This is it for me--the whole reason I believe in Jesus Christ. And the whole reason why I believe his life is one I should know, appreciate, and model my own after:
Jesus' life teaches me that it's possible to face sorrow, to face unhappiness, to face sickness, to face betrayal, to face failure, to face weakness, to face injustice, to face all challenges in life--including death--AND to overcome and even transcend each and every one of them. He did; and so I can, too.
Jesus' life shows me that I can live a higher law. That I can make decisions for the greater good--and not just for my benefit/ego/gain.
Jesus' life teaches me to rise again, even when I don't want to. It teaches me to love others, even when I don't "feel" like it. He teaches me to forgive, when I feel justified in holding onto anger/judgement. His life teaches me to begin again, after I've failed miserably (for the infinity-ith time). And, his life teaches me to choose to be generous, even when I want to hold desperately onto things, money, people, places . . . .
I think there are many other examples in the world like Him. Many people who lived in the world, but not of it; people who lived a higher law. And I hope I can learn from all of them, too (in my mind--Ghandi, Martin Luther King, The Buddah . . . ). But today is special to me because it gives me a chance to celebrate the life of Jesus--a person who represents all that should be good and right--and JOYFUL--in life.
I believe my faith in Jesus Christ gives me a chance to be the person I am supposed to be; the person I should be. And in being that person, to find the greatest joy and love possible in my life.
Now, two random thoughts:
1. Does anyone know the origin of the Chocolate Bunny? The kids got the largest ones I've seen in a long time. And I'm not sure there could be anything more fun about a holiday than a huge hollow chocolate rabbit.
2. Could I love Ruben Studdard anymore than I already did after American Idol?
Miss and love you family in California, Colorado, Tennessee, Arizona, and Kentucky!
Jesus' life teaches me that it's possible to face sorrow, to face unhappiness, to face sickness, to face betrayal, to face failure, to face weakness, to face injustice, to face all challenges in life--including death--AND to overcome and even transcend each and every one of them. He did; and so I can, too.
Jesus' life shows me that I can live a higher law. That I can make decisions for the greater good--and not just for my benefit/ego/gain.
Jesus' life teaches me to rise again, even when I don't want to. It teaches me to love others, even when I don't "feel" like it. He teaches me to forgive, when I feel justified in holding onto anger/judgement. His life teaches me to begin again, after I've failed miserably (for the infinity-ith time). And, his life teaches me to choose to be generous, even when I want to hold desperately onto things, money, people, places . . . .
I think there are many other examples in the world like Him. Many people who lived in the world, but not of it; people who lived a higher law. And I hope I can learn from all of them, too (in my mind--Ghandi, Martin Luther King, The Buddah . . . ). But today is special to me because it gives me a chance to celebrate the life of Jesus--a person who represents all that should be good and right--and JOYFUL--in life.
I believe my faith in Jesus Christ gives me a chance to be the person I am supposed to be; the person I should be. And in being that person, to find the greatest joy and love possible in my life.
Now, two random thoughts:
1. Does anyone know the origin of the Chocolate Bunny? The kids got the largest ones I've seen in a long time. And I'm not sure there could be anything more fun about a holiday than a huge hollow chocolate rabbit.
2. Could I love Ruben Studdard anymore than I already did after American Idol?
Miss and love you family in California, Colorado, Tennessee, Arizona, and Kentucky!
