I've Gone Country A blog about a city girl learning a whole new world

As I am driving down the country roads, I find myself getting ready to read quickly when I see a church building ahead.  I like reading all the different signs.  I even get a little disappointed if I pass one regularly and they haven’t put something new on it.

Once I read the signs I usually have plenty of time to think about them as I meander through the countryside.  I think about how they apply to my life.

One of my mothers favorite verses was ….Faith is the substance of things hoped for…the evidence of things not seen.  Hebrews 11: 1.  Matter of fact the whole 11th chapter of Hebrews is the faith chapter.  It talks about many that walked in faith and the promises God gave them.  Often they never saw all of the promise in their lifetime.  Yet, they continued to walk in faith their entire lives.  Believing and trusting in God.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.      Romans 12:2

So many things have changed through the years, even since I was a child.  Some people may not have gone to church on a regular basis, but they believed that the Bible was God’s Word, that it was true and there was a respect for God.   However, these days that doesn’t seem to be the case.  The world has different views and opinions on Truth.  Scripture tells us not to follow the pattern of this world.  If we read the Scriptures and follow Christ, we will be renewed.  We become like new.  We become new people.  The old selfish human nature is changed.  Instant angel?…. no…not hardly. It is a constant work in progress.

I know that I can go to the Bible, read it and it guides me through the situations I face each and everyday.  It gives me direction and purpose.  Through reading and studying God’s Word, it changes me, it makes me a better person.  That in turn makes me a better wife, mother, sister, Aunt, Grandmother, neighbor, friend and citizen.

Personally, I believe God’s Word is True.  My Mom used to have a magnet on the refrigerator when we were growing up.  It said….God said it…I believe… and that settles it.

I think we all have things we struggle with.  For some people it is doubt.  Doubt…about the Bible, about Jesus about God.  One of the disciples was even called doubting Thomas because he doubted that Jesus arose from the dead.  And he was a disciple. But he was also just a human….trying to understand it all.

I think it is really neat the way God put all different personalities in the Bible.  Most of these people have the same problems that I have had or will have in my time on earth.

Like David, he was a man after God’s own heart…. he did some terrible things.  Yet, he also came to God and told Him he was truly sorry and he quit doing those things. God forgave him….and he was able to experience some major accomplishments in his life time.  David wanted God to be involved in his life.   I like that, because I have messed up terribly many times, and I still mess up.  However, when I tell God I’m sorry He forgives me too.  I know that God can still work in my life…if I choose to let Him.

This is one of my biggies….I am a “fraidy” cat.  Ever heard of that.  Not sure it is even a word…but I have battled fear all my life.  Interesting thing about fear is…..you can get over one thing that you are afraid of, then another thing will take its place.  God reminds me in scripture that He is in control.  That I shouldn’t fear anything.  I constantly have to rely on God about the things I fear.  I know that when I give into the fear, it paralyzes me.  I end up not getting much accomplished.

If I truly trust God to get me through the things I fear, I have an amazing amount of freedom.   Then I think, next time I’m not going to be so fearful.  But, I find myself doing it over and over.  It is a real weakness for me.  As I have gotten older though I have realized that fear affects most all of us on one level or another.  Fear is usually behind some reason we don’t accomplish something we originally set out to do.

I like it that God has the power.  I can look all around me, with all He created and see His power.  That helps me know that He can help me through whatever little or big thing that I am going through.  I just have to let go.  I have to stop trying to do it all by myself.  Do you remember a time when you really realized that you were limited?  Oh I can do a lot of things, I am not helpless, but there are some things I have absolutely no control over.    It is humbling.

I heard a celebrity one time tell about having surgery and how he had to take off all his clothes, his jewelry, his glasses, everything that wasn’t necessary.  He said it was just him and God.  He found that he had a false security…. in his belongings…. in the status of who he was.

If I do not stay in God’s Word regularly, I get weak Spiritually.   It is food for the soul.  It is necessary to read daily to renew my mind with Truth, so I can make wise choices and be strong when the hard times come…… and they do come.

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11

This used to be a regular thing you saw taking place. Revivals….not so much anymore.  They used to have huge tent revivals.  Revivals that would last a week or more when I was a kid.  I suppose some places like this one on the sign still have them, but they are rare.  When I read the scriptures though, I do feel revived.  I feel energized, and I like that.

If we like to believe it or not, there is a limited time that we are on this earth.  We plan for everything else we do all day long.  How much more important could it be to plan for where you will be for eternity.

I have accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.  I am exercising the verse in Hebrews 1:1.  The Faith in what I have not seen.  I have not seen Jesus in person.  I have not seen God in person.  But I know that Jesus is the way to heaven, because the Bible tells me so.  No, that is not just a cute little song, I trust God’s Word.  I believe it is true.  I trust it with my life for now and for eternity.

And because of what Christ did….we can and should celebrate each and every day.

I heard on the radio that  fear is why most Christians do not tell others about Christ.  Fear that they do not know enough, and fear that they will be rejected by their friends, family, co workers, etc.

I wonder why it is so hard, it is hard for me too.

I should be telling everyone I meet.  It changes our lives while on this earth…it changes our destination for eternity.

I certainly am glad someone told me.