Blake Page
By Pamela Rae Schuffert presenting investigative journalism from a Biblical Christian perspective-
I recently had the pleasurable experience of being in communication with BLAKE PAGE, a nice young man who is going through extreme financial hardships. Highly successful in the US military (Army), Blake had been attending West Point Academy.
Blake, however, did not share the religious beliefs encased in military traditions. Nor did he desire to be “proselytized” (another term for Christian witnessing) there in the Academy, and decided to protest by resigning from West Point Academy. Here is a brief excerpt from an article about this:
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WASHINGTON — A former West Point cadet who resigned from the military academy in November over what he says was unconstitutional Christian proselytizing may now owe the institution hundreds of thousands of dollars in a turn of events that have left the 24-year-old “shocked.”
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In the world, a person can be a hard-working, talented, and nice person…and simply not know or believe in Jesus Christ. I have met many such people in the world today, in fact. I believe that Blake is a very hard-working, talented and fine individual, who simply has chosen to not believe in Jesus Christ at this time.
God has given to every man free will, and the power to make their own decisions. And I respect that. When I encounter people who do not as yet believe in the truth of the word of God, that does not mean I suddenly treat them as a second class individual, or fail to show them the same kind of respect as a person, that I would seek for myself.
I pray for them quietly in the background, and continue to interact with them in a way that is never offensive, insulting or demeaning.
How do WE as Christians want to be treated by others who do not share our religious beliefs? With love and respect, equality and fairness. And we should always show others the same, regardless of whether they believe what we believe, or not.
Do you really think we will ever convince others of the reality of Jesus Christ and God’s love, if we FAIL to love and respect others who do not as yet believe as we do?
As true followers of Jesus Christ and His example of love, we are called to manifest His love and compassion to all we encounter. I have done this successfully in interacting with the many Jewish families I have worked with, and with Muslim people from Pakistan and Afghanistan, and many other diverse cultures and religious belief systems. “Faith works by love, ” declares God’s Word.
And sadly, Christians failing to walk in love, compassion and sincerity have done much to turn others away from Jesus and His truth.
Recently Blake encountered a shocking experience.
After resigning from West Point academy due to his belief system, and being told he would not have to reimburse the Academy thousands of dollars for his training, he has received disturbing news.
Blake may now have to pay back hundreds of thousands of dollars to West Point for resigning.
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WASHINGTON — A former West Point cadet who resigned from the military academy in November over what he says was unconstitutional Christian proselytizing may now owe the institution hundreds of thousands of dollars in a turn of events that have left the 24-year-old “shocked.”
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When I read that, I understood immediately what Blake might be feeling at this time.
Put yourself in his shoes: you are just told you owe the military hundreds of thousands of dollars!
How would you feel???
Jesus gave us as Christians a commandment:
“And in all things, whatsoever you wish others would do for you, do also for them, for this is the law and the prophets.”
In other words, do unto others, as you would have them do unto you.
If I were in Blake’s position, I would want people caring about my financial crisis that could destroy me financially. And on a personal note, I would want people to pray for me as well.
Therefore, I am taking the time to pray for Blake, and the crisis he now faces. It is easy for me to be compassionate about financial crisis, going through my own financial struggles.
Our Christian love cannot be limited to only those who believe as we do. Jesus reached out with love to ALL around him, including strangers and those who were not His people.
Our love must ever expand, if we are to touch the hearts of the people around us!
Please join with me therefore in praying for Blake Page. God has mysterious and amazing ways of allowing unforeseen crisis to bring people to His truth and kingdom at last. The persistent love of God reaching out to people is relentless.
There was a time in my life when I did not believe as the Bible taught. I was caught up in many false cult teachings involving the NEW AGE. It took many years of prayer for me behind the scenes, and God-created crises designed to bring me to the end of myself, and finally reaching out to the ONE TRUE GOD and His Son Jesus Christ for help, at last.
I am thankful for the God Who loved me while I was yet lost and sinful, who patiently wooed me unto Himself. And I am thankful for the Christians who loved me while I was yet a sinner, and patiently helped to bring me to Jesus.
Jesus did all this for those of us who are now Christians, while we were yet sinners.
Can we do any less for others?
Pray for Blake Page at this time of crisis.
God bless you, Blake. We are praying for you at this time.
-Pamela Rae Schuffert-
