It's amazing how much time I've spent in Georgia for never living there. I'd say it's probably more than any other place in the world other than my two homes of Michigan and England. And before three years ago, I never had come to Georgia. Crazy, eh?

Yes, well I'm in Georgia for some training with AIM. The new team comes in a few days and that is the cause of much excitement! Makes me think of last year at this time when I was here as well, having just left for the year. On Monday, I will be hanging with my Georgia homies... David, and most likely Kristin and Derik. For this I'm terribly excited!

I have questions you much answer.
Do you journal?
What's the latest book you're reading?
Where have you spent the most time other than a place you've lived?

DvT

I've been thinking about Jesus lately. It's a good thing for missionaries to do... think about Jesus, you know.
Been thinking about the people who didn't really like Jesus. Who didn't get along with Him. And basically, it seems that there are few people outside of the really religious group that didn't like Jesus. Interesting.

I think Jesus is quite fed up with religion. Especially religion about Him. I mean... religion is a lot of rules, regulations, and ideas to get us closer to God. To get us approved by God. To have the favour of God. People are religious to get to Heaven. And to be loved by God. So it's easy to see why Jesus didn't like it. And it's easy to see why religious people didn't (and still don't) really like Jesus.

Jesus loves people the way they are. You or I can't do anything to make God love us more or less. Obviously, Jesus wouldn't like a system or way of doing things that people try to use to gain His favour and love. Because they already have it. Jesus already loves them and adores them. Jesus didn't start loving me once I went to church. He did long before those days.

It's clear why religious people wouldn't like Jesus. They're set in their religion and trying to please God. Then some guy named Jesus comes along and lives a life that says, "You don't have to do anything to earn God's love and grace. They are given freely and to even the most undeserving." Of course religious people would get upset about a guy that goes against the way they live.

Perhaps we should forget religion. Forget things that we do to try to earn God's love and favour. Many times, we do try to do things because we think God will like us better or more than someone else. Screw religion. It doesn't work. It's useless. A friend of mine said recently (in front of a church mind you) "Religion has no place in the 21st century." I agree. Let's stick with Jesus and his way of living.

"Sinners" were the people that like Jesus. They would like Christians a lot more if we were more like Jesus. Rather share our beliefs and convictions first, why don't we share Jesus? He's what the world needs.

Reject religion. Embrace Jesus.