For thousands of years, people have depicted witches as hideous, warty-nosed creatures who fly around on broomsticks, casting spells and brewing black magic. But that's not what Wicca is all about. Listen to anyone who practices the craft, and they'll tell you: Wicca is a religion that promotes peace, harmony, and healing. It's a belief system that celebrates nature. It empowers women. It encourages creativity. The Wiccan way to worship is as unique as each individual person. Those who use practical magic seek to affect positive change in their own lives and the lives of those they love.

In Wicca, there's no such thing as "right" or "wrong." There are no rules. The witch's creed is simple: if "it harm none, do as ye will." Sounds great, doesn't it? As long as it doesn't hurt anybody, do whatever you want. Live any way you want to. Worship any way you want to. Worship anyone you want to. Whatever works for you.

Unfortunately, Wicca doesn't work. As human beings, we were created by an all-knowing, all-powerful, all-loving God. He designed us to find our ultimate satisfaction and fulfillment in having an intimate, personal relationship with Him. Apart from that relationship, there is no hope, no harmony, and no healing. God is the Author of Life, the Creator of the universe and all its wonders. He is the infinite genius behind all creativity, the source of all power. He is the Truth that sets us free.

When God created the human race, He gave us rules to follow--not to restrict us or control us, not to punish us. These rules are meant to protect us and provide for us. God wants us to be free to enjoy the beautiful world that He had created. As our designer, He knows our strengths and weaknesses, the temptations we are susceptible to. He knows we need guidelines to help us make the best use of the freedom He has given us.

But as the Bible tells us, "There is none righteous, no, not one: there is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.... All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way..." (Romans 3:10-11, Isaiah 53:6).

We have all chosen to live life our own way, without any thought of what our Creator intended. We have broken God's rules. The Bible calls this sin. As our Creator, God has the right to do anything He wishes with us. In righteous indignation, He could banish us from His presence forever. In anger, He could annihilate us on the spot. But that's not what God is all about.

"God is light, and in him is no darkness at all" (1 John 1:5). He doesn't want to destroy us. He wants to save us--from our sin and from ourselves. God doesn't want to be cut off from us. He wants to be reconciled to us. In His love for us, He made a way.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).

No matter how hard we try, it's impossible for us live up to all the rules and lead a perfect, sinless life. But we don't have to, because Jesus did that for us. We don't have to die--and be eternally separated from God--because Jesus died on the cross in our place. He paid the penalty for us. We don't have to prove our worthiness. We don't have to submit to secret ceremonies or fulfill elaborate rituals to gain acceptance from God. He's already forgiven us. All we have to do is believe and receive the gift of salvation that He so freely gives.

Jesus said, "I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die" (John 11:25).

When we walk in harmony with our Creator, we experience a peace that passes all understanding. We discover a freedom, greater than any we have ever known. Freedom from sin, freedom from guilt, freedom from fear. We find a love that fills the deepest longings of our hearts.

To begin your own personal relationship with God, you might pray something like this:

"Dear God, I know that I have lived life on my own terms, without regard for You. Please forgive me. Thank You for sending Jesus to die on the cross for my sins. I turn now from my sins and invite You into my life. Teach me how to live in a way that pleases You. Amen."

( -- full text excerpt--- by Christin Ditchfield)