Always & Forever About Jesus

 Another morning lounging around until noon in my pjs, I thought, “I suppose I should do some devotions.” Another example on how I am totally imperfect. Devotions shouldn’t be a chore, but with the everyday demands of life, it can unfortunately feel like it. With this mentality I then felt guilty for even trying to do devotions-I was already distracted by texting my friends and discussing nonsense. But the Lord had something else in mind. Regardless, of my distractions and somewhat shame, He told me to read Ecc. 4

*I realize a lot of my blog posts begin this way. Just know it’s going to be a good one.

I don’t know about you but this chapter broke down into four different and specific topics for me.

1.      Life

2.      Money

3.      Companionship

4.      Wisdom

Going further than that, these passages spoke about the motivation for behind each topic.

1.      My idea behind life

2.      My idea behind  money

3.      My idea behind companionship

4.      My idea behind wisdom

The more I thought about my life (this would be a good part to think about your own), a lot of what really motivates me…is me. Think about it. Why do you do what you do? To get ahead in life? To have something more than another? 

Although these things (love, money, family, ect.) can be good, even great things…the motivation behind all of it is really selfishness.

I admit as this year has gone by with all of the preparations to go back to India, there have been times in which I thought I was the coolest thing ever. Here I was going across seas and going on this awesome adventure, while others were not. Selfish thinking I know. It didn’t begin that way. But at some point those thoughts crept in.

So I thought to myself, “How do become more giving and less selfish in these areas of my life?”

Tis the season of giving. But is giving really only designated for a season? As a Christian, a Christ Follower, we need to change that. I defiantly need to change that!

So how do we transition from

Well like any transition in life, it needs to involve Jesus.

Believe it or not, I didn’t come up with that on my own. It literally took talking to my friend (yes, the friend I was texting during devotions) to remind me. I was recalling the Christmas gifts I recently bought for my sister and a thought came to my mind, “And why did I buy those specific gifts?” My answer, “Well, I want my sister to know Jesus.”

That, that is the answer. The solution. 

That, that is the real reason why I am going to India-so I can better tell people in India about Jesus.

That should be the reason for everything we want in life as Christ Followers because we acknowledge the greatest gift ever given-Jesus.

Like the birth of a child, it brings about a change, a new chapter. It is full of responsibilities, full of stress, full of joys. It requires intensive care, nourishment, and love.

Jesus knew exactly what He was doing by being born by the virgin Mary and to her husband Joseph those many years ago. God knew the exact time and place where Jesus was going to be born. He orchestrated it as such. He was in control even when the inn keeper said there was no room, He was in control when they had to leave Bethlehem due to King David being on a jealousy killing spree, and He was certainly in control when Jesus was being lead to the cross.

It’s always and forever about Jesus.

Look it up, all through the scriptures, regardless of the circumstances God replies: “This has happened so that the glory of God may be revealed and everyone would know that He is the one, true & living God.”  

In fact the whole Nativity Scene can shed light on our matter at hand & our motivations. I would go take a look at it if I were you.

I was about to end my devotions there, listen to the worship song: “It’s All About You” and call it a day. But no, we cannot end there. So we have the solution to our question, but do we have an action plan. We can’t just shot out an answer of, “Jesus” and stop there.

So I analyzed my topics again:

1.      Family (giving life to another)

2.      Career (stable finances)

3.      A Spouse (Companionship)

4.      Wisdom

Instead of my motivation for these things simply being because I want them (man, I sound like a typical American). But putting myself aside and putting Jesus front & forward, my action plan for doing so is as such:

1.      Instead of just wanting a family, I would want a family (if God allows it) to have more people with dynamic personalities to minister to the parts of the world unreached.

2.      In my career choice and motivation for that possibly being money (in which a lot of times it is), I should remember that no matter what happens God takes care of me. He is always faithful and He provides my needs.

3.      To have a companion in this life shouldn’t be to just eliminate my loneliness, but   because “two cords are better than one.” Too many times I try to do things alone, but with these big dreams of mine, I can’t do this by myself. I need a partner who is also in Christ & we need to all be a team.

