Will You Still?

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Will You Still?

By R.Andrew

December 13, 2010

Will you still love me?

When lies begin to feel like truths, and

doubt begins to trouble you,

will you still love me?

When others attack my name and

ridicule you - the pain you bear, I feel it too.

Will you still love me?

When skies darken for the night,

and loneliness in you arise;

the voice you hear is me,

calling for you to see that you can survive.

My strength is yours when you have none.

For your life, I've given my begotten Son.

To commune with you is a joyous thing!

My child, your needs, I have in mind,

solutions that I have bestowed in your life.

The love I have is deep for you.

No one can tear between us two.

I can give you more than you can measure,

far beyond any worldly treasure.

Though others may leave me for sin,

and though I will forgive again,

will you still love me?

Child, you are my special one -

creation fashioned like my Son.

But child, I know that there is doubt, and

my heart aches that this has come about.

To give up would be a disastrous thing.

What more is there that I can explain?

And when time changes for the worse, and tears

fall down and moisten the earth,

I will be there with you through it all,

even if your faith is very small.

Don't look back on the things in your life

that have given you all your strife.

And while I know the answer,

it is best that you do too!

For I have given you all my proof.

Your name is still written in my book;

eternal life is still given from me to you.

No more guessing, doubting, and losing faith.

No more thinking that it is already too late.

I am waiting with open arms.

All that needs to be known is this,

above the mysteries that exist,

will you still love me?

© 2010 by Richard Andrew Gonzalez

 

If You're In Need of Strength...

I ran across clips of a singer named William McDowell who sings several songs that I think will give strength to whomever needs to be uplifted at this very moment of reading this:

Video Sources: YouTube's igivemyselfaway channel.

God's Light...

For a couple of weeks now I've heard a particular song on the Christian radio that simply stopped me in my tracks and forced me to listen to the lyrics of its message. Up until now I could not find out what song it was. Fortunately,  I came across the title of this great song! I love how it speaks about God's guiding light, right there shining in the sky, during our hardships, letting us all know that He is here with us through the tough times. The song is titled Light Up the Sky, and it's by the band The Afters.

The Afters - Light Up the Sky

Video Source: YouTube's economyofmercy channel.

Movie Suggestion: To Save a Life

Title: To Save a Life

DVD Released: August 3, 2010

Rating: PG13

Details: To Save a Life is a Christian film about a boy, Jake Taylor, who chose popularity and fame over a long-time friendship. This choice alienates his former friend who ends up committing suicide.This tragic event sparks a change in Jake that makes him question the purpose of life and the acts of friendship to the point that he encounters the chance to redeem himself by saving the life of another.

While it is a Christian film, it is not "safe" in terms of secular teenage actions: premarital sex, drinking, drugs, suicide, cutting, and mild language (nothing extreme) are briefly present but handled in a creative manner. By presenting these themes, this film showcases the very gritty, dirty realization of the life of being a young adult in today's world. Moreover, the film also touches upon divorce, adultery, abortion, adoption, and Christian "stereotypes" about today's churches.

As I said above, all of these themes are presented in a skillful, creative manner without getting too graphic and straying away from being a Christian film for both parents, teenagers, and young adults. It is because of these themes that every parent, teenager, and young adult should see this film. In the end, the filmmakers brilliantly wove these current taboos of today's culture into a film that strives to acknowledge the purpose of God's love and guidance even through the rough times of life. It brings me hope that there could actually be a new improvement to the way Christian films are made - I cannot express how much I want Christian films to succeed, but they must also have a great story (this movie succeeds only in second to the Christian movie Fireproof).

I really enjoyed this film.The story was moving, and I actually cared about the characters (which is rare for me to do for some Christian movies). Furthermore, I believe those who choose to watch the film will also care about the characters too! Below is a trailer for the film (beware of the brief minor language I mentioned).

How Much Does the Bible Mean to You?

Truly a good message, in the midst of a parody of stereotypes, about this everlasting gift God has given us to know Him. Watch the end, you'll know what I mean.

The Skinny on the Bible

Video Source: theskitguys

 

My Heart...and Facebook

My heart belongs to God...I look at the word "Christian" and think about the letters that bind together to make this word. So many people claim to be Christian and have made the word meaningless by how they live their lives inappropriately in the world. There should be a better word to describe those who do follow Christ with all their might. How about "Christ-Follower?" Better, but, in truth, it's just a fancier word for "Christian." However, the name gives a more narrow approach - a purpose or reason of who they are. All I know is that when I think about Him my spirit says, "My heart belongs to God." Such a deep feeling occurs, and such a glorious adoration is present at that moment. One that truly trumps simply saying, " Christian."

Just my opinion about Facebook's option for "Religious Views."

Smile...

Take the time to smile...No matter if, at the exact moment, you are hurting deep inside. No matter if you feel as though you are alone and have no one. Smile...Watch something funny. Listen to a funny song. Read a funny poem. Recall a funny memory. Write something funny and ridiculous that you know will bring a smile on your face. Just take the time to smile. 

If someone has hurt you, forgive them. If you have witnessed loss, grieve. But do not let your whole world be consumed to these things. Give your problems to God. Lay your burdens down before Him and He will take them up and deal with them. He will comfort you and give you rest. He will give you the strength to move mountains. 

Just do not forget to smile...A part of knowing that we are humans is that we know that grieving indicates that we are alive. Our emotions: anger and sorrow are always there to remind us that we do those things because we are alive...but happiness also does the same thing. So smile. Laugh. Let your soul sing with laughter as you embrace the smile on your face. When you smile, all of the pain and sorrow...all of the problems that you may be going through...they all cease away. Even if it is just for a minute, they vanish! So smile...

