What Doesn't Kill You...

The phrase, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger," is a good, true phrase. HOWEVER, when I'm in the situation and it's currently feeling pretty darn sorry, I don't want to hear it. I don't want to hear it when I'm in tears after having my character ripped apart by a person who does not like me and another who does not know me. It is always said with the intent to help someone feel better, but I'm sorry, it NEVER does. Looking back, I can see where situations where I thought something might kill me DID, in fact, make me stronger. BUT, don't expect a good response if you tell someone this in the heat of a moment. I have grown exponentially, however, in that I did not snap at the person who said it to me in this situation today.

I did have a poor, pitiful me kind of day. I wonder how I can stay late and help people when it's not my job or my area, encourage those who I feel are having difficult times, and at the very minimal level, do my job and STILL not do anything right. I cried at work, which is something I haven't done in AGES and felt incredibly FOOLISH doing so. But, I love people. I love the Lord. I want both of those things to show, and by and large I'm told it is apparent. It's AMAZING how TWO people out of a massive amount of people can completely ruin my thought process and mess with my head regarding my capabilities. I take the comments from people that don't know me and don't like me and I personalize it to the point that I just KNOW everyone else feels that way. I know this is not so, but today I believed it. I believed the devil's lies and I let him completely ruin my day and most of my evening. I cannot DO this anymore. I'm letting him win when I do. God knocked me upside the head this evening- and reminded me that I feel weak right now, but in my weakness He is made strong, which is way better than me even at my strongest. THAT, my friends, should be more than enough for a lifetime of comfort. I'm praying that I let it be enough and stop being my own worst enemy. 

Love.

Ramblings

I was trying to explain to a friend of mine the path I'm on and why I was considering not doing anything medical anymore after insisting that I knew that was what I was supposed to do. I realized, he probably thought I was incredibly flighty, but received what I was saying with such grace, and it got me thinking. I think it's funny how much my plans change, and I think that friends chuckle at my lack of commitment to a plan. Of course, they would never tell me that. I'm sure some people, especially those close to me, get the urge to say "MAKE UP YOUR MIND CRAZY GIRL! SETTLE DOWN! DECIDE WHAT YOU WANT TO BE AND DO AND STICK TO IT!!!!!!!" I'm thankful for the grace that I've received from my friends and family in listening to me and encouraging me each time I change my plan. That's the thing, though. It keeps being MY plan. It's NEVER going to work when it's my plan. I've been praying through and trying to figure out where God wants me- what he wants from my life. What I have come to conclude, is that he wants me to seek him- every day. Every hour. Every minute. Yes, cliche as it is, every SECOND. I am no longer seeking a new career as a nurse. Or a physical therapist. There is a reason I changed to social work in the first place from pre-med my freshman year, and it was because I love people. I'm NOT saying medical people don't love people, obviously they do. But, my kind of love is different in that I love to love on people exactly where they are, whatever their injuries are, whatever their situation is. I love helping them, talking with them, helping them figure things out, and mostly, LOVING on them. I really have lost sight of that in the shuffle of everyday work. I get frustrated and am so easily doubtful of people and their intentions. I know some of that is growing up, and some of it is good to discern whether or not a person is trying to take advantage of me. But, my purpose in life is to be there and help these people (in whatever setting that may be).
I do believe, however, that I have a bigger calling on my life. I'm not really 100% sure what that is at this point, and I believe that my changing career paths via school over and over again has been my way of delaying or running away from it. I have to start seeking God's wants for me, and not my wants. I have to stop worrying about the future and live right now. I ask that you guys come alongside me and pray for me when you think about it. I'm on a journey. I'm trying to be less flight risk, more committal. We'll see how it goes!
Love you guys:).

I try to be cool...

But I'm not. :)

I met some of my very favorite youtubers tonight, eleventhgorgeous. I was such a nervous dork, but they were super sweet. They have inspired me to branch out in my blog life and I started another blog, called glutenfreefirstworldproblems. I'm going to post all kinds of stuff on that one, including beauty tips, gluten free stuff, any crafts I do...it will be my schmorgesborg of things that are my life right now. Compared to the other posts on this blog, this was fairly lighthearted, which is another purpose for my second blog. This one tends to be the side of me that is serious and insightful, but believe it or not, I am NOT a melancholy individual. Hopefully this blog and that will allow people in to see who I am and who I want to be. After all, I am still figuring that out.
Only by His Grace,
Leah

1% of the WHOLE population...