4.      To not be wise in my own eyes, I need to always be seeking counsel and remembering that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”

Your Turn:

·         So do you have a problem with selfishness too? If so, we’re twins!

·         Do you know why you’re selfish or what motivates it?

·         How are you going to become selfless?

·         Do you find Jesus to be the answer?

·         How do you find Jesus to be the answer?

"Make it About the Cause & Not so Much About You”-my Volunteer Management Prof @MSU

<<Nothing revolves around me, why would I ever think it does?>>

I woke up from my already terrifying dream to a woman screaming, “HELP!” It’s not like I live in a terrible neighborhood, but then again I have heard similar things before. My dream composed of both a nightmare and that fantasy life I always imagine having…

I was in India shadowing a missionary. It was as if I were already on my internship, except I knew this wasn’t what I had in mind. It was both better than what I had in mind and absolutely horrifying.

We were ministering to these specific children in this one community. We had established already a learning center where children not only expressed themselves through art, but most importantly learned about Jesus and His powerful love for them.

In my dream, we were never with more than two students at a time. Due to this dynamic setup, we built immediate rapport. However, due to being in India-a predominate Hindu country and full of Christian persecution, both us and the children knew the tremendous risk of being together. In my dream, we did have one young woman choose to leave our organization and choose to be a young bride. We had to accept that lose and just pray.

I was nervous and scared, but not as much I should have been. I was more focused on unprepared I was and how I stink with children (unless it’s my Ella Bella Boo Bear). But the children trusted me. One even rested her head upon my shoulders.

But all of that was about to change in an instant. All of sudden, a loud horn blew…or maybe it was my alarm…like my legit alarm telling me it was time to get & do the homework I’ve been putting off…Anyways, the horn drew all the community members into this stadium like set up. Now this stadium wasn’t fancy by any means, it was built of rock and the middle of the stadium was simply dirt & sand. In the middle also stood an older gentlemen…actually I don’t know if I can even call him that after what he proceeded to do…he was talking to the people angrily and called a small boy child to the platform built in the mud. The missionary and I were just lingering in the background, trying to pretend that we were preoccupied by something else. I, however, caught glimpses of what was taking place just a few yards away. The older man proceeded to make fun of the Christians and mock God for not being the God who saves. He then pulled out a rifle and aimed it at the young boy. I couldn’t watch.

Obviously, after a dream like that I HAD to pray.

I don’t know what the dream meant, but I do know one thing-as Christians here in America, we certainly don’t know what it means to be Christian. As my Philosophy Professor says, “You think that you know, but you don’t know.”

I am guilty as well.

Instead of being a “little Christ” as the word Christian implies, we (and I included) sit in our cozy hovering chairs, sipping an extra-large coke from McDonald’s, and playing on the latest IPad…and yes, I’m most certainly comparing us to the people in Wall-E.

I asked God what that dream was about. His answer was as plain as day:

“Will you follow me?”

The Holy Spirit then took me to Ephesians 5: 6-14, with an emphasis on verse 10.

As “Little Christs” we embody that light scripture refers to. Will we be the light in the dark places? Especially when all other lights go out? (sorry LOTR is a fav of mine too).

India is a place where billions upon billions upon billions of people dwell in darkness. This darkness begins spiritually, transcends emotionally and ruptures physically. I am not hating on other people’s beliefs. What I do hate are lies that are captivating our brothers and sisters in India and are keeping them in bondage. Hinduism is a religion where thousands of deities are worshipped. On every street corner, in every taxi or bus, you will see an idol. People are wrapped into this mentality that an image made out of stone and clay, bedazzled with flowers and gems, will save them. Of course these images represent that of which were presented in ancient texts and stories. The same texts and stories that say one group of people is better than another and that those on the bottom should always be at the bottom. People get upset by the horrors they have heard or seen by so called Christians, but Hinduism also has its horrors. Culture is shaped by these lies; lies I will not hesitate to say are from Satan himself. Children are forced into slavery and forced to be temple prostitutes. Woman being abused by men, even burned or tortured. Elders forgotten and widows left to wonder the streets. As Americans we may know the pain and the hunger, we may know how it feels to live in the streets and beg, but we do not know the utter darkness that penetrates those living in India.

