Losing the Fear

My Lord...thank you for giving away that which was most precious to gain that which has been most hurtful...the human race. We remember Your gift and Your sacrifice.

"Being Born Again" vs. "Giving Life to Jesus"     

(This is a quote from a correspondence with a friend on facebook)

"...you got saved at 5? How did that happen? How could you even comprehend it all? You must have been lucky with very religious parents or what? ANd you said you gave your life to Jesus at a different time. What is the difference? Well, I can see the difference, but I wonder, is it not the saved at 5 that guarantees you heaven or is it the giving your life to Christ at 15 that gets you in to heaven? It also says that you cannot get into heaven unless you are born again in John 3? What are the differences between the 3?" 

According to my dad, I was the most repentant 5 year old he'd ever seen, broken over my sins...as a 5 year old!  I guess it's different for various people, but I believe there's an age of accountability where you can begin to understand (partially) that you need God in your life.  Afterwards, I talked to my brother, and he came crying to my parents, saying "I don't want to go to the hot place!"  He asked Jesus in his life, and he was only 3 years old! 

My parents gave their lives to Christ early on, so we grew up in a strong Christian household.  In response to your question about the difference between my salvation time and when I gave my life to Christ, I believe that it was asking Christ into my heart at age 5 that guaranteed my salvation. 

Here's the thing that I've been thinking about...when we first "give our lives to Christ," I actually believe that it's more accurate to say that we're entering into a "relationship with Christ," and turning our lives toward Him.  That's the point where we first believe, and are saved.  However, as we get to know Him and His heart, we start to understand what it really means to give our lives completely over to Him - the costs, the rewards - and it's more of a life-long process, because there's always more that God shows us about ourselves and about Him.  So, maybe it's more accurate to say that since age 15, I've had the desire to give all of my life completely to Him, as He shows me more things to surrender to Him. 

Now, the third part of the question, "what does it mean to be born again?  how is it different?"  Well, basically that's when you first ask Christ in your life...what I did at age 5.  That's when you first decide to enter in relationship with God, and He gives you a new heart and brings your spirit back to life.  Before you received Christ, your spirit was dead.  Now, you have a new nature!  But you're still a baby, because you were just "born...again."  You still have to grow, mature, and get to know Jesus...until He not only is your Father and your Master, but He is your Friend.  From there, as you grow, He also becomes Your lover (Song of Solomon).  There are many more things to discover...all the time, for all eternity, about Him! 


(awesome song by Misty Edwards playing)

From Sat., Oct 15, 2005 -  Blindspot In the Eye...Gone

From Fri., September 09, 2005  -   No More Vertigo! 

My friend, Monica, has suffered from Vertigo attacks for the past few years. This past weekend, the Vertigo attacks were so bad that she could hardly walk.

On Tuesday, she came over my house to go through the Steps of Freedom, and she got prayed for. The next day, she text messaged me to say that she felt completely set free by God!

Yesterday and today, she had about 5-6 Vertigo attacks...but this time, she prayed against them. Guess what? Every single time she did that, they left! Praise God!

I almost cried today, while watching the Matrix Reloaded.  Was it the heroic ideals and the thought of fighting for something greater than myself?  Was it the fact that it's a fairly accurate portrayal (at times) of a very real spiritual war that is taking place right now, with real casualties, and loved ones that are depending on us?

No.  On a different day, it might've been.  Today, it was the heart of God that I was experiencing.  It was a message that was left on my answering machine, from a friend of mine who is coming back to the Lord...after 6+ months of running.  I felt the heart of the Father, who will leave the 99 sheep, just to find the 1 lost sheep.  I felt the joyful tears of the One who gave up everything just to have us, and who experiences constant rejection from so many that He loves...but somehow, He continually opens up His heart again, hoping that we'll realize His kindness. 

To my one true Love:

You are so wonderful.  I've come back in tears more than a few times, and you welcomed me back with a smile and a hug.  I know I caused you deep hurt, when you came everyday with your heart wide open.  I could never know the depth of the wounds you carry...but still, please show me more of your heart.  I have never known such joy as when I'm with you.  You light up the room every time you enter it...and I find only acceptance with you.  I can honestly say that your love is wrecking me, the more that I discover it.