...and I decided to get creative (not too creative ... maybe) and make a cocktail that I've never made before without looking anything up.  It probably already exists, has a name, and has been enjoyed by folks for some time but, then again, maybe it hasn't.  I call it a Straspberry Fizz.

Here's what you'll need:
2 strawberries, sliced
3 or 4 raspberries
2 oz sweet and sour mix
splash of grenadine
Sprite, 7up or ginger ale

Here's what to do:
Put everything minus the soda into a blender and mix until smooth.  You could strain it to keep some of the leftover chunks from getting into the glass, but I just poured it straight from the blender in a highball glass filled 3/4 of the way with ice.  Top with the soda and garnish with a strawberry and speared raspberry.  YUMMY!

Oh yeah, here's what it looks like:

Despite what I believe in, people should be able to choose what they want to believe in and what lifestyle to live.  We've been given the freedom of choice, so why get bent out of shape if someone believes differently than you or I?  It sort of reminds me of Reggie Watts' song "Binary Existence" (if you can't handle swearing, it's probably not for you) in which one side (my side) is the 'good side' and the other side must be destroyed.  One of his lines speaks so true, "The other side dislikes me in a way.  They don't want to be like me in a way so I guess they're just like me in a way."  We're all unique just like everyone else.  One would think that everyone would understand this by now.

I've always debated something in my head.  As a Christian, I've learned that trying to force what I believe on others is ridiculous.  I know that I wouldn't accept a lifestyle that believes forcing views on someone is the right way to go about things.  Instead, I try to love everyone and treat them how I'd like to be treated.  Hopefully, people will see that 'light' in me and conversation can strike up.

But what if that conversation never comes up?  What if I don't have the opportunity to talk to a particular person enough or even have to the chance to see him or her?  Whether or not I know what one believes in, if I consider myself (or if that person considers me) a friend, wouldn't it be wrong of me not to offer salvation?  To reiterate, (not to be blunt) if I think you have a chance of going to hell instead of heaven, would I be a good friend if I said nothing?

I don't think I would.

There are a number of people in my life that aren't followers of Christ for one reason or another.  Part of me wants to say something  ...  but I just don't know what.  I wish I understood people more than I do.

So what do you believe in if anything?  Any reasons why?

As for me, I follow Christ.  He spoke of love being the greatest thing.  I believe, in fact, that if the Bible could be taken down to its rawest themes, they would be "Love God" and "Love People."  Everything falls under that.