If by somehow we do or have caught a glimpse of what I just described, then why aren’t we doing something about it?

As the band Casting Crowns sings, “If we are the Body, why aren’t His arms reaching? Why aren’t His hands healing? Why aren’t His words not teaching?”

When I came home from another long and frustrating day at work the other day, I came home to be greeted by Sandra’s friend who is a prophetess. I’ve always been hesitant on when people say they have that spiritual gift, but the New Testament does note it is a gift (now there are some stipulations with that gift, but I will not explain them now). She was just about the leave but had forgotten something inside; thus, giving her and me the perfect time to meet. She boosted about how pretty I was…with my stained uniform, messy hair and all. Then she said this over me: “You’re about to finish school.” I agreed; for with my IDP degree I will be graduating next December instead of in two years. She then said, “You have been greatly blessed.” I agreed; as Sandra always notes I haven’t had to really worry about anything, that God has made things go smoothly. Then she said, “You are planning something after you graduate, but it will not happen. However, it is for your good and God’s glory.” I think she was referring to the plans of traveling around the US and doing outreach ministry with one of my friends. But we will see.

“My ways are not your ways,” says the Lord. “Nor are my thoughts, your thoughts.” –Isaiah 55:8

Why do I tell you this?

Because despite the fact that every time I think I am alone or messed up for good, or I went too far or this time is somehow different-God has ALWAYS been faithful to me! He has never failed nor will He ever! Our God, Yahweh, Jesus, is faithful and will prevail through all and every darkness! He will set the prisoners free! He will bring justice! He will bring restoration! He will bring peace! But our ways are not His ways and our thoughts are not His thoughts. Thus, how He brings these things may not be as you have planned.

I don’t have the answers as to exactly why things happen, why there’s evil in this world and why we must fight the darkness. But I do know that Jesus is alive and His spirit lives in those who have surrendered their lives to Him. We have the same power that rose Jesus from the grave in us. We can and will do more than what was told of Jesus-He says it Himself!

• Will you let the lies of the world deceive you? Or will you be children of the Light?
• 
  
• Will you find out what pleases the Lord and answer His call to make disciples of all nations? Or will you continue to live a life caught in the web of societal demands and chasing after the wind?

Jesus is for India. Jesus is for all of us. Are you with Jesus?    

Sponsor Letter 2016

(919) 438-2444                    400 Fayetteville Street Ste E - Raleigh, NC 27601         https://globalhopeindia.org/

Dear Friends & Family:

God has opened the door for me to travel with Global Hope India on a mission trip to Orissa, India during May 20-Aug. 9, 2016. GHI (Global Hope India) is the product of 14 years of ministry in India whose work centers on empowering the church in India for the advancement of the Gospel in three ways: church planting, village development, and child rescue. During our trip we’ll be serving alongside native church planting missionaries and their churches to empower physical and spiritual transformation in their villages.

With 1.2 billion people, India is among the largest, poorest, neediest, and most undeveloped countries in the world. Half of the world’s orphans live in India. Whether it is a Bible club for children, a pastor’s conference for native missionaries, or distributing live chickens to a leper colony, we will get out of our comfort zone and seek to join God in His work in the midst of real human need! No doubt, it will be a life-changing experience for me and our team!

Your help is needed! This is a team project, and you are needed on the team too!  First, we need your prayers through the entire mission. Pray for safety, changed lives, and wisdom.

Second, we need your financial investment in God’s work in India so that I may go.  The cost is $2,900.  Anything you can do to support my trip is greatly needed and appreciated! This full amount is due March 15, 2016. In addition, I  will be receiving school credit for this internship towards my BS degree in Faith-Based & Holistic Community Development at Metropolitan State University were I currently attend in Denver, CO. Tuition for summer programs are not covered by government financial aid. Thus, an added cost of $3,000 has been added to my expenses. As I am preparing to leave, there are still the costs of vaccinations, airplane tickets, and visas to be considered. Vaccinations alone can be more than $1,000. All extraneous items need to be covered this month (Oct-Nov).    

