Contentment.  Hmmmm.  Yeah, it was something I lived without for way too long.   Or at least, permanent contentment.  I found things that satisfied me temporarily- like food, clothes, makeup, new this, new that... but soon after, I was looking for the next thing.  Isn't it disappointing when you spend a significant amount of time searching for this one thing online- you are pumped about buying it!  You get all worked up and compare prices, making sure you get the best deal... You pay for expedited shipping, because you just can't wait 5-7 business days... The next two days you click on your email from the website and click on the tracking number, just to make sure you will get it as soon as they say- you just are so excited! UPS shows up at your door step a couple days later.  Ooooh the brown box!!  You grab the scissors and fiercely stab the tape, sliding the scissors down the middle of the box.  Opening the flaps, you dig through the abundance of foam thingys and voila!  Your thing!  You tear off it's packaging and drool over it for a minute.  You (use, study, try, taste, smell, read) it, and put it away.  The excitement is most likely over within the hour.  In fact, you're drained from all the energy you used getting so excited about it since you ordered it.  The "contentment" you thought it would provide, is already gone. 

    Godliness in addition to contentment is permanent- it ONLY comes from Jesus.  This contentment is satisfying. If you pursue Jesus, and receive this kind of contentment, it will fill you completely, and you don't need anything else.  These "temporary satisfiers" will actually work their way out of your life, because when you pursue Him, He makes you more like Him- and He doesn't come with false contentment.  That is what transformation is all about!  I still have excitement over things I order, but I don't chase after them to make me content anymore.  I AM NOT ONLY CONTENT, BUT HAPPY.  I don't crave new things all the time, looking to satisfy my hunger for emptiness.   God provides in me a totally different hunger- for Him, and I am no longer empty! 

    In addition to my craving for things, I also craved the rich life.  I wanted the dream house, the dream car, the vacations, the clothes, the gold, the diamonds.  My parents used to always tell me that I needed to marry a rich man if I was going to get any of those things.  Well, I didn't marry a rich man- but a good one.  God does not want us to pursue riches, because it leads to senseless and harmful desires.  Desires that tend to lead us into idolatry and away from Jesus.  There are so many examples of this all over media- even all over your neighborhood.  I have given up my desire to be rich, by becoming closer to Jesus.  

    I challenge you to search your heart.  Are you content?  Truly content? Contentment that only comes from Jesus?  Are you pursuing money? I exhort you to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness and gentleness- which only come with a relationship with Christ. 

~Leanne~

As I have shared in past entries, I have had past issues with rebuking people I truly care about.  My rebuking was never done out of harm, but it was extremely harmful.  It was because I was truly excited about what God had been doing in my life, but came across proud, ignorant and selfish.  When I read verses one and two, I realized that I rebuked older women- including my own mother, and I spoke down to younger women- definitely not as if they were sisters.    I am glad that I am aware of my sinful nature, and I am glad to be reminded in this passage how to build up the family of Christ. 

~Leanne~

Well, I'm off the hook!!  Paul says here that training yourself in godliness is much more important that physical training!  Hee hee.   I guess that doesn't get me off the hook, does it?  Paul says it is of some value- sigh. Okay.  On a serious note though, training yourself in godliness is so important for your spiritual health.  Just like exercise, if you are lazy (like me) and not physically healthy (like me) you will find it harder to climb a flight of stairs, go for a walk, or God-forbid, run away from an attacker.  If we aren't spiritually fit, we will find it harder to do things we face regularly (like sharing the gospel), we do for pleasure (serving in ministry) and we do to save our life (like withstand a spiritual attack).   We need to be spiritually fit.  How do we become spiritually fit?  How do you become physically fit?  Although I don't exercise regularly, I know what I gotta do- get off my butt and get my heart going!  It comes in different forms- walking, running, dancing, sports, swimming, aerobics, weight lifting etc.  To become spiritually fit, we need to get our hearts going too- in a different way.  We need to, first- get into right communion with Jesus.  Have you accepted Him as your Savior?  Receiving Christ.  Yes?  Was it a decision you made so long ago you can't remember or is it a decision you make daily- to follow Him with all that you are?  Do you make it a priority to learn more about Him, so that you can be more like Him? Do you immerse yourself in His Word- learning it, memorizing it, applying it?  Do you surrender yourself to the Spirit who transforms you in a Divine way?  Do you practice what you preach?  Do you serve the Lord through ministry? Are you teachable- do you allow others to speak truth into your life to hold you accountable and challenge you to grow into a deeper relationship with Jesus?  If not, there's a start! Let's get training, shall we?

