My goal has been to keep up with this blog… I haven’t been very good about it. I keep putting off writing anything because I feel there is nothing to talk about… it is a lie. The past few weeks have been a rollercoaster of emotions. That sounds really weird to say out loud and even type… oh well, it’s the truth.
I have been dealing with many thoughts and concerns these past few weeks. I have been praying that God would lead me in the right direction in finding a church. I believe that He has answered! I have been visiting Watermark Community Church, in Dallas Texas, and have been welcomed and loved so much! The passion that they have for the community is awesome. Since moving to Dallas, it has been hard to meet people and I was invited (by WR, Wood!) to visit The Porch, a young adult ministry of Watermark. It was great to meet so many people that are passionate about God! After my first visit, I went home and spent hours on their website (theporchdallas.com) learning more about them.
In one of the online videos, (http://www.watermarkradio.com/index.php?id=153&channel=543&series=152&message=2), Carol Evert, founder of the Heidi Group, a Christ centered pregnancy center, shares her story. The story shows God’s mercy and forgiveness when Carol left her practice of selling abortions. God has used her to reach women who are need of hope and are in positions that sometimes Christians overlook. Even after being involved with 35,000 abortions, God has saved her and she lives proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ!
Stories like these are all over and they can’t help but remind me of God’s forgiveness in my own life. In January, our team will set out for 11 months coming in contact with people who have never heard of God’s forgiveness and grace. From the orphans and AIDS victims in Africa and Eastern Europe then to the women who have been sold and mislead into the prostitution in Asia, they deserve the love of God as does everyone. The men that are responsible for raping and selling women… they deserve to hear of God’s grace too. Christ died for them too.
Tonight I was reminded of this again. I went to listen to a debate on adultery at Fellowship Church, in Grapevine Texas. Nightline approached the church for Pastor Young, alongside Jonathan Daugherty of Be Broken Ministries, to debate adultery with Noel Biderman, founder of ashleymadison.com, and Jenny block, author of “Open: Love, Sex, and Life in an Open Marriage.” Sitting in the auditorium with over 4,000 people, I couldn’t help but think that both Jenny and Noel shared a similar story to Carol. Even though I do not share the same world view as Jenny and Noel they did have responses that made since for their worldview. However, I could not help but see that they kept going in circles regarding truth. Carol shares how she sold abortions to make herself feel better about having her own abortion. Jenny did something very similar by saying there is no universal truth but truth is needed in marriage. I say all this to show that those who do not know Christ, who we believe to be the worst of sinners, can be forgiven! We are all sinners saved by grace and I am thankful for that in my life and the opportunity to share that with those around the world.
I’m not sure where I was going with this, as I am not the best at conveying what I am thinking, but this [forgiveness] is what has been running through my head the last few weeks. I promise I will be better about updating. Thanks again for all those that have been praying for me and the team as well as the donations! Keep ‘em coming!
