August 13, 2013 - I'VE GONE NUMB

For 25 years, I've been using the Lord's name in vain. I wasn't a Christian so what did I care? It wasn't until I was baptized that I realized the magnitude of using His name as a curse word, not to mention that the Bible says its considered blasphemy. Of course, I've been trying to limit the amount of "God" curses I use, but it wasn't until a couple of days ago that it really started to concern me. Yesterday, I prayed to God to help me stop using His name in vain. Not even help me with cursing, because in my opinion, those other words are just words. Its His name that are sacred and have power behind them. So, yesterday I prayed.

I went to go workout and halfway through it my tongue started to feel tingly. Whatever... I'm taking creatine so maybe its making it feel tingly all of a sudden? As the day went on, my tongue went numb... Weird... but maybe its still the creatine. This morning, I woke up and my lips were now numb. I feel like I just left the dentist. I tried to smile and only my right side smiled while my left side stayed put. I didn't panic, but I did start to wonder: is this His work directly effecting me physically? I mean, I did ask for His help and I guess numbing my entire mouth and half of my face is a good way of saying "bite your tongue, child." In all honesty, I hope it is Him temporarily numbing me, because this is INTENSE. I'm so uncomfortable. But really, temporarily uncomfortable-ness is worth it to stop saying His name in vain. I'm hoping within the next couple of days I regain feeling as well as stop saying His name in vain altogether.

July 28, 2013 - SHAME

I never read the Bible before, so I started doing so a few weeks ago. A lot of people I know will say the "stuff" you read in the Old Testament "doesn't matter anymore." Even before I started reading the Bible, I never really understood that statement. Now, that I've been reading the Bible, I REALLY don't understand how anyone could say the Old Testament doesn't matter. The Old Testament is the original work of God; His original plan for us. His chosen people are the Israelites; have and always will be. The Old Testament is all about what the Israelis experienced first hand with God, and it was TERRIFYING. I couldn't even imagine having to live in today's society with the same God as the Old Testament. I firmly believe we wouldn't be here anymore if we still had "the original" God. But, even though He was terrifying, He wasn't impossible to obey. That's what kills me... He set up a very simple list of rules (The 10 Commandments) yet we humans couldn't follow them. So, eventually, He sent Jesus to patch things up and take away these stupid hardships humans apparently have with following ten simple rules. Its just sad how God saw how pathetic we were/are and had to revamp His entire plan so we wouldn't blow everything. Even though He's terrifying, He still loves us way way way too much. That makes me ashamed.

What also makes me ashamed is that His chosen people are and always will be the Israelites. These people have been through hell and back and know every bit of God inside and out. God loves them the most and they know that God would do and does do anything to save them. Yet, even THEY can't follow the rules. I'm not an Israelite. I'm a Gentile. I've been through NOTHING compared to the Israelites, yet I can still "get away" with sinning and asking for God's forgiveness? NO. I don't buy it! I don't know if its because I'm reading the Old Testament so Gentiles didn't exist then, or if this feeling is real, but I feel worthless... I feel like when judgement day comes, since I'm merely a Gentile and obviously a sinner, God is going to wash right over me. He won't even notice me. Why would He notice me? I give Him no reason to notice me...

But, I want Him to notice me. I want Him to stop for me. I want Him to know I would take a bullet to head for Him. I want Him to know I would do anything to stand next to Him.

I'm and should be ashamed. But, my shame makes me want Him even more.

July 24, 2013 - GOD PROVIDES

I've literally gotten down to the last cent in my bank account.

No idea how I'm going to pay for my bills in the month of August. Thankfully, Obama is covering my grocery shopping [if you know what I mean *fart noise*]. I gave up on contacting the unemployment offices because I always get these answers "Your case is pending" or "Due to heavy call volume, we cannot accept your call. Please, try again later."

This morning however, I decided to pay the unemployment offices a visit. Why? They'll probably tell me nothing of value. I stand corrected because I finally got an answer: I'll be receiving benefits starting Friday or Monday. Seriously, perfect timing. But, why wouldn't it be perfect timing? The definition of God is "perfect timing." He provides for you when you need it, not when you want it.

It made me feel ashamed I ever doubted Him actually. I haven't felt stress or anxiety since I was saved but for some reason, the past few days have been HEAVY. Non-stop criticisms from friends and family, my rapidly dwindling funds winking me in the face, and an unnecessary cough that's been cramping my style. Those things made me wonder if I really am protected.

How dare I question Him.