~Leanne~

Although some may have a problem with women not being "qualified" to be elders or deacons in a church- I do not.  I think God has some obvious, and some not-so-obvious reasons why He does things He does, or sets up guidelines the way He does.  I do believe they are ALL for our good.  I am not someone who changes Scripture to make it applicable to my life, but rather I change my life to make it applicable to Scripture.   Even some of the things we don't understand, we must obey, just because the Bible says so.  I am okay with living my life that way- are you?


~Leanne~

 When reading the passage about women adorning themselves in the past, I thought that it was at church specifically- I'm not sure why.  Reading this again today, I saw it read in "every place."  I know in the past, I have not been aware of the clothes I wore, I would dress to impress, and show cleavage, or wear certain clothes to show my figure in a more provacative way.  I was more concerned about looking attractive than I was at honoring God.  It doesn't help that fashion today is all about revealed skin, and that ads and movies make it seem that that's the sexy way to dress.  However, we are not to conform to the world, but be godly in all that we do.  I started to become convicted of my "dress code" about 2 years ago.  It was hard for me, because I felt the Lord ask me to get rid of some of my clothes.  I would put on my favorite shirt, and God would ask, why do you like that shirt so much?  Why do you feel the need to wear it?  My answer was never because of the comfort or color.  I  knew I wore it because it showed me off more and I felt sexy in it- to the trash can it went.  This was a significant transformation in my life.  Learning to dress modestly and respectable.  There are still days today when God questions the intentions of what I wear- even if it doesn't reveal too much.  Who am I dressing for?  We need to realize that the way we dress effects the people around us too. If you are dressing without modesty, or even just showing more than you should, you may be causing a married man to lust upon you.  I'm not saying it's your fault for their lust, but you are tempting them to look at you.  Isn't that the reason you wore what you did in the first place- to have men look at you, making you feel more attractive?  Think about that for a minute.  Are you married?  Whether it's your husband, boyfriend or a future spouse- would you want their eyes to be fixed upon another woman because she is showing more skin than she should?  Obviously there are just beautiful people in the world that we are attracted to, and we will notice those people- but it's obvious when someone is dressing for attention.  I am kind of embarrassed about it actually.  It showed insecurity in myself, that I needed to dress inappropriately to gain approval from men, and some of this time, I was married!  A little over a year ago, I had on an outfit, that wasn't revealing- in fact, I was 8 months pregnant with Oskar- but I had on these big metal, royal blue, hoop earrings.  My shirt had the same color running through it, and these earrings made my outfit- I even wore my hair up to show em off.  I was on my way to church and I felt the Lord say, take them out.  I wrestled with it at first- they were just earrings.  But God revealed to me the intention of heart- which was to be noticed.  If someone wears a pretty shirt, we notice- right?  But my heart was looking for attention and that was ungodly.  I took the earrings out, and threw them out.  I went to church with no earrings in the first of my three holes, with my hair up to reveal the missing earrings.  To me, that's like having pants that have belt hoops that are seen, without a belt!  It is a fashion no-no.  As silly as my story sounds to you, it was a big day of growth for me.  I constantly try to check my heart with what I wear or adorn myself with.  Who am I dressing for?  Why am I wearing what I am?  I've gone through my wardrobe and gotten rid of clothes, shoes and accessories.  I still like looking pretty, but my intentions are not the same.  I'm not saying I never dress to impress, but I try not to, and I believe I have better awareness of how I present myself- in church, and everywhere.

