It was amazing.

Let me explain. I am a perfectionist by nature. Typically I struggle with forgiveness because my perfectionism demands strict adherence to high standards.  While I may say and even think I’ve forgiven someone, the truth is I still hang on to a little piece of unforgiveness. I can easily justify to myself why someone should have met my standards and why there really is no excuse.

Photo by wrestlingentropy

In spite of consciously knowing what the Bible says about God’s forgiveness, I realize many times I have unconsciously projected my skewed view of forgiveness onto Him. This, in turn, has affected how I give and receive forgiveness.

I thought to myself, “What if God forgave me like I forgive others?”

The answer was pretty ugly. I would have no hope because God would always be counting my wrongs against me and holding a grudge, and, the truth is, He of all beings has the right to do so. He is the ultimate perfectionist.

But this is not how God forgives at all and this fact is truly mind-blowing to me, especially considering His perfectionism. God, knowing exactly what the standards are and how far we have fallen from them, chooses to wipe our slate clean.

As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed out transgressions from us. (Ps. 103:12)

If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you, there is forgiveness, therefore you are feared. (Ps. 130:3-4)

He extends grace towards us through pure forgiveness made possible by the sacrifice of Christ.

As a follower of Christ, we are called to forgive each other as God has forgiven us. I can’t express how freeing it feels to forgive someone like this. Granted, some wrongs can cut pretty deep and require time, but the satisfaction of holding a grudge is nothing in comparison to the joy of letting it go.

Coming from an evangelistic background, I’ve struggled at times with how and how much to witness to people at work. I’ve come to the conclusion that a gospel presentation and request for a decision every time I talk to someone is not the only mechanism for witnessing to others. There is a time and a place for those particular discussions, but this is not the only form of witnessing.

Here are five ways to witness at your workplace:

1. Love the people you work with.
I know this one is not always fun, but it crucial to showing other people who Christ is. Trust me, I am not a people person by nature, but I have learned to be for the sake of being Jesus to those who may not yet know Him yet. Sure, that one guy two cubes down from you is super annoying. The gal in the office next door is always complaining. Get to know people. Show them you care. They will know we are Christians by our love.

2. Decorate your space with Jesus.
This may seem kind of cheesy, but I like it because it’s easy! I have a daily calendar with Bible verses on it. I also have a little sign that says Jesus Loves You. My coffee mug has a verse on it. If you’re living out your faith, you will seem different to people. As people stop by, these are the little things that they will notice. In time, they will probably start to connect the dots.

3. Talk about your faith.
This doesn’t necessarily mean you have to go into the Four Spiritual Laws or try to lead someone to Christ, but you don’t have to sensor all things spiritual from your conversations. When you’re sitting around small talking about your life and people ask you what you’re doing this weekend, tell them you’re going to church. Talk about how the new dessert you tried to make for Bible study went horribly wrong. Tell people you will pray for them.

4. Shine with integrity.
Work like you’re getting ready to present your project or deliverable to God in person! Extinguish negativity and gossip around you by saying something positive or changing the subject (this one is not always easy for me!). Be honest and truthful in your communication and in the midst of office politics. If you tell someone you are going to be somewhere or do something, make sure to follow through. You represent the God of the universe!

5. Be real.
There are lots of Christian stereotypes out there and you never know which one your co-workers will categorize you as. While you probably fall into some of them, you can challenge others simply by being real. I am myself. I’m not trying to be perfect or better than anyone else. I make mistakes. I’m a human that forgets things (like going to meetings that I scheduled!). I can get annoyed or frustrated sometimes. I find silly things funny. I get tired. People need to see that Christians are people, too!

How do you witness to the people in your workplace?

Since one of my primary love languages is acts of service, show me some love by checking out the post: The Quirky Christian’s Guide to Amen Etiquette.

Thanks all & thanks Jon!!

My name is Jessica. I’m a left-brained girl with right-brain tendencies and it makes for an interesting thought life. It’s like rainbow unicorns flying between math problems. Depending on the day, either one of those things is what keeps me from going completely crazy. I don’t know how people do it just having rainbow unicorns or just having math problems.

