Are you using your gifts?

What is it that you're gifted to do?

You know that one thing that you just seem to be good at?

That one or two things that people praise you for. That thing that you shrug off as if it were nothing because it simply comes naturally to you.

It's easy to hoard our gifts. To know that we're good at this, that, or the other and simply allow it to remain that way. 

Known to us.

Stuck in our mind.

Hanging out on a shelf for whenever we happen to get to it. 

If there's one thing I know for sure is that we weren't given gifts in this life for ourselves. God gifted them to us for the benefit of others.

To influence others, 
                     Inspire others, 
                                 Call up others, 
                                              Shift a mindset, 
                                                          Shake up a generation. A culture.  
                                                                            To radically shift the trajectory of someone's life.

So if we know our gifts were given to us to help others live a better life, why are we so reluctant to use them?

I stood in the hallways of my job today, greeting, talking and laughing with some great people spending their Sunday morning in the house of God. As we discussed things of many varieties, I was asked about my writing and if I had another book coming out. Well the short answer is yes. 

Yes, I have another book in the works. 

It has been in the works since last August. 

Last August when I published my first book . . .

Wait, that's been almost a year. 

Yes I said it, a full year. 

It certainly doesn't take me a year to write a book.

It's completely outlined with chapters, stories, examples, quotes. 

You know, everything  a good skeleton of a book needs.

Yep it's there. Waiting. Waiting. Waiting.

Come to think of it, the book is actually called "Waiting, When Will it be my turn?"

And if you think I just did that on purpose, I did not. (Totally creepy)

Anywhoo, as I answered the question on if I had another book coming, I imagined just how many people's lives could be waiting for me to stop hoarding my gifts. For me to get over being too busy, too tired, too overly consumed with what I have going on to even entertain the thought of finishing said book. And as I contemplated those very thoughts, I realized the visible fruit that we see in our lives is directly linked to our obedience to His call. 

So what are your gifts? How are you using them? What have you been waiting to see flourish that has seemingly been laying dormant? When we move into the things that He has for us and intentionally decide to use our gifts to advance His Kingdom, wonderful things begin to happen!

Start using your gift today!

You'll be so blessed that you did.

Love you,

Vonae

How do you see yourself?

Source

For we are God’s masterpiece, 

created to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do. 

Ephesians 2:10 –

I'm not one for compliments. 

Whenever one is directed my way, things tend to get rather awkward pretty fast. There's something about them that gets under my skin and makes me uncomfortable. 

For me, compliments are the equivalent of standing on a large stage with a bright spotlight aimed directly at my greatest flaw.

Horrifying.

I haven't quite grasped my extreme aversion to them.

Is it because they magnify certain traits?

Maybe.

Is it because I find it hard to internalize and/or accept them?

Quite possibly.

Ultimately, I think it comes down to the fact that others think we're a lot cooler than we actually are. Or put another way, they can see for us, what we cannot see for ourselves. 

As I had this very conversation with a dear friend, Liza, she decided to give me a little perspective. (More like a slap) Smiling, she proceeded to ask me what I thought was the most beautiful animal in the world. 

An otter I answered confidently.

That was until I saw the look on her face which was in total disagreement. Trying again, I offered up the beautiful and majestic horse, which pleased her a lot more than my original blunder. 

I'll never forget what she said next.

"And do you think for a second, that a horse in all it's beauty and grace is ashamed of how God made it? Why are you?"

Wow. There it was. That was enough to kick me in the butt for the next couple of months. No Liza. You are right. The horse is a beautiful animal that walks confidently in all its intricate glory and grace; never doubting its ability or stature.

Isn't it time we take a cue from the horse?

I believe the time has come when God is calling His women to start walking fully and confidently in all that He says we are and are called to be. More importantly, shouldn't we be able to see ourselves in the light that others esteem us in, rather than relegating ourselves to depths that make us more comfortable?

In Ephesians 2:10, we are reminded that we are God's masterpiece. His very own work of art. One that He is crafting, shaping and modeling into His own image. Placing a stamp that says "mine." He calls you, me, daughter, friend, chosen, loved, beautiful, redeemed, set free, called up, called out, wanted and so much more. He sees us for who we will be, not for who we are now. 

God made each of us special for this very time; this very moment. He made us to shine bright in our sphere of influence. So it's time for us to stop dimming our own light in order to keep the attention off of ourselves. If God has entrusted you with a platform, sphere of influence, or a word of encouragement, it is our responsibility to use it.

