Convict.Judge.Love.Christianity and the GLBT Community

As some of you may know, I have been writing for the Metro Youth Network for they Salvation Army Metro Division. When I was first asked to do this, I was pretty nervous because I really didn't feel like I would have anything worthwhile to say. After a good friend spoke encouragement and truth into my life, I decided to take on the privilege of writing for this website. Here's the latest article I wrote based off the topic assigned to me which was "justice."

http://metroyouthnetwork.com/2010/01/convict-judge-love-christianity-and-the-glbt-community/

Mercy

Thanks to my friend Jen, I heard this song. It's called "Mercy" by Casting Crowns. It's amazing! Here are the lyrics and the website so you can listen to it! Enjoy!

Website: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nn0gCrQ3SkU

Here I am a sinner Broken and in need of You
Take my life and wash my fears away
For You are the Great I AM Rest assured,
I feel Your hand Holding me until the darkness clears
A Father to the fatherless
Redeemer of my soul
My Life is Yours forever I want the world to know
Your mercy saved me Mercy made me whole
Your mercy found me
Called me as Your own
Here I stand a child of Yours
Broken and in need of You
Break these chains and wash my guilt away
Healer of my brokenness My weary soul will find its rest
You are my strength, the lifter of my head
You’re greater than my yesterdays
You hold me close today
You’re the Lord of my tomorrows
My heart will always say
You’re greater than my yesterdays
You hold me close today
You’re the Lord of my tomorrows
My heart will always say
You called me as Your own
You called me as Your own
Thank You for Your mercy
Thank You for Your mercy
You called me as Your own
Your own

To be honest, I've never been one to make New Years resolutions. I have a couple of times, but I usually steer clear just because I fear that I will fail. Take that as you will, but it's true. This new year is going to be different.

First of all, I just want to say that God has truly been showing me how insanely blessed I am to have the friends that I have. I am still friends with people from middle school and high school....how many people actually say that? I have amazing camp friends, college friends, work friends.....and the list continues. Last night, which was New Years Eve, I was talking with my friend Roxanne. We had listened to a sermon on CD by Pastor Joyce from Embassies of Christ church in Indiana, and this pastor spoke about the dangers of doubting. As she went on with her sermon, I found that my life is full of doubt. She spoke of the authority that each one of us has in Jesus Christ, and I realized that I don't take hold of and practice this authority. I don't proclaim things into my life, and I don't allow God's promises to permeate my slightly hardened heart. Not good.....

So this New Year, I WILL make resolutions. In other words, I will take that God-given authority and proclaim truth. Here's my list, and I will pray over this (please feel free to do the same) so it may change as I feel God is leading:

1.) I will take more time for myself.
2.) I will become more healthy.
3.) I will get rid of the busyness in my life which distracts me from hearing God.
4.) I will do my job and any other work with passion to give the glory to God.
5.) I will allow God to work through me and have faith that family and friends will be saved!
6.) I will support my family and friends as best as I can.
7.) I will find worth and confidence from knowing that I was created in God's image.

That's all for now....I encourage all of you to have faith that those things you've been waiting for or wanting to happen WILL happen, through God's prefect grace and love!!!

Happy New Year Everyone!!