I recently picked up an English translation of the Quran. I’ve heard lots of mixed messages on how Christianity and Islam relate. I’ve heard that Allah is a monster who calls his followers to sacrificial jihad against infidels (including Christians). I’ve heard that Mohammed was a prophet after the pattern of Abraham, Moses, and Jesus and simply extends the tradition of the People of the Book. I’ve heard that Islam is peaceful, that it’s extreme, that Mohammed was a pedophile, that he was a hero, that the Quran teaches compassion, and that the Quran teaches hatred.

I'm forgiven because You were forsaken
Almost exactly a month after I turned 16 in the April of 2014 I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior and King, and I confessed my understanding that I could add nothing to my own salvation except for the sin I carried in my flesh. For the first time in my life I really thought about what Christ bore on the cross. More than the tempestuous pain and suffering; He bore the wrath of God poured out upon His head in my place. He cried out "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"
I'm accepted, You were condemned

I may smile for the camera
I might fool my friends with laughter
When I was 15 I was a bubbly, outgoing girl. I spent as much time as possible with my friends, and was called a social butterfly by many.
But underneath the lies
You will find the truth that hides

Pink and burnt sienna roll across the sky
Blue comes along to kiss the moon goodbye
Sweet times! Sweet times! Birds titter and chime
This day is new-born, this is now the time
Let's gift love to the broken-hearted
Mingle our tears over one's who have parted
Purge away bitterness from many past years
Grant forgiveness to those we have greeted with sneers
Be Christ! Be Christ! Oh, give them your all
Be the gentle hand that lifts up from a fall
Show Christ! Show Christ! Don't judge without grace

CHAPTER SEVEN: Two Lines

Nervously, I rung up the single item I had chosen from the shelves at Walmart and hurriedly made my payment at the self-checks. The plastic bag rustled gratingly as I made a quick exit to my car.

The last few days had been torture. If only I knew for sure. If only I was brave enough to know for sure.

I didn’t talk to anyone. No one had to know about this, absolutely no one.

It took an eternity to get to Houston Community College that day. But there was no way I was going to risk doing what I needed to do at work.

Borne on wings of victory
Sealed for courts above
Soaring high above the heavens
Freed from sin and care
Let me sing salvation's story
Shout His praise forevermore
Lift your voice and with me praise Him
Borne on vict’rys wing.

Once I was a lonely stranger
Never finding rest
But He drew me to a fountain
Where love divine was giv'n.
Bowing at my Savior's cross
Where Jesus bore my shame
My weary life--renewed, restored
And borne on vict'rys wing.

here i am, Lord, hear my plea
broken deeply, never free
lacking strength to even come
hither to Thy throne above.

wretched sinner, such as i
will you take me, here, tonight
save a sinner, mend a soul
will You make my shattered whole?

splintering my hardened heart
splitting shackles clean apart
cleansing my will to be Thine,
will You rest a wearied mind?

will You turn this life around
hell to heaven, skies from ground
turning night to brightest Day
will you lift me, now, today?

I never knew you, never will
Till I walk on gilded shores
But I'm descended from your line
Your oldest granddaughter.

Your life was broken, marred by sin
Rev’ling, adultery, drugs
You yielded daily to the pull
Of Satan’s darkest night.

Was there a sin left uncommitted?
In your life on earth
Is left unanswered; your brokenness
Was evident to all.

Yes, I’ll never know you here on earth
But in bright eternity
Face to face I’ll see you there
Where sin can reign no more.

Mom had been missing. Six days.

It wasn’t exactly unusual. She would sometimes be gone, days at a time. Generally, she would call or something, but I had learned not to expect it.

I guess she had friends she would go out with. She would take a few days off work, and she would never stay home. She’d be in Houston, or close to the border, or whatever.

I’d honestly rather stay out of it.

“Although my memory is fading, I remember two things very clearly: I am a great sinner, and Christ is a great Savior.” ~John Newton

John Newton was a giant of the faith; but he was far from perfect.