It is finally time for us to start seeing ourselves the way others see us.

The way God sees us.

1 Peter 2:9  – But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Archive Thursday: I'm not who I was.

Source

Welcome to Archive Thursday. I love going back over old posts and seeing how they still ring true in the present. Just today I had the priviledge of speaking with a group of people who are overcoming the journey of their past. Although this article was written in 2012, I hope it will encourage you to keep living a life of virtue and integrity despite what the critics say.

Quote of the Week

Welcome welcome!

I'm so grateful that you would stop by 

and let me share my latest 

rantings and ravings pondering with you.

This past weekend, 
I had the privilege to sit under John Maxwell's teaching; 

a great leader in well . . . leading.

Already Equipped

Have you ever felt called to do something, start something, or step out into a new direction? 

All of us have been challenged beyond our ability more than once in our lives, and If you haven’t, I challenge you to step out of your comfort zone. 

All things are possible

Source

If you've been around the "Virtue" site a while, you've probably noticed my absence and lack of socializing. 

I must say, I'm truly sorry.

About three weeks ago I found out devastating news at one of my check-ups that totally screwed up my head space. 

As I set in the doctor's office, I was told that I had placenta previa. A condition where the baby's placenta is too low. Now that's not that terrible in and of itself, the horrible part was the next news they gave me.  I would have to have a C-section mid-May, three weeks before my due date. 

I was put directly on pelvic rest and told to take it really easy. Easy . . . Okay I can do that, but why?

The nurse continued to explain to me that because of where the placenta was located if I were to go into labor or have any sort of contractions, it was a good chance I would bleed to death. They were 90% sure of this. 


No ifs, ands, or buts about it.

Wait, what?!!

There was a 90% chance that I could bleed to death if I went into labor and if I made it to 37 weeks they would cut me open?

Great.

So for a week and a half, I spent my time taking it very very easy, crying, worrying, sleeping and just overall being devastated.

It was a week into everything that God spoke to me and reminded me that He knew the plan for my life.

If I were going to have to have a C-section, maybe it was because He knew it would be better in the long run. If the placenta was going to move, maybe it was because He wanted to test my faith. (I mean there was only a 10% chance of the latter happening).


As I continued to wait for my next appointment, I decided to give it to God. He's the maker and controller of all things so He obviously knew better than me. I became comfortable in having a C-section and trusted God that all things would work out fine. 


On Friday when I went back to the doctor and had the ultrasound, they could no longer see the placenta! By the grace of God, it had moved up and out of the way, putting an end to my "danger" zone.


When they gave us the news, my husband and I were so elated. We were not expecting to hear them say that. In fact, we were ready to pick a date and decide on a course of action but God wanted to show himself faithful in such a tough situation.

In our time of trouble and distress, He wanted to let us know . . .

All things are possible for those who believe.

That promise is available for you too. God is willing and able to do all things according to His will if we will just ask and believe in Him.

He can change ANY situation.

 

 

Before you run to the phone . . .

Source

When things in your life go terribly awry, what's the first thing you find yourself doing?

If you're like most women, your initial reaction is probably to pick up the phone and dial your best-friend, mom, sister, or boyfriend and vent your heart out. 

I'll admit, this is a natural reaction even for me. 

We want to share our frustrations, let off some steam, and if we're honest, garnish a bit of sympathy.


It's okay to want to share your day or frustrations, but how often are you reaching out to others to share your burden?

Do the possible . . .

Source

 It never ceases to amaze me how quickly life can change.

One minute, everything is going well and then the next, you receive devastating news that turns things upside down.

Sometimes it can be the lost of a job, loved one, dream, or even a well thought out plan. Whatever it is, the blow can be absolutely crushing.

Heart change creates life change.

Source

Change your heart and your life will follow.

Such a simple but powerful quote.

When I heard this last week while attending a Young Adult ministry at my church, I was instantly convicted. I've been pondering on it since then and decided I absolutely wanted to share it with you.

So many times we go through life stuck, struggling, and unhappy. We think it's our circumstances or the world around us, but sometimes it's just us. 

Our hearts are hardened, sad, disappointed, neglected, and it shows throughout our everyday life. We say out of our mouths that we want to be happy but inside it's a dark and lonely pit. 