The Quirky Christian is a collection of my personal thoughts and expressions as it relates to the Christian life I’ve experienced thus far.

Take some time to look around. Check out my about page. Explore some of my categories:

• Controversial: things that I’m opinionated about. Yours might be different, that’s cool. Let’s talk.
• Creative: things that stem from the flying rainbow unicorns. When inspiration comes, it can’t be bridled.
• Informative: things that I know. Since knowledge puffs up, I have to get it out so that my head doesn’t explode.
• Light-hearted: things that I think are funny. If you don’t, could you just laugh politely though, so that I don’t feel like a dork?
• Practical: advice to help get through little things in life.
• Quirky Corner: stories of other Quirky Christians. It’s encouraging to hear how other people came to Christ.
• Stories: things that happened in my life. Often it teaches me something, too.
• Thought Provoking: things that I’ve thought about. Have you?

Feel free to keep in touch by liking my Facebook page or following me on Twitter.

Thanks for stopping by! I hope to see you again soon!

As I pull up to the stop sign, there is usually a long line of cars coming from the right due to the green light. By the time it lets up and I’ve got room to go, I quickly check to my left. Unfortunately, there just happens to be a single car coming from that very direction ready to pass by at the exact same time that I need to pull out to make my turn. So, I wait.

Upon the passing of that car, I check to my right. As luck would have it, all the cars that have been yielding at the opposite red light have turned right onto this road, which means I still can’t make the left turn. By the time all those additional cars from the right are gone, I check to my left once more and, by golly, there are more cars coming from that direction traveling just fast enough to prevent me from making my left turn…again.

Photo by Justin Scott Campbell

As the other cars finish passing from my left, I turn to my right and, would you believe, a car from the road I’m presently on has stopped at my right and is getting ready to make a right turn. Unfortunately, since there is a hill, I cannot see past this car to know if there is more traffic coming from that direction. It is only after it has completed its right turn that I am able to get a clear view of the road, and, as fate would have it, the light down at the busy intersection to the right has turned green again and the cycle repeats.

Now, today I randomly started analyzing my reaction to this situation. What’s the big deal that the ten second turn ends up taking ten minutes? Is it really that big or a deal to wait? The truth is, no matter how well I can justify to myself why I should be able to make a ten second left turn at that intersection, it realistically won’t happen at 5:00 p.m. on a week day, so it is no use fighting it. What makes me so much more important than any other person on the road that wants to get home  equally as much as I do? Nothing, that’s what. I’m sure some of those people have had a worse day than I have and some have more than three-and-a-half mile drive home.

Instead of using the ten minutes to let my impatient selfishness get the better of me, I realized I can have a better attitude, like: 1) be thankful for my first chunk of uninterrupted time for the day or 2) enjoy the beautiful fall colors of the trees in front of me or 3) appreciate that in less than fifteen minutes I will be able to sit down on my living room couch. These may seem like insignificant things, but they truly are some of God’s many graces that he daily bestows on us. Taking the time to notice makes all the difference.

What are some of your favorite daily graces? Which ones have you recently been overlooking?

Now, I’m not opposed to bikinis. I own one myself. Two actually. You will never know what I look like in them, though. That information is classified for authorized personnel (a.k.a., my husband). I’m also not opposed to posting pictures on facebook. I have445 pictures posted of myself, some of which I am actually pictured in a swim suit.

I am, however, a proponent for modesty. Walking around in a swimsuit that is essentially the equivalent to one’s daily undergarments and then posting them for the world to see is a little out of taste, in my opinion–especially when my husband, my brothers, my brother-in-laws, my fathers, and my friends’ husbands are in the virtual vicinity.

I’m not jealous, though I admit it would be cool to have a really nice bikini body. But in all honesty, I really don’t want the men I love drooling over you. Nor do I want them having to worry about not wanting to drool over you. Should a guy really have to block you as a friend on facebook because your pictures are so tempting?

Am I out of line here? Am I stuck back in the Victorian era? Am I making a big deal about nothing? Check out this post from a guy blogger for some additional perspective.