Please give as generously as God allows you. You may go to: https://globalhopeindia.org/donate/ click on “Designate this Donation”, click “2016 India Interns”, and then click the “Designate to Samantha Reeser”. If the amount is not designated up front and in this specified way, I will not receive your generous donation. If checks are more preferable, please make them payable to Global Hope India and mail to GHI - 400 Fayetteville St Ste E - Raleigh, NC 27601 with my name (Samantha Reeser) on a sticky note. Donating these two ways will in return give you a tax-deductible receipt from GHI.  All gifts to GHI are tax-deductible and therefore non-refundable. All donations are used to support GHI and its charitable causes.    

Please let me know if you have any questions.  I will be continuing to post updates about this journey; as well as, my study abroad in Bangalore, India which will take place Feb. 1-May 20, 2016 on my YouTube channel. You can follow me at: Samantha Reeser. I leave the U.S.A January 30, 2016. You and your support are very important to me!  Thank you for praying for me and the entire team as we continue supporting God’s work in India!

Sincerely,

 

Samantha Reeser

GHI federal Tax ID: 22-3894982. For more information please visit www.globalhopeindia.org Thank you!

Reflections & Prospect

As some of you may know I got to travel to India this passed January with Compassion International and visit my sponsor child, Rimpy Guala, as well as many other children being sponsored by compassionate hearts around the world.

It obviously was the highlight of my year and of Rimpy's! In fact my recent letter from her asked when I would be returning!

I got to provide Rimpy and her family with a fleece blanket, toiletries, small bouncy balls, stickers and many other fun things!

In return, meeting her and the many others provided me with hope and anticipation for what God would do through me in the future.

I now I have the blessing of returning to India and continuing to be part of that beautiful culture. I will be studying at Christ University in Bangalore from Feb. 1, 2016-May. While on this study abroad I will be enrolled in  

Course	Term	Grade	Units	Track	Level	Status	Fee
Buddhism and Hinduism in Contemporary Society	Spring		3.00		400
Caste, Class, and Gender in India	Spring		3.00		400
Indian Culture and Traditions	Spring		3.00		300
Introduction to Hindi Language	Spring		1.00		100
Meaning of Rituals in Indian Society	Spring		3.00		400
Service Learning	Spring		1.00		400

 with the program U.S.A.C generated through the University of Idaho.

The total cost of this program is $5,000-which covers my room & board ( I will be living in a female dorm on campus), intuition & course work, & some of those lovely miscellaneous items all colleges like to through in :)

Thankfully, I have had to only pay $1,000 and my financial aid is paying the rest.

Following my study abroad, I will be interning with Global Hope India-a Christian Non-Profit that encourages the local churches in India. Check out their link here: https://globalhopeindia.org/   

While on this internship I will be assisting with medical check-ups, ministering to woman & children, and empowering the local believers in Orissa, India.

 The cost of the internship is roughly $3,000-which covers May-Aug. room & board and transportation.  However, I will also be receiving school credit through my home university, Metropolitan State. The additional cost for this is another $3,000. 

As you can imagine I am fundraising like crazy! hahah. So far I have had a pancake picnic event, cleaned houses, got a second job, and meet with a couple of churches to gain support. Long story sort, I need all the help I can get.

Yet, despite this inevitable. I am reminded that this is not about me. No rather there is a greater name that needs to be recognized; that name is Jesus. 

As believers and followers of Jesus, it is important to always be reminded that no matter what we do, it should be in honor and representation of Him.

Now, of course, we get this wrong....okay a lot of times we get this wrong. I have commented on this numerous times in my blogs. But here, I want to take a minute to comment on the things we actually do get right, those moments of "greatness", of "astounding recognition", of being noted as "saintly."

Jesus goes beyond us all.

Yes, beyond us all.

