I have not slept much lately. I am thinking a lot about what does it mean to stand for what you believe in, no matter what? Through trials and temptations.  Through criticism and negative comments. Through betrayal and being taking advantage of and the list goes on. How does one sum up what they stand for?  Please understand if the truth offends then let it offend. I answer to God and God alone.

There is a poem that I have at my kitchen desk that I read weekly. I have for several years. The author is unknown and it is called I Am Committed. In this modern day culture, the line has been drawn. As believers, I believe we have to choose which side we are on. As our Pastor says at our church, we are either butting heads with the devil or we are walking beside him. So here is what I believe in mixed in with the poem I love dearly.

I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I know personally of his love and grace. I know what this Redeemer did FOR me. He died FOR me. He has FOR- given me. Because he is FOR me. I am not perfect and I am ok with that because his ways are perfect. Where I am weak, he is strong. He died for me and I will live for him. People may say I am a Jesus Freak or I am Radical in my beliefs. Well, I think it was pretty RADICAL that Christ loved me so much that he died FOR me. It was the most radical ultimate love . What kind of love is this? NO MAN has ever known this kind of love.

I believe in the power of prayer. Prayer changes everything. God longs to hear the prayers of his children. He leans down from the mercy seat of grace and bends his ear to hear our calls to him at times our cries to him. Our prayers do not have to have fancy words. It is a conversation between a Father and a child. If we only understood the power of prayer, we would be unstoppable. It breaks the back of the enemy. Chains are broken. Captives are free from the power of a prayer. Every time you pray for someone you are changing their destiny from darkness to light. The power of prayer is in the one who hears it ~ He makes the difference.

I believe and stand with Israel. My God tells me that he will bless those that bless Israel and he will curse those that curse her. God bless this mighty nation. My God is the Helper of Israel and speaks of it clearly  in Isaiah 41.

I truly believe the only thing that matters is what the Apostle Paul said in Galatians 5:6, The only thing that counts is FAITH expressing itself in love. I love passionately and whole  heartily. I have walked  some of the darkest  days. I  have known pain that I thought I would die.  I have known the ultimate betrayal more than once in my life. I have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found my way out of the depths of the pit because of the righteous right hand of God pulled me out of the mire and muck.

I also believe because of these things happening, I have a true appreciation for honesty and loyalty. I am sensitive to the down in spirit and brokenhearted. I am filled with compassion for them because I know what deep love and concern can do for others. I will never forget what it did for me.  I don’t believe you can have a relationship with someone without trust and respect. There is no foundation without these two characteristics. I believe people will show you their true character when it comes to their money and their time. You will always know what is dear to someone, what their priorities are by their checkbook.

I believe in Life. I believe killing the life of an innocent baby is wrong. As Ronald Regan said, everyone who is  for abortion has already been born. Please do not say you have not been there for I have walked this road. My son would not be here today if I would have made this choice that was pressured for me to do.  Abortion grieves my heart. I look at my son and his beautiful face and think I may have never experienced the love and joy that he has given me. HE is a blessing that cannot be measured.  Thank you Lord for the courage that it took to make the right decision at 19 years old even when most all were against my decision. There are options. So many want children and cannot have them. What others throw away or kill, many would give everything for the opportunity for this gift from God.

I am also proud of my Italian heritage. Proud of where my blood came from. This Italian woman is fiercely loyal to the ones I love. I  love my children and my family to death, literally. If someone hurts my children or disrespects them, this Mamma Bear will rise up and protect her family at all cost. KNOW this. My children will sure tell you this. There is no greater joy than to see your children serving the Lord. It is a beautiful sight to behold. Being a difference maker for him.

I have a love for animals that many do not understand. The Lord has used my precious four legged children to make me a better person. Lessons in my Spiritual walk are seen through my horses on many days. I wish people were as loyal as dogs. I wish people were as forgiving and strong at the same time as horses. I really believe if God made anything more magnificent than a horse, He kept it for himself. He could return to the Earth on anything, he knew all that would be created from the beginning of time. The glorious Jesus Christ in all his splendor will return with the host of angels armies and will return on a majestic white horse.

I will always try and show you respect. But, for me, there comes a time where the line is drawn and when I feel I have been taking advantage of one too many times or disrespected one too many times, I will walk away. Most of the time without a fight. I have finally learned there are some things that are just not worth fighting for. Peace is something I values more and more. Many of my friends believe differently than I do or have a different lifestyle than I do. For most, I can get along just fine with them. Every once in awhile the time comes when the agree to disagree does not work and it is just better to part ways. I pray for no hard feelings and I wish you well. Life is too short to debate people and have undo stress in your life that you can control.

I believe SIN is SIN. I believe no one sin is greater than another. I believe there is NOTHING that is greater than the grace of God. There is no mountain, there is no valley, there is no weapon that the enemy can come up against  me with that God can not defeat. I believe God’s word does NOT change just because our culture has today. I believe that the word of God stands yesterday, today and FOREVER. I believe we do not get to pick and choose what scriptures we believe in today. He is an all or nothing God. His word encourages, teaches , guides and corrects and ALL is from the same loving God.

God is in control. He makes the rules. He  is the Alpha and Omega and He is the beginning and he is the end. I believe we will ALL stand before him one day. What will we say to this glorious Jesus Christ. He will shine brighter than the sun. His eyes will be piercing and at that moment, will we be able to say anything at all?

My prayer, My hope, My stance, My answer is below. This is what I strive for. This is what it is all about. Know this, For I am NOT ashamed of the gospel because it is the POWER of GOD that brings salvation to EVERYONE who BELIEVES first to the Jew then to the Gentile. Romans 1:16

I am so thankful that with each new dawning of the new day, God’s mercies are new EVERY morning. I am a part of the fellowship of the unashamed.  My hope and prayer is that you know this loving Savior. Life is so short compared  to eternity. We have one shot at this earthly life, Let’s make it count ~

The die has been cast, I’ve stepped over the line; the decision has been made; I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.I will not look back, let up, slow down, back away or be still.

My past is redeemed; my present makes sense; my future is secure.I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits or popularity.I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded or rewarded .

I now live by faith, love by patience, live by prayer, and labor by power .
My pace is set; my gait is fast; my goal is the heaven. My road is narrow;
My way is rough; my companions few; my Guide reliable; my mission clear!
I cannot be bought, compromised, deterred, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed.
I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity;
I will not negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, nor meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I will not give up, back up, let up, or shut up until I have prayed up, preached up, stored up, and stayed up the cause of Jesus Christ!
I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.
I must go until He returns; give until I drop;
preach until all know; and work until He comes.
And when He comes to get His own, He will have no trouble recognizing me;
My colors are flying high, and they are clear for all to see.