The Virtual Pew: A Different Cookie

Sometimes I think I am out there, let me rephrase that, sometimes I know I am out there, well, one more time, most of the time I know I am out there. Truth is, I know I am unique. In fact we are all unique, we are all different. But isn't that a good thing? At least I think it is. I would not want a world full of boring difficult, all the same kind of people. It is kind of sad that many of us reflect on others and make assumptions that because someone belongs to a certain group, has their hair a certain way, or dresses in certain clothes that they are all the same.

One thing my experiences have taught me is it really is dangerous to make assumptions about people. Just because a person for example may follow Goth tendencies, does not mean they are not compassionate, or do not think about some of the same things, in the same ways we do. Or just because a person may be an Atheist does not mean they are not intelligent or have not given religion a thought. Of course the same can be said in the reverse. Just because a person dresses in a suit does not mean they are not a little rebellious, or just because a person is a Christian does not mean they have not thought through the complicated aspects of their faith. It is sad, but we all make assumptions based on a persons associations, looks, practices and so forth.

I would challenge that one of the most misunderstood individuals in all of history is Jesus Christ. You only have to look as far as the yellow pages to see all of the different denominations among churches, or type in Christian in a search engine at MySpace, Xanga or any other group like them and you will see such a variety of people. While I understand part of that, I do not always understand the extent some take those associations and beliefs.

Here is a simple truth of God as I see it, he loved us all enough to send his son so that through the acceptance of his son we can all have a relationship with God, and have the hope of eternal life. That is living for ever, in what I believe is Heaven, with God. The other truth is that that relationship starts on earth; it is not something we wait for. When we decide to follow Jesus and accept him as our leader and forgiver we can then have a relationship with God. Sure there are things to work on, they are included in the Bible, the ultimate love letter or instruction manual from God, but God knows we are not perfect. The book is not a book of punishment, but a book that gives us advice which will help us be joyful when things are tough, and forgiving when people do us wrong among other things.

Truth is, Jesus was also different. He loved and reached out to people who did not go to church, did not fit the norm of what religion was all about. In fact, Jesus was kind of like James Dean in his attitude, except while James Dean was a Rebel without a Cause, Jesus had the cause, he had the cause of loving us and providing a relationship with us that would last forever.

As we look at the Christmas videos today, realize, these videos are different. They can be a reminder that not only was Jesus different from what many expected, we can be different. It does not matter so much what some religious person, or some religious group says about you, it is what Jesus says to God about you. Know he loves you, cares for you, and accepts you, just as you are, different.

Now before we get to the videos today, hopefully everyone will remember to pass the blogs along to your friends. The Christmas Special blogs from TVP can help a lot of people. You can show them what we are doing by Clicking Here at this Link. They can see various topics and see about the ultimate video blog that will be posted this weekend. I have most of the work done on those and will be posting them all, likely the largest single collection of Christmas videos in one place, on one page, on the internet. It will take a while for these to download once you get them, but if you take all of the videos I have posted so far, put them all together, you do not have half of the videos in their entirety. They can also get in the Christmas Spirit by Clicking Here and reading about The Virtual Pew and our Christmas giving options. Also be on the lookout for my story of The Best Christmas Ever, which will be posted around Christmas Day. It is a heart tugging story, and a true testament to the power of Christmas and God. I am really looking forward to retelling this story that is true, and happened to me and my family. It has been published across the world, and I will redo the story, just for The Virtual Pew.

Now for those that do not know, make sure you check out the numerous articles and blogs by checking out the archives. If visiting The Virtual Pew or MySpace they are archived on the left hand side of the page. Scroll down to where you see newer or older listed under archives and then click there. There are numerous postings, and you will have to go into the archives to see the 100 plus postings over the last months.

Now I also want to remind you that you can visit www.thevirtualpew.com and on the front page scroll down to the left hand side of the page where you sill see our store. Your purchases through our Amazon store provides needed funds to The Virtual Pew. If you do not see something on the page to buy, you can click on the search engine for the store, (do not put anything in the search box at this time) and you will then be taken to Amazon where you can search for anything you desire. Hopefully as you shop for Christmas you will consider a gift to The Virtual Pew and/or at the very least shop our store. The items on the store page are highly recommended.

Now prior to checking out the videos for the day, here is that information, contact and contribution information regarding The Virtual Pew. Again, thanks for visiting, have a Merry Christmas or whatever holiday you celebrate. Just remember though, from The Virtual Pew, we wish you a Merry Christmas.

Contact and Giving Information

Oh Yea, here is that contact information again.

The Virtual Pew
P.O. Box 17731
Wichita, KS 67217

Or you van give on line via Pay Pal at: http://www.furches.org/donations/index.html

To become a part of The Virtual Pew, visit, http://www.thevirtualpew.com/ To learn more about me visit http://www.furches.org/ I am also active on MySpace at: http://www.myspace.com/mikefurches I have another blog at http://blog.myspace.com/mikefurches To visit the Hollywood Jesus group at MySpace with membership by numerous Hollywood Jesus reviewers visit: http://groups.myspace.com/hollywoodjesus For a more in depth weekly study and conversation you an visit: http://virtualpewsermon.blogspot.com/ where you can access deeper teaching and ultimately videos for viewing and teaching. You can also subscribe to the newsletter at www.thevirtualpew.com or see the newsletter on line at http://thevirtualpewnews.blogspot.com/ You can also sign up for the free newsletter from The Virtual Pew by visiting the main page for The Virtual Pew, or you can see the newsletters online by visiting this web site: http://thevirtualpewnews.blogspot.com/ You can contact me via email at mike@furches.org or mike@thevirtualpew.com For those interested in knowing more about my own story, contact me for a free e-copy of my book The Keystone Kid in pre-edit form.

The Christmas Present