The Love of Jesus

You have been pretty quite on the subject of your faith, and I’ve always tried to encourage you to blog more about this aspect of your life. As such I’m glad to see you have spent some time to write this post.

However, and I think this is something you should bare in mind going forward (but in no way a criticism of this post) is that there is a fine line between talking about your faith openly, and ‘preaching’ (for want of a better word) about it.

That may be part of your religion, trying to open up other people’s eyes to what you see, sharing the gift etc., but there comes a time when you have to also respect other peoples beliefs, and except them for who they are also.

It’s a challenge, but I for one would like to see you write more about your faith, in an open and accessible way, perhaps more with a bias to educating the masses, rather than trying to convert them.

As a hardened atheist and strong believer that all religion should be wiped out; due to it being probably the biggest non-natural killer ever thought up, yet not being eloquent enough to take part in any sort of discussion about it, all I can say is aaaaaaarrrrrrrgggggghhhhhh nooooooooo.

But like everyone, you are free to believe what ever you like. And that’s something I totally support.

Well documented, good diary entry of past discovery events. Cant really see how thats a ’sermon of what should be believed by all.

Be good to hear of what having faith in ‘Jesus’ has done.. Or it just simply make you weep with joy?

@Paul -
Thanks for your comments mate. They’re not completely unexpected - your line of “everyone has a right to their own opinions” is fair enough, and this is ultimately true. In fact, it says so in the Bible, that God gave us free will.

Look at this from my point of view - I’ve simply found something that I believe to be life-changing, true, and the reality behind our whole existence. Those times with God are the most amazing moments of Joy I’ve ever experienced in my entire life. Now if you’d found something that good, I’d be a bit hacked off if you decided to keep it to yourself.

I’m not going to mince my words here. I believe that Jesus is the only way to God.

Dude, seriously, you gotta at least give yourself the chance to find out more. Come to church with me - If you’re really open to understanding my beliefs then surly that would be a way to find out more.

@ Mark -
I agree with you big time, religion is one of the biggest killers this planet has ever seen. Not to mention the countless other atrocities committed in the name of ‘god’.

But that’s not what Jesus is about. He spoke for peace, love, truth and justice. When everything around him was about power and greed he was the voice of calm.

Yes, organised religion is a bad thing sometimes. But following the way of Jesus is the complete opposite of war, death and suffering.

So I can only find Jesus if I go to church? I guess I can only buy an iPhone if I go to an Apple Store.

This statement perhaps highlights some hypocrisy on my part, in that I will happily tell people that I believe Apple’s products are better than that of the competition, and tell people that they would be happier if they brought a Mac. It’s often said that Mac users are somewhat religious in the way their hold their beliefs, and in the way they try to force their view on others at times. This comparison is rather crass (comparing enjoying a technology product versus living with God), yet it is also interesting in the similarities and debating points it provides.

This topic would make for an interesting post, especially as I’m going to continue my hypocrisy and say that I’m happy that you have found something that makes you happy, but organised religion really is not for me, and ask that you respect that decision. Asking somebody to look a technology product is very different from asking somebody to take on a whole set of unfounded beliefs.

I believe that faith is something personal, and down to the individual. In fact history is full of examples of churches and religious organisations using it’s disciples to further their own aims, rather than provide support or a meeting place for those that share similar beliefs.

There are many interesting avenues for discussion to come out of this topic, from the Apple comparison (worship of products, consumerism etc.), to the lack of moral guidance and leadership in these times of declining attendance (certainly with the Christian faith).

I would love to hear your thoughts on these, and would be happy to discuss these points with you. I’m also happy to here about the enjoyment you have found in following your faith. But it feels incredibly uncomfortable, and possibly disrespectful to try and force others to follow it too.

Good post Jon!

I am also a Christian, although I was bought up in church as I come from a Christian family. (maybe you do to, I don’t know)

I haven’t blogged for quite a while, and I always intended to blog about my faith as my main theme, you’ve encouraged me to get back into that! So cheers for that!

I can see from a non-believers point of view there’s a fine line between sharing your faith, and becoming preachy. I think that can also depend on where the reader is at though.

It’s good to be honest about what’s happened in your life, and talk about how Jesus has impacted your life, which is what you’ve started with this post. I look forward to reading more!

Hey Paul

I am in no way forcing you to believe in what I believe in. You are your own person with your own mind.

As I’ve said, I just want to share what I’ve found because it’s so good.

I understand that awkwardness you feel, I’ve been there mate. All I know my life (and a LOT of people in Walsall’s lives) are far better with Jesus than without. Maybe some testimonials in future posts.

I do respect your (and others) right to believe whatever you want. I just want to share this with people. Surly that’s my right.

I think the overriding theme to take away from this post here Jon, as I discussed with you offline earlier, is that we want you to blog more about your beliefs! An excellent outcome wouldn’t you say?

By just writing this post alone, you have reminded me just how much there is for you to write about, be that common miss-conceptions, the reasons as to why you believe, what happens at church, stories of yours and others experiences…

I don’t know if this was the intention, but I’m afraid to say I don’t think you can get away with not writing about this stuff on your blog anymore!

I hope you rise to the challenge that has fallen before you, and look forward to reading what you have to say on this (and other) topics.

Of course I reserve the right to be as confrontational and combative as I always tend to be in these matters, as much as Kris has the right to make knob jokes! Such is life.

@ Paul -
Actually I think you’ll find my latest post was very informative, didn’t mention knobs once and could even be classed as a little bit geeky.

@ Jon -
I believe in god I do, its the way I explain the existence of the world to myself. But thats where it ends for me. Everything else is unknown and i’m afraid I share Marks beliefs on the view of organised religion. Its a very dangerous thing! Beliefs are very personal, especially on a subject witch is totally based on faith alone so I don’t see how anyone’s beliefs can be slotted into one of the single categories of the relatively few religions that exist.

Well done on broaching the subject Jon. I think you explained your experience very eloquently. I’m looking forward to reading more and jumping into the discussion as another follower of Jesus

Just stumbled across your site and wanted to say two things:

1) Gorgeous design.
2) Fun to see another believer in the design field and thanks for sharing about your faith.

That is a great word Jon. God can touch anyone, at anytime, for any reason. It’s funny, the more staunchly opposed to Jesus one is, the seemingly more convinced he is once having experienced the breaking and rebuilding of God’s grace.

Just look at Saul of Tarsus.

T. Michael Cart
T.R.U.T.H. In Ministry