Friend

I am not religious either. Religion is people reaching up to God, Christianity is God reaching down to people. I am a Christian.

Unfortunately, there are so many hypocrites in the Christian community that it gives a lot of people the opinion we're all like that and it is too bad because the majority are truly committed to their faith.

To use an analogy, the few rotten apples should not spoil the whole basket.

I pray for you because I know you're hurting and nothing you say will convince me otherwise. The reason I believe this is because you carry so much anger with you and you don't have to. Wouldn't you like to feel peaceful and calm most of the time? I'm not saying you don't have a right to get angry but it seems to be such an overwhelming force in your life. Who hurt you so much that you turned your back on what you once knew?

There is a lot to be said for the sense of peace and hope you get from knowing that God in heaven loves you. Even if you don't love him he loves you. Your name was known to him, before you were born, he's just waiting for you to call on him to give you the comfort your soul is crying out for. Bad things in this life happen to all of us and make us question "If there was a God why would he allow this to happen" and the truth is that it is not always easy to explain and much of the time we will not get the answer in this lifetime.

Trusting in the creator, faith so deep it is unshakable is a life changing experience. There is so much cynicism in the world today that some people just cannot let themselves trust in a faithful God. I have seen so many lives changed for the better because they let the Lord take control. So, even if you say you're not religious at all, I think somewhere deep inside, your soul is crying out for that firm foundation to stand upon. God created you and he knows what you are going through and you don't have to go it alone. That is the key, all you have to do is use it to open the door to your heart and let him in.

I hope you realize it is only because I care about you that I am saying these things. If you think, I over stepped my bounds, I apologize for that but not for believing what I wrote. I've come to know you a little and would like to know you more but girl, you need to calm down. Life is way to short to let the bad things overshadow the good.

You are a generous soul, God gave you that gift. There is much good in you but you let the anger boiling below the surface distract from who God created you to be. You get things done, if you would use that for Him, I believe your life would be blessed beyond measure.

Okay, so enough preaching for one day. But know I care and will continue to pray that your heart softens toward the concept of faith and hope in the designer of the universe. I love your smiling face, there is so much good there.

Hope we're still friends because I really do care.

Love Marlene

LOVE WAS A CROSS

The flagellum in the soldier’s hand,
straps of leather tipped with lead,

shredded the skin of our Savior’s back,
thorns had yet to pierce His head.

Weak from the beating and loss of blood,
our Lord slumped to the ground,

as they threw a robe on His open wounds,
Jesus uttered not a sound.

The soldiers mocked this “King of the Jews”
placing a stick in His hand

“This for a scepter,” the Roman said,
as Jesus struggled to stand.

A crown of thorns upon His head
completed the travesty

as they pressed it deep into His scalp,
because of you and me.

 The blood ran in rivulets down His face

as they taunted and beat our Lord

yet still, Jesus uttered not a word,
while the soldiers were growing bored.

Tiring of their sadistic sport
they ripped the robe from His back,

tearing open His wounds again
and with searing pain, He was wracked.

Showing no mercy they tied the beam,
on His shoulders, bare and torn

And led the procession to the hill
where true mercy would be born.

His human muscles could bear no more,
as He crumpled to the ground,

no longer could He carry the wood
to which He had been bound.

Pushed beyond His endurance,

bleeding and in shock,

He’d soon fulfill His purpose
to free God’s chosen flock.

Though He was barely able to walk
the soldiers gave Him no rest,

on the road to His crucifixion,
where for us He’d give His best.

Arriving at Golgotha,
His death was drawing nigh

as they threw our Lord upon the beam
and held the hammer high.

The soldiers were following orders
as they nailed Him to the wood

the King of all creation
was dying for our good.

 They drove a nail through each of His wrists

and one through both of His feet,

this pain He suffered for our sake,
so that one day Him we’d meet.

Hours and hours of limitless pain,
He struggled for each breath
as those who had condemned God’s son
stood waiting for His death.

A chill crept through His tissues
and He knew the end was near,

His mission was completed,
atonement now was here.

Jesus whispered, “It is finished,”
and then this His final cry,

“Father! Into thy hands, I commend my spirit,”
and for our sake, He died.

They took him from the cross of love

and laid him in the grave

covered the entrance with a stone
to seal him in the cave.

But three days later an empty tomb
was all that Mary found

 Jesus resurrected, He is ALIVE
 He was NEVER truly bound.

He has won the victory
o’er death and sin and shame

for every person on this earth
who calls upon his name.

Season of Hope

It is the season of resolutions, new beginnings,
bright shining dreams

It is the time to put away the past, look forward,
and spread our wings

To learn from the trials of the year gone by

and set forth to make tomorrow a season of great things

We cannot change yesterday but from it
we can learn what not to do

Remember what was good, what touched our hearts
and what gave us pause

Look to the future casting our cares to the God who created us

Rise up for what is right and true and stand strong when there is cause

Whatever lies ahead is uncharted territory,
tomorrow will be today if we get there

Today will be yesterday, tomorrow, and on and on it goes

So why not seek the adventure,
look forward, not behind

for none of us can change the future which God already knows

Let us begin this new year with joy in our hearts
that no man can quash

setting out to make this a season of unfettered hope

with no allowance for those
who wish to dampen our spirit

knowing that in all circumstances we will cope

This year begins anew, surrender sorrows,
let go of heartaches, dry the tears

Leave last years burdens behind, this year will have its own

If something scares you, confront it, overcome it,

This year, lead with your heart,
experience love you’ve never known

Without God nothing truly good is gained
and life is shallow, meaningless, empty

He is truth, a morality check, a compass to lead the way

He is ridiculed, considered a crutch, dimissed by many

But if you let Him
He will help you through each day

Yes it’s a new year, full of opportunities,
chances to be better then our past

To put others before ourselves just because it feels good

To see the light in anothers eyes and know that somehow
you helped to put it there

Forgive, forget, live, love, laugh, understand and be understood

Let us conquer the mountains, walk the valleys,
wade through the waters,

travel the path set before us
and shout so all men will hear,

that we choose to live with a purpose

unshackled, unhampered, unwilling to fear