Standing For What I Believe In

I just felt I needed to express my beliefs. I feel that more and more today things are accepted as being okay and the more you hear it the more it just doesn’t matter anymore. Which has always made me sad to watch myself as I become desensitized to what is important and knowing the difference in right and wrong on TV, school , etc. I used to absolutely feel like cussing was like nails on a chalk board, absolutely could not stand it. Because it was against everything I had ever been taught- but in today society you cant even go to class, turn on an animated movie without hearing it. Eventually you become desensitized and that makes me sad.

My favorite Christian band of all times is Casting Crowns. They have a song for everything. In todays society there is definitely a "Stained Glass Masquerade" and I challenge each and everyone one of you to take down your mask and ask yourself what really matters, what’s really important and what do you have your brothers and sisters in Christ for if they aren’t able to help you in times of need? Aren’t able to agree with you on an issue? Not able to STAND UP for what you believe in? The lyrics are:

"Stained Glass Masquerade"

Is there anyone that fails is there anyone that falls
Am I the only one in church today feelin' so small?
Cause when I take a look around
Everybody seems so strong I know they'll soon discover that I don't belong
So I tuck it all away, like everything's okay
If I make them all believe it, maybe I'll believe it too
So with a painted grin, I play the part again
So everyone will see me the way that I see them
Are we happy plastic people
Under shiny plastic steeples
With walls around our weakness
And smiles to hide our pain
But if the invitation's open to every heart that has been broken
Maybe then we close the curtain on our stained glass masquerade
Is there anyone who's been there
Are there any hands to raise
Am I the only one who's traded in the altar for a stage
The performance is convincing and we know every line by heart
Only when no one is watching can we really fall apart
But would it set me free if I dared to let you see the truth behind the person that you imagine me to be
Would your arms be open or would you walk away?

Would the love of Jesus be enough to make you stay?

Today in my quiet time I really reflected on those words. Look around you, who has a painted grin on and who will let you in? There are some things that I will always know are wrong and I pray that I will continue to think this way and never will I be desensitized. I also pray that God will show me some good Christian leaders in my life.

I know I totally went off on a tangent but today there was just a lot of things heavy on my heart. I always thought that if you could make a soundtrack to your life, what would be on it?? My soundtrack would be just what I have done that the past two days.

Some of my favorite verses dealing with these issues:

Wine is a mocker and beer is a brawler; whoever is led astray is not wise Proverbs 20:1

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for others, building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. James 3:9-12