When our walk with Jesus becomes a lifestyle rather than a weekend religious exercise, we begin to enjoy the priceless treasure of life in the kingdom of God. Jesus says it is like discovering a pearl of great price. Juan Carlos Ortiz provides an interesting adaptation of that parable.
"I want this pearl. How much is it?"
"Well," the seller says, "it's very expensive."
"But, how much?" we ask.
"Well, a very large amount."
"Do you think I could buy it?" "
Oh, of course, everyone can buy it."
"But, didn't you say it was very expensive?"
"Yes."
"Well, how much is it?"
"Everything you have," says the seller.
We make up our minds, "All right, I'll buy it," we say.
"Well, what do you have?" he wants to know. "Let's write it down."
"Well, I have ten thousand dollars in the bank."
"Good- -ten thousand dollars. What else?"
"That's all.
“That's all you have?"
"Well, I have a few dollars here in my pocket."
"How much?"
We start digging. "Well, let's see--thirty, forty, sixty, eighty, a hundred, a hundred twenty dollars."
"That's fine. What else do you have?"
"Well, nothing. That's all."
"Where do you live?" He's still probing.
"In my house. Yes, I have a house."
"The house, too, then." He writes that down.
"You mean I have to live in my camper?"
"You have a camper? That, too. What else?"
"I'll have to sleep in my car!"
"You have a car?"
"Two of them."
"Both become mine, both cars. What else?"
"Well, you already have my money, my house, my camper, my cars. What more do you want?"
"Are you alone in this world?" "No I have a wife and two children....."
"Oh, yes, your wife and children, too. What else?"
"I have nothing left! I am left alone now."
Suddenly the seller exclaims, "Oh, I almost forgot! You yourself, too! Everything becomes mine--wife, children, house, money, cars--and you too." Then he goes on. "Now listen--I will allow you to use them for the now. But don't forget, they are mine, just as you are mine. And whenever I need them you must give them to me because now I am the owner." -- Bob

Where can we find the spiritual firepower to live above our human frailties so we can faithfully follow Jesus? There is a story near the end of the Gospel of Luke that offers some clues. After Jesus' death most of his followers went into hiding. Two of them decided to head for the village of Emmaus a few miles from Jerusalem. They had heard rumors that the tomb was empty, but they weren't willing to stay around to find out what had happened. As they walked along the road to Emmaus, discussing what had happened, Jesus met them along the way. Since they were convinced that he was dead, they didn't recognize him. They continued to walk with him and talk with him and were so taken by this "stranger" that they invited him to stay with them. As they ate together that evening, Jesus took bread and blessed it. When he broke the bread and gave it to them, their eyes were opened and they finally recognized Jesus. Their encounter with Jesus kindled such a passion for him that they had to share it with others. We will develop the spiritual firepower to live above our human frailties as we walk together with others who are committed to walking with... talking with... staying with... eating with... burning for... and telling others about Jesus. -- Bob

"Christianity" is often referred to as a major world "Religion." But I have a hard time thinking of Christianity as a religion because of the toxic affect that religion can have on those who long to be religious. Religion requires people to practice rules and rituals that often move them further away from God rather than drawing them closer to God. Someone has said, "Christianity is not a religion, but a relationship." I agree with that statement, but it doesn't go far enough. I believe that Christianity needs to be a lifestyle; the "Lifestyle of those who follow Jesus." However, the Christian lifestyle needs several things to make it practical, functional, sustainable and enjoyable. First, we need to have the kind of relationship with Jesus that provides the spiritual firepower to move us beyond our own human weaknesses. Next, we need to be part of a community of others who are committed to following Jesus. We also need to live within the guidelines of the scriptures so we can be mentored in the ways of Jesus. And then we need to practice a lifestyle that is "about others" rather than "about ourselves." Finally, we need to make a daily commitment to prayerfully, faithfully, enthusiastically long for and live out the values of Jesus... No Matter What! -- Bob

What should those of us who are trying to follow Jesus call ourselves. The term "Christian" carries so much baggage with it. Do we really want to identify ourselves with the "Christian" Crusaders who raped and pillaged their way through Europe? Do we really want to be identified with the "Holy Christian Church" that helped to create the Dark Ages rather than reflecting the light of Jesus into the darkness? Do we really want to identify with a movement that, over the past 2000 years, has executed an estimated 25,000,000 "Heretics" who refused to support or participate in the politics of the Church? And what about the "Christian" right? Should the followers of Jesus be identified with a movement that is much more about political ideology than solid New Testament Christianity? So what should we call ourselves? Jesus People? Jesus Freaks? Followers of Jesus? Disciples of Jesus? Do we need a new name for those of us who are reluctant to identify with what Chrisitianity has become? Until we figure out what to call ourselves, let's continue to lift up the name, reflect the values and follow the way of Jesus. -- Bob

“For many years now I have taken to going to church less and less because I find so little there of what I hunger for. It is a sense of the presence of God that I hunger for.”

-- Frederick Buechner