Wii, That Was Fun!

Have you ever wondered how you could be such an Awesome Athlete on your Wii, but in real life you suck at Tennis? (I don't usually use the word*suck*) but I want to make the distinction! I love the Wii- we play it with our kids quite a bit and it's a blast- I can really knock the ball out of the park in baseball and the crowd always goes WILD...but in real life, I could never hit it out of a little league field...It's so fun getting caught up in video games and not having to think or care about anything-and to the extent we have now, where you're actually DOING it-is amazing! And the girl I created to be "Wendy" is so cute!!! Plus, I can change her every week if I wanted to! You're probably wondering, so what's your point? Well, I don't have a point! I just enjoy playing the Wii... No, but seriously, what if I would've just ended this blog like that,with no point!? Do you ever feel that's how it is when you talk to people? We have conversations every day and sometimes at the end of the day- it's like...What was the point? I hate that!!! I love spending time and talking to people that have a point or a purpose. Anybody can make conversation about anything-cool-but do you ever leave people with something to think about, other than your opinion? Do you ever give them some TRUTH even if it's hard for them to swallow? People are dying for TRUTH because that's what let's them know there is such a thing as Freedom! The Bible says, it's the TRUTH that sets people free! Not my truth, or your truth- but the TRUTH of God's Word. James 2:12-13 says, "Speak and Act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom. Because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!" I love that- that speaks volumes to me... I need to realize how I speak and act should be according to the law(God's Word)- but THIS law gives Freedom. We need to have more mercy than judgment. What does it mean to show mercy? Forgiving-even though someone doesn't deserve it! Do you deserve mercy? No, nobody deserves it-But it still can be given and received! I encourage you to be merciful toward others & that your conversations will have meaning and purpose as you speak God's truth.

So, why are you still here?

You may be wondering why I titled this blog post-"So, why are you still here?" My sweet friend Kim Baker Schrandt died from breast cancer last Wednesday at the age of 35 (I believe)....I haven't spoken to Kim since college but I knew her. I knew her love for Jesus, her smile and love of life, her love of family and friends. She was a woman of faith and knew what she believed! She was the epitomy of health. Young & beautiful with 5 children. I was shocked and deeply saddened to hear the news....Although, I have another dear friend who I talk to quite often who spoke to Kim every day. Jodi would keep me up to date on Kim. Last summer Kim gave her testimony at her mother's church about how God had healed her from breast cancer. I believe she was diagnosed 2 years ago but didn't have any symptoms and just after the birth of her 5th child, she started getting sick and by the time she found out what it was, it was too late....Jodi told me of how Kim never even mentioned the cancer. She had faith in God and that was that!!! I admire Kim for her faith and her love for Jesus. She could've easily taken chemo or radiation and the result could've been the same,different, or she could've done what she did! She made a decision to trust God and put her faith in Him. She had the kind of relationship with Jesus Christ, that was a two way street...she would talk to him and He would speak to her! How many people just go through the motions and would not even think twice about going to the doctor. It might not even be a thought to believe for God's healing. Not even a question. Is our God a personal God that has a specific plan for our lives? Or do we even know Him or what He has for us personally! The day after Kim passed, I got a call from Jodi and we were believing for Kim, that God could even raise her from the dead! Not for our benefit, but for His! He wants the glory and the honor in everything we do! This topic is debatable-but life is not debatable. Do you feel good about the choices your making for Jesus Christ every day? If you came down with a disease that left you with no hope- what would you do? Is God in control? Do we trust that? What an unbelievable thing, to die knowing you were leaving this earth while putting 100% faith in Jesus Christ! Do you believe that if God wanted her to be here, she still would be?! We all have convictions-but do we live by them? Who am I to question your convictions-but if YOU don't live by your convictions, what are you living for? I want to be the type of person who lives by my convictions and those come from the Word of God. We all know right from wrong- but life is about more than that! We each have a purpose! As a christian, that purpose is HUGE-we never know how we will affect others for Jesus Christ by the way we live our lives....And Kim Baker has shown me that her love for Jesus was not a show- She loved him with her life! Thank You Kim!!!