I just took a Myers Briggs personality test. Everything makes so much sense to me now. I got the INFJ personality profile, which stands for Introvert, Intuitive, Intuitive Feeling, and Judging. I am officially in the minority. I am of similar personality with 1% of our entire world. That's a little crazy. However, I am in good company, with famous philanthropists Nelson Mandella, Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa, and Adam Sandler, among others. Yes, I realize Adam Sandler isn't on the same level as the others, but I love him so he gets to be on my list:). I am described as a "protector." It says that I am usually right, and that I usually know it. That doesn't sound like me at all! (Yeah, right). It also says that I am stubborn because I refuse to step outside of my ideals. And, surprise of all surprises, that I am hard to get to know and tend to internalize conflict inside my body which results in health problems when under stress. It's uncanny when I read the description how spot-on this was. Just thought I'd let you guys know, when you find yourself not understanding me, this is why:).
Bye loves!
Leah

Sad eyes, bright smile...

There is a story behind those crazy kaleidoscope eyes. She walks with a quiet confidence and grace that not many can understand. She's got the face of a child, but the heart and soul of a woman. She loves people; sometimes you think she loves people too much. Sometimes, you see her deep in thought and you wonder what on earth could be causing the wrinkle in between her eyebrows. You clear your throat to get her attention and she smiles, brightening her baby face, but those eyes...they tell a story you'll never know if you don't try to see past the happy-go-lucky, light at heart, cheerful, seemingly little girl. You allow this thought to be fleeting, and get lost again in what seems to be a neverending happy person.

One day, you come across her in a room alone, and that wrinkle is there again, and she is deep in thought, not noticing your presence. You clear your throat, so that she notices you. She looks up, and smiles a soft smile that you're not sure you've seen before. You suddenly want to know her. To know her story. You want to know this girl with the "believe" tattoo and the Jesus fish on her wrists. You want to know what causes her to seem so troubled at times yet so lighthearted. You want explanation as to why her eyes emit someone so much older than her features show. She might just tell you, if you are willing to try. You must be patient. While she smiles at everyone and never meets a stranger, ask people who know her. You will soon discover that she does not often talk about herself. She listens. She is slow to speak. Ask them how much they know about her. She does this on purpose. She knows people deeply but she fears the hurt of being known deeply. She wants and strives for an easy grace and quiet confidence. You've seen her get angry, but it's silent anger that not many notice, but you see those white knuckles clenched after it is clear she can tell that abuse is apparent in a relationship. Keep trying. She might just be worth it. You might be able to convince her, too.

Learning to Breathe

Sometimes I like to look back and see where I've been and where I am now. Sometimes it's pretty frustrating to do this, because I see so much "two steps forward, 4 steps back," and so on. BUT, that's just me being hypercritical of myself, and even succumbing to the expectations of those around me. Here's a story for you:

Think about it. You're just fine, going on with life, thinking you've found a good place to be, and you lose a job. Your whole life is uprooted to a new city where you have some family you *kind of* know and some friends that you *used to* know and find yourself a bit lost. You begin to get comfortable in your surroundings and in your own skin again. Then, several things happen that make you question your ability, heart, and life direction. You find comfort in a friend that seems genuine, then something unimaginable happens, and you've gone right back into that shell that you started in. You question yourself even more, wondering how you could be so stupid, what you did wrong, why you are alone here. You lose yourself somewhere along the way in the monotany of work and school, which you started back for earlier mentioned direction change, and completely lose your focus of the thing that has mattered the most to you. You have to have a pretty major surgery that keeps you down for the count for a bit. You FINALLY go back to work, and your new town that you had started to HATE while being at home healing. You have no idea how to find contentment where the Lord has you because you are MISERABLE. You attempt to find a church that will be life-giving and teach you, and help you find your way back, but you are greeted with first cold shoulders, then with a scene that could only be seen in the movie "Saved." You try, really try, to like aforementioned church and try to make friends, but it just does not fit you or your desire to know the Lord on a deeper level. You accept that you might not be into the "cool" church that you have heard so much about all these years. You have moved areas at work, and you love the new place you are in. You have finally decided that while everyone DOES think you're crazy for continuing school, you know your path and have a vision for your future given to you by the Lord. You are still attempting to find a church to really call home, but you have friends now, friends that desire that for you as well, and intend to help you find it. You still think back to the aforementioned broken trust, but knowing that you could not control what happened and you must move on from it. You still struggle with your self image and you still have to tell yourself food is not your enemy every day, but you're trying. You pray. You feel like you can breathe again. You feel more comfortable in your own skin again. You're you, hoping that you can continue on this crazy, beaten, curvy, trippy, NARROW path the Lord has led you on. You KNOW there will be self-made detours, but you also KNOW He will gently guide you back...or not so gently, if necessary. Because, if there is one thing you know, He WILL fight for you. And, that is okay. Love you guys.

