Jesus, writing only once... in the sand...

....talked only and it was written down by many, then copied by many more. Today , some wonder if He ever lived. Yet, was it Homer who wrote one book? One book only and no one questions whether he ever lived or not.  Yet another  typically misunderstood fact. All those witnesses writing their memories down and they over time yet all put together a totally unique story hung together perfectly. 

All that and disagreed on various facts, which is usual among so many witnesses. This proves they did not conspire to create such an original story, but they saw certain facts  each from their own perspective. And that perspective was predicted by prophets over the ages all thru the Old Testament.   Meanwhile He was 33 and His ministry lasted three years. It is all hard to believe, the wonder of it all. 

It requires faith to believe, not proof. Those drawn by God will seek it out, deligently. 

John 17

My mother read this chapter in John every morning and it is carved into her stone. This chapter repeats major points over and over , as many as three times in some cases. (Reminding some, 17 is the prayer Jesus makes during the night before being betrayed by Judas. He goes to the cross the next day.) 

We should talk to each other as if...

......we are talking to Jesus. That is said in a commandment among parables. Many, including pastors, are either not aware of this or choose to rationalize matters to the sidelines. I've witnessed the parable of the ninety nine ignored more than once. Church leaders often are lulled by their thriving clicks into thinking they get to choose who likes them. Another misstep is handling stumbling blocks as if  they were unmentionable under the guise of gossip so that things go untreated, and grow worse.

Are Christians smart?

Jesus inferred we were not. He said the children of the world were smarter than the children of the light. This was in the parable of the unjust servant. In church we see everyone likes to review the easy but no word about the more difficult to explain. Indeed some never even heard of it and became quite upset with me over my questions from the time I was a child.

I asked what happened to all those who died in the Flood. I was laughed at so extravagantly that it made it into the High School (Christian) yearbook.  The answer of course was right there in the account  of the crucifion itself. If we, and the teacher yet, didn't know, then where are we? How central can we get?

The parables contain the commandments of Jesus. If we love Jesus then we kmow and obey His commandments. I am not a chapter and verse man, but if I'm correct, try Luke 16:8 in the parable of the unjust servant for verification.

Definition of an essay.......

An essay is a trial. Everything I think of is a trial run at understanding, written for my own benefit, no one else.  If something I read sets me off into a new direction then that may prove profitable some unexpected way or another, or , maybe not.  Who knows unless I try? Everything is a try all run.

Questions in the doorway...

Why was it that only one has ever claimed to be the Son of God or to die and rise from the dead?  Not only do many seem not to comprehend the concept of the spirit,  but not to even have a definition of God in their understanding  even while at the same time debating the existence of God.

He suffered for us so we suffer with Him....

If you deeply love someone as a mother loves their child or a child their mother then you have given yourself over to that person.  
If suffering is involved then there is a rejection of the body, or the letter of one's life, and an acceptance of the spirit of your life, even the Holy Spirit. Jesus was the source of the explanation of that Spirit which is eternal. 
Suffering is a rejection of the body and the acceptance gift of the spirit. If you love someone so deeply that even your spirit consumes your body, then you enjoy and worship that person, even as one celebrates Jesus Christ the Son of God as Existence, and we are one with Him and with God, as He prayed in John 17,.