anywho.. just had to share a sweet God moment. You are so appreciated! I am getting so much from what pours out of your heart.

◦1) When you stand for what you believe, what belief are you standing for?

That Jesus is the only way for salvation, for eternal life. I believe that is a free gift through our faith by grace that God bestows on us because of his love for us, which we can’t begin to fathom or comprehend. While we were yet sinners, He died on the cross, taking our sin as His own. There is absolutely nothing we can do to earn our salvation or work our way to the arms of the Savior. We must be born again. This is what I long for people to know.

◦2) How do you do that?
Lately there have been quiet, unseen stands of faith, where it’s just me and the Lord. And I have to surrender my heart’s desire or do the small things I know God has asked. That is when I take a stand before God and Him alone.

Other times, taking a stand means being vulnerable, transparent and honest. If I solely live by a set of rules, how will anyone know that I rely on a Savior? I have “tried” to do all the right things, say the right things and simply be good. And then, BAM! I fail. And fall hard. The people around me saw me as a hyprocrite and judged me by the rules I tried to follow. It wasn’t until I fell harder than I ever thought possible that I truly began to express what a relationship with the Lord was and reveal who I truly was. Now, my loved ones see the struggle, the trials, the failures, but they rejoice when God brings us out of the darkness as we cling ever so tightly to Him who is able. (Well, there are still skeptics, but that’s okay!)

◦3) What responsibility is most important for a Christian?

I may have had another response several months ago…but I truly believe it is dying to self. And I do take that as a command and a responsibility. Something I must do daily. I believe this to be the one thing that is of utmost importance to glorify the Lord, love others and follow Him….to strip everything that is me and be renewed with everything that is Him. I can’t love if I’m filled with self, because then that love is only self-serving. It’s funny, just realized “they” say you must first love yourself to love others! I think the exact opposite is true.

◦4) Are you doing that?
I don’t believe I will ever completely die to self, but it is the cry of my heart.

Just when I thought, “Lord, I think I got this down!” He showed me in a very small practical way at my daughter’s elementary school play, that I have not mastered this art! And it’s mostly a matter of the heart, not anything anyone else sees. God is so very crafty when it comes to revealing our weaknesses!

◦5) How do you do that?
Be in constant prayer. Spend alone time in the Word. Putting my own emotions aside because I know what is right and what will honor the Lord. Doing heart checks to see if this is my will or His. While I don’t always know, I recognize more and more what MY will looks like…and in the grand scheme of things it’s NO bueno!

I can recall a time I was arguing with my husband because *I* was right! And *I* had every right to be upset with him!!! I stormed out of our room and as I did, as clear as day God said, “You have no right.” It completely caught me off guard. All I could do was turn right back around and extend love to the very husband I was so furious with. It meant putting my pride and emotions and just-short-of-breaking-something-fury aside in exchange for humility and patience and restoration. A year ago, the outcome would have been completely different. I praise God for the work He continues to do in my heart. But it is a daily battle. Well, minute to minute, really.

I always say living for Him is both the easiest and hardest thing to do…and it is. I serve a God who wants all of my burdens…and yet I still chose my own way, harboring pride, resentment and selishness. (Aren’t I lovely! haha!) But it’s true…we keep ourselves in shackles when God has given us the keys.

◦6) Is your answer to number three the same as your answer to number one?

Um, is YOUR answer the same?

Sorry for the long response…just be glad we weren’t on the PHONE because then you really would have gotten a earful! Haha!

Loving your heart and ministry!

I have lots to say! Hopefully it will answer some questions.

I believe that God loved us enough to send his son to die for our sins so that we don’t have to be separated from him.

2) How do you do that?

By believing in him and by letting people know that I am a believer.

3) What responsibility is most important for a Christian?

same as others: to love God and love people

4) Are you doing that?

I think so. I’m not sure I’m very good at it.

5) How do you do that?

I don’t really know. I try to spend time with God and be kind and patient with people.

6) Is your answer to number three the same as your answer to number one?

Pretty much: love

I have questions of my own that I hope you’ll answer this week. These questions showed me how much I’m not sure of. Thanks for doing this. I hope you hear that enough!

Hmm. I guess I am standing on the belief that there is a God, that this world is His, that it is fallen and He gave His Son so that we might have a relationship with Him as he always intended it.

2) How do you do that?

Well, I join with other believers in worship and praise of this God/Jesus, I (in theory) continually read and study the Bible so that I better understand this Jesus, so I can help continue the job on this Earth that he started.

3) What responsibility is most important for a Christian?

Love God and love my fellow man.

4) Are you doing that?

I am, but the job is overwhelming and never is finished.

5) How do you do that?

Pray for others, various outreach opportunities thru church/small group. And I generally try to be as friendly and approachable as I can.

6) Is your answer to number three the same as your answer to number one?

I guess they are the same….if you squint.

*commenters disclaimer: I’m a little worried that I didn’t mention anything about purity like the first poster. I am by no means pure as the driven snow. And I hope that helps in my approachability aspect.

2. First, I need to know who Jesus says he is. Then I live a life trying to look and love like him.

3. Loving. God first and then everybody else.

4. Am I doing it well is a better question and I doubt it. Do I try, absolutely. And when I realize how miserably I’m failing, I try a little harder.

5. Listen, look, serve, cook for, pray over, ask questions, be in the moment… just depends on the need. By not waiting for “opportunities” but creating them.

6. In it’s foundation – yes. God is love.

Sara: I’m glad you like them! I can tell you’ve read my book, too.

Dana: Ha! I’ve heard that before. They’re just to get you to think. I hope you come back and take a stab.

I would really like to read some thoughtful responses!