~Leanne~  

Referring to verses 6 and 7, I was once that person.  Not that I desired to be a teacher of the gospel, but I had strong opinions about certain doctrine that I didn't completely understand or study enough to stand rightly with my opinion- yet I stood.  I would get into discussions with people, and speak "confident assertions" about things that I really didn't know anything about.  This is what Paul calls "vain discussion".  It's okay to discuss matters concerning the Bible, but to make a solid opinion formed on nothing, is somewhat foolish.  For me, I would also feel so strongly about whatever the subject was, that I would take anything the opposing person said personally and argue my way through the discussion- because I was right regardless.  This is a sign of immaturity in faith and also, just plain foolishness.  I have learned since, thank God, to be educated before standing firm in an opinion.  Nobody decides to follow Jesus because they lost an argument- my pastor once said.     Except I used to think otherwise. Are you this way?  Really, it is doing the gospel more harm than good. I think I made people angry, and frankly- I embarrassed myself.  My foolishness was also impressed on the gospel, when I so wrongfully preached it. If you are like I was, stop.  Learn the Bible. Study it. Let the Holy Spirit be the one who is at work, not your mouth on overdrive.  

~Leanne~

A couple things that speak directly to me in this chapter.  The first is about being busy, and the second is not growing weary of doing good.  I will start with the busyness.  First off, I struggle with being the "busybody".  It's easy being a stay at home mom, I think, to get caught up on things that aren't part of my "job description"- like: shopping online, Facebook, chatting on the phone, hanging out with friends in the daytime, etc. My job here at home is to raise and teach Oskar and soon to be Mischa, take care of the home- meaning: CLEAN IT, and serve my husband when he gets home.  There is nothing wrong with checking stuff on the computer, calling someone or visiting with friends... but if that's your first priority, then your priorities aren't in the right order.  There are days when I  just feel lazy, and I don't want to do anything... and I think that's okay, once in awhile- maybe even once a week. But how often does it happen?  Could you imagine if your spouse felt lazy as much as you did sometimes on the job?  Would they still have a job? Since I'm at home, and it's winter, often times I found myself staying in my pj's a majority of the day until I was done cleaning- then I would shower and get myself ready.  Recently I have been showering and putting some makeup on, even wearing something decent- it makes for a less lazy day.  Something that is always in my mind, is that God is always watching.  You're spouse may not see you working- at home or at the job- but God does.  Everything you do- whether in abundance or in lack is seen by Him.  If we keep a mind set that we aren't working for our spouse (although it is a way of serving them, just as them going to work is a way they provide and serve us), or for others (like your employer)- but for Him, then it seems to make the day easier and my focus seems to stay on track.  

    The other issue then, is not becoming weary in doing good.  I think this can be frustrating, when you always try to do the right thing, but for some reason it backfires or you don't get credit for what it is you are doing.  But again, if you keep in your mind, that God sees everything- done in public or in secret- would you still go on doing good?  He will reward you for your obedience and faithfulness to Him.  He sees the little and big things you do that go unnoticed.  When they go unnoticed, they definitely don't cause pride to puff up in you.  Could that be the reason we get frustrated when others don't notice our "good deeds"?  We want to be praised by them?  If this is the case, then we need to surrender that sin to God. He is the only approval we need, and maybe what you are doing is going unnoticed because He wants you to realize the intention of your heart. "Do not grow weary in doing good."


~Leanne~

I am just going to copy and paste verses 3-12.  I think everyone should read this passage about Jesus' return.  Before this happens however, there is one who comes to deceive those who are perishing.

3  Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 4 who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. 5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? 6 And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders,10 and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, 12 in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

 ~Leanne~

I think great evidence of Jesus being the King in people's lives, is the fact that they are always changing, always becoming more like Jesus and never stationary.  Our faith continues to grow, day by day.  Our love for one another increases, as we learn the love of Jesus and apply it to the ones around us.  It's not even a matter of "applying" it, but rather, when we know Jesus, He transforms us to be more like Him.  Therefore, we become more loving.  This last year I have seen much growth in my walk with Jesus.  I can confidently say, as my close friends and family can also attest, that I have become more loving. I don't mean "liking", I mean loving.  Loving unselfishly- not to gain anything, but simply because Jesus is more evident in my life.  It's a natural result- trust me, I didn't attain it on my own!  

    I absolutely love the picture from verses 7b-10.  Let me repeat it here with some emphasis.

    When the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey
the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, AWAY FROM THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD and from the glory of His might, when He comes on that day to be glorified in His saints, and to marveled at among all who have believed...

    I am so glad I know Jesus!!  What a scary thing to read if you don't.  Were you scared or excited?

