I Share...

This week I have received a few private messages about my thoughts on "The End Times".  

Though I have tried to steer clear of the news lately because it is so depressing, I have heard from a few friends that are concerned by what they are seeing and hearing, I get it!  

This is not what I thought my 2nd blog post would be about, but hey since it is my personal blog and you are not forced to read any further, I will share my thoughts.  Read or not read, the choice is yours. 

You may be asking: What in the world does "The End Times" mean?

                           end times noun 

1.                                                     the period leading up to Judgment Day

 When asked "Are we experiencing The End Times?" 

My initial response is "If we are, are you ready?"

These conversations got me thinking, am I ready?  Then I thought, are those that I love ready?  

If you are shaking your head and asking "ready?  ready for what?" then, 

and by that I mean I will begin the discussion and if you wish to continue it, then I will happily oblige. 

Most of us have had some sort of exposure to religion in our lifetime.  I would even go out on a limb to say, everyone reading this has heard the story of Jesus, His birth, His life, His death and His resurrection.

For me personally, I grew up going to church, often 3 times in one week!  

Most of my memories are positive, like family time, flannel stories, kid songs, summer camp, church potlucks... I LOVED CHURCH POTLUCKS!  

However, some of my memories are negative, like gossiping ladies (who spoke of love, but I felt it was conditional), arguments to and from over silly things (which I think happens in every family car) and that cruel movie played every year that depicts "The End Times."  I can still hear the song "....there's no time to change your mind, the Son has come and you've been left behind."  Yikes!  Of course, I accept Jesus! I mean really, as a young child the choice was clear once I could understand what the word "eternity" meant .... FOR-EV-ER!  

Choice #1 FOR-EV-ER in complete isolation (images of a red devil with pitch fork dancing in my head) and the thought of never ending burning....thanks, but I'd rather not!

Choice #2 FOR-EV-ER walking (skipping in my mind) streets of gold, watching lions playing with lambs, never ending happiness and food...Did I mention I loved church potlucks?

Easy, peasy, lemon squeazy...DONE!  Walk to the front of the aisle to accept Jesus??? NO WAY... I was running!  I think I made that run 30 times while growing up, never did I think 1 time was enough.  I am not even going to count the Billy Graham Crusades, though these were some of the highlights of being raised in the church...he could always draw a crowd and I love people, a lot of people!  

But then, I grew up.  I rebelled against religion and religious people, but I was open to a personal relationship with Jesus.  What did that mean anyway?  How do you get to know someone you cannot see, feel, hear or touch?  I began to read about Him.  Who was He?  What was His purpose?  How did I fit into His plan?  

It was interesting how as I was getting to know more about Jesus and who He is, I began to see Him in all living things, I could feel Him when the wind blew and the rain dropped, I could hear Him in the wise words of an elderly man or woman and I could touch Him every time I held the hand of a trusting child.  It didn't take me long to realize that Jesus was everywhere and I wanted more of Him but less religion.

Those of you who know me well, know that I am not a Christian "idol".  By that I mean I am not a perfect Christian, if ever there is one. I do not like rules over relationship, I am not a follower of "church", but I am a follower of Jesus, I do not like opera-like gospel singing, but I love the lyrics of an old hymn. I enjoy a good glass of wine, and have  been known to throw around a curse word in times of trial.  

I admit it, I have lost "friends" in the church because at times I did not fit their mold of what a Christian should act like, but even through that I learned that Jesus was all the friend I need.  He accepts me and loves me exactly where I am with no condemnation. In truth, Jesus is the only perfect person in this relationship!

Back to the original question, "Are we experiencing The End Times?"  My initial answer remains. If so, are you ready?  The facts are, a lot of strange stuff is going on in the world that align with what is foretold in The Bible.  Circumstances that lead up to Jesus' return and The Bible says that we are to be ready.  What does "be ready" mean?  It means that every person (yes, you too) will have pondered the thought "Is there truth to this Jesus story and is He who He claims to be."  Now, perhaps your words are a little different than mine, but you will have wondered at some point in your life and you will have made a decision about what you believe.

If so, acknowledging that you believe and allowing Jesus to enter your heart is all it takes. If you and I have done that, then we are ready.  

Why do I share this with you?

If you had an illness and I had the cure, would I not share it with you?  Of course I would, because I love you.  Whether you took it or not, is completely up to you, but I would give it to you.  I look at my relationship with Jesus the same way.  I believe He is real.  I believe He lived, He died, He rose from the dead, He is alive and He is coming back for those who believe in Him.  

I share my belief with you because I truly love you and it is free to us both!  It cost me nothing but time (ok, maybe a few hours of sleep) and it costs you nothing to receive it.  You can take it, or leave it.  The choice is yours.  It will not change the way I love you at all and I hope it does not change the way you love me.   

Remember, FEAR IS NOT OF GOD and FEAR ENDS WHEN FAITH BEGINS! 

If you are interested in some reading on Christianity, Faith, Jesus and Creation, I highly recommend this author.  Lee Strobel is a journalist who set out to disprove Christianity and Jesus, but in his research found documented proof, not only of Jesus' birth, but His life, His death and HIS resurrection! 

If ever you wish to read one of the books mentioned above or you just want to talk to me, I would love to be there for you.  After all, you did just take time to read this blog and I'd like to return the favor if given a chance! 

Deal?  DEAL!

STICK AROUND.  Who knows what the next blog will be about?  Perhaps, my driving in KL?  I am feeling more confident these days, which is good because I have some serious exploring to do and I can't wait to share it all with you! 

Until we meet again,