I've been asked to divide myself into a set, a Christ-is-first-here, but not here division of two Ricks, the technical responder, and the other.

Well, I cannot do this. Here's why: Jesus is first in my life. He came here to save ... me. Why would He do this? I am not worthy of someone dying for me, let alone God Himself. I am a wretch. A weak, horrid man full of lustful eyes, an adulterous heart, seeking wide idolatry. Yet ... even in my fully sinful state ... He did anyway. He said, "Yes, Rick."

What greater love is there than that? To die for a worm like me. Brings tears to my eyes to think about it.

Knowing I owe Him everything, and recognizing Him truly as He is: author of the universe, author of me, you, all knowledge, all everything, how can I divide or separate anything from Him? In fact, how can anything be separate from Him when everything was made by Him?

Answer: It can't, and it isn't. And it is only hard hearts who fail to see Him for who He is, for He never changes.

I have days with tears over the blindness toward God I used to have, and see others have still today, because I love and care greatly for people. I know how my life has changed, and I know how other people's lives can be changed by Him. He literally saves people, and they are forever ... forever ... changed.

I have cried today while writing a letter to someone who is reaching out to help an entire nation. It's beautiful to see a Christian leader desiring his people to have better lives centered around Christ's teachings of giving unto all as He gives unto us. Very rare.

Well, these are some of my reasons, explaining why I am as I are. :-)

Basically: The new Rick lives on, the old Rick has passed. I can't ever go back, because of how I've been changed. It was a complete renovation, from the inside out, all the way down to the foundation, with new wires and plumbing. The body is the same. That which lives on the inside is new.

I pray this makes sense.