It has now been just over a year since I moved to Birmingham. My life here has taken on new meaning as I understand the statement, wherever you are, BE there. I haven't BEEN here the past year. I've been wherever I intend on being after I leave Birmingham. I have found this is no way to live. I'm wasting my life in tomorrow when I'm never guaranteed that.

I'm here now. Let the games begin.

Dear Sir

Dear Sir,

I always asserted that nothing bad could happen to me. I'm WAY too guarded and too smart to put myself in a situation where I could be taken advantage of. When my mother told me that I shouldn't do this or that because it could be unsafe, I'd scoff at her and inform her that there was no way I'd be stupid enough to find myself in an unsafe situation...that I don't spend time alone with people that I don't trust. You proved me wrong, sir.  You appeared to be someone I could trust, so I did. Little did I know you were calculating and manipulative. Little did I know that to you, I was an object, one that could be formed into whatever you wanted. Little did I know how disgusting you are.

Thank you, for teaching me never to disregard my mother's words, ever again.

However, you took things from me that I can't ever get back. You hurt me physically and mentally in ways I thought could never occur in my life. You made me ashamed of myself. You took advantage of the fact that I trusted you enough to be my friend.  There are no amount of words that can express to you the sleepless nights you have caused or the questioning you have allowed Satan to place in my heart. You had the GALL to act as though nothing you did was wrong and then a month later to say that you knew what you did and that it was "not cool," which is the worst kind of understatement.

This isn't a second chance kind of opportunity for you, sir...and how dare you ask. You never had a first chance given...you took it. Stay away from me.

Sincerely,
Leah

Lord, help me to forgive as You forgive...remind me that even though I have hatred in my heart, You do not and You love him despite the things he has done. Help me to move on, as I know I will never, ever forget.

Friends, I realize this post is mostly frightening to you as you imagine what I might have gone through. Know that I'm okay, God is in control, and even though bad things happen, I'm His child. I'll be okay. Know that.

Hold Me Jesus...

Sometimes, I'm okay. Then, it hits me like a brick. My Dad is dead. I'm never going to see him again as long as I live on this earth. I'll never receive the comfort that only a daddy can provide his little girl. It's the little things. Like seeing my nieces and nephew knowing how much joy they would bring him. Seeing sweet Ellie, with her fiery personality, knowing she'll never know her Paw-Paw, from whom she got those beautiful blue eyes. How my Mom has no one to share her moments with anymore and how it hurts her more than she lets on and more than I could ever imagine. There are days when I don't want to get out of bed because of the crippling pain this causes. Yes. It has been almost three years (in August) but no matter how much time passes, it still hurts. A lot.

I miss him more than any amount of words I could write or say. I'll never understand why he was taken from me so soon. I won't pretend like I don't still ask God why. But, I know this- God is faithful. He is my comfort in times of weakness and in my weakness He is made strong. I am certainly weak right now- but it is well. My Dad is with Jesus. He's happier and healthier than he ever could have been on this earth. I miss him, and I'll miss him forever. The beautiful thing is that I don't have to understand why. God holds me in his hands. Tonight, I ask that he hold me a little tighter.

KONY 2012

Facebook has BLOWN UP over the past few days with Invisible Children's new awareness campaign, KONY 2012.  I have been an avid supporter of Invisible Children since I watched their original documentary on my campus at University of Alabama...I don't remember what year, but it was their first year of being an actual organization. They aren't perfect but they are acting. They are doing what we are called to do in caring for the least of these. Lots of people are criticizing them, questioning their finances and their partnership with the Ugandan government. They make it clear that they do not give money to the government and they have their spending report on their website...it's not like they're trying to deceive people as to where their money goes, and whoever threw the 84% figure out there that apparently goes to staff was incredibly inaccurate.

