with intention

met with massoud today. he is my iranian friend. this is wild : massoud flew to bgsu on sept. 6th 2001!
we discussed the inner life, my future plans,and his newfound love. Also chatted a bit about parental expectations, religious expectations from our previous generations.

in many ways massoud is rewriting the rules of religion. we talked about how Nicodemus did that in the Bible. he moved from what was expected to what was fulfilling. from religion to a heart found relationship.

Massoud had heard of the story found in Jn. 3. truly a famous scripture. probably more famous to the international students here than the USAmerican students. I met the iranian prof. that is friends with massouds family. He had many good things to say - our talk about different cultures and languages shed light on how truly nationalistic and narrowly focused i am. I need more relationships like the one with massoud. Massoud makes me a better person.

Massoud said "we are all from different countries and places. different religions. but we all have the same heart." he is so right. the people i see on the news, the picture of humanity that is broadcasted is the same humanity as i. i am what they are and they are what i am. human. We are all longing to fill our hearts with truth. with something that will last. An experience that is forever fulfilling. A relationship. A relationship like the one i thing Nicodemus found. a relationship with the risen Jesus.

We all want to know what Nicodemus wanted to know in Jn 3. And the answer was standing right in front of him...

so simple