Those Who Have Been Forgiven Much ...

... love much.

Sometimes it's hard to find out that someone who seems to be a really strong believer and really on fire for Jesus Christ has -- gasp -- a past. A past that was ... shameful.

But that's kind of the point.

His Love changes us. Changes us to the very core of our being.

Mary Magdalene was a prostitute. One of such a reputation that when hearing His Words, she had truly changed, but most of the townspeople only knew her by reputation, they weren't her friend. They didn't know. They thought she was the same old person she was and were upset when she showed up one day to cry at and wash the feet of Jesus. She did that out of sheer gratitude in understanding that Jesus brought the Words of Life to us, and He had rescued her soul with Hope.

When you begin to understand the depth of the love Jesus Christ has for us, that even -- and because -- of our fallen state of sin He would still choose to die for us because He truly wants to love us and see us Live, this is just shocking.

And when you start to better understand this is a depth of love that no one can rationally explain, and that is the length that our Creator God would go to rescue us, then we simply have to be grateful. We MUST. That He would go to pull us out of the fire that way is more than amazing. Knowing He did this for us is LIFE CHANGING!

That's why accepting His Lordship is so important.

It is not enough to just say, "Yes, I believe Jesus died for me to save me from dying in my sins."

We have to take the next step and say "Yes, Jesus died for me so I would not die in my sins. My life is different now, and I have to now BE different from what I was. Because I'm grateful He let me live in spite of my mistakes. And I'm grateful He loves me that much."

Getting to know Jesus is Life-Changing.

Accepting the Lordship of Jesus Christ -- meaning He is now in charge -- truly changes us to the core of our being to become the best version of ourselves possible.

Forgive and Continue

When I was thirteen years old, I read a book; I can't tell you what the title was, nor who wrote it. This was over thirty years ago. I don't even remember if it was fiction or non-fiction.

All I remember -- like a blazing sign -- was the term "Forgive and Continue".

The phrase made such a deep impression on me, I hand-lettered "Forgive and Continue" onto an 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper (maybe it was a 9 x 12?) and taped it up on my bedroom door, facing out towards the hallway. I placed it top and center, and underneath on the rest of the door hung were taped little drawings or pictures I had cut out from magazines so I could enjoy them when my door was open.

I walk a very strange path. I am too church-nerdy for most art folks, too comic-booky for most arts folks, too artsy for most comic book folks, and too arty for most church folks.I'm telling you, it's a weird path. t has taken me decades to reconcile this oddball path and make peace with it, mostly because it has been a very in-between place, and in a way it was lonely, especially when I was younger. Especially since some will consider you neither saint nor sinner "enough" for either side! Still others will consider me somewhat of a dilettante. But we are all human. And we are all loved by God.

As for me, I am a sinner, and I am saved by the Blood of my Lord Jesus Christ. I am grateful for His loving kindness and mercy towards me. I came to this realization in my late 20s, and I'm grateful for the happiness He has brought my soul. (For some people that's plum crazy talk. But I've learned to live with that, too. lol)

So for a very long while (no, seriously, it's been years!) I've been considering starting this blog. Mostly because I need to leave my main blog focused on comics and drawing ... because, that is what I do. I draw, and I tell stories. But I am also a teacher. And in spite of my very human flaws I still have this pull to write simple things regarding faith and growth and I'm fascinated with our spiritual walk with God and want to encourage others to. So I just have to give these types of posts their own place. I want you to know Life has a reason and need for us, and God searches for us to search for Him.

I hope these posts would be of some use.  :)