I get that people want us to take care of "our own." But, I object to this as a Christian. Don't misunderstand me, I don't object to taking care of those that need it in America. At the same time, we have resources here that are unimagineable to people in Uganda and Central Africa. And, this organization is not funded by our government, so the objections that "we" should spend the money here is unfounded...because unless you're donating, it's not "your" money.  And furthermore, Jesus said this:
 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
Matthew 25:41-26

No, I'm not saying in any way, shape, or form that you are condemned to hell if you don't support Invisible Children. I know there are people who don't support Invisible Children but do support grassroots efforts in Uganda working toward the same goal...again, not saying everyone has or should have a passion for Africa or the situation with Kony. But every Christian should have a passion for people, especially those who cannot act for themselves for whatever reason.

I AM saying that Jesus did not have America in mind specifically when He told this story. I don't believe He meant for us to only worry with our nation when talking about this type of compassion. I believe He was referring to people...everywhere. I think it's incredibly one-sided to say we should care for our own and they should care for their own. They have no capability of doing that. I saw one comment that their parents and government must not care enough to do anything. The problem is, these children have been made to murder their families...and their government is pretty corrupt as well. I think the president should definitely have to answer for the fact that Kony has gotten away with this for over 20 years...but the first step needs to be to stop Kony. 
These children...they are the least of these...and they are my heart. I will not change my mind about supporting Invisible Children. I will continue to help those here as well, and I'm not wrong for that. I believe I'm fulfilling my duty as a Christian. And, my friend Kevin wisely pointed out today that if we wait for the perfect charity to do something, nothing is ever going to happen...anywhere.

KONY 2012

Why?

I find myself seeking clarity often. I know people probably think I sound like a toddler when I'm constantly asking why, but I believe that every action should have reason behind it...otherwise, WHY do it?

For instance, I've been at my current job a year. I've been moved to another area for one month now, and have already gotten into a groove. I've gotten to know my team and if I don't know what to do in a situation am completely comfortable asking my fellow social worker on the unit what she would do. So, why did my new supervisor decide last Friday that starting Monday, I'd have to go over my patient list EVERY DAY with another social worker as a form of "orientation?" I immediately thought perhaps I had done something wrong, but have been assured by my co-workers that this is not the case, and my supervisor says the same. I'm doing my job effectively and in a timely manner, so why suddenly do I need extra "training?" My co-worker, who is quite a bit older than me, and much, much wiser (she has kids my age) told me that I have to stop asking why so much...and that sometimes there really isn't a good reason. She told me to stop doubting myself. Oh to do that, sweet lady.

That takes me to my next point. I've felt distanced from some people since I've begun placing my opinion out there...really being honest about the way that I feel Christianity is today and how I wish it was. I was slightly fearful of sharing my heart on it all. What I don't understand in this situation, again, is why? Why can't I express the way that I feel, the way that I believe the Lord has led me to live my life? Just because I express that everyone should have equal rights, love, does not mean that I've signed to the list supporting things that the Lord defines as sin. Make no mistake, as I've said before, I know what sin is. I know what the Lord says about sin. But, I also know I sin too...and God doesn't view sin in levels...sin is sin. Frankly, I'm GLAD that the Lord doesn't see things the way that we do. Otherwise, He'd kick all of us off His list, because no sin is worse than another to Him. I mean, what is the criteria for us to decide what sin is not so bad and what sin merits a person being considered LESS than that?

It hurts my heart that I can't put my opinion/feelings/thoughts/rants out there without my faith being questioned...without my ability to understand the Lord and the Gospel being on trial. I don't want people I love to hold poor opinions of me because I'm most passionate about loving people. I almost wish I had never said anything. But just almost. I can't apologize for my heart, my passion, or my view of what Jesus would do in America today. I just really wish I could understand why people take it so personally, since after all, I just want to see a Christian culture that loves like Jesus. All the time.

Until next time, friends...

Jesus was a Revolutionary

Take a deep breath, self...breathe...breathe.  I don't know if anyone reads this, as I only have a few followers on my actual blog...but I do post the link to my facebook for everyone to read, so sometimes it makes me really nervous to share how I truly feel because I come from such a conservative place, and have a whole lot of super conservative friends and family that might take things I say as a personal attack. I NEVER want things that I say to make people feel singled out. This is just something that has been on my heart and mind lately with all the crazy going on in the political world. If you think I'm talking to you, that's totally on you, because I write this from my heart with no one particular person in mind...except all the politicians and news people that cannot seem to stop saying really crazy things.