To really pinpoint it, we say one thing out of our mouths but feel completely different in our hearts.

Be careful what you say . . .

Source

 Today we're talking about the way we use our words and unless you've been living under a rock your entire life, I'm sure you've heard of the saying, 

"Be careful what you wish for (or say), it just may come true."

Or have said,

"Don't say that, you'll jinx me!" 

These may seem like everyday common sayings to most of us, but if it were that simple, why do they hold so much weight? 

Who will your journey inspire?

Source

Have you ever found yourself lost while driving somewhere? One wrong left and all of a sudden you're turned around for hours.

The worst is being in a city your unfamiliar with all together; having just moved there or simply visiting. It can be so frustrating not to mention time consuming, driving around in circles trying to find your way. In that time you may have found some new restaurants, taken in some gorgeous scenery, or simply have had your patience tested.

But isn't that how life is?

Does praying actually work? Doesn't God have better things to do?

Taken from http://kristianwidjaja.com/blog/

 Growing up I always wondered how on Earth God could hear my prayers when so many other people were praying too. Sometimes I wondered (and still do) if God has better things to do other than listen to my rant, ravings, and complaints. I mean, I'm sure there's prayers out there that are more dire than mine right?

As I pondered this very thing over the years, God started to reveal to me that no prayer is miniscule. He showed me that I could pray about anything (even the small things) and He would care.

In short, those things that concerned me also concerned Him.

You maybe wondering what classifies a "small" thing? Well for me, getting dressed has become a chore because of my burgeoning baby bump. The other day I actually found myself in tears because nothing fit and I was running extremely late.

So what did I do?

I asked God to please help me find an outfit and He did! (It was actually quite stylish. : ))

Some of the other small things I pray about are help with finding my keys, new writing ideas, and most importantly, what on Earth to cook for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I've found that He's the greatest stylist and cookbook.

This may go against what you've learned, believe me I know. There are many great pastors, teachers and theologians who would disagree that God cares about the small things but I say to each is own. We all have our own personal relationships with God. It's up to us how much or little we choose to involve God on a daily basis.

So let's talk more in depth about prayer!

Prayer is not:

1. An elaborate, educated, over thought conversation using big words. God doesn't care about the thee's, thou's, and any other type of old English language. Just speak normally.

2. A wishing well

3. A long drawn out process. In fact, it can be a few seconds. Just speak what's on your heart.

4. Work

5.  A public spectacle (Totally not referring to praying for your food in public. That's completely fine)

Prayer is:

1. A simple conversation with God.

2. A chance to bring our requests and needs to God. (He tells us that he will provide our daily bread. So ask!)

3. An ongoing relationship

4.  A way to ask God for direction in our lives

5. Private

How do we pray and what can we pray for?


In Luke 11, Jesus gives suggestions on how we should pray. 

The first is to pray continually. This means that praying for something once is not enough. We are told to knock and keep knocking until the door is opened for us; to seek and we will find. If we only reach out once, can we truly say we prayed continually?

He also says to pray and if it's His will, it will be given to you. That's the one part most of us forget. God will never give us something that is not apart of His will for our lives. (Unless He's trying to show us something deeper) Besides his plan is so much better than our own. If he says no, you'd better believe He has something so much greater in store for your life.

What do I mean? Well a few years back my husband and I wanted to buy this home. It was truly my dream home. It was a brick Tudor style mini mansion equipped with an Olympic style pool, a two-story balcony, french doors all around, fire place, a double stair-case and so much more. The best part was that it was a half a million dollar home on the market for a steal! We wanted that house so bad. We offered asking price along with about ten other people but for some reason they took our offer. They actually took our offer! We were ecstatic! As we proceeded with the buying process our hearts became heavy and we started doubting if God really wanted us to have that house. Of course we loved it and it was perfect, but as God showed us the bigger picture, it was clear it wasn't the wisest idea. If we would have followed through with that home, we wouldn't had the wedding we wanted, the cars we drive, and I would've been stuck in my teaching profession which means this website would never have existed. : ) Thank God His plans are better than our own.

In the same chapter of Luke, He also gives us an outline on what we should pray for:

1. That His good and perfect will for our lives would be shown to us.

2. That we would be able to know Him.

3. That He would do what's best for us.

4. That He would provide our daily bread. (Food, clothing, and things we need to survive).

5. That He would forgive us and teach us how to forgive others.

6. That He would keep us from sin and

7. That He would protect us.

Isn't it nice to know that God really does care about our prayers? In fact, he wants us to come to him whenever with whatever. Even if you're not a believer, you can talk to God. He's waiting to hear from all of us.

