God created us to be with Him.
Our sins separated us from God.
Sin cannot be covered by the good things we've done.
Paying the price for sin, Jesus died and rose again.
Everyone who believes in Him will have eternal life.
Life eternal means we'll be with Him forever.

GOSPEL. The Good News.
We learned the acronym at a youth conference this weekend and we went door to door collecting canned goods, praying for people and telling them about the Gospel.

That's my religion. That's my Jesus.

Perhaps I have too much of a child-like faith at times. Perhaps I should read theology books cover to cover and immerse myself in figuring things out. Perhaps I shouldn't simply rely on reading scripture and listening to the call on my heart alone.

But that's how He changed me and continues to do so. That's how I came to following Him.
That's how I came to know my Jesus and the gospel.

It's not all about my faith, but by God's Word.

Disillusioned Heart --jp 3/2/08

I say a prayer
And the tears sink in deep,
Pondering her thoughts with an edge
Striving to leave it alone, let it keep.
Broken shards and painful memories
Send her streaming downhill,
Seeming to escape the pounding reality
And somehow start over, harnessing her own will.
But no level of disillusionment
Or flight will change the truth,
That though she believes it's all her against the world
Her scars are all she needs as conflicting the proof.

No person or creature
Nor drug or love,
Will fix the self loathing or heal the pain
That comes from within.
Only He with scarred hands
Can understand hers and turn them pure,
Only He can clarify the messages
That haunt and plague the heart within her.