The statement: "The ground is all level at the foot of the cross" isn't just for those who feel unworthy, but also for those who feel too worthy.

Sometimes those in ministry can get a big head and think that what they do or say is comparable to the Holy Word of God. News flash, it's not. If someone says that what they are about to tell you can/will "change your life" be questionable. Only the Holy Spirit of the one true God, Yahway can do that. 

Thus, I am reminded as I pursue my missionary journeys that sure some people may say I am great...but my "greatness" doesn't even compare to a grain of salt in the majesty of our God. Jesus needs to be greater. For He is greater. John 3:30

When my mindset is changed to this way of thinking, it then takes me to a place of:

-this is God's mission

-these are God's people

-I am a vessel for God

I humbly ask for you support in any way possible towards this internship in India, for I am simply following our GREAT God to used by His GREAT Spirit to reveal to our brothers/sisters in India Jesus's GREAT Love.

You can donate now on the link provided:Donate Now

Click "designate gift", then "2016 India Interns" and finally click "Samantha Reeser"

I appreciate your prayers and donations. Thank you and God bless!

Lover of Dusk

You're here, but I'm far away/you're gone but I wished you'd stay/warm hearts/cold hands/the fire was kindled but never danced/temptations & love/or brushed by death?

I'm lost in my head/swaying in my bed/yesterday's memories tossed in a box/a kiss on a page/your heart was full of locks

This pain traded for that happiness/but joy is what needed/your arm around my wast/but wholeness was defeated/you say you're lost/I say, "your loss"

Come back to bed/come morning lovers dead/the past was granted/don't let it take the living/don't let take the living/don't let it take the living

  

It's By Words

You said, "come." 

I came, after a while. You said, "sit."

I sat, after questioning where.

You said, "walk with me."

I said "sure, but for how long?"

You said, "don't worry."

I said "okay," but my heart said no.

You said, "take my hand."

I staired & laughed.

Are you really here God?

Do you really want me God?

You smiled & laughed right along.

You knew my every song.

Regardless of my doubts & shortcomings,

You whispered, "I love you."

And I listened.

I was in awe.

I was amazed.

You drew me in & healed my wounds.

You wrapped your arms around me

& you called me by name.

I like it here in your embrace.

I like it here in your arms of grace.

But then you asked me,

"Will you go where I have gone?

Will you do what I have done?"

I was confused.

"Father, why don't we wait-

Why don't we rest?"

But something stirred in my heart,

Something sparked.

All around me people didn't see,

All around me people didn't hear.

"You want me to show them the way?"

You nodded yes.

"Am I ready for the call?

Am I ready to bare it all?"

You nodded yes.

"Just continue walking with me,

For I am all you need."

I held on tight before we took flight.

Where will we go next?

He smiled & said,

"To wherever my Love can rest."

“Movie Review> Exodus: Gods and Kings

I don’t even know if I typed the title correct or not for this pathetic a** movie (sorry Christians & Christian Baile). Then again, the writers didn’t seem to care on how they reenacted this Biblical story. I don’t recall who told me that this was a good movie (actually I do, but I am not that heartless as to throw them under the bus), but I think that person was on crack or something (joking…but not joking.) This movie was an epic fail, but good job producers on giving me & my company a good laugh. One star on getting us to dive back into the Holy Scriptures to see what it actually said! Like companion stated, “The same people who made this film must have made Noah’s Ark because they both sucked butt.” (*not her actually words, but yeah) What is wrong with you movie people?! Are you trying to be so much like 9 News (or for that fact, any news station) & distorting everything you read/say so you get good ratings?! What happened to reporting the Truth? Isn’t that what they teach you in ELEMENTARY school?!

So what were the problems with this two & half hours of wasted life time?

