Christ wasn't sweet to the moneychangers. Nor was Christ sweet to the scribes and Pharisees in Matthew 23. If we are to follow Him, should we ignore that part of Him? We are told to put on the full armor of God — armor isn't needed if you're hugging someone; for battle it is.

Spiritual battle you know about. Word battles (some would say they are physical because they aren't strictly spiritual) are necessary also. Otherwise, what happens to our light if we are not willing to fight for the right to shine it? Look at what happened to our schools when Christians took our hands off of the schools. Our nation started going downhill and our children's education included "abortion is okay" and education went toward Marxism. I do battle against that sort of thinking.

I strongly believe in the Bible (every jot and tittle) and think that if "Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free" and "Thou shalt not lie" are God's words, then speaking the truth at all times about all things is important and I do so. I do not candy coat it, nor do I think that everyone responds to candy coating. I have been in the political arena long enough to know that if I were "sweet" that the enemy would try to walk all over me. I don't wish to make my battle harder, so I am strong up front and let them know that. I am the Christian God warned them about.

As far as my reputation is concerned, I have a good reputation with my family and among those who are strong Conservatives and strong Christians (no offense to the sweet people). I am along the same lines as Doug Giles. I am happy with that. I have yet to be convicted by the Lord that I am doing it wrong. So I am not worried about displeasing Him.

The way I see it, there has to be parts of both. There must be the Doug Gileses and I out there because our battle-ready, up front, stronger than steel attitudes and beliefs in these days when Marxism and evil are in the White House (look up how many of the advisers and cabinet members are socialists/Marxists), in the schools, accepted and practiced by the mainstream media, and how they're trying to take away our religious freedom (First Amendment protected) is all that stands between our God given rights and them being taken away. Yes, there are politicians who will stand up for it, but politicians have all kinds of things to consider and they sometimes change their minds (Nelson of Nebraska). If it weren't for those of us with the armor on who are willing to do battle, how much more difficult would life be for our Brothers and Sisters in Christ who are the honey?

No, I am not saying anything negative against the "Sweet" Christians. I love them dearly. I am saying that God made some warriors and some He made sweet. We are not all on thing. He made us "apostles, and some, prophets, and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry for the edifying of the body of Christ:" (Eph. 4:11-12). We are different for the same reason: Christ.

Therefore, if I have a reputation of being a strong, opinionated, political animal who also knows quite a bit of the Bible and takes its teachings literally and spiritually — and am hard nosed and unflinching about it — then I have a "bad" reputation amongst some groups. To be honest, though, I don't really care because I only worry about my reputation with the following: God (first, foremost and always); my husband of thirty-two years; my sons; my mother. Other than that I don't really worry about my reputation on this earth.

It is when I get to the pearly gates and God says to me, "Well done, my good and faithful servant" that my reputation will be established. If I did as I was called by Him to do, that's what my goal is. Reputation down here? Not so much.

I suppose that could be a hindrance to being published, but that is also a price I'm willing to pay to be who God created me to be: putting on the full armor of God to go to battle, full on, toe to toe, eye to eye and never flinching, never failing.

I'll bet that agent who wrote a nasty rejection to Stephenie Meyers wishes s/he could take it back, while Ms. Meyers is laughing all the way to the bank! Who knew?

Reputation is a reason why I work so hard on writing quality blog posts; I want a reputation for writing enjoyable, well-crafted, and thoughtful work, and if a reader doesn't see this in my blogs, then my reputation suffers a bit.

We should all take the high road. After all, you're just withholding ammo for people to use against you.

However; as Christians we must always be careful not to cross the line where our reputation becomes an idol rather than a virtue. I always am wary of those who say, "My reputation is everything to me."

I believe if we concentrate on fixing our eyes on Jesus and do what is right in His eyes, we'll shine a light that will be evident to many. Our "yes" will be a "yes" we'll meet our obligations and we'll extend grace to all, even to those whose opinions we don't always share.

An excellent reputation will be a highly probably side benefit.