When I watched this video for the first time, I immediately knew it would become a favorite. As I have been studying the book of John, I find myself adoring Jesus like I never have before-- and it helps to visualize Him smiling, Him as a young boy, Him as the One who so sacrificially gave His life so that I can have eternal salvation.
Heaven was once described to me as a place where I would sit at Jesus' feet and adore Him over and over and over again. Until recently, I admit that didn't sound like eternal bliss to me. But then I began to study the book of John-- really study and my eyes began to be opened to what kind of person Jesus really is. I began to learn about Him, His characteristics, His humanity, His selflessness, His teachings--- and you know what? They are all good! And now I find myself yearning to be like Mary who sat at Jesus' feet and anointed Him with expensive perfume and then washed His feet with her hair. I mean-- how more humble can you get--- and yet she did this for Jesus! The man who took the time to have a personal relationship with everyone He met. He even healed the soldier who came to seize Him whose ear was cut off by one of the disciples. He cared then and He cares now-- and while I know this post will probably not even be read because of the title, I wanted to share because just like Jesus cares about you, I care about all of you too.
Does what you believe provide you with eternal salvation where your soul will live forever? Does your faith guarantee you a seat in the most amazing place for all of eternity? Is what you believe a solid rock for you to stand when waters are rising? Do you have a personal and intimate relationship with your God because He wants to know you, hear your troubles, and be involved in your daily life?
This post is not meant to offend-- but I feel that if I didn't share with you it would only show one thing-- how little I actually care about all of you. When I go to a new restaurant and it is out of this world delicious, I can't wait to tell others about it. When I find a great deal at a store, I can't wait to tell my friends and family. Well, I personally know God who I think is the most awesome thing that has ever happened to me-- and I am sharing His great news with you today!
21 inspiring thoughts:
As someone who is not religious at all, I can still appreciate the intention and sincerity behind your words, and for that I thank you.
Amen and amen!
I, too, am studying John right now (BSF). It's great.
Thank you for casting seed!
Are you kidding me?!! When I saw the title to this post, I wanted to read it even more. I was like "Yeah! Preach it sister!!" ^_^ You rock!! Thanks for sharing how awesome Jesus is and letting your readers know you care about them. More people should do this!! You should know your readers care about you too. (at least I do!!)Cindy
So glad you posted this! More people need to be as bold about Jesus and His saving grace!
I read it and appreciate your testifying.
Peace
I guess my answers would be: no, no, yes and no ;) but then again I'm an Agnostic whose belief system (if any) borderlines athiesm. Yet...I find the strength of your belief fascinating and would never take offense w/ someone wishing me well. I'm glad that it brings you and yours peace.
Try listening to this song sung on youtube by Indiana Bible College!! WOW!!! Love this song so much! Thanks for sharing :)
Great post! I love this song... we sing it a lot at church :) Never be worried about offending people with the gospel.... it needs to be shared !!! Thanks!
I can appreciate your impulse to share, but I've always found the "Become a Christian so you can avoid hell!" theme puzzling. If I don't believe in hell anyway, then it doesn't make that much sense to tell me I should believe in it because a Bible I don't believe in says so. KWIM? I mean, I'm sure the approach works on some people--fear always does--but as a pitch for Jesus it sounds to me an awful lot like Pascal's Wager, not like mature faith.
A friendly tip: Lots of religions preach scary outcomes for nonbelievers, not just Christianity. Don't try to sell me hell-avoidance insurance. Because if that's all I have to go on, I'm just as likely to buy Islam's or some other religion's as I am yours.
If you want me to believe in Jesus and your bible, then pray for me to have a spiritual awakening, for God to move my heart.
Thank you for sharing Christine. For those who don't yet know His wondrous love and for those of us who do, this is a touching video. It was just what I needed tonight to refocus or what, or rather who, is most important. O how I adore Him.
Oh my heart is happy to see the excitement you are finding in Christ, the riches of His glory and salvation are so far more than we can fathom.
We are studying the gospel of John right now too!
Have you ever seen "The Gospel of John" the movie? It is the word for word translation put to movie (good news translation) and it works REALLY well.
I LOVE reading about the woman at the well, and so many other verses that come to life. :)
I praise the Lord dear Sister that You KNOW HIM.... :)
Beautiful post!! Have you seen the movie "The Gospel of John"? The entire movie is word for word from the Scriptures...it's amazing!!!
