Introduction

Hello!
This blog, Love, Not Shame, is designed to show others, Christian and non-Christian, that God is a God of love, not of shame.  Beyond that, it is also intended to encourage others to turn to God and lean on him wholeheartedly, relying on him and his word to determine how they should behave as Christians—not using other Christians as their example.
I, Katie, will be talking about all sorts of things in these posts.  I'm young (22), and frankly, the older I get, the less I know, but God has given me a story, and the ability to type and write, and format my thoughts into a text form...it would be a waste not to at least try.
I'm not perfect.  And my initial thought when I thought about writing "Love, Not Shame," was going to be an autobiography.  I'm not sure why I've been compelled to start this blog.  Whatever I say here, please read the Bible for yourself to come to your own conclusion.  But do read the Bible to come to your conclusion, don't just go with what others tell you.
A lot of my posts will probably touch on mental health, or sexual abuse, two of my biggest passions.  I may also share some of my notes from Bible Studies and sermons that I listen to or attend.  I'm going to do my best to make my posts follow God's will.
It's scary to do God's will sometimes.  I've messed up.  A lot.  And sometimes I feel imposter syndrome creeping up.  Like I have no right to try to reach out to others for Christ, because I've messed up so much, myself.  I get angry, and sometimes in my anger I do sin, which is the opposite of what a Christian is supposed to do.  As I go on in this blog, I'm sure that I'll share more about my life, and my mistakes and all that...but right now, I'm not sure I'm ready.
Sometimes I have to remind myself that one of the most influential people for God's kingdom (Paul) used to murder the very people he began ministering to.  The story of Saul to Paul is an amazing story of how God can redeem even the worst of people.  He loves everyone and his grace extends to, again everyone!  (Saul to Paul can be found in Acts 9, and if you don't have a Bible, one of my favorite websites and apps is Bible Gateway)
I tried to pour some symbolism into this blog, as well.  For some of you who may know me outside of this blog, and haven't just stumbled across it, you know that I'm also an author.  I love symbolism.  I love when names mean things (sometimes I don't even realize the meaning until I've written the book).  I love slipping little jokes in, or naming things literally, by using other names for them.  So it makes sense that I would want some symbolism in this blog, too.
The white background is because in the Bible, white symbolizes purity and victory.  We are called to be pure, like Christ.  And if we seek to be like him, and we succeed, through his help, we will be victorious and reign with Jesus.  The green font for certain things symbolizes newness.  God is making all things new.  He makes us new.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.[a] The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." — II Corinthians 5:17

And the font is just because I like the Lora font.  I'm not sure why I like it so much.  That is one area where there is no symbolism.  I just like it.
The name of the blog comes from something a friend told me near the end of this summer, when I was struggling immensely.  We had just finished watching something on Netflix, and it had touched on shame.  Something that I've struggled with my whole life.  Some of the shame came from my own actions.  Some of it was placed on me by people who should have protected me.  I spent a good hour crying, as I told him about how rough this summer had been.  And he hugged me, and talked with me, and finally, one of the big things he told me was this:
"My God is a God of love, not shame."
And it's true.  God isn't a God who wants you to live in shame.  Shame is bondage!  He came to free us from our chains!  Why would he put us in more bondage?  Uh, he wouldn't, that's why.  He wants you to live free, in truth, in love.  If you've asked God for forgiveness, and are seeking to live a life for him, you have no reason to even feel guilt.  Sometimes you have to forgive yourself.  And that's what I had to learn at the end of this summer.
My goals are to help show you God's love and truth, and to make you think.  If God is able to use me to do that, then my job on this blog has been done well.

Love,
Katie