How do you cope with crisis? Where do you turn for answers? The first impulse of some people is to attempt to run away from the crisis. Others choose denial.

There are also people who want to block the crisis out of their mind. They turn to addictive, behaviors. Most people turn to their belief system whatever that might be.

These people, seem more stable than those who have no belief system upon which to rely. However, having a belief system does not insure insulation and safety from the crisis.

We tend to think others who hold beliefs different from our own, are either stupid, ignorant, or inferior to us. .

Many atheists, agnostics, pagans, and humanists are rabid in their prejudice towards re-ligionists. This bent against persons of faith serves as a coping mechanism for the mounting anxiety they feel in the face of severe crises.

Nor are these dear people alone in using a values system to deal with crisis. Religionists are no better off hiding behind ecclesiastical trappings. Sadly, many persons of faith are equally rabid and bent against those who disagree with their beliefs.

What is a person to do in the face of crisis? How can people survive the growing intensity of problems in the world? World leaders are perplexed, and divided over how to overcome the multiplicity of intense crises facing humanity. Does a right answer even exist?

Human beings are arrogant. And, we are very opinionated! Obviously, the fact I am writing this indicates I believe I have something to bring to the matter of the crises we all face.

Those who disagree with the solutions I set forth are equally convinced I am wrong, and of course, in their mind, they must at least be right about the matter that I am wrong. This stubborn, arrogant mindset is a major reason effective solutions are so hard to come by in our generation.

Complicating matters considerably is the obvious reality that all of the solutions being offered have a negative track record. Whether you believe more or less government is the answer, or whether you believe it is some economics system that needs to be espoused; all of the ones known to humanity have been tried and proven to be seriously flawed in some ways.

This is also true of religion, and its arch-rival, anti-religion. This impasse has many people looking for something completely different: something we have not tried before.

Barrack Obama won a historical election by tapping into this mindset. There was very little substance to his offering of answers, yet he personified the mass perception the world needs to be fundamentally changed.

Humanity has become very much like the man or woman who is looking for the perfect spouse. He or she has been married six or seven times always with the same result: disappointment and divorce.

The perceived problem is in others rather than self. Unless this person comes to realize the need to change him or herself, no suitable spouse will ever emerge.

Americans think our system is the problem. So, let’s try a new one. Europeans have a different system, but they are as disillusioned as Americans are. They also want to try a different system.

The Middle East is boiling with rage and the insistence for change. Why? They think their system is broke also!

When will humanity awaken to the reality there is no system capable of serving us effectively until we first fix ourselves?

For centuries, we tried polytheism. We also tried monotheism. Later we even tried communism and socialism: hoping these could fix our arrogance and flaws. Everything we have tried has failed.

Eventually, we have to admit: “We have met the enemy and it is us.” If we continue to tinker with philosophies, economics, religion, and such we are going to continue to get the same failed results.

Where am I going with this? It is simple. Instead of looking around us for a solution why not, look up. I know, some of you reading this are thinking “here comes religion again!”

Actually, there is a faith based belief system with a positive record of accomplishment. Admittedly, this one has also been grossly abused, and manipulated by many throughout history. Still, the problem is on the human side, not the divine.

When anyone honestly studies the person and life of Jesus Christ, it is obvious: He is different from any other person in history. Jesus Christ is very different even, from the religion that bears his name.

People have shamefully corrupted his message, and his mission. Today, there is very little within modern Christianity that remotely resembles the life of Jesus Christ.

I, have no intention of promoting, modern Christianity. It is as dead as other failed systems, and for the same reason: people. Biblical Christianity is nothing like the denominationalism and sectarianism that exists today.

Humanity has twisted and distorted the message and life of Jesus Christ so that it fits our human agenda rather than the divine.

When the Bible is read without the entanglements of modern liberal theology, it breathes life into the reader. The message rings true, and the answers are dependable.

Why have we rejected the Bible, and its Savior Jesus Christ? The reason is obvious: arrogance. We refuse to face the simple truth: we need saving.

Humanity is hopelessly lost. We are condemned by our own choices. We have tried everything else. We want something else to be the problem. We cannot bring ourselves to believe we are so completely depraved.

I know: Most professing Christians are no better. I am ashamed, but I agree. However, professing genuine faith in Jesus Christ is not the same as possessing genuine faith in Jesus Christ.

It has never been about what people say: it is about what people do. What we do reveals what we actually believe. The Scriptures do not teach eradication of our sinful nature in this lifetime. Those who follow Jesus Christ are not yet perfect. We still go our own way. We still sin.

