Why do we believe in God?

One of my friends recently posted this on her blog, and with her permission, I'm gonna share it with y'all today. It hit home with me, and encouraged me in my faith.

Here's her Post:

"Why Do I believe in God?


I got to thinking lately, about why I believe in God. I mean, why do I believe in God? Why is it that I believe my belief is better than anyone else’s? Why is it that I believe in Jesus Christ- but not in Allah? or Buddha? or no god at all?

I can’t see God. I can’t physically hear God. I can’t physically feel God. But why does believing in Him bring me peace, even when the situation is hopeless in the eyes of the World? Why is it, that I believe the Bible is true? What makes it different then any others beliefs book?

Why is it, that Christianity is outlawed so many places? Why is it, that the mention of Jesus Christ, could cause you to lose your life? Why is it that praying to God, to thank Him for your food is against the law in some countries?

Why? Why do I believe in God? Why do I believe In eternal life? Why can I have Hope, in the darkest situations?

Why do I believe I am created by God- and in the image of God? Why do I believe Evolution to be false?

Why do I believe I am precious in the sight of a God I can‘t see? Why do I believe my life is worth anything?

Why? Why do I believe in God?

Why do I believe that same-sex marriage is wrong? Why do I believe that having sex before marriage is a sin? Why do I believe that abortion is murder? Why do believe that life is precious?

Why do I believe that lying is sin? Why do I believe that stealing is wrong? Why do I believe that taking some one elses life is evil?

Why? Why do I believe what I do? Why do I have so many rules? Why is it that I feel convicted when I sin? Why do I believe that there is a God who created the universe? who created the stars, galaxies, planets, earth, America, my family, and me?

Why do I believe that there is eternal life after death? Why do I believe in Heaven? And why do I believe in Hell? It would be easier to say there is no heaven or hell- only us. So why do I believe there is?

Why? Why is it that Christianity isn’t a religion- but rather it’s a Faith in a Creator God who believes that you are important. That you were worth dieing for? Why is it that so many reject life? love? and a God who was willing to take their death?

Why is it that many would rather believe they were created in the image of monkeys, instead of in the image of loving God and creator?

So why? Why do I believe that Christ is the I am. Why is it, that when I read his words in the Bible, when he says “I am love. I am Peace. I am Justice. I am righteousness. I am always present. I am mercy. I am courage for the courage less. I am belief, for those without any belief- why is it, that I believe those words?“

I believe in God, in the Bible, in eternal life, in His laws not because I am forced, but because He is the only God who was willing to die for me. My God is the only God who can and has forgiven me of my sin. I believe in God because He created me. I believe in God, because even when I am desperate, and searching for someone or something, or for peace: I feel his presence inside of me. And He is Peace.

I believe in the Bible, because it is the literal word of God. The Bible wasn’t written by men, but by Jesus. I believe in God, because I have faith in Him. I believe in life, because God breathed life into us, and He created life. I believe the laws of God, because they were written by God. I believe I am precious, because I was created in the image of God.

NO one can tell you what to believe. But I believe in God, because He doesn’t say woman is worthless. He says we are more precious than rubies. MY God doesn’t tell me to hijack a plane, and kill thousands. He says to love, and to heal, and to win souls for Christ. My God doesn’t say I’m better than the homeless. He says we are all sinners, who can be saved by faith. My God doesn’t say I am better or worse than man- my God says I am equal to my brothers in Christ.

My God gives me strength to get through every day. My God doesn’t require me to pray to an idol looking towards a city at a certain time. My God is always present for me when I want to talk to Him: even if I am in the shower, or on a plane. He hears me. My God always answers my prayers- sometimes with a no, yes, or just wait.
My God gives and takes away. He created life, and He can take it away. But in everything, I will praise Him: and bless His name.

My God commands us to love, and in return we are loved by those around us. MY God never stops loving me. My God Is forgiveness. MY God is grace.
I believe in God because He is the one who gave His life for me, and in Faith I have given Him mine.
So let me ask you Why? Why do you believe in God? Or for some, why don’t you believe in God?

-Beth Stewart"

~Simply Jen

Today

Today, I experienced new things.
 I had my first Duel Credit class at LSC.
 I got my permit at the DPS office (was there for FIVE HOURS).
 I learned that too much TV makes me overly hyper and obnoxious (as do too many Pringles).
 I met many new people in my Speech class, and marveled at each one's uniqueness and personality traits.
 I put my faith in God when I was scared, and once I put Him in control, everything turned out okay. =)

What are some things you learned today?
~Simply Jen

Pictures!

Here's some pictures for y'all ;-) some are old, some are from Arkansas, but all are some of my favorites =)
~Simply Jen

Need a Hero?

Need a Hero?

I don't know bout y'all, but lots of times I feel like I need a hero. What do we think of when we hear the word hero? Many think of knights in shining armor...someone who saves the day...someone AMAZING. I used to think I needed a guy to be my hero, to think I'm amazing and pretty and special-someone who's truly amazing.
     But I've come to realize that having some guy think I'm special is nothing-I repeat, NOTHING-as important or totally amazing as having God be my Hero. Only He can give me eternal life...only He can make me shine brighter than the sun within...and realize that only He can make me truly happy.
 I needed to take a step back...pray...evaluate...and ask God to be my Hero.