If you have more questions, I'd love to talk! Leave a comment below or drop me a note. Have a wonderful day! : )

Grow in your relationship with God

The longer I've walked with God, the more I realize the rotating cycle I get into. At one point I'm at the height of my faith, praying, attending Bible studies, and seeking to be everything he's called me to be and then life happens. After a while, things are going so well I start settling into a comfort zone and then smack; I feel like God has abandoned me.

Has this ever happened to you?

The reality is, God doesn't abandon us, we loose sight of Him. He's constantly at our side leading and nurturing us; being our ever present help. In fact, he wishes to commune with us throughout our entire day; Not just in the mornings when we say a quick little prayer right before checking Facebook or at night as we dose off to sleep. In order for us to grow in our relationship with God and to stay close to him, we must make a daily effort to spend time with him.

Think about it this way . . .

You purchase a beautiful orchid plant that you proudly display on your living room shelf. It's a beauty to look at and you receive many compliments. The first two weeks you care for it daily, taking the time to water it, give it plant food, and place it by the window when you leave for work. A few weeks pass and the attraction to the plant starts to wane. Other things take your priority until one day you notice the stems have become bare. The once beautiful plant is now nothing more than a dried out resemblance of what it once was.

Isn't that just how our relationships with God can be?

Instead of allowing our relationships to grow cold and distant, we should seek daily to grow in our faith. I know it's easier said then done, but here are some practical ways we can get started:

1. Find a book on daily devotionals or an online resource. One of my favorite online sites is www.JoyceMeyer.org. She has a great bank of articles and a place where you can read daily devotionals.

2. Get plugged into a Bible Study or start one of your own. This hands down was a major growing point in my relationship with God. Through meeting with other women my age, I was able to dive into God's word while having a support system that became great friends. Some great Bible study teachers include Priscilla Shirer, Beth Moore, and Kay Arthur.

3. Purchase an inspirational non-fiction book. I'm currently reading "A Woman After God's Own Heart." It's an amazing book with concrete principles aimed at helping us grow through knowing God's desire for us to fellowship Him.

4. Read the Bible. This is one of those DUH things but I want to challenge you to read it differently. Instead of rushing through a chapter just to say you read it, read just a section of that chapter. (From bold heading to the next bold heading). Ask God to help you understand the section you just read and meditate on it. You'll be surprised how much more you'll get from that one section versus the entire chapter.

These are just a few ways we can grow deeper in our relationship with our heavenly father daily. Please don't let the only time you seek Him be Sunday mornings. I promise your life will be that much more fulfilling when you make it a daily priority.

Does God Still Perform Miracles? Part 3 of 3

So let's pick up where we ended last time . . .

When I arrived home from work that night, I found myself still praying and asking God to spare her mother's life; in short, to perform a miracle. She had been on the waiting list for a liver transplant for over a year and it wasn't looking any better.

I went to be feeling defeated; hoping that by some lucky chance God had finally started to listen to my prayers.

The next morning, I entered my classroom, not expecting much of anything but another day of just getting by when the young lady ran in. She was jumping up and down screaming before throwing her arms around me in a tight embrace. Looking down at her, I asked what was going on and she proudly informed me that they'd found her mother a liver and would be operating that night.

I was shocked to say the least.

God hadn't answered my prayers in what seemed like forever but in a few short hours, he had found a dying mother of four a new liver. I think it's safe to say that I wasn't praying for the right things before.

Now I could go on and on all day telling you about how God still does miracles but I wouldn't be doing him justice if I didn't tell you about one that was precious to my heart.

Last November I married the love of my life. I single-handedly planned my wedding in three months with the occasional assistance from my now husband. We decided that we wanted to pay for the wedding ourselves and not depend on any financial help from our parents. For as long as I can remember, I've always wanted two bridal gowns; one with a beautiful train for the ceremony and another for the reception. Being so engulfed in the wedding preparations, I totally forgot to budget for even one wedding dress.

Stupid right? I know, I don't know what I was thinking.