~Leanne~

 I have learned recently that not everyone is in the same place spiritually. We are all learning different things, at different rates and in different ways.  There are people in my life who I would consider weaker in faith than I,  who are undisciplined and fainthearted.  I have no problem obeying verse 14 to admonish and encourage them.  My problem is being patient with them, like it says at the end of the verse.  Admonishing and encouraging do not mean to try to get them on the same "level" you are... it means walking with them where they are at, challenging them to grow, and encouraging them to walk closer with Jesus.  And by "admonish" it doesn't mean play guilt trips on someone, hoping they feel conviction from you.  Pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal to them what is true and let the Holy Spirit do the convicting.  "Admonish" doesn't mean condemn them, making them feel unholy or of worse sin than you are who are "walking righteously" (obviously not), it means to advise, counsel, warn... all which should be done in love.  Jesus is love, so if we admonish without love, we are doing it without Jesus.  If Jesus is who we are meaning to lead them to, we should follow His example and should show grace as He was gracious.  I know I have hurt many people with my pride of spirituality, my self-exaltation and my "know-it-all attitude".  I have been put in my place.  And thank God, that He is so gracious to me, in teaching (admonishing) me to be more like Jesus.  I have learned that I don't know it all, that I am guilty of pride- not a character of God, and I lack grace and I have realized that just because God has shown me something, doesn't mean He is showing everyone else the same thing or at the same time.  I have to stop playing God by trying to change people and change them in my timing, because I just get in God's way.  It is HIM who changed me, and it is also HIM who will change others.  I just need to pray about joining Him, not trying to take over.  


~Leanne~

What does a life pleasing to God look like?  One in holiness and honor to Him. When Jesus died on the cross for you and for me, we were made clean: sanctified, so that we would be blameless before God when Jesus returns.  However, when we are sanctified, it comes with repentance.  I don't believe that because you were once cleansed, that you can turn and live a life of sin and still think of yourself as sanctified.  A person who walks in a manner worthy of the Lord repents. We are daily sanctified by asking forgiveness for the sins we have committed and by living a life of repentance.   If we disregard this, as Paul says in verse 8, we disregard God.  And I stand firm in that, if we disregard God- by disregarding holiness, we are choosing to live a life apart from Him.  If that is what we choose, we will not be of those that Jesus brings with Him to heaven.  Which life do you choose?


~Leanne~

"For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything." 

Can anybody I know say, "Leanne not only shares the gospel, but lives it"?  What an impressing question.  What if I spoke about Jesus, but my life didn't look like His?  What if I called myself a Christian, but behind closed doors, I acted like a pagan?  I think it's amazing that people saw the Thessalonians example of faith, and it was enough.  It spoke louder than words.  I want my life to imitate Christ so much, that words are simply repeating the example I show. Lord, may people see my life and know you are God. 

    I have to admit that most of my life, I aimed to please people.  I somehow needed approval from the people around me- even people I wasn't friends with, even people I didn't respect.  For some reason, if I felt unaccepted by them, I felt very insecure. Thank Jesus that He rescued me and became all that I needed.  Thank Jesus that He is the only person I need to please.  I can't say I never struggle with a need for approval or acceptance- I think all of us in some measure struggle with it.  But the good thing is Jesus IS all we need.  We need to remember that our worth does not come from the mouths or minds of man, but from God who created us!  

    I think it is so important to have someone in our life who feels comfortable enough to speak truth into our lives.  We all need to be held accountable to walk in a manner worthy of the gospel.  We all need exhortation and encouragement.  Do you have someone in your life that can speak complete truth in your life, someone who you would receive from well?  Without exhortation and encouragement, we may stunt our own growth.  If we have no one pointing out sinful patterns or encouraging us in our walk with the Lord, we may get comfortable where we're at in our growth.  Walking with the Lord should be a constant forward progress- always changing, always learning, always moving. 


~Leanne~

    The second verse stood out to me because we can be so good at praying...but do we wait and watch for answers?  A good habit to get into is journaling- especially your requests and praises to God.  This way, you can go back and see how God has answered, and you can be reminded to pray persistently through other things. 

