Why I Believe

I remember about 7 or 8 years ago sitting in the living room of my first house. My grandfather asked me why I believe in Jesus and what made me think He was the one true God. I remember how I stumbled over my words, nervous and shaky. Crippled with my shyness and insecurity, knowing why but not knowing how to put into words something that would make sense to a man that I thought so much of. I probably made him walk away thinking I was more confused than anything. I still struggle to express myself in a way that makes sense but sometimes I can be a little clearer when I write. So, since this has bothered me for the past 7-8 years...
Why do I believe in Jesus and why do I think He is the one true God?
Faith. It is said that "faith" is believing in what you can't see. Like how we take trips in airplanes even though we don't know the pilot or really understand (well, most of us) why or how the plane can fly. We just have to have faith to get on the plane. If we don't, if we wait until we fully understand aerodynamics and know all the facts, we will never fly. We take a step and just believe in the pilot and that what is said is true.I don't understand everything about God. I don't understand why certain things happen. I just have Faith. The Bible says that it is by grace we are saved through faith ( Ephesians 2:8 ).

I decided to believe that the Bible is true. That it is really the Word of God.I don't believe it was really an emotional experience for me. I started believing when I was young because I was told it was the way. I accepted that Christ died for me. During my teen years, I tried testing other things and finding my own meaning in life and doubted it and then I came back around and decided that I was going to step out in faith. I was going to stop spending so much time challenging the Bible and just try living like I really believe it. I prayed that God would help me to fall in love with His Word and desire to know Him and believe Him. I still pray everyday that God will give me strong faith that cannot be shaken. The Bible says that if ask Him, He will give us the desires of our heart and if we ask according to His will, He will answer it (John 14:15). I decided to really believe and accept His grace. The Old Testament shows us over and over again how man is unable to keep the law. We are sinful and can never be perfect enough no matter how we try. The New Testament is all about God sending a Savior. Jesus was the final sacrifice. We no longer have to do all the sacrifices of the Old Testament, we just have to accept that Christ died as punishment for our sin. He died for us. We can either believe it or we can spend our life doubting it and denying it, waiting for more proof. I choose to believe it. I have chosen to believe that each Word in the Bible is true. I choose to believe and find rest in His promises.That I should be anxious in nothing and cast all my worries on God. I have chosen to believe that God will never give me more than I can handle. That when the burden seems so bad or temptation too great, if I bow to Him in prayer and tell Him, He will, without a doubt get me through it(1 Corinthians 10:13). I don't know how things will work out, but I just have to trust Him. I believe that when the Bible says not to be "unequally yoked" it really means it and I must be very selective of my friends. I believe in the wisdom of each and every Proverb. I have no doubt that anyone who chooses to believe that Christ is their Savior and asks God to reveal Himself, prays that God will give them faith and a desire to learn about Him and obey Him will find God and will understand why I believe in Him.

My Grandpa's Ornaments

This year I finally put up two trees. The tree in the dining room is more formal

My tree in the sun room is more sentimental. The boys have all of their ornaments on it. My mom always buys the boys a Christmas ornament from some place that she and my dad have traveled. There are ornaments from Europe, Hawaii, Colonial Williamsburg, etc. The tree also has all the ornaments the kids have made at school or church. However, the most precious ornaments on the tree are the ones that my Grandpa Arnold made. Starting in 1977 (that is the first I could find), he made each of his grandchildren and great grandchildren a Christmas ornament. He hand painted them all. Some he even crafted out of wood. This was no easy task. Grandpa has 16 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. The ornaments always meant so much but this year I was really thinking about how special it is that he chose the colors, the object, everything with each of us in mind. Some had a special meaning for an event that happened that year. In 2001, he made an American flag in memory of 9/11.

The first one he made in 1977

Unfortunately, he is no longer able to make the ornaments. He battled lung cancer a few years ago and survived after having a portion of his lung removed. He recently was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. The last ornament that he made was of a WWII airplane. Grandpa was a pilot during WWII and flew the "hump" to china to drop off supplies. It is so fitting that his last ornament was of this plane.

I have so many wonderful memories of him. I remember drinking soda with him and my grandma in downtown Defiance. ( I think it was actually in a drugstore) I remember his store, The Hobby Den, and all the wonderful toys and crafts he sold. Recently, I pulled out the stamp collection he gave me when I was 8. It had belonged to him. He had collected stamps from all over the world from the early 1900's on. After all these years I finally started sorting the stamps and properly placing them in the albums beside the ones that he had placed years ago. I cherish the fact that he entrusted me with his collection. I am so blessed to have my grandparents.