This is my personal statement of what I believe. It is really quite lengthy, and most definitely incomplete. It is, however, the best I can do. Leave me your thoughts if you would like to do so.

Let me give you some background. I was not raised in a Christian home. I didn’t start going to church until I was in eighth grade, and even though I accepted Christ in fifth grade, I didn’t know what that really meant until ninth grade. I have since seen many people in my family come to church for the first time or return to church after a long absence in the past several years. I attend Dallas Baptist University, where my faith is strengthened and challenged just about every day. In no way am I a saint, and in many ways, I am a sinner. Without Jesus, I would be nowhere.

My faith is the most important thing in my life. Call me crazy if you want, because I am okay with that. I love Jesus with all my heart because he has done so much for me. Seriously, I don’t want to know where I would be right now and what I would be doing if I didn’t have Jesus to guide me. He is the only one who is always there for me no matter what, the only one whom I can trust entirely, the only one that I can depend on when times are good and when they are bad.

I struggle most days to do what I am supposed to do as a Christian. I mean, I genuinely have a hard time loving my neighbor at times. I have lied, been completely lazy and entirely too eager to skip church to get more sleep. When I see someone in need, I too often turn a blind eye. These things aren’t that bad by the standards of the world, but I know I am made to do better. But no matter what I do, I know that at the end of the day, God is there to love me. Because Jesus died for my sins (yours, too), I can confidently rest in knowing that no matter how many times I screw up, I am loved. Isn’t that amazing?

There are things that I love about going to church. For one, I get the chance to praise my amazing God with other people. There is just something about being surrounded by people who feel the same way you do about God and who want to praise him, too. Another thing I find fascinating is the great support system I have. When I was in my youth group at home, I had lots friends, but I wasn’t really involved, and didn’t form many deep bonds. A few, but not many. There are people that I know will be a part of the rest of my life, though, and I am so thankful for them. Now, I’m considered a “college kid”/ adult, and I have a lot of good relationships with really godly adults who can teach me a lot about life and Christ through their example. Having them to turn to when I need to makes a world of difference in my life.

The Bible is way cool. No bones about it, I really look forward to seeing what God has to say. I try to read a chapter every night of whatever book I’m working my way through, and to be honest, I can go nights and nights without any big revalations. But sometimes, just when I need something, God gives it to me. Example? Okay, glad you asked. The night before I go to Korea for a week, I ask God to give me something to hold on to while I’m there. I’m reading Isaiah, and he gives me a verse in chapter 56 that says “my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.” One of the most important things I learned/experienced on that trip was that God moves in such big ways across cultures nothing like ours. Another example for you is this: I was discouraged about how a ministry I am involved wasn’t exactly going the way I wanted it to, and I felt like it was never going to get better. God’s answer? 2 Corinthians 4:1. “Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.” I’m telling you, God speaks through the Bible.

Another important thing is prayer. I will be the first to admit that I am not very good at praying solemn prayers. My mind tends to wander and I just find myself thinking of what I need to do next week, and wondering if I can learn how to make enchiladas. Instead, I prefer to just talk to God. Tell him what I’m thinking and feeling, ask him things, just omment in general. He doesn’t really talk back, so it’s not really a conversation so much as a verbalized (in my head) letter. I really feel close to God during these times. Especially in the mornings walking to class when I can see his wonderful creation all around me. Nature is a big connecter between God and myself. Listening to birds singing or a flowing river, seeing a beautiful flower or sunset, I am so at peace.

Sure there are some things that I definitely have a hard time with when it comes to politics. It is so very difficult to know where to draw the line at what I believe is right and should be made law and what I believe is morally wrong, but can find no legal basis for denying. I am against abortion unless the mother will die, or in cases of rape and incest. I do not believe that a woman has the right to chose. However, while I personally do not support gay marriage and would not vote for it, I cannot vote against it, either. I think that it is a desicion that is best left up to the states. I definitely subscribe to the view that we can hate the sin (as we should hate all sin), but we must love the sinner. As long as we remember that no person is better than another person, we’re on the right track.

I don’t want to shove my personal views down anyone’s throat. After all, you have a right to believe what you wish. My objective, then, is to be able to present to everyone (with love) my personal relationship with Jesus Christ, the only one who saves. I may argue my views with you in a civilized way if we don’t agree, and you can argue yours with me. All I want to to is tell the world about Jesus. It is entirely up to the world how they take the news and what they do with it. I think this is fair.

I strive to live my life for Christ, to fulfil the plan that I know God has for me. Knowing what I know, how can I do less?

Tags: God