C-H-R-Y-Salis

This past weekend I went on something called Chrysalis. It's a retreat weekend put on by The Upper Room. If you ever get the chance to go on it or the Walk To Emmaus (adult version), DO IT. As much as I hate sounding cliche, it will change your life. I've always struggled with allowing myself to believe that I am loved by God and others. The Lord used Chrysalis to remove that from my life. For the first time in years, I am actually becoming okay with the idea of people loving me. A quote from one of the speakers has been stuck in my mind for the last couple of days. He said, "There is always more grace than there is sin." I've spent the last couple of years convincing myself that I was too much of a sinner for God to even care about me, but I am now left without an argument. The love of Christ is transforming, I finally understand that. I watched long-standing grudges melt away and walls around countless hearts crumble to ground this weekend. I also realized just how blessed I am to have the mentors in my life that I do. God's plan is so beautiful and mysterious, it's incredible. I met some fantastic young ladies who I know have got my back and am praying for me. If there is anything I can still bring myself to doubt, it is that anyone who attends a Chrysalis weekend will be disappointed. My thoughts are still swimming around, so when they make it to shore I'll write a little more. Ta ta for now. Fly with Christ.

Why I Hate Religion but Love Jesus

I recently came across a video of a guy named Jeff Bethke called "Why I Hate Religion but Love Jesus". He hit the nail on the head. I think it's really cool because he's talking about how Jesus was just Jesus, not Jesus the Jew or Jesus the Republican. He was just Jesus. He came to put an end to death and he did. He loves us regardless of the messes we create. I think that's the real message of the Gospel. Hesus came, He loved, He paid, He rose. It is finished.

I've been watching some of his other videos too and I really like his testimony. He's not afraid to be messy and let God take care of him. I think it's great. It's sort of long, but I think it's worth listening to. He's got a lot of good things to say.

*Neither of these videos are mine. Both are on Jeff Bethke's youtube account along with several others. :-)http://www.youtube.com/user/bball1989?feature=watch