*903 Beautiful Attitudes Poem by John Knight

Jesus Bar-Joseph - itinerant preacher
From Nazareth - a Master Carpenter.
When he was about thirty he left his job
Selected a mixed group of companions
And comenced an unorthodox preaching
Teaching tour - which lasted just three years.

His companions - a motly crew - twelve men.
Northern Fishermen - Impetuous Peter
And the Mysterious John - Doubting Thomas
Trecherous Treasurer - Judas Iscariot
Simon the Zealot - Philip the Thinker
And their scribe - Matthew an ex-Tax Collector!

His teaching was hard hitting - especially
To the arrogant Jewish Hierarchy.
He used the sacred name of JEHOVAH - saying
I AM The Door - I AM The Good Shepherd
I AM The Way and The Truth and The Life
Worse still he claimed to be THE SON OF GOD.

Historically he is different and unique.
He paid the ultimate price - Crucifixion
Outside Jerusalem - aged thirty three.
We all have to make up our minds about him.
Was he really THE SON OF GOD - did he
Rise from the dead and ascend into Heaven?

Is he really the Saviour of the Human race?
Can his words really revolutionise our lives?
Let us consider his famous 'Sermon on the Mount'.
The secrets of Happiness and Blessing.
A compedium of Eight Beautiful Attitudes
Which run contrary to all Earth's Material Values.

Happiness comes when you run out of ideas
It is then that you really turn to God for help.
Happiness comes when you lose all your prized possessions
It is then that you allow all your riends to comfort you.
Happiness comes when you are really contented
Because what you have is priceless.
Happiness comes when you desire a closer walk with GOD
Because your spiritual hunger will be satisfied.
Happiness comes when you really care for others
Because in return they will love and care for you.
Happiness comes when your Mind and Motives are Pure
Then you can really see God at work in your own Community.
Happiness comes when you preach and practice PEACE
Then you really are God's Ambassador.
Happiness comes when you are criticised for your Holy Life
Because personal holiness is the prelude to Paradise.

If the whole World followed the teachings of............
Jesus Bar-Joseph - Itinerant Preacher of Righteousness
Who claimed to be the incarnate Son of God,
There would be no more wars or poverty
Or inhumanity of Man to Man - Instead there would be:
Peace on Earth and infinite Joy in Heaven.

(John Knight - Freezing Colchester - January 2010)