Renouncing religious affiliation.

[Ali Quadir]

The line is thus: I went from a world of trying to love christ, or to love Jesus, to a world of the Love of Christ, or the Love of Jesus. This may not seem different, but I think it is the most critical component change that has happened. The key wording here is 'the love of...'.

Ow hell yeah that's a huge difference.

I think I was looking for that inner love, but couldn't find it because I was not able to see past the religious system. I had to dump that religious system in order to see clearly what it was I have been really looking for.

Very true... Hold it close to your heart. Gods love is a fact. Gods desire for us to follow some "true" religion is not. I also had to drop the religion at some point. My belief in God is anchored in my core. And I very much realize that's just my way of seeing things. Not everyone personifies the thing like I do. But religion had to go.

Hate homosexuals, be fearful of strangers. Ignore information that does not agree with the holy book. Your heart is dirty, it's worthlessssssssshhh.. (Snake hiss added)

And it's not just Christianity. Islam, Hinduism, even Buddhism has members singing the exact same devils song...

As for telling everyone, the impetus behind it is just as Jesus spoke of, you have a light, you don't hide it under a basket, you put it out for all to see. I have not gotten used to the difference yet, and was wanting to share it, I was just not going about it the right way. But to this, I have already spoken.

I think the way to show the light is without words. In deeds and actions. Speak with the heart, not with the mind. You can look at someone and radiate them with love. It's a subtle force but extremely powerful in the long run. If people see the path a few times at some point they no longer need guidance they know how to find it themselves.

I realize now, I can't "give" this understanding to anyone. In fact, I could describe it until I am several shades of blue, and still they may not ever "get it". I can only show this in my life, and continue my own seeking.

Be glad you found it. Some people will understand. When their time comes and your spirit is pure they will see you and just accept that it's the truth. No questions asked, no compliments given. Just someone else who finds the inspiration to stop forcing himself to love God and seek Gods love instead.

The first person, who has something of a distain for Christianity because his ex-wife drove him nuts with Religion has noticed a change in me, he has become more interested in it, and even asked what he might do to find it him self.

My answer to him that he has taken the first step in even asking. To seek it, ask for it for his own life, and listen for the answer, prayer and meditation.

"Ask for it for his own life", all that's needed. Prayer and meditation are spiritual tools, but not required.

He may be genuinely interested in what I have found. I told him he doesn't NEED religion to find spiritual truth. I tried to keep my answer to him simple, I didn't want to push it on him, so I learned one level of restraint for someone beginning to seek here.

You're saintifying :-)
My teacher told me that God accepts counterfeit coins. It's true. It doesn't matter that I'm imperfect. When I gave something that remotely resembled true love, I received back true love. He's no fool, he knows it's counterfeit. It doesn't matter because he also knows that it's addictive, once I was on the love drug it'll just grows. And I wanted to give the real thing. I wanted to stop being phony. That's how it felt.

This friend said he hasn't even noticed a change in me at all. Like it doesn't seem to register with him.

It's a secret change. Your friend does not desire to see it at this point. He should be free to love and fear as he pleases. You cannot explain to him how this works. He may see it in you. But most likely he will end up considering you "just lucky"... You'll get comments like "you don't have any problems." "Things just work out for you."

It has been indeed an enlightening experience, and to how misguided my original thought had indeed been misplaced, good intentions and all. And it is interesting the microcosm in their contrast that has helped be see both sides of the equation evenly. This has indeed been a lesson to me. Lessons are good things, they teach us, and we grow.

Amen brother I am in awe of your realizations...