Faith.....

I've always considered myself a faithful follower of Christ. I've always loved my Lord. I believe that Jesus Christ died for my sins to save me, and that in Him, I have everlasting life and will one day be joined with Him in heaven. Even as a small child, my faith was very strong. In fact, my faith was HUGE. There is a story told in a scrapbook that my grandmother made for me and it defines clearly, just how much I loved Jesus at that time. I couldn't have been but 5 years old or so, I had gone over to a neighbor's house and knocked on the back door. When the lady of the house opened her door I asked if her son could come out to play. Her answer to me was that he was not home right now, that she was all alone. My innocent, yet faith filled response to her was "you are never alone, Jesus is always with you." There it is, a story that takes my breath away each time I read it in my scrapbook or think about it. " You are never alone, Jesus is always with you."

Why am I telling you all this story? Because many of you don't know this about me. I'm saddened to say that I kept my faith hidden for a long time, only showing bits and pieces of it here and there, somehow afraid. There have been many times in my life when I've strayed from my faith. I've behaved badly. I didn't hold Jesus first in my life or in my heart. I allowed my faith to be put aside, and for that I am ashamed. It hurts me to know I did this, and I've asked God for His forgiveness. I know that I am forgiven.

I have been working on my faith a lot. I've always taken time out daily for prayer, for quiet time with my God, but for a while now I've been focused on developing a much deeper relationship with Him. I don't speak often of it, and that is one area that I am focused on changing. I want to Shout to the Lord. I want all of my friends and family to know just how deeply I love Jesus. Jesus deserves to have me singing his praises out loud and it makes me feel not only good, but great! While I suffer at times, the fact that He is always with me, always there to protect and guide me, gives me great comfort and helps me make it through those moments in life. Without Him, I wonder how I would live?

I've been called a "Jesus Freak" many times in my life, even by those whom I thought I was closest to, those that I thought loved me dearly. I take it now as a compliment to who I am, not an insult. When I am called that, I say "Thank you!! Thank you!!" how wonderful it is that I am that filled with His spirit that it shows! That phrase, "Jesus Freak" will never bother me again!

Each morning as I shower I listen on my iPod to my inspirational playlist...lots of really uplifting, energizing, rockin' good tunes that have me singing and dancing as I put on my makeup or dry my hair. One of my favorites for years now has been Darlene Zschech's "Shout to the Lord". This song does AMAZING things for my spirit. I literally stop and listen, singing along with her at the top of my voice, hands waving high above my head...seriously, this song just totally makes my body do these things...LOL! I know, Ozzi stands in the doorway looking at me like I've lost my mind and most likely wanting me to stop since I can't seem to carry a tune in a bucket! :) But, each morning, there I am again, and the smile it puts on my face is larger than large! I'd like to share it here with you. I tried to YouTube an actual video of her singing it but the few I found were poor quality, instead I'll share the song in a video of beautiful images and scripture passages. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do...

**note: you'll need to pause my music player over on the sidebar in order to listen to this!



I feel really good saying all of this out loud right now. I believe it to be an important step for me, not only in the reaffirmation of my faith but so that my friends and family know just how I feel, what I believe and how I intend to live my life. Will I fail sometimes? I'm sure of it. Will He be there beside me through it all? I'm sure of it! Thank you Jesus for loving me!!!

Blessings,

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but
Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in
the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
-- Galatians 2:20