A mother was preparing pancakes for her sons, Kevin, five, and Ryan, three. The boys began to argue over who would get the first pancake.Their mother saw the opportunity for a moral lesson. She said: "If Jesus were sitting here, He would say, 'Let my brother have the first pancake. I can wait."

Kevin turned to his younger brother and said, "Ryan, you be Jesus."

LOL. Humor, laughter does the heart good like a medicine. A good belly laugh release all sorts of good healing chemicals in the body. If anyone is sick/ill, try a movie marathon of I Love Lucy or Dick Van Dick shows.

In my younger days I was a Jesus freak. I believed it with all my heart. Then began the fearful journey of questioning. I found so many discrepancies within the American church and what they say they believe of the Bible. First I found they didn't really believe the bible at all for when I pointed out "errors" they all chose to continue in the errors because it was tradition even after they agreed that my findings were correct.

As time went on I discovered the history of the Nicean councel .

What if we were created by whom ever to question. By questions polio was eradicated. Cars were created. Planes fly. Men walk on the moon all through questions.

My son became an atheist and challenged me to think even more. A really good book to read which he recomended to me is Carl Sagen's book. Contact. The movie is just as wonderful as the book. It teaches those of us who want to question that it's not appropriate to accept anything simply because someone says so.

To fear to question god is to hate ourselves and god. I'm convinced that the god who created us to know truth would respect folks much more if they question. And even if they became atheists in the process I am convinced that is more wonderful because you are learning and not remaining in "tradition" for the sake of tradition.

I never try to bring christians away from what is meaningful for them. I have nothing better to give.

Perhaps those who question are simply walking into a bigger room so we think god isn't there when actually we are seeing god in more truth than previously.

Jesus taught that as you percieved god that is what you will find. If you think god hates you then you will suffer under that assumption. If you accept god loves you and it's ok to try and question well then you will live in the joy of love.

I was raised to believe that god hated me because I was born in sin. He also loved me and loved me so much that he would torture me forever if could not grasp the concepts the church teaches about god.

Big question mark right?

The church's history reeks of repression against truth. The earth is round and rotates around the sun. Remember? Remember the countless people put to death for questioning. For not accepting. What kind of truth is that? I think the church made god in thier cruel image. They percieve god as cruel and are afraid for us as well.

Just a passing thought after reading your comments.

Jeff

The bible teaches to judge a tree by it's fruit.

Thanks, Jeff. Your words opened my windows letting Spring and fresh air come in.

Jeff, God is love. God does NOT hate you.

Yes the bible said you will know a tree by its fruit.

A fig tree has figs, an apple tree has apples ect.

People have fruit too. "People fruit" so to speak is love, joy , peace and kindness.

As you "know" a tree by its fruit, so will you know a

christian by their fruit of love, joy and peace.

Before anyone else points out that ALL christians are not having the fruit of love or joy or peace in their life, I will agree that some christians fall short of the fruit of love , joy ,peace ect.

The Good News is that God offers us His mercy and grace daily. Study the book of Galatians for further

insight and instructions.

Thank you Jeff, good points.

I love this one:

A little girl asked her mother, 'How did the human race appear?'

The mother answered, 'God made Adam and Eve and they had children and so was all mankind made.'

Two days later the girl asked her father the same question.

The father answered, 'Many years ago there were monkeys from which the human race evolved.'

The confused girl returned to her mother and said, 'Mom, how is it possible that you told me the human race was created by God, and Dad said they developed from monkeys?'

The mother answered, 'Well, dear, it is very simple. I told you about my side of the family and your father told you about his.'