Gotta Love Jesus
Updated: Jul 25, 2020
Sometimes I forget just how much I love and depend on Jesus. I grew up going to church and youth group, I attend a Christian University, took bible and theology classes, went to chapel, and volunteer with middle school and high school students at church on Sunday mornings. I use "Christinese" in my daily language but not as much as I used to. I was recently going through my computer and clearing out documents and found some interesting papers from my Christianity and the Creative Process class freshmen year of college where we had to write a "mission statement" and a "this I believe" statement. It was a great reminder of what I believe, why I believe it, and the fact that other people should never have to question my faith.
We depend on our parents, our friends, our teachers, OURSELVES, but we have to remember we depend on Jesus too. He is the center of everything and we have to remember that.
Have y'all heard that song that goes:
I believe in God the father
I believe in Christ the son
I believe in the holy spirit
our God is three in one
I believe in the resurrection
that He will rise again
for I believe in the name of Jesus
This is the BASE. This is JUST THE START. This is faith at its CORE. But there is SO. MUCH. MORE. TO. IT. So here is what I believe. I would love nothing more than to have a conversation with you about why I believe what I believe, what it is, or what you believe!
I believe everyone deserves love and respect.
Culture is a way of life. Everyone has their own way of life and we need to respect each other’s differences and especially as a faith community. As a church and faith community we need to share God’s love for all. This means even those who have wronged us, I understand this is hard and seems like a lot to ask for. We do not have to like everyone but we must love them just as Christ loves us. As I am put into more real world situations I realize that there are people out there who have never experienced love and I believe it is my job as a Christian to show them that they are loved by Christ even if they do not know him or feel it. There are so many different opinions and beliefs out there but it is not my job to tell people if they are right or wrong. I believe we need to respect everyone and their beliefs but we do not have to agree with them. I think this is something churches and schools needs to teach. Just because someone does not agree with you does not mean one of you is wrong. We must share the love we were shown and respect those around us.
*Also this means stop shooting people
*Also this means don't be mean to people because they support something different then you
*Also this means don't support things that are mean or disrespectful to people
*Also this means mind your own business
*Also this means you have to think of people besides yourself
Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk.
I believe the church should be a hospital for the broken, not a museum for good people.
I lot of times people come to church who already know God. Who have grown up in the church and have their life together. They definitely struggle like the rest of us but when they go to church Sunday morning, they put their “good Christian” smile on and sit in worship. Too many churches feel like clubs. People who have grown up in a church, sit in the same place every Sunday, sort of listen to the sermon, and except no change is not what church should be. Church should be a place where people are actively seeking Christ. Be put together at work, church is a place to come when life is not going well and we need our faith community to support us. We need to welcome any and all into our doors and love on them like Christ loves on us. It is a place of healing and growth.
*Also this means if you are sad you are welcome
*Also this means if you did something society frowns upon you are welcome
*Also this means if you are doing well you are welcome
*Also remember hospitals are meant to heal people so like Jesus and the church will heal you but also this means you gotta be willing to be healed.
Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk
I believe the church should be more than a sermon on Sunday morning.
We learn so much from sermons but we need to be acting out the Gospel. As a faith community we need to be active in church organizations: youth ministry, mission projects local and international, teen and young adult groups, outreach, and so much more. People from the church should go out and serve the community.
*Also this means talking about Jesus to your friends and non-friends
*Also this means being the church as an individual
*Also this means doing non church sponsored events while not losing your Christian morals
Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk
I believe Sunday morning sermons should mention Jesus.
You think this is a joke. It is not. A lot of pastors are constantly trying to come up with ways to keep their congregation entertained. To rope them in with a story then read scripture, to show a movie clip, or talk about a verse in the Bible but not how Jesus or God pertain to it. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy these pieces of a sermon BUT I believe sermons should start with scripture and then have a relatable story.
*Also this applies to the whole service in general -> sing to WORSHIP Jesus, pray, read scripture, call to worship, benediction
*Also not only mention Jesus but include a call to action -> sermons don't exist to make us comfortable.
*Also this means you should leave church feeling loved but not always good about yourself
Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk
I believe in faith and trust.
I have a hard time not being in control. I like to have a plan and be in control of my own life, so I constantly remind myself that my life is in the hands of God. My life is his plan and his time. I may make decisions but I have to remember to rely on God and have faith that he is actively planning and molding my path. The common term is trust, trust in the Lord with all your heart, but I like the world faith. I put my faith in the Lord. I have faith that he will set me on the right path, that he will send Jesus again, that everything happens for a reason and all will make sense the day I die and can finally be with him.
*Also this means I think everything happens for a purpose and you can find meaning in everything cause it is part of God's plan for creation/life
*Also I believe in 20 seconds of courage
*Also faith is a relationship
Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk
*Some non-Jesus things I also run my life by
Sorry doesn't fix it.
Sorry is a band-aid on the cut or scar, its not the ointment that will heal it. Time and actions heal the wound.
When we hit our lowest point we are open to the greatest change.
When you have no where lower to go the biggest change up can happen.
Other people's opinions of you are none of your business.
Kill others with Kindness
All you need is 20 seconds of Insane Courage and I promise something good will come of it.
It is easy in such a multitasking and busy world we live to forget about the core of what it means to be a Christian. I say I am a Christ follower and tell others that God loves them and me but forget what that truly means. God’s love for us is unconditional to the point that he would sacrifice his only son for our future.
I do not hide my faith, it is a part of me and God wants us to share our faith and spread the love of Jesus with others. I believe it is not my duty to force my belief upon others. I can pray that Christ touches their lives and share my beliefs and understanding but it is up to them to decide what they believe and I think that is something that is hard for many Christians to understand. I am who I am because of Christ and because I stand strong in my faith. I will share my faith story with those who ask and will not hide my love of Christ but I will respect what other people believe and hope they do the same for me.
Congratulations if you have made it this far. I challenge you now to really look at what you believe and make a list! Also why do you believe it? ALSO if any of this opens up conversation I would LOVE nothing more than to chat with you.
Be You
~Rachel
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