    "Let your speech always be gracious..." My speech is seldom gracious.  This shouldn't be filter- like, oooh, my pastor is over, let's be more gentle in word and more godly in action.  This is a heart change.  What comes out of your mouth is a reflection of what's in your heart.  I guess that means that I lack grace.  I am pretty sure people that know me well could agree with that.    Lord , I ask you to do a big work in me.  I didn't realize I lacked grace until I read this chapter and wrote this blog.  But when I sit and ponder, I agree that I do.  Lord I want to be gracious.  Show me ways to have grace, and transform my heart, O God, that I might reflect Jesus' grace toward others' like He showed toward me. Thank you. Amen.


~Leanne~

For so many years, I sought anything and everything on this earth.  It varied from makeup, furniture, fame, success, dream house, dream car, vacations, new technology, clothes, beauty, social life, etc.  As you can see, I have sought much.  But you know what?  Even after seeking these things, I looked for the next. Hours upon hours of seeking these things, still didn't bring happiness.  What is the earthly thing you seek?  It's crazy because many people have a similar list. Who on this earth have many things on our lists?  People of Hollywood. They have makeup artists, furniture that costs more than my house, the fame, the money, the success, the house, the cars, the vacations, the technology, the clothes, the beauty, the social life- as it seems, everything.  Yet, they are the ones on the front covers of magazines because their lives are a mess- with divorce, drug overdoses, criminal acts, affairs, etc.  Is that the life we are aspiring to?  Why do we still chase these dreams, if we have perfect examples of what these dreams accomplish? 

    JESUS is the only thing that satifies, and while I still have fleshly desires to have my dream home built and a nice wardrobe, I don't let it rule my life. Jesus does.  With Him in my life, the list of earthly accomplishments seems arbitrary.  They are endless dreams that have a dead end.  They don't bring life, but death.  They lead us down a path of idolatry and destruction. 

    Instead, I should seek my eyes on things above- things with eternal rewards: my relationship with Jesus, family, friends, ministry, sharing Jesus, etc.  

    In seeking Jesus, we will have satisfaction.  His peace will rule our hearts- not the earthly things we chase after.  Will you let His peace rule your heart?  

~Leanne~

How do I root myself and build myself up in Jesus?  I am very intentional about spending quality time with Him.  It's not something I squeeze into my day, or even leave till the last minute.  I purposefully sit down, and spend time with Jesus.  When you meet someone special, you want to get to know them- right?  Often times, we get so excited about it, we spend every waking hour with that person.  Jesus is our King.  He is our Savior.  He is God.  How much more should you want to spend with Him?  It is so rewarding to spend time with Jesus.  I learn so much about Him through His Word.  I sit vulnerably as I read His Word, allowing it's Truth to penetrate every part of me.  I allow it to teach me, change me, renew me.  I satisfy myself with it.  I find that if I don't satisfy myself with it, I find myself distracted with other "satisfying things"- at least temporary ones.  Let me name a few:  card making supplies, makeup, skincare, jewelry, clothes, etc.  When I spend daily time with Jesus, He fills me- and it's enough.  To be rooted in Him, means to be filled by Him.  Let it not be a surface relationship, but a deep, genuine, intimate relationship.  You're roots go as far as you make them.  If you squeeze Jesus in your week, every week, and you quickly read your five minute devotional, and you don't confide in Him as your Father and Friend, your roots may be shallow.  His truth builds your character, renews your mind, changes your heart, benefits your life.  I challenge you to analyze how deep your roots go.  Do you want more?  How can you change your priorities so that Jesus becomes more of a priority?  Remember:  HE cancelled the record of debt that stood against you with its legal demands, by nailing it to the cross. Don't you want to know Him better?

~Leanne~

Anxiety: is it because I don't have faith, but rather fear?  Pauls says that if we just surrender our anxieties and requests to God, that He will give us peace. I used to have anxiety attacks fairly regularly- looking back I didn't surrender all things to Him, great and small, and allowed myself to be overcome by them.

    Is there anything in my life that I spend time thinking or doing that is not true, honorable, pure, just, lovely, commendable, excellent or worthy of praise?  Um...yes.  Is the time I spend shopping online worthy of praise? Are the earthly dreams I have about earthly things excellent?  Sometimes we wrestle with our thoughts and actions- is God pleased when I do these things.  Most of the time it can be very obvious, but other times, we fight our convictions and try to justify what we are thinking or doing. Also, sometimes we fight the spiritual battle of Satan trying to discourage us from what we should be doing. Verse 8 is a great text to test what it is you are doing and thinking.  Is what I am doing true?  Is what I am doing honorable? Is what I am doing pure? Is what I am doing just? Is what I am doing lovely?  Is what I am doing commendable? Is what I am doing excellent? Is what I am doing worthy of praise?

