With all your heart, soul, strength and mind

The basics of Christianity are pretty simple and straightforward--Jesus is the Christ, the son of the one true God, whose sacrifice covers the sin of any who will follow Him as faithful disciples. He calls us to follow Him, keeping His commandments, living as He lived, living as He lives within us. His commandments: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind. Love your neighbor as yourself. His example: Do not condemn people--not even the guilty. Be gracious. Give yourself completely for the redemption of others. Giving is the reward (nothing is more fulfilling).


The basics are simple and straightforward. They are also virtually impossible. The Holy Spirit of Christ living in us makes us like Him, making it possible to keep His commandments. We do the discipline, but using His power, His strength, having His mind. But how?


We ask.


If we ask, He makes us new. Not just once, but every time. It's called prayer.


We were created for fellowship with God. Christians are creatures of prayer, by prayer, for prayer. We cannot exist without it. We cannot persist without it. We cannot even come close to the standard, except by prayer, putting us in close proximity with God where we are changed. Again, and again, and again.


Prayer is the conversation we have with God. But it's so much more. It's the secret to the Christian life.