Discussing Religion - Response to a friend

Hey all! A friend asked me to share my thoughts on religion based on some things that were happening in his life. I decided to share what I told him with you all. So below is my response...add your comments if you like.


When it comes to religion it can get messy. I try not to debate too much between differing religions and beliefs but I will share my belief.

My belief is simple. I believe that there is one true God who made sure I could have a relationship with Him by sending Jesus to pay my sin debt. I get to talk and fellowship with THE CREATOR of the universe all the time; that rocks! Reading the Bible is a great way to learn about Him; what relationship develops without learning about the person? And I don't limit Him to those 66 books. He's SO MUCH BIGGER than a book! But it does give me the beginnings to knowing Him. The different aspects of His character. And that's what He really wants from us. And Jesus came to make sure we knew the greatest part of His character which is as a Father and so that we could find our way to God through Himself.

With regards to what you said about reading scripture and having your own interpretation: When I read I ask Him to show me what He wants me to learn about Him in that moment. I've found out different things about Him from one section of scripture. I believe He reveals to each person certain things about Him at different times according to where they are. Look at it this way: there are certain things I may not tell you about myself initially just because of the nature of our relationship or how I feel you may relate to what I share. Similar to us and God. If I can't relate to Him in the capacity of provider or am not even willing to hear that part about Him then why should He show me that right away? (make sense?)

It's hard at times to wrap my mind around the whole people not knowing God and going to hell aspect. But I have found just within my own journey in life that God shows Himself in so many ways and because I know He loves me and everyone else, He will ensure that everyone has the opportunity to get to know Him. Look at Abraham! He lived in the Mesopotamia region and out of nowhere here comes God showing Himself and giving instruction. Gideon was out in the fields when God showed up to Him and Gideon said, "I've heard of you before but who are you?" (my paraphrase). There's a part within each person, I believe, that identifies with God. And at some point when that part isn't linked to Him, it will cry out and search for Him. Kinda like when a plant is lacking in water (which they are made to need) the roots reach and stretch through the soil in search of what it needs. I think the same goes for people. We begin to search and I believe if you search in sincerity you'll find God, the way He intended for us to find Him and enjoy the best of life which He has for each of us.

Heaven: the eternal pleasure of God's presence
Hell: eternity without Him

I've tried this life thus far with and without Him and I really do prefer life with Him. So I'll go the heaven route because I enjoy Him and His presence so much!

I make no apologies for what I believe. And I don't force it on anyone. I simply live out my beliefs as best as I can each and every day. I love God and all of who He is even though I'm still learning about Him. The getting to know Him is surely fun though!!

That One

I want to be that one.

who feels the warmth of your love;
wrapped in the arms of your heart, when we're close and far apart;
embraced by your speech that lifts me above tribulations reach,
held captive to your ways that tell me I am yours.

I want to be that one.

valued as a pearl, being displayed in your world
as your
one. and only.
never hidden from the crowd because you vowed,
to cherish me.

I want to be that one.
THAT one. Right there.
The one you see with vision clear
who always makes you stop and stare, blatantly aware
that I
am your beauty
your smile, not just a trophy.
An ear that hears your faith even through your fears;
cries with every tear
says the words you, don't want to but, need to hear.

THAT. One.
Brightening your day as the noon day sun
the last face you see when the day is done;
a safe place to who you run.

Let me be that one.

(written by Shivonne Johnson, 01/26/12 at 12 noon)

Work...tools

I work a lot now lol. I like to check my fb and twitter, see what my peeps are up to but I only do that now after 5pm....well fb sometimes before 5 ;-)

I like working full-time though. My first full-time job was in high school for Caribbean Gospel Inc. I LOVED that job!! I got to work around one of my favourite things...MUSIC!! Sure I had the office portion that sometimes wasn't so great but I got to go out to shows and be in the studio and around the artistes. I developed my work skills as well as relationships with different people. After that my only other FT job (other than this one) was working a tutoring camp at my church for two consecutive summers.

I'll say this: it is a bit taxing on the body to work FT. Especially when you depend on public transit to get around and you live in a different county from where you work. But I do feel productive most days. (Some might be wondering if we're having a slow day because I'm typing this blog lol). Nope. Just felt like typing real quick.

I try my best in whatever work environment I'm in to learn as many things as I can; whether they be work related or a means for me to develop in my character. I don't know what the future holds so I want to grab as many helpful tools along the way. Years from now I just might be using something I learned when I was 15.

So my encouragement today is to be aware of your environment and soak in what you can as you give your best.

Blessing til next time!