With the wedding looming closer, I honestly thought I would end up in a paper bag walking down the aisle but God had other plans. One day after a visit to the gym with my hunny, we stopped by a bridal boutique to look at their options. (Yes, I know. I took my fiance with me to look at dresses. Second mistake!) We found one perfect dress that was totally me. I fell in love with it instantly. The problem was it had a hefty price tag and I was low on money. We left the shop and  my hope faded as the hours passed. Seeing my doom and gloom mood, my fiance offered to pay for half the dress so I would have the one that I wanted. I was ecstatic! I went back the next day and bought the dress of my dreams.

You may be thinking, that's not really a miracle, and you're right! The miracle happens next.

As the days drew closer for the wedding I started getting a disappointing pit in my stomach. I loved my dress, but I didn't love the fact that my future husband had already seen it. It sort of took the element of surprise and suspense of seeing my walk down the aisle completely away from the day. I decided to be grateful and not make a fuss about any of it. (Only privately to my journal and God).

So about a month before the wedding, I had to take a trip to the church to do the walk through. As the coordinator and I entered the bridal suite, there was a large dress bag hanging on the wall. She apologized for the room being a mess and casually mentioned that the previous bride left her dress there, simply stating, "she had nothing to do with it."

Really? How can you not have anything to do with your wedding dress? That's just weird. I occasionally try mine on and dance around in them. (I even watch tv while eating Oreos in them. I can show her what to do with her dresses. : ))

I guess the shock played across on my face because she laughed, obviously agreeing and then pointed out how she thought the dress would fit me perfectly because the previous bride and I looked to be the same size. At first I was hesistant, not knowing if I wanted to take the dress or if I would even like it. I decided that I would and stuffed it into the passenger seat of my car.

Totally looked like I was transporting a dead body.

When I arrived home, I was so shocked to find that it fit my like it had been especially tailored for me. I turned around in the mirror to find a brilliantly crafted train that I could have only imagined. It was in that moment that I knew my God still performed miracles and cared about every single detail of my life. He wanted His little girl to look like a princess on her big day, and so he provided.

Well those are my happenings of miracles. I hope the past three posts have inspired you to pray for your own. Rest assured that sometimes they happen instantly and other times it feels like God doesn't care, but let me remind you, He does!

If you missed the first two articles on miracles, you can read them here:
http://pieceofvirtue.blogspot.com/2012/01/does-god-still-perform-miracles-part-ii.html
http://pieceofvirtue.blogspot.com/2012/01/does-god-still-perform-miracles.html

I would love to hear about some miracles that have happened in your life. Feel free to leave a comment or email me at vonae@myvirtueplace.com. I look forward to hearing from you!

Does God still perform miracles? Part 2 of 3

Let's pick up where we left off last time with the ever lingering question, "Does God still perform miracles?" Well let me take you back to my college student days. (Which weren't too long ago). It was Winter break and my finances were dwindling so quickly I thought I would have to resort to standing on a corner, holding a sign, and begging for help! I was home for the holidays and my car insurance was due to be paid in the next couple of days.

I stressed, stressed, and stressed so more, knowing that my parents wouldn't have the funds to contribute so I did what I knew best; prayed and asked God to do something!

In order for you to fully get the situation, I had one hundred bucks in my account, my insurance was $117, and I was the type of person who would never ask for help. (Biggest mistake . . . Yes I know).

So, I didn't. Instead I asked the ultimate provider.

About a day later, I came home from my seasonal job and checked the mail. Between the stack of junk mail and bills, I found an envelope addressed to me from a law office out of New Jersey. I opened the envelope, bracing myself for bad news and was stunned to find a check for $120. I truly couldn't believe it. Was this some sort of joke? I read through the letter repeatedly looking for some sign of a scam or invalidity of the check, but it was real. A random $120 check confirmed for a struggling college student that her God was real and that he would provide.

Fast forward about two years and now I'm a teacher. The way I received a teaching position was a miracle in and of itself, or a curse to some; depending on your perspective but that's an entirely different story. Before you roll out the disclaimer banner saying, "Miracles only happen to you," listen to what happened next.

This miracle isn't about me at all but one of my students. Now in order to understand why this occurrence surprised me so much, you have to understand the state I was in. I'd gone to college to be a novelist, graduating at the top of my writing class only to be stuck teaching. Back then, I spent my days teaching and my nights writing young adult novels. I was adamant about becoming a book author and spending my days writing in a quaint little coffee house, but instead I got stuck in a classroom without windows, filled with a bunch of kids with germs. (No offense to my students, that's how I felt my first year).

