What does real Christianity look like?

What does real Christianity look like? I have made the decision to follow Christ, but what exactly does that entail? What did Jesus really mean when he said things like, "whoever of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple..."? What does it mean to offer yourself as a living sacrifice to God? How much of Christianity is denial of self? Does being a Christian mean becoming like Jesus (who spent his time with thieves and liars, had compassion on the poor and the social outcasts, and accosted the rich and comfortable)? Or does Christianity just mean to pray a prayer and be a nice person? What exactly does it mean to be a Christian? If people in other countries are becoming Christians, and they are losing their lives for it, are they the real thing, or are we? None of us here in America (or even in Europe) seem to be in any danger of losing our lives for being a Christian. So which of us is the real thing? What is the real thing?

I struggle, too...

Though my other blog posts may give the impression that I have it together and I'm just sitting here criticizing Christians, that is certainly not the case. I am simply a Christian with some very real struggles who is questioning the way we do some things. I have struggled with the same things that I question in Christianity. I wonder if God can use me because I mess up so much. I get discouraged because my arthritis and back problems keep me from being able to do much. I tell God that He should use someone else because I am not as talented as so-and-so. But God is teaching me that the way we often look at things is messed up. So that's why I am here--to share what God is teaching me and to help others gain a fresh perspective on what Christianity is all about.