Yesterday, a friend (we'll call her Angie) hurt my feelings. I don't cry easily, but am  very tenderhearted - much moreso than I let on - and this person really let it rip. Even though a professing Christian, she told me that I offend people with my religion. That got me to thinking. Am I really that kind of Christian? I prayed about it all evening and this morning I think I've received my answer. The answer is that some people don't like the light shining on a hill. That's hard for me to understand. Even during my time away from the Lord, I've always been a "God said it, I believe it, that settles it!" kind of gal. However, there are a couple of things I've noticed.

In a disturbing trend, many churches have bought into the "all roads lead to God" myth. Although it is as non-sensical as stating that "all roads lead to Rome" it's being bought hook, line and sinker. Why? Because it makes them feel good. The new generation of worshipers is fed a steady diet of drum solos, praise choruses and "happy" religion. No, that's not all bad. I love praise choruses and use them to perk up an otherwise sad or tiresome day. But feelings are not our friends. I don 't feel 30-something - I feel more like 23. No one would argue with the fact that despite how I feel, I am actually 30-something. There are days when I don't feel saved. That's the beauty of faith. Believing that "all roads lead to God" is as dangerous as denying His very existance. There is, after all, that pesky little scripture. You know the one. "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." - John 14:6 Hmmm, I am THE way, not A way. Yuppers, sounds pretty definitive to me!

Another thing I've noticed hurts me to the core. Angie and I have a friend in common. This friend happens to be practicing a homosexual lifestyle. Angie and I both dearly love this friend. Now, as Christians we both disagree with our friend's lifestyle. I don't know if he and Angie have discussed it, but he and I have. I laid it out on the table. I don't like it, tolerate it, condone it -- but I absolutely love him. I do. He's a wonderful man who would be the kind of incredible husband and father any woman would envy. I want so badly to scream that the lifestyle is poison, both spiritually and possibly physically, but I wait and pray. Could you pray too, please?

I once had an acquaintance who stated that all gays should be lined up and shot. Yet she professed to be a Christian and refused to see the absolute incongruity of her statement. I've always been afraid my witness would be damaged by some stupid comment I made before my morning coffee, much less something like that. So after what Angie said I wondered, "Am I a belligerant Christian?" I asked the Lord to show me the true self and I feel He's answered my prayer. He showed me a person not afraid to voice His name in public, not afraid to publicly discuss the power of prayer. Someone who, with His help, can love the sinner and hate the sin.

Folks, I've been there. I've been the sinner, lost and rebellious. Do you know some of my dearest friends are those who knew me before, during and after that time in my life. And treated me the same throughout. His love absolutely shimmers and sparkles on their face whether they're speaking to saint or sinner. That's love. That's GOD'S love. And that's the love and the Christian walk for which I strive. I still need a lot of work, and there are so many things satan throws up in my face. But I have to lean not to my understanding, but choose to place my faith in the only One who can heal my broken spirit.

Then too, I would be remiss if I did not mention the upcoming new year. The old one ended with me getting my little feelings hurt because - I feel - of my Christian walk. That little voice in my ear has whispered to me to remember those whose struggle is far greater. Those whose church has a camera. Those who've had to go underground because of their faith. Those whose consequence of obedience to God could be their life.

And that same little voice whispers to me, "It's coming to you one day, dear one. The Word lays it all out for you. Will you serve Me then?"

And I take a deep breath and answer, "I will."

May God bless us all in 2006. Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus.