I am a Christian

First off, let me apologize to those who do not think this is important. And to those who have been hit over the head with radicial ideas in the name of Christianity.

I am a Christian. I believe in God, that Jesus was His Son, that He died for MY sins, rose again and is preparing a place for me in heaven.

Now to become a Christian, I believe I must acknowledge my sin, recognize that God sent His Son to die for my sins, ask for His forgiveness and then try to live a better life.

I am NOT perfect, just forgiven. I cannot be perfect only strive to live the life Christ would have me live. Following His example. And I fail-continually. But I am so glad He is there to forgive and guide me.

What bothers me is how people prevert the true gospel of Christ to suit their own agenda. My grandson has shared about a "street" preacher at IU and the crazy things he is saying. It bothers me that he calls himself a Christian preacher and then is pushing people away with the things he says that comes from the Bible or God or at least his interpertation of Gods direction.

It bothers me when people say they are Christian, but by the way they live and the things they do they give Christianity a bad name. The Bible says by our fruits we are known. I think sometimes people are producing some rotten fruit and claiming to be Christians. I repeat I am not perfect and I make mistakes, but I try not to push my Christianity down peoples throats. Maybe I do not witness like I should, but I am not afraid of rejection as much as causing someone to walk away from Christ because of my imperfections.

I have been struggling lately with a lot of anger and hate about certain things that are happening to people because non-Christians want to tear us down and tie our hands and bind our mouths to the truth. God has confronted me about that and I had to fall on my knees and ask His forgiveness. He had to remind me that He is in control and I need to trust Him that things happen because of His divine plan. I need to get out of His way. That is so hard I do not like not being in control.

Visit to Indy

This last week we went to Indianapolis to visit my sisters. The trip down was eventful! Merv is still recovering from his surgery so he wanted to stretch out in back and rest about 2/3 of the way down. I was driving. I thought there was a strange noise. At first I thought it was a lawn mower, ultra lite plane, or moped. I would slow up and listen and noise would stop. Finally I was going to pull over, but was in an area where there was not much room. I was getting ready to pull over noticed car smelled hot, thermostat did not register hot. Woke Merv as the car died and I lost power steering and power. Did not get complete off road but most of way. He raised hood and car was on fire. He called 911 and Birdie to come get us. Operator said get back from car so we unloaded it and fire department came and put fire out. Hamiltoban Co. sheriffs dept called wrecker, car was towed ($300.00) and later we made arrangements to get alternator repaired ($400.00). Rest of visit was good.

One thing we did was go to Lebanon Ind to drive past Great Grandmother Elizabeths old house and to visit cemetary where we used to play as children.

Usually when you go to someplace you knew as a child, it seems smaller. Not this cemetary-it was huge. Of course Merv had to remind us it has been 50 years and several people have probably died since then.

Great Grandmas house looked about the same, there were some changes but we found it right away. Great Grandmother enjoyed playing dominoes. We would sit around her dining room table and play. She was about 6 feet tall and wore button down the front housedresses. She was rather flat chested and to get them to fit her height the dresses were a little large through the chest area and would hang low and she was a very private person and would wear a brooch at the top neck area to hold it closed. I have several of those brooches. Her front parlor was rarely used and in the winter was very cold. She did not use her upstairs any more either, but we liked to play up there.
She was Grannies mother-in-law but Grannie had a better relationship with her then with her own mother. I wish I could remember more about her.