Did Christ exist?

What precisely do we know for "certain" (in terms of
documentation/history) about the life of Jesus Christ?


It amazing to think how many people believe in this one man as the Son of God. What did he do to make such an impression on millions thousands of years later? More importantly did such a remarkable man even exist?

There are very few known facts of Jesus' life as recorded by the Gospels. The problem with this is that the gospels were not even written within Jesus' lifetime. The gospels being the only records of this man called Jesus also have alternate views on when and how Jesus was brought into this world.

The Heart of Worship

Growing up in a Christian/Pentecostal type church that always seemed to have a great worship service, cheesy I know, but listening to those songs reminds me of the faith I had. Listening to certain songs I still recognize the remaining faith within me. Even though I'm at a different place and time in my life those words have new and yet existing meaning. I find myself in tears listening to the songs of worship, as I lift my voice up to the God I believe in, the God that protects me, loves me and guides me through this life. I find myself in tears because I'm overwhelmed with truth, love and grace. I've never been the best singer but I always gave it my all. That's how I was with most things I did, I did them with all my heart. I realize, just now, that I haven't been giving it my all these past few years. I wonder why things fall apart and crumble before I even get started and it's because I'm not giving it all I have. I've given up before it's begun. I've been living in the fear that if I put my all into something and it fails that I will lose everything I have...but what do I really have to lose at this point? I need to start giving everything that I do everything I've got. I fear that I don't have the energy, the will, the emotional capacity, the mental capacity, I've been limiting myself because of all the pain I don't want to suffer through anymore. I can't live in fear anymore because that means I'm not living. I'm so terrified of taking this leap but I know that it's time. I need to have faith not just in God but in myself as well...my philosophy/theology is probably skewed here...my faith is what has brought me this far. Even during my weakest moments when my faith seemed nil to none, faith found me. I learned to worship on my own behind closed doors, not because I'm ashamed but because it gave me a chance to connect on my own. To focus on the heart of worship and not worried about the politics of a church or other people judging me on how loud I sang, if I raised my hands to the sky or not. I'm not perfect, I know this and yet I continue to seek someone that accepts me with all my flaws forgetting that I've already been accepted by the one who matters.

Practicing Prayer

It has been a while since I have prayed with such clarity and fervor as I did as a child. I struggle with praying or doing anything worth doing consistently to promote growth and progress. I hit walls and lose focus so easily. I have made more of an effort to pray as often as possible and ritually or habitually. I've noticed a difference in my life but I also recognize that my struggle with prayer is only beginning. Prayer is a skill and how you pray is very important to improving that skill.

Losing Faith

What is faith? Why is faith so important?


Struggling time and time again, holding on to threads of what is left of my faith. Faith in God, faith in love, faith in humanity. A saying or scripture comes to mind about having as much faith as a grain of mustard seed is enough faith.

Enough faith for what...

Spiritual Suicide

I came across these words in a journal entry I made: Spiritual Suicide. I'm not sure what the entry was about and I doubt that there was a real connection to the words and the entry. Those words still resonate with me though. What is a spiritual suicide? How can you commit spiritual suicide? Growing up in a religious household nurturing the spirit was important. I have to admit that I couldn't imagine not believing in the spirit within us. There is definitely this energy that runs through are body that is it's own entity.

spirit-(as defined by dictionary.com)

–noun
1.
the principle of conscious life; the vital principle in humans, animating the body or mediating between body and soul.
2.
the incorporeal part of humans: present in spirit though absent in body.
3.
the soul regarded as separating from the body at death.
4.
conscious, incorporeal being, as opposed to matter: the world of spirit.
5.
a supernatural, incorporeal being, esp. one inhabiting a place, object, etc., or having a particular character: evil spirits.


There are 25 definitions as to what a spirit is but the first five cover the basic sense in which I'm using it.

So how could you commit spiritual suicide if a spirit is of an alternate world?

Following Orders Ch.14

The Little Prince visits the planet where there is a lamplighter. Of all the people the Little Prince had met so far he felt that at least the lamplighter's life had some meaning.

This chapter kind of ties with the previous chapter. I mentioned how there are many new converts that are left ignorant because no one further nurtures them. All these new converts are merely told to do things and expected to do them, no questions asked. Sure now their lives have meaning, yet they really don't know what that is, they continue to do what they are told. This in unfair and leaves no room for spiritual growth. It could also lead to weariness and doubt over time when little or no results occur. It is sad to see all these lost people just doing what they are told because it sounds good, or what have you, but at least most of the time it's for the better.

Taking Inventory Ch.13

The business man, that the Little Prince encounters, is counting the stars. He says that he is counting to see how many stars he owns. The Little Prince tells the business man that he is of no use to the stars so how can he own them?


Some if not all religions can sometimes be consumed by the number of people they convert. One of my problems with this concept has been, are they really reaching out to these people or just dragging them along for the ride?

I have seen some concern for the well being for the new converts but there is much carelessness when getting the person to convert that the converter soon forgets about them and leaves them on their own to figure out the rest. This tactic leaves many among many of ignorant believers, not knowing all the ropes of the new religion they are involved in. This could also explain why many followers of religions have very little grasp of the big picture and can be easily offended without really knowing what they believe in. Much like the businessman they remain determined they own something yet they have never nurtured or done anything for these things they own.