I should never have started this book....

I am in the middle of at book called "Starving Jesus". I am finding it to be one of the best things I have ever read next to "Screwtape Letters".

When I am done reading it I am going to write a long blog about the book and what I am learning from it (I am also reading my bible at the same time).

I have learned two things.....GOD IS GOD and being a Christian goes beyond the walls of our sad little lives. Being a Christian effects everyone around us (family, friends, strangers...etc).

If you have not read this book you must read it.....you must your view should not be the same

Truth is sometimes simple.....

I NEED TO GET TO DALLAS!!!

Conferance is paid for...I just need to get there. I will squat on the street if I have to!!

Grace Doctrine....Sometimes A Bunk Doctrine!!!

So here it is folks....I am going to do my best to get my thoughts out with scripture to back it up so be patient. If you disagree with me that fine, disagree with me!!

Here is what is going on inside me right now. I feel that there are people teaching Grace and Love (which are wicked important to our salvation) but are fogetting about faith and forgiveness. I undersatnd we do not want to push people away but want to draw them in towards the kingdom but this is where my issues come into play. We can not use GRACE as a crutch to live in sin and be a Christian under our own rules.

IT IS BY FAITH WE ARE SAVED....

Romans 3:21-31 goes into the fact that it is by faith we are saved. "(v.22)The Righteousness of from GOD comes through FAITH in Jesus Christ to all who beleive." It goes on to talk about we all have sinned (which I do not deny that that I am as much a sinner as anyone) and fallen short of the glory of God.

Ephesians 2:1-10 puts it quite plainly that yes it is by Grace we have been saved. But what I see happening is that people are forgetting the importance of (v.8 and v.9)For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— (v.9)not by works, so that no one can boast.

Romans 5:1,2 "Therefore since we have been justified through FAITH we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace we now stand."

Mark 1:15 says what I am trying to say "The time has come" He said "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and beleive the good news". This is from Jesus himself...A call to not only repentance but Faith.

I guess what I am trying to say is this....YOU CAN NOT LIVE ON GRACE ALONE. We mus live in faith that is why it says "By Grace we are saved through faith".

Salvation means coming to a place of repentance....Grace means living by faith....and being a Christian means having a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Please do not get my wrong....Jesus had the right idea...Love your neighbor as yourself....Love the sinner and hate the sin (1 John 4:8-9). But if we are not also teaching Faith and Repentance we are not giving people the whole truth.

Next week is it!!

So next week is it....California State Barbers Exam in Glendale California!! I have not done as much studying this week cause I have had a lot on my mine. Wayne told me to just relax keep studying and put everything aside.

This test is a big deal....I am actually pretty confident that I will do ok. The stressful thing is really all the extra stuff I have had to learn. Beth has done her best helping me out.

I wish wayne and I had more time to kick it around so cal after my test. When we get into town I pretty much focus on my test in the hotel room and get a good nights sleep.

Oh yeah, I want to go to Cisco Burger!!!!

Seriously my head hurts...

I have been sitting here for about and hour trying to figure out what to type. Just finished talking to my older brother and my mom......I am still not sure what to write.

When you have family there is always good and bad times. Sometimes you can not control them, sometimes you can. Unfortunately this instance is something I can not control and it has been eating me up to a point where I can not study and focus on my state boards which are NEXT WEEK!!

All I can say is this right now....I love my brothers!!! Both of them and I know sometimes I can be a DB and I am sorry. I am proud of both of my brothers. Wayne has been at the same job for a while and when it is time to retire he willl be alright and well billie finishes law school and that is not small job. I missed my brothers while I was in washington and I have my days where I feel that the adjustment on being back in California has been a bit tough on me (not quite sure why...maybe all in head)

I think I do have a point in this blog and here it is (before I loose my train on though)....No matter how close your frinds may be when you have family remember they are your family for life!!

I hope this makes sense even in my own head!!!

time will come

You know I was hoping at this point I would have some kind of revelation...Some big answer to my questions but I am learning it does not work that way (well sometimes it does). To know the will of God takes time, takes prayer and takes just well....listening!

At this time my desire is to know the heart of God....And all I can do is spend time in the word, in prayer, fellowshipping with other beleivers to encourage. Do not get me wrong I do not believe in dropping you "non christian" friends because in the end they need God as much as I do.