Thursday, April 14, 2011

Because He First Loved Me

My buddy, Ray tagged me in this meme thingy.

I don't usually do the meme thingy since I've been blogging long enough to know that hardly anybody reads through those things...except this one was a nice challenge so I think I'll tackle it...

"5 Reasons I Love Jesus"

Alright, one wouldn't really think it would be that hard to come up with reasons they love Jesus, right? Just go ahead and name your hubs, family, kids, whatever and WHAMO, Meme Accomplished.

Not so fast, for me. I really had to think about it.

Conversation with myself:

Nice Me: I can just write the things I'm thankful for and then...

Evil Me: Yeah, but that's stupid and easy and everyone will just fall asleep...BO-RING.

Nice Me: Well then, I'll just say that one of the reasons is that He gave me everything I have and so...

Evil Me: SNORE

Nice Me: Then what the hell should I say??? What is really going to impress people and change their lives? I have to say something totally profound or people are going to think that I don't love Jesus and that I'm just faking it!!!

Evil Me: Well, are you?

Nice Me: Uh, no. Of course not. I may not LIKE Jesus sometimes but I LOVE him, always!

Evil Me: Oh, REALLY? You DO, huh? Were you loving Him when you yelled at the kids for spilling things again? Were you loving Him when you talked behind that person's back the other day? Were you loving Him when you weren't paying attention in church but were picking at that crusty cookie stuff on your jeans?

Nice Me: Leave me alone. I don't like you anymore.

Evil Me: Were you loving Him when you just told yourself that you didn't like yourself anymore...just now...

Not-So-Nice-Me: Guess not.

Just Me: Here's why I love Jesus: He gives me at least 100 of those "God Moments" every week. I know He is with me and in my heart when I'm trying to talk to my friends. He knows all of my shameful ways and He still fills my heart with joy and proof that He loves me in the form of the kindness I am shown by my family and friends who are filled with His Spirit. He suffered and died for my sins and takes away my suffering every time. He probably had a beard and He died an old guy (hey, 33 was upper-middle-aged back then. PLUS, He's really been "alive" for eternity so that's REALLY OLD!) and you KNOW how much I love old guys!

So, these are just some of the reasons I love Jesus.
That reminded me of that song we used to sing when I went to the Lutheran summer Bible school:
Oh, how I love Jesus.
Oh, how I love Jesus.
Oh, how I love Jesus...
because He first loved meeeeeeeeeee.

Also the snacktime song:
Oooooohhhhhh, the Lord is good to me,
and so I thank the Lord;
for giving me the things I need, the sun and the rain and the apple seed the Lord is Good to meeee, amen amen amen amen amen,aaaaaaahhhhhmen.