We
spent the last two weeks of November in a little town called Rama, in
the northern part of Israel.
My
favorite part about Rama was the people. The Arab people are so
hospitable. One afternoon, we went walking around to invite people to
church, and we were welcomed into this man’s home. While there, his friend
gave us jars of honey that he brought from the mountain, as well as fifteen pecans each, and a feast
of fruit. Oh world race, always full of interesting stories.
I
loved the pastor’s family, and the youth in Rama. There aren’t many
believers in Rama, but the youth live with such passion. The majority
of people in this village are born into religion. They are ‘Christian’- Greek Orthodox and Catholic, but, there is a distinct
difference between christian and believer.
made me think a lot about the American culture. So many people claim
Christianity, but what is Christianity?
Christianity?
I read a bumper sticker
once that said, “If going to church makes you a christian, does
going into a garage make you a car?”
Going to a building that has the word “Christ” somewhere, doesn’t make you a christian. Being born into a family that has bibles everywhere, doesn’t make you a christian. Knowing the Lord’s prayer doesn’t make you a christian. It’s a lifestyle that you walk in, a choice that
changes your life.
know God is the most incredible thing in my life, and the most
important. Yes, I have
my days when I live without passion, but I honestly believe that God
is a passionate God. If you haven’t experienced His passion and incredible love for you, that
makes you want to give everything to love Him more, then… what’s
the point? What good is church if it does nothing to bring
your soul to life? What good is reading the Bible if it doesn’t lead
to a revelation about who God is, and who that makes you?
love. Such passion does not exist on earth, and can only be found in
you. Why do we look for, long for the shadow when we can get the real
thing? Why do we dream of the glimpse of love found here, when we can
experience the true love found only by you.
You are perfection, God. You are mine, and I am yours. Your kiss
burns me, Lord. It brands me. It leaves the mark I so desperately long
for. Brand me, God. Brand me, so I can always remember you, your love
for me. So I can remember in those times that I forget. In those times
that my flesh is ruling, or that I am being twisted by your enemy.
Brand me so that I will know that I do not belong to anyone else. I am
only yours, forever and ever. Brand me so that your enemies will know
that I am not to be trifled with. Let your signature on me be so bold
and bright that your enemies know that I am yours and you are mine. You
are the lover of my soul. Total perfection”
know about God is different than to know God.
experience.
Songs” is in the Bible? Have you ever read that book? Seriously,
Stephanie Meyer (Twilight author) has nothing on the love that is
found between the two lovers in that book. That book is about the
passion that God has for us, and that we should have for Him.
intimate.