Allow me to set the stage. You’re singing in church and in the middle of the third song it suddenly creeps up on you. Your worship leader goes into the chorus. The notes keep getting higher and higher, all the while getting harder and harder to sing! Or, perhaps the song just started in some weird key and you couldn’t decide which octave to sing it in to begin with. Either way, when it hits you’ve got a decision to make–fast, and you better choose wisely, or your joyful noise will inevitably lose the “joyful” part (at least in your neighbor’s opinion).

If you’re like me, you may have tried unsuccessfully to keep your voice in the octave where you started the song. This then proved to be a grave distraction to your worship experience because instead of gracefully singing to God, you were preoccupied with the awkwardness of your squeaky high notes or airy low notes.

The next time you find yourself in this situation, simply follow “The Quirky Christian’s Guide to Weird Key Worship Singing.” These helpful hints are tried and true, and at least one will most certainly strike a chord with you.

1) Flip the octave
This is nice because you can continue to sing melody, but it does involve some vocal gymnastics, so be ready. You will need to flip to a higher or lower octave right in the middle of the song.  Find a breaking point, usually right before the chorus or at the start of a verse, and flip it…flip it good!

2) Sing the harmony
This is nice because you can continue to stay in the same octave, but it does require some musical instincts. If you’re singing from a hymn book, just start singing one of the other parts you see on the page. If you’re looking at a screen with projected words, you’ll have more of a challenge: singing by ear. Try following the second vocalist, otherwise just pick a note that sounds good!

3) Mouth the words
This is a quick and easy way to continue a normal appearance without sounding like a squeaky wheel. You will still feel like you’re actively participating in the worship because you have to say the words in your head, but no one will ever notice that there actually is no sound leaving your lips!

4) Stop singing all together
This is probably the most effortless option, but must be executed well to blend in effectively. Close your eyes, close your mouth, and worship with your heart. Soak in the music. If you’re feeling extra moved, go ahead and raise your hands.

There you have it. Feel free to write these hints on the palm of your hand before you go to church next time. That way, they can be easily referenced. Just make sure it’s not the hand you normally raise during worship.

Annie’s Story:

Annie’s Ministry:

Oh, Ad hoc usher, we feel for you
as we watch you pass the plate.
The guy who bailed now burdens you
and has surely sealed your fate.

Your volunteerism we admire.
While sincere it may well be,
it lacks the time experience requires
to pass  successfully.

Now, row by row you get behind
but you do not even notice.
The anxious thoughts within your mind
deter you from your focus.

The plate is given to our row
that has already been started.
We pass it to the next one, though,
once from us you’ve departed.

We understand. It’s not your fault.
We cannot make you a rusher.
You tried at least, this we’ll exalt.
You’re just an ad hoc usher.

Photo by Horia Varlan

Each Bible has their own look and feel. It’s what gives them personality. At the same time, it’s important to think about your Bible’s life span. How long you hope to use it combined with personal taste will steer you in the right direction in regards to Bible bindings.

1. Softcover
Paperback binding has a good feel, but is not as durable. Without a Bible cover, the binding and cover will wear out easily if consistently used. While softcover is typically cheaper, once you add in the cost of the Bible cover, it doesn’t make much difference.

2. Hardcover
This binding is very durable so these Bibles should have some longevity without needing extra protection from a Bible cover. I’ve had one since I was in first grade and it is still in tact in spite of my childhood wear and tear. Hardbacks are generally affordable.

3. Imitation Leather
Imitation leather adds an extra level of durability, possesses a similar feel to a softcover, and has the look of leather. It is also reasonably priced. After some good use, however, you may wish to invest in a Bible cover.

4. Genuine Leather
The quality of the leather will determine how long it will last and how much it costs. Real leather looks and feels nice and is durable, but it does come at a price. If you are able to afford it, it is definitely worth the investment.

5. eBook
The durability of your eBible lies in the durability of your PC, laptop, tablet, mobile device, or Kindle. Have all the features of a printed copy in electronic form. These are also very reasonably priced, the majority being under $20. Welcome to 21st century Christianity!

Which binding to you prefer and why?