secular society, in the beautiful metropolis of Detroit. For eighteen years I adhered to the strict moral code of my peers. "Do what we tell you to do, do what we do or you are not cool, and you can wander off and die for all we care". Do you not think that secular society is a cruel taskmaster? For the bulk of humanity, the societal religion they practice is cold, relentless, unforgiving, and worst of all utterly unsatisfying. I think that is why we are so subject to marketing. It is the religious dogma of today. Unsatisfied? Try the NEW 7-Up. It will make you feel better, make you accepted by the other "congregants", and as a plus, quench your thirst! If you think you are not subject to it, not a member of that church, you are fooling yourself.

What is considered stupid and ugly today, will become the glam of tomorrow. For those of you that think Christians are gullible, just remember how many times platform shoes have been alternately considered stylish and "must-have" or just corny and "to be disposed of". We all adhere to something. We all run our lives by some form of philosophy. Do you prefer the church of consumerism, of pride, of existentialism, where every peer is your "preacher", taskmaster, judge, and commiserant?

When I was eighteen, having been a good practitioner of the church of secular society, I decided that if there was no more than getting up, going to work, going to a club, getting drunk, going to bed (repeat until you die), then why bother. Fortunately I was introduced to a philosophy that did not "create" meaning for my life, rather it demonstrated that my life had always had meaning and purpose, and that I just wasn't practicing it. Of six kids in my family, all are divorced (some numerous times), one sister is in prison, and one sleeps on the streets. Yet, we are a typical family. My childhood best friend had to leave Detroit under threat of death, and now talks like the old man down the street that stays drunk all the time, because that's what he is. I found Jesus early in life, learned, internalized, and practice his teachings (not what someone told me to practice, rather what I read straight from the source -You can read, right?) to the best of my ability and with the help of that spirit which develops in anyone who seeks it. As a result I have been spared much of what my siblings, friends and a huge portion of society experienced due to their adherence to society's "cult".

I have learned that I am more than a bag of "electric meat". I have a beautiful family, a foundation from which to deny the taskmaster that is the world and society, and large group of like-minded friends. Do I still face issues? Of course. Do they rule or define my life? No.

Considering the alternative, do you really think that the members of the Mars Hill church have made a poor choice?

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." - God

Poco

Please do everything you can to get better. I know it's hard work, but YOU OWE US MAN! WE NEED YOUR HUMOR and your keen insight. Not to mention that your familiy would prefer it.

Best wishes,

Poco