<span class="hw"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >Welcome</span></span><br />Many of my thoughts and opinions come from a desire to make a difference.  The question however required definition. What type of difference would I make? How can I maximize that difference?<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >The Power to Make a Difference</span></span><br />A few years back, I decided to act as if Jesus Christ was who he claimed to be, and that changed my life. Up until that time, religion, and religious teaching left me empty. Nothing seemed to make any difference in my life. I was a failure in my own eyes and destined to remain so.<br /><br />However, as I have studied Jesus' teaching contained in the Bible, I have found it to be the best and only way to actually reconcile religious teaching to the things I experience.   Jesus teaching, and all the teaching recorded in the Bible, provides a rational explanation of my circumstances as well as those I can view objectively in the world.  Daily I find that it takes more faith to believe that Jesus is wrong.  As a result, I have a new life!  I am different than I was and I have the power to do things I've never been able to do before. Many times I fail to trust that power, but I have experienced it too many times to deny its existence.  Therefore, I have the power to make a difference in my own life and I have friends who will testify to that change.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:arial;">The Best Difference</span></span><br />But if Jesus gave me the power to make a difference in my own life, is that the extent of his teaching?  Is his only goal for me to be a better person? Or should the difference I make extend beyond myself?  Empirical evidence seems to suggest that we were designed to interact and relate to one another. We were built for relationships. Also, there is no denying that people tend to want to do something that will outlive themselves.<br /><br />Interestingly, Jesus claimed that true treasure did not exist in this world. He told us to "lay up treasure in heaven where moth and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal." True treasure is only in Heaven. Also, we also know that you can't take anything with you when you go. So the best difference, the most lasting difference must be in the lives of people.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:arial;">Purpose</span></span><br />My goal then, is to help people improve their quality of life. This blog will contain thoughts and learning on the subject. If you'd like to improve your own life quality or that of others, please feel free to participate.<br /></span>