    Again, Paul encourages people to imitate him in what he has taught and practiced. That is a very honorable thing- and it's a great thing to ask God to work out in each of us.  I can't say that my life reflects goodness so much that I can tell people to do what I do. 

    Challenging myself, I ask myself these questions: Am I content in the Lord enough that no matter what situation He alone is enough?  Do I truly believe I can do ALL things through Christ who gives me strength?

~Leanne~

 "Put no confidence in the flesh." Yeah, I need to stop exalting myself. Who do I think I am? When I read Paul's biography that he gives in verses 4-6, I am humbled.  For awhile, even in my Christian walk, I found security and identity in my past and it gave me worldly confidence.  When I shared my testimony I had pride in sharing specifics about my party days of getting drunk and having sex.  For so long that was my identity, and I thought my Christian friends would be impressed by it.  Although my testimony of transformation hasn't changed, I find no identity with my past anymore.  I keep focusing on my future with Him rather than remembering my past without.  Don't place importance or idol your past- but look forward to what Christ is going to do in you for the glory of His name.  Move forward in your relationship with Him- continue to mature and grow.  May your purpose be for the Kingdom and not for this earth.  May all you do be for Him and the eternal reward rather than for an earthly reward. How much confidence do you put in yourself? Let's step off our self-made pedestal and be humble, as Jesus was humble. 

    I want to live above reproach.  It's not that I want to be exalted, but in humility, I want my life to reflect Jesus so much, that others could follow my example of loving Jesus and living for Him. We should look to examples that God has placed on this earth.  Ultimately Jesus is the best example, but there are men and women of God who are above reproach and who we can look to as a role model in following Jesus on this earth.  Who is your earthly example?  Could you say as Paul did, "imitate me"?

~Leanne~

Have you ever played "Chicken"?  You know, the game where there is two cars that drive toward eachother, and the first one to steer away loses.  Some people may have not played it with cars- that ones' pretty dangerous- maybe you've played it a bit differently. The reason I ask is because I am going to talk about a line.  The line I want to discuss is the line of sin.  Many of us wonder, how close to that line can I get without sinning?  It is kind of like the game Chicken.  In Chicken you want to get as close to the oncoming car as possible and be the last to drive out of the way, without crashing.  In life, there are some people that want to get as close to the line of sin without going over the line.  In Chicken, if you crash, your life or health is in jeopardy.  In life, if you go over the line, your eternal life is in jeopardy.  Although Chicken is a game, sin is not a game in God's eyes- in fact, He wants you to stay as far away from that line as possible.  

        I remember the days before marriage with Joey,  we wondered how far can we go without it being sin?  With drinking, I wondered how much can I drink without it being sin?  With porn, I wondered how much intimacy can I watch without it being sin.  An R-rated movie isn't porn, right?  Do you ask yourself the same questions?  If so, you are asking the wrong questions.  It shouldn't be how close to line can I get... but how can you stay far away from the line.  The closer you are to Jesus, the farther away from the line you want to be.   That line is a dangerous one.  Just like Chicken, the closer you get to the oncoming car, the more of a rush you get, because you were that close to crashing, and injury.  In life, when you are walking in sin, it becomes a rush- because you know you are doing something you shouldn't, and unfortunately, sin can be fun.  If it wasn't, who would do it?  The thing is, and many people don't realize it till it's too late- is there are many consequences.  There are not only earthly consequences, like, STD's, mistakes made while being drunk, ruined relationships/marriages etc., but there are also eternal consequences.  If you are walking the line, I believe your life isn't truly dedicated to Jesus.  If your life isn't truly dedicated to Jesus, then I question your salvation.  Looking back, I thought I was a Christian when I was living on the line, but was I? Only God knows, but I would rather live my life having evidence of my walk close to Jesus, rather having evidence of my walk close to the line.          How close to the line are you living?  Are you getting close to the oncoming car?  Does your life show evidence of your relationship with Jesus, or sin?  Obviously we will all sin until we are with Jesus in heaven, but if you live for Jesus, your life should be more evident of Him than of sin.  I challenge you to check your life.

~Leanne~