     Is God your Hero? If not, I assure you that God will hold you when in need, wipe away your tears, and make you shine brighter than the sun from within-from your heart.
"Hero" by Skillet was a great help in making me realize that I needed God to be my Hero.
~Simply,
     Jen
     

Twelve Random Things

Hmmm, 12 random things about me.

1. My current favorite songs are Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield and Old Time Rock'n'Roll by Bob Segar. I also loooooove oldies, like Elvis, Danny & The Juniors, The Temptations, Roy Orbison, and the like!

2. I received my first kiss from my favorite horse. =P

3. My hair is so crazy/curly/kinky that my mom's new nickname for me is Medusa.

4. I may seem all sweet and innocent, but watch out because I'm sweet AND sassy-just like my famous cinnamon rolls.

5. I love being in the kitchen, and crocheting makes me happy.

6. One of my favorite things to do is sing on our barn roof, looking out over the farm, with my voice soaring to the sky.

7. Guitar is my latest fad, and I'm doing quite well with it.

8. I hate painting my fingernails-the stuff never comes off!!

9. If you see me with a bad of Twizzlers in hand, watch out! We go crazy together like Lick'n Stick stickers!

10. One of my passions is ballroom dancing-I can't live without it!

11. I love this saying, "Life isn't about waiting for the storms to pass; It's about learning to dance in the rain!" If you haven't guessed already, I L-O-V-E dancing/singing in the rain!

12. Although I'm a preacher's kid, I am also HUMAN! I'm soooo not perfect, no matter what people say.

Well, here's twelve random things about me-very random. Hope you enjoyed!
~Simply,
       Jen

My Jesus

Here's one of me when we were in Arkansas, on Free Day =). Behind the wall I'm sitting on, in a 30 foot drop-pretty average for Arkansas. I have a handful more, but I'm using a different computer and those pictures aren't loaded onto this one yet. While in Arkansas, I learned some things. I learned about patience, working hard and doing your best even when you feel lower than snot, and about how I need to surrender things to God more instead of holding onto them myself, thinking I can do it when I know I can't. God has shown me things on that trip that I won't forget, and each night when I pray, I confess to Him all my shortcomings, the things I've done wrong, give Him praise, and lift up those I know for guidance and strength. I pray you will also do the same. I've discovered that my attension span is pretty short, especiallly when I'm praying, so each night I stretch on the floor and repeat Bible verses I have memorized, preparing me to talk to God. Then in the "Lotus position" I learned in Yoga I come before God and just release all of my frustrations from the day, my prayer requests and praises, and just talk to Him, simply spend time with my Savior, my Jesus.

Have you ever heard the song "My Jesus" by Todd Agnew? Here's a link for it on YouTube, { http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fg1bx3oA0eU }I recommend you listen to it, and feel free to comment on this post if it speaks to you.

The Lord God be with you,

~Simply Jen

Picture

Hey y'all! Sorry I haven't posted in a while, we've been getting life back in track from being gone on our mission trip, and getting things ready to start up school again. Here's a picture I took this past spring, I thought I'd share it with you. Hope you enjoy!

~Simply Jen

The Barn

Working at the barn is such a blessing-for the most part. True, it can be pretty intense working in the heat non-stop all day, with grumpy horses, cranky kids, and hormonal volunteers.

However, working with those kids IS a true blessing. In many different ways, they wiggle their way into your heart, and bless you more than you can imagine. We have a little rider at the barn who has come such a long way. Last year, she had to be carried everywhere because she couldn't walk, she had a hard time communicating with people because she doesn't talk, and wasn't very independent. This year, she is walking almost entirely independently, she knows a little sign language and can DEFINITELY get her point across without too much effort. When she gets excited or really happy, she wiggles and she giggles and her laugh will make you crack up! She was clingy today at EKWIP camp, and she loves going around the porch petting ALL of the horses before she can walk away and do something else. At the pool, she loves the little tunnel in the Family Pool, and splashes and giggles at the fountains. She is a real blessing in my life, I am so glad I am privileged to work with her, and to see her delight in all of God's many blessings.

~Simply Jen

Critters

Hands Up for Creepy Crawley Critters!

Friends

This is a picture of me and one of my best friends, dancing at Leadership Lab. We placed first in the Talent Show for our spectacular dancing! This friend of mine is always here for me, lifts me up in my darkest times, and makes me smile at hilarious memories that are almost like private jokes and still make us crack up laughing no matter how bad our day was.

People need friends like this; loyal, uplifting, and slightly hilarious.

When you're feeling as if no one cares, a good friend is always there.

People can be that way-but people can also tear you down. There is one Friend who sticks closer than a brother, never leaves your side, and will always love you more than anything else in this world. That, my friend, would be God. He will always be your Bestest Friend...He will never leave your side...His will raise you up.

Have you heard the song, "You Raise Me Up"? It is truly an amazing song, and I love it so much. Every time I listen to it, I instantly am in awe of God, and so totally aware of how real He really is.

Let God be your Best Friend, and you will go farther than anyone else in this world.

~Simply Jen