I remember when…when I was 19 years old, leaving home and driving to
When I arrived in
Before leaving for
I’ve had the privilege of witnessing many things over my short life, but what I witnessed by walking the streets of
It truly broke my heart when I witnessed children, as young as nine, standing on street corners, selling themselves for a few dollars, or a few drugs. I was by no means shy, and I walked up and talked to these kids, and they in return were not shy in telling me ‘why’ they were there.
Night after night, I witnessed ‘respectable’ married men… picking up these young boys and girls, and driving away with them. Of course, the problem ‘prostitution’ was so bad, that little to nothing was done about it, and I’m afraid still today, little has changed. Nationwide/worldwide, the buying and selling of young children continues.
I could give you statistics, but again, depending on the survey done, the numbers vary. Statistics can give you a good idea, but I have found that most are based on what they KNOW, and not so much what they
I recently witnessed a film called “Though None Go With Me”, and I recommend this movie to EVERYONE!!! The movie, by Jerry B. Jenkins (Author of the best selling Left Behind Series), was wonderfully made. The lead actress is Cheryl Lad. On the cover, the statement is made “If you like Nicholas Sparks’ ‘The Notebook’, this film will hold you in its emotional grip…” Dale Schneck, Eye on Entertainment.
It is much like ‘Note Book’, but even better, because the story revolves around a life’s journey of a Christian grandmother that (begs) her granddaughter to not leave for California. This film can be picked up at your local library.
It will not spoil the story by telling you that the grandmother decided many years prior to follow Jesus - at all costs. She frequently questioned the will of God in her life, that was until she grew ‘old’ and sees her life come full circle…
I remember when…I heard the words/phrase ‘same difference’. At the time, I didn’t understand how something could be the same and different, and when I heard this popular phrase ‘same difference’, I thought the phrase was inappropriate.
Today, as I try hard to follow Jesus, again I’ve learned the phrase ‘Though None Go With Me’.
Today, as I’m trying my hardest to truly follow Jesus with all of my heart, I have witnessed many things. Like, no matter how hard I try, I still fall short each and every day. I’ve witnessed that many other Christians aren’t as ‘gung ho’ or excited to follow Jesus as me. I’ve noticed that when I point out others mistakes, four fingers are pointing back at me (good thing I start my writings and conversations with my WEAKNESSES!)
If you have followed my writings, I hope as God does, you’ve witnessed my tender and caring heart for others. I know I’m not always understood, and I know it is difficult to relate sometimes, and I know it is hard to respond back to someone like me.
But do you know what I have discovered? I wouldn’t trade my life for any other!!! God judges the heart, and He knows that I have a good one, and that I always have had good intensions throughout my life. I’ve always tried hard not to hurt others. I’ve always tried hard to be the nice guy (which is like wearing a sign on my back that says KICK ME).
This movie ‘Though None Go With Me’ summarizes how I feel sometimes, that I am all alone in trying to do the very best for God. I know there are many others out there on
But the main reason I wouldn’t exchange my life for another is this. I have had the privilege and honor of witnessing much, like prostitution, drug and alcohol addiction, criminal activity, fake Christians, uptight Churches, destitution, the rich, the poor, the middle…
I have learned to try hard to not wear other’s shoes, and I try to love each and every person unconditionally, and I KNOW, that makes me unique and special in God’s eyes. I’m not trying to pat myself on the back, because I have witnessed that too, and nothing good comes from it.
I’ve learned the lessons of too much: pride, work, money, selfishness, drugs, alcohol, food, house, church building, cars, evil, gossip… and not enough Jesus.
God gave us a brain to remember…to remember when…when we were all lost.
A memory to remember that even though we are found, we stumble all over the place.
Folks, you can’t have too much Jesus. We can’t serve too much. We can’t love too much. We can’t give too much. Jesus taught these things, and I have learned that by following Jesus, as narrow as the road may be, you just can’t have enough of Jesus.
I want to live and breath Jesus, day in, day out. I never want to turn back, and I beg God to keep me from turning back. I have witnessed more miracles and joy to never want again my old life.
I never want to stop trying to reach others and stop telling them that they too can have the same joy from having Jesus, that God loves them unconditionally, and that God has more than enough power to transform, deliver, love, hold, care, save… forever… the broken hearted like me and you.
Most of the people God has helped me lead to Him, start their conversations with me like this: I would go to church too, but God wouldn’t love someone like me.
Folks, we are representing God in all the wrong ways. It’s not about church, and if it is, why aren’t we healing the broken hearted like we should? I’m not trying to lay a guilt trip, because I am GUILTY. We all are!
We all have aches and pains!!!
We all need Jesus. More and more of Jesus. Less of us, more of Jesus!
Jesus is worth any persecution (which is very little here in the
Jesus is worth your heart. Your whole heart.
I thank God daily that we are not God. We would have been ‘wiped out’ long ago. Because we don’t LOVE UNCONDITIONALLY!
Jesus loves you more than you can ever imagine. Jesus wants you to run to Him.
Jesus wants to pick you up and hug you like you’ve never been held.
Jesus wants to save you from Hell, and Jesus has paid a dear price for you – YES YOU!!!
You don’t have much money? God’s gifts for us are
Jesus spent more time with the lost than the found. Oh, how Jesus wants you to be found.
Jesus is worth your heart to run the race! We teach our kids pride, especially in
Though Few Go with Me, STILL I WILL FOLLOW (JESUS)
Tis the Season for JESUS!
In His Hands,
Love, Glen
P.S. If you can take the time to read 4 verses in the Bible, Please read these:
Psalms 72:12-14, and John 3:16.