Encouragement

---

I try daily {time permitting} to read most of the Christian articles in the 'What's New" section of FaithWriters 'Newest Regular Articles'.
I go on to read;
Bible quotes, whereby the Author takes a passage from the Bible, and then adds his/her impression of what was written.
It may be a reminder, a warning, or a personal encounter which the Author is conveying to the Reader.

By making this statement, please accept this is simply an observation by me, not a criticism.

To take a Holy Scripture and re-print the text,{ albeit with sincere interest of the Author to the Reader} is neither a 'new' concept, nor is there anything 'new' about the fact that the Author is showing the Reader the way.

The New Testament WAS 'new', in this respect. It showed a whole 'new' way of thinking and living. Gone were the dark days of revenge.

The New Testament urged us towards forgiveness, whereby, the unique,beautiful concept of unconditional love towards one's fellow man/woman,one felt the sense of freedom.

I recently explained to a relative of mine why I write in rhyme. My relative was trying to introduce me to a style of writing, namely free-verse.

He went on to tell me that I may be limiting my expression in searching for a word which rhymed with the previous line. Fair assumption!

However, my verses [in my mind} come to me in the form of a song. So I get a 'new' tune and a 'new' verse, which I am only too happy to share on FaithWriters, free to share.
As I have no skills as a Musician, I can only give you, the Reader, my lyrics. Frustrating as it is for me, at least I know I am getting my message across in the form of lyrics. {At least I hope so}

Getting back to the 'Newest Regular Article' section.
In one way, the articles are 'new' from the day they were published and I appreciate reading them.
If an article touches me emotionally., then I will comment. I promise you I never comment in a negative sense. I fully appreciate critiques for my own work, I find them invaluable.

Jesus WAS 'new'. He shook the foundations of the Traditional Religious System and Practices in His time.
Jesus introduced a whole 'new' way to think, to live.
He was non-judgemental- yet He was a Rebel.
He was divisive,-yet, He was a Peacemaker.
He was humble-yet, He changed the World!

Jesus was love in action-a real threat to those in power-ignorant people. Yet, as Jesus faced and experienced a horrible,painful death on the Cross, He looked for no-one to blame.

The Christian Faith is multi-layered. Our Christian Ancestors leaves us wanting in more ways than one.
For each genuine God fearing person, there were many who distorted Jesus' message. Our history, World-wide, is a testament of this truth.


So, what's new? We have 'new' technology.Someone sneezes in Siberia and the globe knows of it within minutes, through computers.
We now have a 'new' Politically Correct System where we have all succumbed to a dampened sense of humour.
We have a 'new' Legal System, whereby a person may have an accident, through human error,and is only too willing to sue another person.

The list is endless and wholly negative.

This 'new' system does not embrace Jesus' teachings. Therefore, the average Christian is left clutching a book, written by man over two thousand years ago. In this sense, we are acting out the 'divisive' message of Jesus, clinging to tradition.
The average Christian is non-judgemental, but become Rebellious when confronted with an issue such as AIDS, a 'new' illness.
The average Christian is humble, but have we changed the World?
No. Nothing 'new' here!

In fact, in the last decade, the only 'new' issue emerging from Christianity is the Systematic Child Abuse perpetrated by non other than the Christian Clergy!

Nothing 'new' in the fact that they did their best to conceal this horrendous crime.

I'm not being judgemental here, I am simply stating an observation.

Back in Ireland, my 6 year old brother was asked by a teaching Nun;
'Would you lay down your life for Jesus, because this is what He asks of you?!
My brother was totally floored! Who wouldn't be at aged 6?
To give credit to the Nun in qestion, I belive she was asking my brother to let go of his ego, to bring life to his Spiritual being. But all he was interested in, at that time, were his soldiers and his marbles.

To live in the present, which represents a 'gift' to the Christian, is a very hard task.
As soon as we label ourselves, others look towards us as though we are Super-human.
Truth be told, we are struggling just like everyone else.
Nothing 'new' here.

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE