2 Cor 5:17 "Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come."

What does being a "new creature" or "creation" mean. It means that anything that went on before in your old life is gone, passed away and never, at least by God (Jeremiah 31:34), brought up in your face again. It doesn't matter how bad, repulsive or shameful it may have been - when you ask for forgiveness, it's forgiven. Often the biggest problem is we won't forgive ourselves or sometimes others we have hurt won't forgive us.

How can we be new creations when all of the "old problems" are still swirling around us? This is the question that we will seek to discover and learn the answer to. We must first understand that we ourselves are a "spirit". As a spirit, we possess a soul (which is our mind, emotions, our thinkers and decision makers) and we live in a body (housing, so to speak or an "earth suit" that we reside in). When we become born again we sometimes think we don't "feel" all that different but we are saved no matter what we feel. What takes time is renewing our "mind". When we learn God's way for living and turn that knowledge into change in our life, that is when we find true peace - and we feel different - about almost everything!

Romans 12:2, basically captures the goal. It is as simple and as difficult as this.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Why would an entire site be devoted almost solely around one verse? Because it takes a committed life of learning to understand all the wonderful plans God has for our life. Much wisdom is hidden in the Word of God for those who choose to discover it. (Corinthians) 2:10

Yes, you do get the instant "Get out of Hell Free" card becoming a Christian but this site will focus on the here and now. Jesus said He came so that we would enjoy life, and have it in abundance, to the full, till it overflows. He's speaking about our life now on earth. How many can say "I have an abundant, overflowing and enjoyable life!"? We must renew our mind (how we think, speak and act) to live an enjoyable, successful and happy life here on earth now. So let's take some time and learn to do just that!

So this is my "rebellion" against world conformity. To renew the mind is to kick against everything in a natural world. It takes a rebellion to take a stand against what the world says is "normal", against it's temptations that could ultimately destroy life, to be positive in a negative environment and to love when the "flesh" wants to hate. It is a never-ending, life-long journey.

Interesting Thought: It's understandable why people who don't conform to the world's way of doing things are called "perculiar people".