screen. But I do know that there is something I have to tell you. So keep reading - and don't stop.

The Truth

I am going to go to heaven one day.  And I want you to be there with me. We're all going to die or be raptured by Christ and eternity is either heaven or hell.

The only way to heaven is through believing that God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross as a sacrifice for your sin.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, 

that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

John 3:16

It's as simple as that. You can't earn your way to heaven. It's a free gift from a loving God.

But I do believe that your life here on earth will change if you have a true belief in and relationship with Jesus Christ.

And just saying you're a Christian doesn't necessarily make you a Christian. Believing there is a God doesn't necessarily make you a Christian. Posting on Facebook that you believe in Jesus doesn't necessarily make you a Christian.  If you're saved by Jesus Christ, there will be an actual change. A desire to live for Him. A day to day relationship. A conviction. An understanding. A friendship. A respect. You won't be perfect. But you'll want to try to live for Him.

My Story

When I was seven years old, I met my best friend. The One who is always there for me. The One who has a plan for my life, my future. I admitted I was a sinner and asked Jesus to come into my life and into my heart. He has been beside me every since, preparing my way, holding my hand, and carrying me when I need Him too.

It was a few years later, in 5th grade, when I realized that being a Christian, being saved and promised heaven, is more than believing. It is about having a relationship with God, a relationship with Jesus Christ, and living out that relationship with Him. Talking to Him. Listening to Him. Living for Him. Sharing Him. Caring about His desire for my life.

Just recently I have really felt a desire to make a difference for Him. To stop being content to do nothing. To share Him with the world. Find my place in His ministry. Because when I die, I won't answer for what kind of car I drove or the decorations in my house, I won't be responsible for my trip to Disney World or how many kids came to Campbell - I'll be held accountable for what I did for the cause of Christ. And I want to make my God proud.

My Plea

Please come to know Him today. What an awesome moment it would be if you asked Him to save you and began an eternal relationship with your Creator! Heaven awaits - and celebrates with you. And I would love the celebrate with you too. I've included verses on salvation and how to be saved below. Please send me a message or pull me aside if you want to discuss this. It's the most important decision you'll ever make!

Romans 3:23: "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."
Romans 6:23:  "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Romans 5:8: "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Romans 10:9: "that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."
Romans 8:38-39: "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

i believe in God.

i believe in God. i believe He is the Creator. Author. Director. Sustainer. Provider. Father. Comforter. and Friend. i believe in Jesus Christ. i believe Jesus was a great man. but Jesus is also my Savior. He was sent from His seat in heaven to live on a sinful earth and to die for the same people who persecute Him, ignore Him, laugh at Him. He died for me. for you. i believe in a Holy Spirit that comforts me. guides me. and a heaven that awaits me - where Jesus will welcome me with a huge hug. the best hug ever.

"in the beginning God..."

On a recent road trip, the topic of religion came up. After an hour of bouncing around our beliefs and ideas - I was convicted to go home and break down why I believe what I believe. I narrowed it down to six things, but I wanted to write a hundred more (my blessings, my Derrick, music, my friendships, my story and how things came to be - all evidence of God). For today, here are six reason I believe in God. And I want to share them with you.

1. Logic and Faith - I'm going to be blunt: Evolution makes no sense to me. Okay, so we evolved from monkeys (or whatever)? Then why are there people walking the earth and monkeys walking the earth - but no in between? Shouldn't something be evolving? And how did we get here? A small little tadpole creature crawled out of the muck and began to become what we are today? Where did the little creature come from? Where did the universe come from? The earth? A big bang? How did something come from nothing? I have many of the same questions about your evolution that you have about my God. I'm not saying nothing ever evolves (within context). I'm just saying it's not how the world got here.

Yes, the fact that there is a Infinite Source who has always been here and will always be is a little overwhelming. Any belief takes faith - but I think it makes more sense that there was one Everlasting Being who created everything else. He took time to make everything how it should be (see point 2).

More than that, the Bible represents so much historical truth. The people, the lives, the stories, the places, and events in the Bible represent proven truth.

2. Creation - I look outside and see trees waving in the wind. Grass. Water. Sky. But, above all that, I see people. How can you look at the world and not have a small bit of belief in an Artist who did it all? My body is put together in the perfect way to help me function day to day. I look at the sameness of humans and it's evident that there is a Creator. I look at the uniqueness of humans and it's evident that there is a Creator. Each person has passions and talents and gifts. We like different foods and appreciate different music. God did that.

And, of course I must mention this, He writes and creates our love stories. How amazing is it that any two people find each other out of all of the other people in the world and find a future with each other? I've heard some awesome love stories - stories that I believe God enjoys penning.

3. Comfort and Peace -I know God, because I feel Him in my life. When I'm stressed, I can call out to Him and I feel His comfort. When I am burdened, I find rest in Him. More than that, I have an inner peace and joy that can't be shaken by circumstances or reason. It's a peace and joy that comes through being a child of the Father. I have comfort in knowing that whatever happens in my life happened for a reason. God has the master plan - and He holds and blesses my future. All things work together for good for those who trust in Him!

4. Purpose - So many people live their life wondering what their purpose is. It's so sad the way they search for meaning. I've found it. I'm hardly worthy on my own - and probably would struggle to find purpose too - if I didn't have a God who believes in me and gives me a purpose.

First of all, I am here to represent my God. To tell other's about Him and share His love. Secondly, He gives me purpose every day as an admissions coordinator.a girlfriend. a daughter. a friend. a granddaughter. an encourager. a listener. a writer. a campbell alumni. All of these facets of who I am create my purpose. Some people save others. Some teach others. Some heal others. Some protect others. Some provide music, art, entertainment for others. Some care for others. Some inform others. I (try to) encourage others.

5. Friendship - Jesus is my Best Friend. i love talking to Him. Crying to Him. Being selfish to Him. Confiding in Him. And getting to know Him. And He's always there! I can talk to Him in the middle of the night without worrying about waking Him up. I can talk to Him as I drive or take a bath or tan or in the silence of my room. It's a real friendship. It's a beautiful friendship.

6. Salvation - i am a sinner in need of a Savior. i can't save myself, but there is Someone who is perfect and strong...who was willing to die and live again to save me. I have salvation in my belief and my relationship. I have trust and faith. It's not a salvation earned through my works, but it's a free gift based on my belief.

So, what if I'm wrong (I have no doubts...but for all you skeptics...)? What if my faith has been misplaced all this time? Well, I lived my life with moral values (given by the bible) and loved others.

But what if I'm right...

And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2: 8-11