1)     There was not a killing of Hebrew babies that sent Moses into a basket sailing on the river (sorry cartoon version Prince of Peace, you got that wrong too.) Scripture states: “The woman (Moses’s mother) came pregnant and gave birth to a son; when she saw that he was beautiful (other versions say heathy or special), she hid him for three months.”-Ex. 2:2. The next verse continues in stating that when she could not hide him any longer, she sent him down the Nile. What about him was “beautiful”? Did she simply not want her baby to lose such value & become enslaved like the rest of the Israelites? We do not know all the answers. *side note the name “Moses” was given to him once he was drawn out of the water & from the Pharaoh’s daughter. We do not know his birth name.

2)     The movie portrays Moses as being out-casted & shunned for being a Hebrew, when in fact both the Pharaoh’s daughter & Moses knew about his origins (Ex. 2:6 &11).  What REALLY happened was that Moses killed an Egyptian who was beating a Hebrew, the Pharaoh was pissed & tried to kill Moses & thus, Moses got his butt out of there!

3)     In the film, when Moses is introduced to Reul he is very vague on who is & where he came from. When in fact the daughters he “rescued at the well (verses 17) knew he was an Egyptian.

4)     Good job producers, Moses did have a son. Most churches do not make a note of this…well at least they didn’t when I was growing up. Moses’s son’s name was, Gershom (verse 22).

5)     The producers took a lot of liberty in the angel that appeared to Moses. Actually that whole scene on the mountain top was F***ed up. Sorry…it was. It made it seem like Moses’s was hallucinating due to being knocked in the head. None of that avalanche/storm crap happened. Don’t make the Word of God crazier than it already is ok! The angel or God or whatever being a child was different. I’m still debating if I like that or not. Wait no I just decided, I don’t! I get that perhaps the film makers where trying to pull upon Jesus’s words of “the kingdom of God belongs to the least of these” meaning the children & such, but really…that child had a mouth. Not saying God doesn’t get snippy with us at times…but really? The movie completely skipped the WHOLE dialogue between Moses & God.

6)     One question: where was Moses’s staff throughout this movie? Did they simply forget that he was a shepherd while living with the Land of Midian?

7)     If people would read the Word of God, they would know that Zipporah (Moses’s wife) & their son went to Egypt with him.

8)     Aaron & Moses did not have this little feud going on that we like to have thought. In fact, Aaron did most of the speaking unlike this “General Moses.”

9)     The first plague: water turned into blood. This was not accomplished through alligators/crocodiles eating so many people that the blood filled all the waters. No, believe it or not this was a MIRACLEL! It was accomplished through God’s mighty power in Aaron’s staff.

10) Moses’s makes a miniature speech on how the lamb will be honored from this day of Passover & on-ward if what he predicted in the last plague will came true. The focus point was not the lamb, but the blood. Without the spilling of pure blood there would be no forgiveness. Read Leviticus. This was all preparing the way for Jesus, our ultimate sacrifice.

11) The movie had a good concept of Moses giving up his pride & finally surrendering to God that was the possible reason for the Red Sea drying up. But guess what? This too was incorrect. Moses didn’t suffer with pride issues (no that wasn’t until the part with the water from the rock later on in Exodus.) In fact, he struggled with the exact opposite! Also, the water did not dry up, it parted (Exodus 14: 21-22).

12) “When He (God) finished speaking with Moses on Mount Sanai, He gave him the two tablets of the testimony, stone tablets inscribed by the finger of God.”-Ex. 31: 18. None of this Moses’s drinking tea with a child who is supposed to be God crap.

And that ladies and gents is what really happened. Why are these things important?- because it is history declaring God’s deliverance. If God could do this for the tribe of Israel (as the movie made the distinction of : the people who wrestle with God, not fight…and yet, in the movie they fought the Egyptian leaders with fire bombs…again, not accurate)…if He could did this in the past, who is to say He cannot do it today & for us who may be in bandage?

These details are not a matter of life and death; yet, they are still important to know. Thank you for your time!