What is the difference between a real follower of Jesus and an imposter? The difference is in the heart. When a genuine child of God sins, he or she is ashamed, and moves quickly to confess the sin, and make it right with God, and with persons who also, have been wronged.

Counterfeit Christians act as if grace is a blank check to live as they please and then confess it to God. There is no remorse, no conviction, no repentance, and no restitution.

This kind is religious on Sunday, then, lives during the week living as non-believers. Yet they still claim salvation. There is nothing genuine about their faith, or their conversion.

Look around you for someone truly different. Some places on earth have more genuine Christians than others, but we exist in virtually every nation on earth.

Jesus Christ came into the world to change human destiny by changing human beings. He was never very concerned with environment and circumstances. It bothered him that people were going to hell more than the fact Rome was brutal, or life was difficult.

The thing that moved Jesus was humanity’s depravity and lost-ness. Jesus knew if the majority of human beings are transformed, brutal governments can no longer exist. People will be free to live at peace with one another. He likened people to sheep without a shepherd. In other words, masses without direction or guidance.

Jesus loved people unconditionally. He saved everyone that came to him willing to admit they needed him. He died as the personal substitute for every human being on earth.

Read the accounts of his death on a Roman cross. To do so is to realize his death was anything but ordinary. (See Isaiah 53; Matthew 26:21-chapter 27; Mark 14:18-chapter 15; Luke 22:14-chapter 23; John 18, 19)

No one ever died like Jesus died. He was not a martyr, he was the Savior. What makes Jesus radically unique is his resurrection. (See Matthew 28; Mark 16; Luke 24; and John 20; I Corinthians 15)

I realize some are not avid readers. If you are one of these, I Corinthians chapter 15 amounts to the Clift Notes on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is truly an amazing chapter.

The question is often asked: how does a Jewish man’s crucifixion nearly 2,000 years ago have anything to do with me, and people living right now? It is a legitimate question.

Instead of explaining it to you, I think you are quite capable of getting it yourself just by reading the Scriptures. Read Romans chapters 1, 2, 3, 5 and then chapter 10. Then read Ephesians chapter 2.

The key passage in this group is Romans 5. Here you will find why Jesus died on the cross, and you will discover he died for you.

Jesus, not Christianity transforms human beings. (Read I Corinthians 6:9-11) He removes from us our guilt and condemnation, and makes us right with God. (Romans 8)

God has given every person the capacity for faith. He has also granted us the freedom to choose the object of our faith. Since faith is universal, there is no additional requirement: faith is the one simple way everyone can be liberated from sin and death. (See Romans 4)

Because Jesus Christ is the Son of God, naturally God has chosen Jesus as the sole acceptable object of human faith. Were any one of us in God’s place, and had offered our own child for the sins of the world, we would demand no less either.

Attempts to achieve favor with God by any other means are affronts to the one who gave his only Son for the sins of the world. This is why Jesus said what he did in John 14:6. It is the reason for John 3:16-18; and Romans 10:9, 10, 13.

OK, so if one reads and believes what the Bible says how does that work? While God is infinite; and beyond our capacity to understand; he has made the way to his forgiveness amazingly simple. He does not want anyone to miss this.

The Bible reveals we must believe Jesus is our only way to forgiveness and salvation, and ask him to save us. By asking, we are admitting we need to be saved. What God requires in return is only our trust and love.

For many people love takes time. Trust is a choice we make. You already believe in something or someone. You have been doing this all of your life. Unfortunately, many of our objects of trust have failed us, and it makes us skeptical and hesitant to trust again.

Jesus Christ will never abuse your trust. He will always do exactly what the Bible says he will do. His record is impeccable.

You can do this right now, at this very moment in your life. Where ever you are, even if your surroundings will not allow you to speak audibly: with your heart, your very being, ask Jesus Christ to forgive you. Trust his death as sufficient for you. This is simply enough. It is all that is required for him to forgive and change you.

When you have finished asking Jesus to forgive you; go ahead and demonstrate your trust in him, by thanking him for doing it. Commit to him by giving him your trust and your life.

The more you know about him, the more you will love him. From this moment on you belong to him, and he belongs to you. You are forgiven! You are free from eternal condemnation.

I know you have questions. I can help you find the answers you need now. I will be thrilled to know you have trusted Jesus as your Savior. Please contact me via this internet outlet or my personal e-mail address: butchhoward@bellsouth.net