Monday November 9 2015  TIME KEEPS MARCHING ON

PLEASE STOP RIGHT HERE AND READ THIS FIRST PARAGRAPH.  I HAVE ALREADY FINISHED MY BLOG AND FELT I WANTED TO SAY SOMETHING BEFORE YOU READ IT.  I ASK OF YOU ONE THING.  IF YOU CHOOSE TO READ THE FIRST LINE OF THE NEXT PARAGRAPH PLEASE READ ALL THAT I HAVE WRITTEN TO THE VERY END.  I AM CONCERNED THAT IT MAY TURN SOME OFF BECAUSE OF MY TOPIC, AND UNLESS YOU READ IT IN ITS ENTIRETY YOU MAY GO AWAY WITH AN IMPRESSION THAT I DID NOT WANT TO LEAVE WITH YOU.  IT IS BECAUSE I VALUE THE FREEDOM OF SPEECH FOR MYSELF AND OTHERS THAT I CHOSE TO WRITE THESE WORDS.  I WOULD ALSO VALUE TO HEAR YOUR VIEWS ABOUT WHAT YOU THINK OF WHAT I HAVE WRITTEN.  I DON’T EXPECT MANY TO AGREE WITH ME BUT THAT IS THE BEAUTY OF LIVING IN A COUNTRY WHERE WE CAN TRULY SAY WHAT WE THINK.  IT IS NOT MEANT TO DEMEAN OR HURT ANYONE, RATHER, IT IS ME JUST SHARING PART OF MY SOUL WITH YOU, MY READERS.

Time happens and so does life.  And so many millions of different lives happening all at once.  Sometimes I wonder how God keeps up with it all, not to mention with every single human being.  When I think of the world in that way it makes me seem very small and inessential.  The synonyms for inessential are:  unnecessary, unneeded, superfluous, redundant, dispensable, surplus, and extra. I ask myself, does that really pertain to me?  And when I really ponder and think of the love that God has toward me and all men, that the answer is no.  He loved me so much that He sacrificed His only Son to die for my sin even before I was born.  I truly believe that He knew me and had a plan for me before time even began.  I believe His plan for every man is good.  But, it is man’s choice as to whether or not they choose to follow in the footsteps of Jesus.  How different our world would be if all men desired to live according to the Word of God.  I believe that someday that is how the world will be when we have a new heaven and a new earth. 

I realize that what I believe is not necessarily what you, or even most of the world believes.  It is not my place to judge others for believing differently and walking their own path.  Our history, upbringing, culture, country, religious backgrounds, are all different.  I hold no disregard, disrespect, or discount the path that others follow. However, it actually seems that the world is now taking a different stance toward the person who believes in God and that salvation is through His son Jesus Christ.  They are the ones that are being disregarded, disrespected, and even persecuted and killed in many places of the world.  Even in the United States, the land of liberty, the country which was founded and based on freedom of religion, where we now cannot kneel and pray silently in public lest you be suspended from your job.  God’s name cannot be brought up or discussed at most work places or most schools without repercussions.  Freedom of speech seems to be a bit narrower for the “Christian” in the public sector.  And sadly, I must admit that there are many who profess to be Christians who have spoken out in the name of Christianity, that have greatly disparaged the name of Jesus due to their off the wall opinions and quirky beliefs, that have nothing to do with what is taught in the Word of God.  However, if there are those who do not know what the Bible teaches, but hear the “Christian” speak as if he has all authority according to how he interprets it, that may cause those who are ignorant of what the Bible says to disdain all Christians because of the behavior of just one such “Christian person”.

Why can we not, as a human race, respect all mankind, “do unto others as you would like them to do unto you”, treating others with consideration and respect?  And even as I ask that question I already realize I know the answer.  We live in a sinful world since the fall of Adam and Eve.  Evil is in the world and God has a plan that all should hear the way of Salvation and that none should perish but that all would have everlasting life with Him in heaven.  However, some choose not to follow the teachings of God’s Word.  God’s plan will eventually bring us back to His original plan, where His kingdom will rule upon the earth.  But there is much prophecy that He spoke through the prophets of the Old Testament that must first be fulfilled.  And the time is getting closer.  Time keeps marching on and every day is a day closer to the last days and the return of Jesus.  No man knows the day or the hour, not even Jesus.  But I believe it will happen.  Whether I die or I am still alive on earth when Christ returns, there is one thing I know for certain, and that one thing is, that I want to make sure I am right with God when my turn comes to stand before Him.  I believe Heaven is for real!  We have free will and free choice.  We each choose whom we serve.  I choose to serve the Lord, and because of God’s love for me, love others regardless of what they believe.  I love God and I hope you can still love me even if my faith is different than yours.

As I sat down to write tonight I had no preconceived idea of what I would write.  Again, as many times before, I wrote the title not having a clue as to what it meant.  Perhaps I was meant to write this tonight.  If it helps even one person then it was worth it.  In no way do I ever intend to offend anyone, but I will never say I am sorry or ashamed when I speak of God and His Son Jesus.  So far, I still have the freedom to write my true feelings and beliefs in my own blog.  Others may choose not to read it, and that is their privilege and freedom to decide.  I hope that this great country we live in, which was founded as a place to worship God in freedom OF religion (not FROM religion), will forever remain free to all who choose to live here.  It also means that those who choose other religions, or choose none at all, should also have the freedom to follow their beliefs as well.  None should be persecuted, ridiculed, or killed for what they believe as long as it does not violate or cause harm to another.  Can we not live in harmony, regardless of our beliefs, in what is called a “civilized society”.  It seems to be getting more and more difficult. 

IS IT SO HARD TO RESPECT ANOTHER?

By Kathleen Martens

November 8, 2015

Time keeps marching on

Regardless the path we follow.

Beliefs that others have

May be hard for some to swallow.

Can we not choose to be

Compassionate toward all men?

Regardless how their faith is viewed

Or their belief in sin?

Each man searches for truth,

That which satisfies His soul.

Is it so hard to respect another

Though different be his goal?

I just want my friends and neighbors and family to know that regardless our differences, in spiritual beliefs or any other belief, I love you and respect you.  I love my God and since He is my best friend I may talk about Him from time to time.  Would I love for you to know Him like I do?  Yes, but even if you don’t know or love the Lord, I will still love you and respect you and your beliefs.  That is what living in the United States is all about.  Oh, and just so you know, that pertains to politics too.  Regardless who you vote for, even if it is different than my choice, I will still love and respect you as I would hope you would me.  The very fact that we have differences and live in peace is a great tribute to the freedoms we enjoy.  Let’s keep our freedoms and offer respect and compassion toward all men, regardless of ethnic background, skin color, lifestyle choices, religious beliefs, gender, or political persuasion.

God bless you.