I see a lot of Christians on MySpace that are sharing their testimonies and of the grace and mercy of God.  Recently someone shared about their testimony and was shot down by fellow 'brothers & sisters' in the faith??

As a minister and pastor's wife for over 20 years, I have seen a lot in my lifetime.  A lot of good things and unfortunately a lot of traumatic things.  The most traumatic and the worst have been the times when a brother or sister in the Lord cry out in judgement about you and someone you love.  I believe we are to judge the things in our own lives that could pull us apart. 

However, to do so in another person's life, means you better be perfect in your own.  My Bible says we are not to judge unless we want to be judged by the same measure.  There are areas in my life that I am 100% confident in and then there are others, where I wouldn't stand up to the judgment of man.  It's a constant work in progress. 

During the recent blog and sharing of a testimony a family was shot to pieces by none other than believers.  I was shocked and dismayed at the treatment of someone sharing their heart and being vulnerable.  Jesus didn't see people any differently than his disciples.  In fact, if you read the scriptures, you will find him being drawn to the prostitutes, tax collectors, junkies, etc of his day.  Who gave everything she had and washed his feet with her tears?  It wasn't the Rabbi or even one of the disicples.  Jesus loved his father with everything in him and loved the people but hated the sin.

Where is the true love of God that is being perpetuated on this space?  What is that supposed to look like?  How is it supposed to treat other people?  Those are easy questions to answer.  God's love is all accepting of the individual.  It's supposed to look like Jesus.  It's supposed to embrace anyone, even those who oppose, with a love than transcends human capacity.  Have Jesus inside of you....then act like it.  Quit putting others down in an effort to make yourself look like a minister or ministry.  Ministry/minister simply means to serve one another.  Judge yourself and get that right and then you won't be so quick to fire off at others. 

Am I saying this because I was the one that was wounded?  No, not at all.  But I am embarrassed by those who have done this throughout the years.  Donnie & Reba McGuire once sang a song..."Wounded Soldier".  It wasn't about the wounding done by gunfire, but the wounding done by believers to believers because they didn't fit the profile, didn't look a certain way, had a questionable past, etc.  

I am not a liberal in my views, in fact, I'm very conservative in many ways.  but when it comes to being a Christian and what I'm supposed to look like....I simply reply like Jesus.  What does that mean?   God takes the time to make each snowflake individualized, each finger print different...don't you think he intended that same thing for you and I?  I'm happily married, but I am still me, even though one in communion and covenant of vows.  My husband and I have strong boundaries, for ourselves, but we are learning that you can look a million different ways on the outside, and if your heart is passionate and in love with Jesus we are family.  Jesus the Lover of your Soul??  We're family.  Purple/Red hair or gray hair doesn't matter.

I count it an honor to know some of the brothers and sisters on myspace that are outside the boxes of tradition and profile.  Can you or I say that we're out on the streets spreading the love of Jesus to anyone we meet or are we waiting for them to come to our place, get them saved and work on them to look like everyone else?  Were you born into a Christian home and know nothing else?  That's great, welcome to my life.  But I am learning to lean on Jesus more and more and open my eyes to how he views his kids.  I'm one of them and still learning at his feet. 

My final words in this blog to other precious brothers and sisters in Christ is to take a long hard look at your idea(s) of what Christians are supposed to look like.  Suits and dresses do not make a Christian.  Relationship and passion with the knowledge of the risen Christ is what sets you apart.  It doesn't matter if you have the perfect do, you color your hair, wear spikes, piercings, etc....is the heart there?  Want to be a witness?  Don't spew out hate and throw around the scriptures like you're right and everyone else is wrong.  God didn't make you a Christian, you chose him.  He doesn't force anyone to love him and yet he still loves us.  It doesn't matter how dark the situation or profile, listening and love will shed light into the darkest corners.  Don't think someone is dark because they look different.  Stop, think and most of all…listen.

You be the judge (of yourself).  Remember,  Satan is the enemy of God, but a lot of times, all he has to do is stand by and wait.  We kill our own.

Cheryl B.