SMILE

That's My King!

I really love this particular sermon by S.M. Lockridge. The actual sermon is great, but this particular clip (of the audio) is the part that is commonly known of around the Christian community. There are many videos that present this message, and they are all great. Some are brilliant, with the texts and effects and choices of music added to the audio. However, I felt that this video version is more intimate with the precise message of the sermon. In truth, it doesn't need flashy graphics or effects, and edgy songs. The truth is in the message, and that is all that matters! 

That's My King!
 

 Video Source: Youtube's ConnectedByLight channel

GOD: Who Is He?

GOD: Who Is He?
By R.Andrew
     A question that has graced the minds of many is, "Who is God?" There always have been many theories from the human mind, all leading in several different directions, but to know who God really is is to read through His Holy Word, the Bible.
     Reading the Bible is like reading through God's personal journal. Through it, we are shown a glimpse of who this mysterious, mighty, Creator is really like. God is loving, (1 John 4:8). God is graceful. He is merciful. God is forgiving, and most of all, God is faithful (1 Corinthians 1:9).  
     According to the Bible, God decided to create a world that would be pleasing to Him. Above all of God's creations, His most special creation was Man, ADAM. God specifically designed the human life with a loving intention that we would be His children. God had His angels and His animals of all kinds, but He wanted to be a parent, which is why He created us specifically in His own image (Genesis 1:27).
    
     Early on in the beginning, one of God's high ranked angels, Lucifer, grew power-hungry and wanted to be God. God then ejected Satan (Lucifer) out of Heaven and onto the earth. Angry and vicious, Satan decided to hit God where it hurt the most, by going after God's special creation, Man. At the time, it was just two people on earth, our ancestors, Adam and Eve. Among many trees in the Garden of Eden there were two most famous ones, the first one being the tree of life, and the second one being the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God warned both Adam and Eve not to eat from the second tree, because if they did, they would die (both spiritually and later physically). The two humans failed when Satan tricked Eve by enticing her with fruit of the second tree. She then shared some with her husband, Adam, who willingly ate it. From then on, sin entered the world through the human race, and created a wedge between God and Man.
    
     Though sin had separated God and Man spiritually, He still loved those who continued to worship and follow Him, and who did not follow the sinful, terrible world that it had become. He protected those whom He knew loved and followed Him. He made covenants that would allow a way for people to be spiritually redeemed enough that God could fellowship with them—but He knew that those ways were not strong enough to fully repair the damage that Satan had created in the Garden of Eden.
    
     Prophecy, going all the way back to the Old Testament, foretold of God sending a Messiah to fully restore the spiritual damage that was created in the Garden, and eventually God did as He promised, He sent the promised Messiah to restore what had been broken:
    
     "See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name Him Immanuel , which is translated "God is with us (Matthew 1:23, Holman Christian Standard Bible [HCSB])."
   
     "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were created through Him, and apart from Him not one thing was created that has been created. Life was in Him, and that life was the light of men." (John 1:1-4, HCSB). "The Word became flesh, and took up residence among us. We observed His glory, the glory as the One and Only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14, HCSB)."
    
     Simply put, God came down from Heaven in the form of the Son, Jesus Christ, so that He could make a permanent way of rebuilding the spiritual bond between God and people. He especially had a mission to free those who loved Him, and wanted to follow Him, from the eternal sin that surrounded over them. Christ dying on the cross and resurrecting in three days was God's plan of redemption for the human race from sin. No more animal sacrifices were needed anymore to cleanse people. Jesus Christ became the living sacrifice that would finally create a way to bring Man and God together again, permanently. What Satan tried to destroy, God repaired. No longer did people have to stay spiritually dead, they were given the choice for eternal life in Heaven through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, and Reigning King.
    
     Though God made a way for a person to be saved from eternal death, He left it up to the person to choose his or her own fate. As John 3:16 says, the loving Father loved us so much, that He gave up His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for us, for our sins, so that we can have everlasting life. Even though He loved us enough to pay the ultimate sacrifice, He will not force us to choose Him. What is the consequence in not choosing Him though? Eternal life of being consumed by burning flame in the Lake of Fire. Another reason God sent Christ to die for our sins was that though the animal sacrifices were an alternative, they were not strong enough to save us from the path to Hell. If it were not for Christ's ultimate sacrifice on the cross, we'd all be heading towards the eternal burning fire, where we'd burn forever. Receiving Christ as our savior and calling upon Him to deliver us from sin is the only way to escape. No other alternative can rescue us, except Jesus Christ.
    
     But, as I said, though God created a way for us to be saved from Hell, He will not force us to choose His way. He leaves it up to us to make that important decision. God is a loving, heavenly parent who loves every one of us. He is the only God alive (Isaiah 44:8). He is merciful and ready to forgive our sins (Psalm 86:5). God even promises to be there for us, give us strength when we desperately need it. He will comfort us in the hard times. He will even make a way for us to escape our pains and addictions that we could never let go before. All we have to do is call upon the name of Jesus Christ and He will be there. He is a wonderous God; a loving, caring Father who wants to be reunited with His people, with His children (all of us—Jew and Gentile).
    
     One more thing, John 4:24 says that God is a spirit, and to worship in Him, we must worship Him in spirit and in truth. How do we do this? Through prayer. Pray to God in the name of Jesus Christ, and God will hear your prayers that come straight from your heart.

 

Bible used: Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Can You Truly Know God Without Knowing Jesus?

Simple answer is "No." I love how Charles Stanley explained this in a simple manner, in a sympathetic way.