Jesus was not a conservative man. He probably wouldn't be a republican in today's America. Gasp! Also, this is not me implying he would be a democrat, either. He would probably hate politics...
I know what you guys are thinking. "Leah has become a bleeding heart liberal...Leah has "fallen away"...we just need to love her back to where she needs to be..." 

Bear in mind while reading this, that I do believe in sin, and I do have beliefs on the big issues according to the Bible, which I believe to be the infallible word of God.  However, that is not my point right now. My point is for Christians to try to look through the eyes of our Lord...at the person, not how they choose to live. I strive to look at people...not their choices. I know that I forget at times that I cannot expect people to make decisions the same way that I would because not everyone believes what I do. My world would be super small if I surrounded myself only with people I agree with and that agree with me. I'm not saying I'm perfect. I'm very imperfect, in fact. I judge people when they speak poorly, I say way too many snide things about clothes that people wear, I'm the MOST stubborn individual, I have a hard time admitting when I'm wrong, I gossip, I argue even when I know I'm wrong, I am horrible at asking forgiveness, I lock my doors when people walk by my car if I'm at a stoplight in the government housing section of Birmingham, as if everyone there will rob me, and I could go on, but this isn't about me. I say all that to ensure that my readers know I'm not preaching at you guys...I'm just as much at fault as any other person.

I'm not liberal. I'm not conservative. I'm not libertarian. I'm not democratic. I'm not republican. I don't know what I am, but I try to be reasonable. My heart bleeds...but not because I feel sorry for everyone. I believe in social justice. I believe with my whole heart Jesus fought for social justice, and against injustice, and that I should too. People not having equal rights hurts my heart. Jesus commanded us to go to the "least of these." He called for us to take special care of the poor, the widow, the hungry, the unloveable. He spoke to women in public places when that kind of thing was unheard of. He dined with those shunned by society. He touched those that were unclean...and in that society, HIS society, that made Him unclean...He wasn't even supposed to walk on the same side of the street as them. He walked with those that people hated (even when people could see Him.)  He called people out on what they were doing wrong, called religious leaders out on their legalism, and didn't apologize for that, but also didn't stop loving them because of those things. Peter denied that he knew Jesus THREE times before Jesus DIED for him and Jesus STILL died for him. Do you HONESTLY think, if you were to sit down and think about it, your own prejudice aside, that Jesus wouldn't do that very same thing today, reach out to the "scrubs" of society?  Can you even think that way? Can you put your own prejudice aside and view people the way that He would?

I feel like all of these sentences should start with "I believe" because He didn't personally tell me these things, so pardon the redundancy.
I believe Jesus would not look at a man and think "Oh he's gay," and not talk to him because of that. I believe He would not protest on the side of the road disguising His cries of hatred as "love" for girls that are walking into an abortion clinic. I believe He would not stop talking to someone that was an alcoholic. I believe He would not shun someone in church if they weren't dressed the right way. I believe He would not try to take someone's freedom to CHOOSE whether or not they'll follow Him. I believe He WOULD walk alongside that man and share His love with him, while listening to what he has to say so that he would in turn listen to Him. I believe He wouldn't care what people said if they saw them talking, because He cared about people, not appearances. I believe He WOULD be there for those that are hurting because of a choice that they made, whether or not He agreed with that choice, and offer love, offer everything He could give. I believe He WOULD be the person to drive that someone home if they found themselves in a situation where they had too much to drink. I believe He wouldn't care what people thought when they saw His car parked outside a bar at 4 in the morning. I believe He WOULD sit by that strangely dressed visitor, and probably take them out to lunch afterward.  Finally, I believe He WOULD openly share that He is the way, but that it must be chosen and that He has given people the ability to choose. What is love if it's not real, after all? 

Don't misunderstand me. I know Jesus was clear about what was sin and what was not. He did not, however, stop seeing the person. I believe that is our biggest problem today. We see people's choices; past, present, and future, and stop seeing THEM. We take away people's rights because of their choices...sometimes not even their choices, but how can we do that? What makes one person okay to decide what another person can or can't do? It's not okay.

