I encountered a person who did that to me.  Who’s presence in my life has stayed with me in a wonderful way.  His name is Jesus Christ….  And He is my Lord and Saviour.

Such a huge concept….  So simple..  and so complicated.  Who are we?  Where did we come from?  Why are we here?  *laughs softly*  All these questions are answerable from a Christian perspective.

We are the Children of God…  He created us…..  and we are here to fellowship with, and serve Him.  *smile*  and what more wonderful explanation could there be?

Sadly, because of our own selfish desire to know ANYTHING and EVERYTHING….. we fell from a position of perfect fellowship with God… (Genesis 1:22) and became in need of a Saviour.  Before this, we knew only good, and were not tarnished with a knowledge of evil.  Down through the ages, His birth was foretold… (Isaiah 9:6) - "For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And He will be called, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (NIV)  Until, one day, in a tiny jewish town called Bethlehem, He was born.  Not in pomp and circumstance as the Sanhedrin and the Pharisees and Saducees all expected…  But as the controversial first child of Mary and Joseph of Nazereth…. In a stable, in abject poverty, but none the less sought by Kings for good and bad….  (Luke 2).

That tiny, defenseless child grew to become a wise, strong, gentle, loving man… who wandered his homeland for three years, teaching, healing and warning of what was to come.  And then.. one spring day.. he was arrested, tortured and executed for "crimes against the State" *sighs*  a convenient excuse….  But, He was the Son of God… and the grave held nothing over Him…  and on a glorious morning, his beloved friend Mary arrived to find His tomb empty and a holy messenger there to give her the good news.  That He was ALIVE… and had RISEN from the DEAD.   She ran.. and told his disciples….  And the rest is history…  We now have a people who follow the teaching and love of Christ.  And although man has also, in his unmistakable humanity, corrupted even the "church" of our Lord…. We still know He lived, He died, He rose.. and we are free…  by accepting His blood and sacrifice, and declaring our love for Him…. Free to arrive in Heaven one glorious day, and escape the horror and night mare of hell.

*smiles*  This Man…  this Jesus…  is my personal Friend…  and when I look to Him.. He is ever ready to answer me..  to be there for me…  to love me…  and I am blessed to be able to serve Him in what ever humble way He calls me….

This is a verse from the Epistle of James…  a verse that encourages me to be thankful and appreciate the good things in life.  "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of Heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows"  (James 1:17).