You're in the Bible belt...

This past weekend, I was able to feature my books at the Bentonville Trade Days event in Bentonville, Arkansas. I had someone look over the books and stop, "Does that say Goodbye Christian, Whore?" 
I smiled and said , "Yes, it does. It's about being faithful to God and loving Him. But it's certainly got a few looks because of the title."
"Well, I bet it does." she laughed, "Honey, you're in the Bible belt."

I realize that I live in "Bible Belt" country. There is a whole article on Wikipedia regarding what the Bible Belt is and how it started: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bible_Belt

While I'm sure that will be an interesting read, I'm going to take a moment to turn our attention to another belt, the belt of truth spoke about in Ephesians 6:14. What is truth? Truth isn't always pretty or pleasant. Sometimes truth is convicting and unpleasant, in fact most of the time it is. Jesus said he was the way, the truth and the light. (John 14:6) He is the only way to God the Father, this truth is not always pleasant to accept, because it shines a light on the dark areas of our life that burns worse than a sunburn after a full day on the river. 

Jesus told Peter that he would deny Jesus three times. (Matthew 26:33-35) Peter didn't like hearing that but it was still true and it came to pass. I could have named the book and this blog something nice, like "Wanderers Come Home", "The Prodigal Daughter's Return", or something else. But, I didn't. I heard this name and it made me uncomfortable, unsettled, so I knew that I needed to use it. 
Being a Christian isn't about getting comfortable and feeling good, it's about God and the sacrifice that He made because of His love for us. Am I willing to make sacrifices for Him? Am I willing to admit when I have been unfaithful to Him or do I want to cover it up as not that big of a deal? Am I trying to make sin pretty so I don't feel as bad, or am I accepting that ALL sin is disgusting and vile to God?

God, thank you for your forgiveness and love. Open my eyes to see things as you see them. See people as you see them, through your eyes of love. To see sin as you see it, as dark and vile. God so many times I get tripped up on the sin and can't see the person that you see under it. Even when I look in my own mirror. Help me see past the darkness to the future that you envision and see for each of us. Help me see with faith eyes and not by my own sight. Amen.

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