I find myself flabbergasted at the prejudice in our society. I know it's naive but I cannot grasp how the color of someone's skin immediately defines them. How a girl with a short haircut is automatically labeled "butch."  How an accent can suddenly make someone unintelligent. How the way someone is dressed defines who they are before they ever say a word. What is going on here? Jesus, fully God and fully man, walked the earth a vagabond. He was homeless. He most likely smelled bad, was dirty, and had a whole bunch of men who looked similar following Him, calling Him the Messiah. People probably thought He was CRAZY!!  He came to this earth in a humble form, which I believe was the point. It's not about how you look...we're all human. We're all imperfect. We disagree. Why does that make those that disagree with us bad? Those that are different from us abnormal? Have we really come as far as we like to think we have in this country?  This IS 2012, right? Why do people have to fight for rights? Why did women have to fight to vote?...black people have to fight to drink from the same water fountain as white people?...why are people STILL fighting for equality? What group is going to be next to have to prove their worth to have a voice? Why is this necessary? Why can't all humans be treated like humans, period? I have probably said this a thousand times in this post alone, but who gets to decide what person deserves more than any other person? I mean, I believe the Lord can make that kind of decision, but I don't think any PERSON should get to make that call.

I'm not better than anyone because I'm a Christian. I can't choose for someone whether or not they follow Christ. I CAN be clear about who I am and what I believe, and I can do that without demeaning someone. I can absolutely express what I believe to be sin without making a person feel worthless. I can express that I think someone is wrong without making them feel small. I refuse to not love someone because they choose not to follow Christ...and I will take every opportunity that I have to share Him with people, and I won't give up; sometimes people choose to follow Him because of the Holy Spirit using me as an instrument...sometimes they don't. That's something I cannot control...all I can control is my faithfulness to spread the gospel, which I strive to do whenever I'm given the opportunity. I LOVE Jesus with all my heart, and of course I want people to choose Him. But, if I'm judging them at every corner, how will I ever have an opportunity to share that love and how real it is in my life and the way that it has changed me? I won't. I love God. I love people. I don't really see how you can be a Christian without loving...people. No descriptions...just people.

He didn't want it this way...

Last night, I posted a concern I had on facebook regarding Rick Santorum and his alleged desire to declare a national religion, with that religion being Christianity.  I wasn't speaking out against him, but seeking clarity AND saying that if it was true, it scared me. I am a devout Christian. I love Jesus. I don't think I've ever been anything but clear about that. BUT, I don't support declaring America anything but America. We're already predominantly Christian, but that doesn't make it official to the point where laws can be imposed like it would be if it were declared. I know that many think that I'm being ridiculous when I say that to declare a national religion is dangerous; and that I'm being dramatic likening it to the situation in Iran and many other nations. I know that it would not start off this way...but eventually it would lead to deaths, slavery, and basically revert back to the 19th century.

I stand, unashamedly, to say that Jesus would NOT have wanted it this way. He loved people that NO ONE else loved. He spent His time with thieves, liars, and those that were viewed as unclean by the established religion of that time- Judaism. He fought against the legalism of that established religion and spoke in stories to help people understand the message He was trying to teach. He healed the sick, made the blind see.  He DIED because He stood for something that was viewed as blasphemy. He never once forced anyone to love Him, to declare Him as the Lord. I firmly believe that He would maintain this in America, today. He would look with sorrowful eyes the way that His word is manipulated by political agenda. He would hurt for those in other nations that are being persecuted and murdered for their choices. He would plead with America not to allow that kind of thing to happen here.

I do not think that I am wrong in saying this. Of course I want everyone to hear and understand and accept the gospel. I strive to live my life daily to be an example for that same gospel. I live a quiet existence, and try to show people the love of Christ in the way that I live. I build relationships with people and am open and honest about my devotion to Christ. I find that it opens people up to hear what I have to say if I first listen.

My intention in asking about Santorum on my facebook was not to rock the boat, or start an argument, or see my loved ones get into a "my brain is bigger, you're wrong and stupid" kind of debate. I believe firmly that I can be the Christian that I am and still say that I believe that this nation should not have a declared national religion. I don't want to see ANYONE die for what they believe. Sharing the love of Christ with someone will be impossible if their choice to walk away from it gets them killed.

He would not have wanted it this way.