"Some became fools through their rebellious ways

and suffered affliction because of their iniquities.

They loathed all food

and drew near the gates of death."

-Psalm 107:17-18

The man gave his life for his friend

the son for his father

the father for his son

the righteous for the enemy

the slave for the free

the oppressed for the oppressor

You see, it's all true

no matter what they tell you now

There was once a time

when there was a people

who were known for their love

just as Jesus said they would be

There was a time

when God's Church

was not thought to be confined and contained
and sought and found

within stuffy buildings

amongst selfish, self-righteous, serpent-tongued,
coldhearted men

There was a time

when disciples of Jesus

were those who walked like Him, talked like Him,
healed like Him, forgave like Him

were those who knew Him personally

were those who were not ashamed of the full
and costly truth

There was a time

when men died

and lived

bled, hung, wept, gave all

for friend

for foe

for even the least lovable

There was a time

when "Christianity"

was not going to a social club once a week

putting on conferences

writing books that garner little praise-filled blurbs
from all one's little friends

There was a time

when "Christianity"

was a costly, painful, blood-spilling death

There was a time

when "Christianity"

was not costless

painless

crossless

because it meant following after Jesus

being like Him

not "better" than Him —

well-educated

a more peaceable communicator with those who disagree

acceptable to the religious

There was a time

when the "Christianity" of the faithful few

sounded just like what I now know

Now you claim to be the faithful few

but I look at your lives, your friends, your families,
your churches

and it's all so different

What's the secret to your "Christianity"?

May the world know

Copyrighted material, used with permission.