As I applied to publishing houses, I prayed day and night that God would help me publish my book. For months I checked my email and begged God to answer my prayers but nothing happened.

Absolutely nothing!

I began to believe that God couldn't hear me, that he didn't care, or that he was just plain out ignoring me. That is until the day a student came to me and told me that her mom had been in the hospital dying over the past seven months because she needed a new liver. I gave her a hug and told her that I would pray for her mom; not understanding why she would share that type of information with me. I was just her teacher. She walked away, shoulders sagging and I returned to my desk in tears and started praying. What happens next shocked me.

Does God still perform miracles? Part 1 of 3

                                                       
The other night I received a phone call from a friend asking me to pray for her roomate's mother who had taken a turn for the worse with ovarian cancer. I must admit, my first reaction when I receive calls like these or have an impossibly hard situation sent my way is, "Lord why me? What am I supposed to do to help these people? I'm just Vonae, why do others continue to trust me with these awful tasks?" To no surprise to me, his answer is always "pray."

That leads me to my question . . . Does God still do miracles? I mean if we pray, does he really answer? You know like the Old Testament type miracles; parting the sea, raising the dead, healing the sick, sending checks in the mail, answering prayers.

I've thought long and hard about this topic and it's still a hard one for me to approach. One realization that I've come to is that if God is going to do anything in our lives, we must first start by asking him to. Think about it, if we never ask for anything but expect for it to happen then can we really say God doesn't do miracles or hear us? (Having God do something miraculous in our lives starts with us on our knees). Jesus tells us in John 14:14, "You may ask me anything in my name, and I will do it."

So does that mean we can ask for a job that pays us in the six figures, a house that's 4,000 square feet, or a Mercedes S63 AMG? (Love that car!)

Sure, we can ask for those things, but here's the bad news . . . (Well it's not that bad)

The truth is, if it's not God's will for your life, he won't give it to you. Like your parents God would never give you everything you wanted because frankly, if he did, we'd all be huge hot messes. You know, like those kids you see in Target yelling at their parents and slapping them in the face because they didn't get what they wanted.

So awful.

At this point, you're probably thinking "then what can I ask for and actually receive?" We can ask for healing, a better job where we can make a difference, transportation, Godly relationships, provision, wisdom, favor with others, and so on. The key is asking and knowing that if it's in His will for our lives, the prayer will be answered.

That doesn't mean it'll be like "Abra kadabrah." God isn't a genie in a bottle.

Sometimes it takes as little as a second, but sometimes it may take years before we see our miracle come to pass. How do I know? I'd love to tell you. See you back here next week.

To be continued . . .

"Not Another Christian"

 

So you've seen that I'm a Christian. Like most people, you've probably let out a less than enthusiastic sigh and maybe even rolled your eyes, but hey at least your still here. Believe me, when I meet Christians or hear that someone's a "Christian," I have nearly the same response.It's not the title that annoys me or anyone else for that matter; it's the actions of these so-called "Christians." They've made the word dirty and disgraceful. They walk around shoving their beliefs down people's throats and not in a nice way either. It's not out of love or kindness, it's to prove a point, win a "battle," and I like you am sick of it.

We don't need anymore "Christians" who are going to talk the talk but not live out their words in their everyday life. If we're going to talk about loving our neighbors, shouldn't we actually do just that? If someone cuts in front of us on the highway, are we going to speed up and "show them who's boss?" Way to show the love. Not to mention the cross or fish emblem you have attached to the back of your car. Way to be the "light in the world." What about the Christians who are one way in church and then at night they're so drunk, stumbling over themselves, blabbering on and on and making out with some random guy. To them, I have to sigh and roll my eyes harder than you previously did. You're right, not another "Christian." If we Christians are going to make an impact in this world, we need to stop judging and being hypocrites and be an example. If we're going to be a follower of Christ, we need to start living like one.

On the flip-side, there are true geniune Christians. I like to refer to them as the "normal" Christians (We actually refer to ourselves as followers of Christ) and our primary goal is to show the love of Christ. We have been called to be the hands and feet of Jesus by helping others, not casting judgement, and simply meeting people where they are. Whether that be on a street corner downtown, or a close friend in need, our true job is to love and bring others into a relationship with God the father. I hope you will stick around and come to know more about a faith that saves and is more than just another religion.