under the shadow of our steeple

Does Anybody Hear Her? Can anybody see?

Recently I made a video slide show for a friend who got her self into a really bad spot in life and was "drowning" so to speak. she made some serious mistakes and was now paying for them dearly. the song i used was called "does any body hear her" by Casting Crowns. One of the lines is.

Does anybody hear her? Can anybody see?Or does anybody even know she's going down today? Under the shadow of our steeple, With all the lost and lonely people. Searching for the hope that's tucked away in you and me. Does anybody hear her? Can anybody see?

She came home after her time away and asked for help to get back where she needed to be, to be forgiven by her family, friends and most importantly God. Much to my dismay there were very few who jumped at the chance to help this woman regain her life or even acknowledge her anymore. It was like an old testement ostersizing of a leper. One of the other lines that i really liked from the song was:

If judgment looms under every steeple. If lofty glances from lofty people, Can't see past her scarlet letter then we've never even met her.

One of the main foundations of Chrisitanity is Forgivness. God will only forgive us if we forgive others. "Judge not, lest ye be judged." This person is in a fragile state and needs reassurance and kindness. Granted she hurt some people but when asked how many times should i forgive my brother God said "seventy seven times seven times" I think He would be appauled at the state of "some of" our churches. We are all called to make disciples, love our neighbors and be exibits of Christ in our lives. I highly doubt if a woman in this position came to Him and repented, trying to change and asked for understanding that He would ignore her and walk away.

Now not everone is cut out for exuberant sympathy or care giving but at the very least we are to be kind. If someone has wronged you or one of your friends you have every right to be upset, even maybe a bit angry but we are not to hold onto that. You don't have to like them, go for coffee or hang out but you do have to forgive. If the person is making an effort we need to accept that and pray for them and do whatever we can to help. To turn your back on someone in need is to be the opposite of Christ and we know who that is. No one is not worthy of compassion. Jesus took in tax collectors, killers and prostitutes and helped them to be what God wanted them to be, to live a life for Christ is to strive to be like Him. We can't to that by talking behind backs, making snide remarks, being unforgiving, unkind, cold hearted or indifferent. God is an all or nothing kind of guy. He expects our very best all the time no matter what.

If someone comes to you or your church and they are repentent, and seeking to be changed and need help it is our DUTY as Christians to help them in what ever way we are able, even if the only thing we can do is say a kind word and tell them you will pray for them. Let us build up our nation to be a Godly one by starting in our own churches! Far to often good people make bad desitions and without our help and understanding they will remain lost. God wants us all, we are all sinners and no sin is greater than any other. goosip, slander, cursing, infidelity, murder and down right cold heartedness are all equal sins in Gods eyes. Not one person is sinless. not one person more valuable in His eyes. Every single person on the face of the earth that repents, askes for forgivness, believes and tries to change is accepted by our Father, and should be accepted by us as well.

God is good, Thank you Father for accepting me with all my faults, for helping me to turn from my sinful ways, and for forgiving me as i try to forgive others. Without your guidance and love we would all be lost sheep looking for our shepard. I thank you that you used your servants to find me when i wasn't sure how to find you.

Praising His glorious name,

Leanne