I want all people to understand Jesus on the character and philosophies of Jesus, not on the failing tradition and dogma of man. A lot of people think they’ve rejected Christ, when they really haven’t. In fact, too many people are ignorant of his teachings. I think because the evangelical movement in this country for so long focused on telling people that Jesus died for them and that they would go to hell without Him. What eventually drew me to love Jesus was his character and his person.

I’d like to highlight a few items from the first chapter of The Renovation of the Heart below that I want the world to hear.

The revolution of Jesus is in the first place and continuously a revolution of the human heart or spirit. It did and does not proceed by means of the formation of social instructions and laws, the outer forms of our existence, intending that these would then impose a good order of life upon people who come under their power. Rather, his is a revolution of character, which proceeds by changing people from the inside through ongoing personal relationship to God in Christ and to one another.

And later on, regarding the Church as it should be:

Jesus did not send his students out to start governments or even churches as we know them today, … instead, to establish beachheads of his person, word, and power in the midst of a failing and futile humanity.

While any manner of religious living can provide the framework of a healthy, happy life. Jesus offers a transformation of the heart, a continual process of making us into something more like himself. Something profoundly better than we could ever seek to be on our own.

In his book, he poses a question, “If you had $100,000 in the bank, what would you do all day?”. My answer was almost immediate; “I would make websites.” And that’s when I really realized how great it is that I am where I am.

I am kind of a newbie with this stuff. I know markup pretty well, I can validate a site with little to no problems (even though I haven’t bothered with this one), and I have a pretty good eye for design, but I’m not the best. And I’m ok with that. My goal is not to be the best. My goal is to not stop getting better.

Another point Ferris makes in his book is to do things that you’re afraid of. If it’s failure, what’s the worst that can happen? I don’t like travel, as I have …but in August, I will be going to my brother’s wedding in Columbia, South America. Instead of being worried about it, I’m going to look forward to get better at speaking Spanish, and take advantage of an opportunity to overcome my fear.

I want to continue thinking about my life not as the pursuit of financial comfort, rather, what would I do if I were financially comfortable. Then I can ask the question, what does it look like to live that lifestyle now?