About

Jesus promised his followers a rich and satisfying life. The Amplified Bible says it this way: “I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).”

Since that’s the case, why is it that so many of his followers are living lives of quiet desperation, as Thoreau observed?

It’s like there is a resigned defeatism that sees this current life as a lost cause. For far too many Christianity really only impacts the next life. Too often point of this life is seen simply as getting as many converts as possible, no matter what the cost. Manipulation, badgering, bullying, rudeness. If that’s what it takes. They can thank me in heaven, right?

It’s all about a transaction. Get ‘em to say a prayer. Once they’ve made a convert they move on to find the next one as soon as possible.

Is that the full life Jesus was talking about? If it is we got gypped.

Choosing to Be Different. On Purpose.

Sometimes you gotta be different

My name is Chris Cree and I’ve been a follower of Jesus Christ for several years now. And while my life has been pretty good so far and the benefits that have come my way from following Jesus are real, I can’t help but feel that I’m missing something.

I can’t honestly say that my life “full til it overflows.”

But I want it. For myself, sure. And also as many others as can enjoy it too.

Here’s the thing. Jesus said we can have it. He said that’s why he came. In his words, that was his purpose!

I’m choosing to be different from those who don’t follow Jesus. That almost goes without saying. I’m also choosing to be purposely different from those followers of Jesus who have given up on enjoying life until it overflows too.

You would probably call me religious, but I’m not hung up on religion. I tried it already. There’s nothing that gives overflowing joy there.

Instead I’m focusing on learning what I can about this Jesus person. Who is he? What makes him tick? What kind of an example was he? What lessons did he leave us?

About The Site

Purposely Different is about exploring that abundant life and what the Bible has to say about it. In the course of that exploration I may say some things that you disagree with. That’s OK. I don’t mind that you disagree.

And I’m not arrogant enough to think that I’m never wrong either. In fact I reserve the right to be wrong.

My goal is to live that abundant life that Jesus promised and bring as many along with me who want it too. Jesus freak? Pretty much. But maybe not quite like you expect. On this site I’ll be exploring everything I see as I unpack  that life and share it with others.

Something tells me it won’t look much like we expect at all.