Oh dear R. You have missed my whole point. Eternal salvation is the icing on the cake-- it is the personal relationship with the Father who cares deeply about us that is what I am talking about. Did you not read my post about how personable and amazing Jesus is? He is so worth getting to know, He is one that I can count on now in the present.... and for eternity. It was Jesus who held me up when my world was crumbling at the time of my Dad's passing. BTW, thanks for letting me know that I can pray for you.
Christine,
Thanks for clarifying. And no problem :-)
Rebecca
I am an Atheist. Yet i have faith. I have faith in my family and friends. If i find myself in a deep pit, i can pull *myself* out. It may take time, i may scrape my hands and bruise my knees on the way up, but i can always find a way up. Through time.
I love *life* i want to live my life to its fullest. To help others. To be an honest and true friend. To be a hand to grasp, a shoulder to rest upon and an ear to whisper in.
Sometimes i fail. Sometimes i succeed.
I *live* i do the things, and offer myself....not so i can be given some reward...but so others can be given comfort.
Why should i live my life insuring *I* have this wonderful gift coming to me? How selfish is that? Why live life in search of death?
When i lost a family member i felt grief. I tasted grief. But i went on. I lived. I loved. I helped others. I found comfort in memories. I found comfort in what the future could hold for those around me.
I have no fear of the unknown.
I have no fear of death. Why should I? Everyone dies. Everyone. It is not your death that matters...but what you did in life, how you affected others.
I honor *all* religions.
But i do not need them. I find my comfort, my faith and my life in simply living.
Everyone wants to be loved. But i need not find it in a book, or a prayer, or an Idea of a man that lived thousands of years ago.
I can find "love" in the smile of a child, the grasp of an elders hand and the tears of a woman that is given soup and bread on a winters night.
If i don't get that smile, that grasp or those tears...i am fine.
I don't need...or require...a "reward" for a life lived.
I greatly admire you, your family and your willingness to share personal things like this however we seem to have very different views on life (not that this is a problem, as mentioned I enjoy your blog and reading your opinions). I enjoying doing nice things for people just because I like seeing other people (and myself) feel happy and good. I don't do 'good' things for the promise of eternal salvation, but because it's the right thing to do.
I actually find the idea of 'heaven' and 'hell' kind of insulting. It reminds me of those charts some parents set up for their children, where they have to do a chore/practice an instrument /complete all homework and then they'll get a lolly(or some such). If they don't they receive some sort of punishment. It seems to me that if god had faith in humankind (as I do) he wouldn't need to rely on tricks that are essentially bribery and blackmail.
I know the opinions of a fifteen year old in Australia probably don't matter much in the long run but I figure I'd just put out some food for thought.
-Alex
Great Post Christine!
I too have also heard Heaven discribed the way you did. Somewhere along the way I also heard or read a story about a man who dies and finds himself in Heaven. As hes walking along with the Lord he notices groups of people doing things that he didn't imagine he would see in Heaven. In one group there were many people skipping and dancing like children, in another group the people were singing and laughing joyously, in yet another group they were standing quietly in awe gazing all around at everything to be seen and the groups went on and on. This man asked the Lord why the people were doing such things. The Lord explained to him each group, the people who were skipping and dancing were those who on Earth had no use of their legs and for the first time they were learning what it was like to walk freely. The second group mutes and the like who could finally express their feelings by shouting and praising in song and the third those who had been blind could now see and so on.
I disagree with those who would say that Christians are living a life focused on death. What I believe is that I'm just passing through this earth, I'm a foreigner here, this is not my home therfore I'm not going to make myself at home and live a life un-becoming of God. (Though I admit that I make many mistakes in the process) Praise God for your post today and I agree with others that I love reading about your passion. Its inspiring.
Catherine
Christine, I admire your faith. And it's your blog, your faith, don't ever feel ashamed, embarrassed or worried about sharing your faith on here. Just like in your own home, in your own blog you do pretty much whatever you want to, and if it is out of concern and love for your fellow man, it's even better, even if some of us don't believe the same things as you do.
Jesus said that you will be hated in his name and for sharing his story. Thank you for being so bold. People will always twist your words(I dont remember you talking about hell). God bless.
I like that you said that Heaven is the icing on the cake. I love the Lord because of what he is doing right now in my life, not because of what will happen to my soul after my body is too worn out to hold me. I love my Lord because he loves me, and I hope that everyone else recognizes this love too.
-Robin-
Amen! Actually yes like another commenter I wanted even more to read it after seeing the title. :-) God is so amazing. Like you I didn't always think the best part of Heaven was going to be the adoring and worshipping, but that changed. I can't wait to go -- I am just SO OVER this world. (Yes, I am aware how weird that sounds to many.) I know God has work for me here yet, but I'd much rather be Home.
Sarah
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