Detour: The Train's Been Derailed. . .

Ever want everything going on in your life to just stop and make sense? Ever wonder how on earth this could be a part of God's plan for your life? Like...how in the world does the Gospel fit in this? It seems like God is taking me down a totally different path and has a totally different plan than He did before. It seems like the train's been derailed. Like God's taking you on a detour to show you something...truth is that's kind of exactly what He's doing. But what He'll show you will change your life. He'll show you something about Him, and He'll show you something about yourself in relation to Him. Well...if you've ever been there, that's where I am right now. How does heartache make sense if there's a good God? If the Gospel is good news how does it fit in your life after salvation? For instance take a look at something I wrote from a situation I was in
recently and tell me where that fits:

My heart's in a mess
All my dreams seem to be ripped to shreds
And yet I must confess
That this mess is my own

Tears flow from my wounded soul
Oh Immanuel can you make me whole?
Guilt drowns out Your love
Like floods of water...am I really loved?
And there was blood shed by the Beloved

My Immanuel
No joy can tell
How glorious You are
Born so You with men could dwell
And yet You came to die?

Heal my wounded soul
Sin drenches me
My heart turns so cold
But holy blood covers me
My Immanuel

Now...does that sound like a child of God who's struggling? That would be because I am. I realize the Gospel is not just something that changes you in a one-time event at salvation. The Gospel keeps changing us...it is our identity. If not, then sometimes we get lost and don't know who we are or question who we are. Or at least, I do. Maybe I'm an abnormal Christian who doubts, and none of the rest of Christians ever do that. :P So, if anyone's interested in the Gospel, and hearing someone who really wants to be changed more and more but yet struggles to believe it. If you're willing to maybe go through some pain of your own to understand that Christ's sacrifice means so much more than a picture of a cross but it means THE CROSS...come along with me, and realize you have a Gospel identity. Christ changes you. Forever.

Your identity is found in something. The age old questions of who am I and why am I here are still being tossed around. But if you really want to know who you are and why you're here, you have to encounter Someone bigger and greater than yourself. You have to realize the answers to these questions are find in a God. The God. Not just a religion. A reality that Jesus Christ, God's Son can change your life forever. Really and truly. And there will be a meaning beyond yourself. Love beyond your wildest dreams. Forgiveness and peace. And the best is yet to come...does that get your attention? Do you want to hear about something other than religion? Maybe honesty about what the Bible is all about? Maybe answers and help for life. It can all be found in a real God and in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Mostly Christians will find this, I suppose. But if you give me a chance, I want to share the amazing message of salvation that has changed my life. And prepare for honesty. I cannot sugar coat anything for you to make it easier. Somethings about ourselves aren't pretty, but if you're willing to be changed forever, it's worth it. There will also be many posts hopefully about doctrine and issues in the church and ministry. The plan is to make this practical, simple, and thought-provoking all at once. Doctrine has depth, and doctrine should change us. Now, I'm not comfortable with modern Christianity in America. Honestly, we've let things slide way too much. I'm not comfortable with the Gospel not changing people,and having lukewarm Christians. That's not what God asked for and not what this world needs. Maybe that means being radical and weird, but the world needs a Savior...not a genie. Not a religion. The world needs Jesus. So let's give them the real Jesus who turned the money changers' tables over and yet healed the blind, the lame, raised the dead...yeah. Let's give them the REAL Gospel. (all fakers stopped reading...all fakers who want to be real, keep going. myself included.) If you want the truth. If you want something real. His name is Jesus. Sorry if that's not what you expected. But He can save you from yourself.