Discipleship

This picture was taken when I was down in New Orleans on a missions trip.  Painted on the side of an old house, it really hit home for me.  I think about things a lot. This is my first post, and it is the first time I open up to the world, doing something I sincerely have dreamed of doing for quite some time:  inspiring people, giving people hope, connecting with people through writing, and music, as well as my photography.  While this does not have the music, it can do the first 2.  At least I pray it does hit somewhere close to home with some of you. 

So many times, churches get all over leaders, because they mess up in their lives.  Absolutely, they always should be held accountable for their actions, however sometimes we forget that our human nature is that we are imperfect beings.  The influences of this world are powerful, and many times opposite of what is expected of leaders.  It is a constant battle.  A spiritual war.  Temptation has been present since the beginning.  Romans 2:14-16 When outsiders who have never heard of God's law follow it more or less by instinct, they confirm its truth by their obedience. They show that God's law is not something alien, imposed on us from without, but woven into the very fabric of our creation. There is something deep within them that echoes God's yes and no, right and wrong. Their response to God's yes and no will become public knowledge on the day God makes his final decision about every man and woman. The Message from God that I proclaim through Jesus Christ takes into account all these differences. Paul wrote Romans, and was a true disciple of God.  Although he was just as human as everyone else.  He knew that we all sin, knowing full well what we are doing.  He also knew that Christians sin sometimes more than non Christians.  Christianity is not relavent in my opinion.  Christianity has been given a name that is destroying itself.  People misconcieve a 'Christian' not as Jesus came to show the world. Many people are starting to see Christians are Pharisees.  Romans 3:10-11: There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, there is no one who seeks God, All have turned away...  Don't let this discourage you.  This gives us hope, because our standards are not set that high.  Jesus loves us amidst our struggles, and is here to forgive, and by our faith, and adoration and response to His grace, we are cleansed and given new beginnings every day.  Romans 6:14 For sin will NOT rule over you, because you are not under law, but under grace!  Praise God, because we are so blessed.  Paul was a leader, very much involved in ministry, and his life was dedicated to Christ.  He even says in Romans that he sins, and does even what he himself does not wish to do, but the enemy can overrule control.  By faith in Jesus, by our forgiveness not only for others, but ourselves and knowledge that we will fall, and God still adores our very souls... we are in great shape.  We all have a spot in His kingdom. 

I am not perfect myself.  The world is full of things that I love, that may not necessarily be the greatest things in the eyes of God.  My attitude is not right.  I am a sinner, saved by grace, and we ought not see ourselves as 'sinners' but disciples.  Believers and non-believers we share this title, because we are all on a journey together.  Disciples are followers.  In the Jewish traditions, there would be disciples assigned to a rabbi, whom learned from the rabbi.  Humanity are disciples, some of life, some of Christ, some of other religions, we are all doing our best to get through what is known as life.  That is beautiful.  Let's embrace our beautiful imperfections, and find hope in the realization that for every failure we find potential, and opportunity for growth.