What I Believe

Mike Bishop
Bull Rider - West Melbourne, Florida, USA

I hope you'll take a couple minutes to read this page. If you're "not religious", bear with me, I know you'll be glad ya did at the end. For the record, I ain't "religious" either- cause empty religion don't get ya anywhere.

Anyone who knows me personally will attest I can at times be a jackass. I'm not anywhere near perfect, and I often wind up stumbling down life's road. I used to drink, smoke, curse and fight as bad as anyone, and every now and again I still slip up.

In modern society, most people relate religion with spending hours at church, listening to boring sermons, scandal and hypocrisy. If you're goin to a church like this, find a new one.

The dictionary defines "religious" as "having or showing a belief in and reverence for God". In light of this definition, I guess am am "guilty" of being "religious". I have a strong belief there not only is a God, but He sacrificed His son to pay for my sins. I hope to show this in my everyday life.

I have been blessed in countless ways, small to large. I have a good job, a nice house, a pretty decent pickup truck, and good health. I can't count the number of close calls I've had in bull riding, and other circumstances, where I've been "really lucky" to avert disaster. "Lucky" = blessed.

None of these blessings I have earned or even deserve.

My life isn't perfect, either. Bad stuff happens. Usually, a result of my own actions. But every now and then, something comes out of the clear blue to give me grief.

What makes the difference for me, and gives me the strength to press on when the trail gets tough, is:

	Christ is always beside me, to guide me through life and pick me up when I fall.
	No matter what bad things happen, it won't be more than I can handle.
	There's a purpose for everything, even though it may not be immediately obvious.

It's important to understand bad stuff does not come from God, but rather Satan. God loves us and wants to see us successful - he donesn't dole out punishment on earth (lucky for me or I wouldn't be able to go outside during a thunderstorm).

People like to talk about heaven and hell. Of course, nobody wants to go to hell. So how do you get to heaven? A lot of folks think you get to heaven by "being good".

Unfortunately, nobody's that "good". You remember the bible story of Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. You can thank them for why it's impossible to be "good". Since that time, everyone will sin.

God gave His son, Jesus Christ, to pay for man's sins. If you accept Jesus as your personal savior and invite him to guide your life, you are saved.

If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your personal savior, your punishment has already been paid. It's like a "suspended sentence". You will live in heaven for eternity.

Personally, my faith isn't hung up on "going to heaven". Not that I want to go to hell. I try to focus on how I can live a life that is pleasing to God in the short time I am on this earth. It isn't all about "doing good deeds", or going to church 7 days a week, or reciting empty prayers.. God wants us to have fun, and enjoy our lives. Make the most of it. Most of all, he wants us to be a permanent son or daughter.

Our human life is the greatest gift given to us. Don't get stuck in a rut - go out and live life; make memories, experience things, get to know people. Just be careful.

Sinful actions disappoint God, but not for the reason a lot of folks think. It's not that God sits up there like a slave driver, looking down on us with disdain when we don't perform his will.

Rather, God wants us to have a successful and happy life. He wants the best for us. Sin interferes with this plan. Just as there's no such thing as a "victimless crime", there's no such thing as a sin that doesn't hurt someone, whether it be yourself or others.

God is concerned for us when we stray. He will help us, even in the form of "punishment", when his "help" isn't obvious to us. And he will never turn his back on us. But God will not force us into submission - we are free to do as we please - even if we make a mess of it. That's his design.

As a cattleman, I can equate this relationship to livestock:

You have a calf who is sick, and trying to get 'em doctored up is a chore. The dogie's scared, he doesn't know you're trying to help him, so he keeps kickin' and squirmin'. You wouldn't just throw up your hands and leave him to die - you'll get the job done.

You have a good horse that cribs. He sure enjoys sucking that wood. But you know it will cause serious health problems, so you must train him stop. You put bitter apple spray on the stall to show him a minor effect of cribbing (bad taste), so he won't experience the major effect (tooth damage, lung disease). You also put him out to pasture more and exercise him, so he's not bored and likely to crib.

I've found out the hard way, when I sin, it usually boomerangs back on me. Had I exercised a little self control, I wouldn't be in many of the messes I've gotten into. Sometimes it takes a long time to realize this.

Thanks again for reading this far. If you're not a born again Christian, I hope you look into receiving the gift of salvation. Find a non-denominational church next Sunday, give it a spin. What do you have to loose? If you are a Christian, please include me in your prayers. I need 'em.