Following the Star

When the Wise Men followed the star that lead to where the Messiah was born, they weren't on an exploration of just awe & wonder but one that would be a completion of all their years of eager anticipation, dedicated work & heart-filled passions. What is amazing is that this "completion" did not end with them standing up as the kings of the world, but bowing down to The King of the world. God has a plan for our dreams & desires. That thing or things you're passionate about is purposeful. You're searching & longing all have meaning. And on that day when all you've ever hoped for comes to be, may it bring you to your knees at the feet of Jesus. (Matt. 2)

Some say Jesus was just a great teacher. Some even say a prophet, but what about friend? Lover? Savior?

Being a Philosophy minor (& living in Denver) I hear a lot of crap thrown onto Christianity. We shake our heads at religion & curse it's name for what it has done/is doing. 

At work we are taught not to apologize because we can not (personally) be found liable for a person's injuries. However, as I am a Christian & obviously human (who by nature is broken; thus, I do stupid things). I take my responsibility in apologizing for any time I have misrepresented my Jesus who loves you. My brothers & sisters (called The Church) may have also hurt you & misrepresented Jesus, who loves you. 

I am sorry you have experienced pain. But I am also sorry that you let an emotion then dictate what you believe. 

I heard today at my job a lady converse with another lady about a bracelet. This particular bracelet was silver with dragonflys engraved upon it. The one wearing it stated that wearing the silver healed her pain within her body & the dragonfly delivered her prayers to the gods.

#denver  

What I don't understand is why we look to creation to do what we can already do? How's come we trust ininanimate objects to do the job God has already given us the power to do? Does a stone or metal really heal you? Or is it just in your perception? Does an insect or animal really know what you're thinking, or does the Creator who made both of you know?

Don't get me wrong & go to a Burning-Man Festival (or whatever it is called) just because I said the power is inside you. What I refer to is not just our consciousness, but our consciousness connected with the Holy  Spirit.

 

People snuff at religious freaks who say "turn or burn". I am not a "religious freak"...but as the 90's DC Talk says "I am a Jesus Freak."

Yes, I preach of love & forgiveness. However, this cannot be taught without also the fact that we are fallen. God's mercy & wrath are different sides of the same coin. You can't get one without the other. Praise be to Jesus though for being the mediator so we just experience mercy!

It has been said by a great philosopher, that if you don't understand something you don't know it.

I don't understand how that can be true ironically-for there are a lot of things we don't understand & yet we know them to be.

-gravity

-space

-love

-ourselves

And the greatest of these being God.

The philosopher would then continue to say, "What I meant was, if you can not explain it or properly define it-you do not know it. And if you do not know it, how can it truly exist?"

Well, the same can be said about telling an Anglo-Saxon American to wear a camono while doing the rain dance. The White-Anglo Saxon American couldn't explain either due to lack of previously being taught. Do those things not exist then?

And who can ever know something without being taught? How can someone be taught if no one goes to teach? And how can someone go to teach without being sent?

Plato got one thing right in his Theory that we were born with a prior a  knowledge. That knowledge being God exists. (Romans 1-2)

Yet, Satan has put many blinders on our eyes & before we know it we have over 2 thousand gods! 

We are deceived in thinking that similar to spokes on  a wheel of a bike, there are many paths (or religions) that lead to the same end. My friends, this is incorrect. There are many stories (like paths), but there is only One Road and that is walking with Jesus. We all have different ways we come to know Jesus, but it is all about knowing Jesus. And the Word says that if you know Him (Jesus), you know the Father (God).

Ever notice how people get so angry when you say "Jesus loves you," but not when they say something like: "May Krishna bless you?" 

I think this is for several reasons:

1) people need to experience His (Jesus's) love before telling them it just exists (remember Thomas)

2) people think Christianity is old & dying (so though Thomas)

3) people like to be intrigued by what they don't understand (Thomas was brought to his knees)

*side note: Thomas (one of the apostles) brought the Gospel to Asia.

And let me tell yah something, those people passing out Vedas & chanting mantras don't know to whom they worship. Just like the Ancient Greeks.

All who lack understanding, just ask & it will be given to you. (James)

God did not put you in this world, in this society, in this culture & time period to confuse you. He wants you to know Him & tell the world that He alone (out of all the gods) lives. 

Don't be fooled, the days are sort; thus live as wise men.