The lies we tell ourselves

I'd like to share a recent revelation with you. A few weeks ago I had a concern that was really weighing on my mind. Like most of my life I believed that I had to be strong. It is my burden to bear. Being strong meant holding it in, and dealing with it alone, not burdening anyone else with my pain. That is one of the lies we tell ourselves. We lie to ourselves when we think that we are stronger when we hold things in and try to handle them ourselves. So I came to realize this function of self-perservation as a lie.
I didn't share my concern with my husband. I thought it would just be better if I kept it to myself and not bother him. Then I came to realize that my strength was only causing distance between us. He knew that there was something bothering me, something I was holding back. There I was, thinking I was being strong by holding it in, not confiding in him. In turn, he had nothing else to think then that it was something about him, or something I just didn't think I could trust him with. I only gave him doubt. In turn I created distance. Not only was I holding back but I was robbing him of being able to comfort and encourage me. Something I know he takes pride in being able to do for me. Something I feel honored to be able to do for him, or any one of my friends.
The truth of it is that by trying to be strong and carry our burdens ourselves we are only proving how weak we are. We are too weak to seek help and are only letting our pride take over. We only cause distance, self-doubt and hurt our relationships. Once I shared by concern with my husband I only grew stronger. It meant having to really open my heart and share completely with him. That takes a strong person, who only grows stronger through the process.
I understand that my relationship with Jesus requires the same strength. He is my friend who is always there waiting to help me. He wants nothing more then to lighten my load and support me. He wants me to share with Him, no matter how heavy the load. This especially takes a lot of strength when it comes to sin. It is easy for me to feel weak when I have sinned. I have created distance between me and Jesus. It's hard to believe that He would want to love and accept a sinner like me. It is easy to lie to myself and say, 'it's just too big. It's your problem you deal with it.' Again, I must instead show my strength and my confidence in Jesus. That whatever I bring him, no matter the weight, He is here to take the burden and carry it for me. It is only when we admit our weakness and expose our vulnerability that we find our strength.

Exodus 15:2
"The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him."

When I say, "I am a Christian"

When I Say "I Am A Christian"
by Carol Wimmer

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I am saved"
I'm whispering "I get lost!"
"That is why I chose this way."

When I say..."I am a Christian"
don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
and need someone to be my guide.

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak
and pray for strength to carry on.

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
and cannot ever pay the debt.

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
my flaws are too visible
but God believes I'm worth it.

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartaches
which is why I seek His name.

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I do not wish to judge.
I have no authority.
I only know I'm loved.

What are you?

When the subject of christianity comes up I'm often asked, "what are you?".

I try to be a good christian. Maybe faithful, devote christian. There are are plenty of descriptive words that could fit, though possibly gives me too much credit. I try to be those things, though I stumble, like any other person. The joy is that even at my worst Jesus still loves and accepts me. Okay, so maybe my bumper sticker describes it better. "Christians aren't perfect, just forgiven." I am forgiven.

Ok I know what the question is really looking for. Baptist? Methodist? Lutheran?
What label do you accept?
I have a church home.
What kind of church is it?
Lord of Life is a loving inviting accepting place where the people challenage and encourage each other.

I guess I tend to shy away from religious labels. I find this really hard to explain. So instead I'll refer to Isaiah 29:13.
"The Lord says: These people come near me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men."

I see many religions being hypocritical in preaching on actions and following rules. I believe chrisitianity is about what you truly feel in your heart, because God will not be fooled by your actions. Though once your heart is there actions will follow, they are the fringe benefits to christianity.

I'm not speaking out against being a part of an organized church by any means. Like I said before, I love my church. I guess the point of my reflection here is to caution against any church that stresses man-made rules and expectations. The focus should be on the teachings of Jesus Christ (easily accessible via the bible) with a goal to grow to be more like Him. Not focused on what someone else says you need to do or say to be a good *insert a denomination here*.

You don't have to impress anyone, or prove that you are a good person. Jesus died for our sins. If you accept Him as your savior, there's NOTHING more you can DO. "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast."
Ephesians 2:8-9