My earliest memory of religion in our home was when my parents and I, and a younger sister, had Friday evening/"Sabbath" worship. My dad played the piano and my mom sang children's songs to us, with finger actions. It was a pleasant time and helped me to appreciate the acts of praising and worshiping God.... There was a Higher Power.... We also had a set of detailed, children's Bible story books with colour pictures which our parents read to us. I found them very interesting.
My parents had pressures on them and, unfortunately, they divorced later on. The first separation came just before my 14th birthday. But if I had a resume for my high school years, I believe it would be very strong in my employment and interests.
In college, I started out well but my mental health was slowly crashing, and something happened just after I dropped out of college.... With my religion, I knew about "faith and works," like it says in James 2, in the Bible. I thought that if I showed that I was living a good life, then God would say that I can be saved.... But we had some preachers who specialized in "righteousness by faith," at the time; and I learned that we can be assured of salvation FIRST, and then we'll feel empowered to live a good life, with God's help. Of course it made a difference.
However, my mental health was still bad for a while. I had a dysfunctional life, in some ways, and was socially withdrawn for about five years or more. I held onto my faith the best I could, and as it says in Psalm 145:14, "The Lord upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down." I gradually got a lot of therapy. I was able to do some work, and I got married for a while, and had a child.
When I got into the special police project, I knew that God had had mercy on me in my lifetime and I could certainly afford to show mercy to other people! How could I not?
Right now, I believe that God is the Creator and Sustainer of life. Jesus is equal to God [Philippians 2:6], and He participated in creating the world [John 1]. Deuteronomy 30:19 says we can choose life or choose death. I choose to accept life, and I'm willing to live it in God's way.... I appreciate life. Also, we can be "labourers together with God...." 1 Corinthians 3:9. And Jesus said, "...Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world [through the Holy Spirit]." Matthew 28:20. I need for Jesus to be with me, and I appreciate it. Life is a journey, and our spiritual life is a journey also....
This isn't meant to be a thorough explanation of my life and spirituality but I wanted to share something and do a write-up for this second Waterlily blog--especially for my past college contacts, and for the prejudiced Christian police, if they're interested.
