[A LETTER FROM PAUL, THE APOSTLE]

To all the saints who are, in fact the ALIEN YOUTH:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I thank God whenever I think of you and I am sure of this: that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

The world you live in is filled with distractions. There are more voices than ever clamoring for your attention. The battle for truth does not appear in clear lines, but must be sought for as a pearl of great price within a stack of plastic white beads. So fight the temptation to be conformed to this world, and be transformed by the renewal of your mind.

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly or more lowly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many limbs and parts, and they do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

Let your love be genuine.

Reserve your rage for what is evil; hold fast to what is good.

Love one another with brotherly affection.

Outdo one another in showing honor.

Rejoice in hope.

Be constant in prayer.

Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

Did I mention this already? Love one another. Consider this question as you interact with others: what would our world look like if every human being embodied selflessness? Be empathetic and understanding to others and treat him or her accordingly.

Bless those who persecute you - even those ‘seem’ better than you, make fun of or belittle you; bless and do not curse them. Live in harmony with one another.

Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.

If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

I know it's hard, but try to live in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace rather than seeking to prove how right you are in your perspective.

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.

Show some kindness and be quick to forgive - just take a second to bring to mind just how much Christ has forgiven you.

I look forward to seeing you on the other side. You have no idea just how fookin' amazing it is here. All I can say is, it was worth it. Every beating, every misunderstanding, every bit of suffering and disappointment...

It was worth it.

Yours,
Paul