Believe or not believe: It's important to know what you really embrace, or reject

Believe, or not believe.

Your choice, and I'm certainly not going to judge anyone's choice. It's highly personal, and your value as a living, breathing, sentient being does not change, regardless. 

That said, this video simply shares the unadorned, basic Christian message -- without the politics, without the holier-than-thou attitude, and without compromise.

Not everyone can accept it. Even those who do accept it too often add other agendas, political, social, ethnic, etc. agendas they wield like clubs against others.

Secular activists browbeat believers, Some believers demonize skeptics. It makes me think of errant believers and Christianphobes alike being condemned, some day, to writing on a galaxy-sized blackboard, for eternity, John 11:35, "Jesus wept."

As much as "accepting" Christ, living a life afterward that honors his love, sacrifice and embrace of all of us "sinners" is the point, at least for this cynical preacher's kid who has seen way too much judgment and far too little grace and humility.

Christ is risen -- then, and now

He is risen.

Faith tells me it was true more than 2,000 years ago. 

The joy that fills me at my deepest, undefinable being,

that place where intellect and spirit merge

 in a secret place of innocence and peace,

 convinces me it is true today.

Happy Easter.

Nick Vujicic's faith, courage and message of hope

(Photo above: Trent Nelson/Salt Lake Tribune)

Courage. Faith.

And, for the knee-jerk skeptics out there, 99 percent ofAustralian Nick Vujicic's presentation Thursday -- simulcast to 200 Utah schools as part of an anti-bullying campaign --was NOT evangelism.

He made a simple, brief opening statement of his faith as a source of personal inspiration. . . then, he offered hope and encouragement to bullied kids that anyone -- believer, non-believer -- could, and should, embrace.

And, by the way, this man who can fetch $10,000 for his secular motivational appearances, did this for free. 

No fees. Because, this fellow, who some would argue has gotten a horrible shake from Life, simply cares.
                
Here's his story in The Salt Lake Tribune. 

Of church music and the Walking Dead

Had a guest worship band visit today at church. From Athens, GA., Julian Drive is the name.

Nice, hard-driving Southern Rock style. Soulful lyrics, great drummer, lead guitarist, lead singer has good range. . . but he also is a dead ringer for Sheriff Rick in "Walking Dead." 

Slap khaki pants, a badge and slouch hat on him, add couple more days of beard and strap a .44 on his hip and they could be twin brothers. 

An odd image to have in one's head, zombies drifting down the sanctuary aisles amid "Holy, Holy, Holy." It was only a brief mental detour, though. The music was that good. :)

The singer's name is SHANE. Sheriff Rick (actor Andrew Lincoln) has a deputy and best friend named Shane, who unfortunately goes zombie and has to be put down.

Yeah, I have a weird mind. It tends to take little diversions, and at the most inappropriate times.

What can I say? I'm a work in progress.

So, to wrap this up in something of a sane, faith-promoting manner . . . consider that without Christ in our lives, we are all the walking dead. Life and love are in Him.