nothing doesn't come w/out a bit of work, faith, and love...

That's a Good Question --> What are the basic visual identifiers of your religion and their importance to the practice of your faith?
You won't be surprised to hear the cross is the most basic visual identifier for the Christian faith. Churches put crosses on their walls; people wear them around their necks. Crosses are common in our day; they were controversial in Jesus' day.
The cross was Rome's brutal way of excuting its most despised criminals. Death on a cross was designed to be excruciating and humiliating. Cicero (Pro Rabirio), the Roman statesman, wrote, "Let the very name of the cross be far, not only from the body of a Roman citizen, but even from his own thoughts, his eyes, his ears."
So why would Christians identify themselves with something so demeaning and distasteful as the cross?
Why would Paul write, "May i never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Galatians 6:14)? Why would he say, "we preach Christ crucified" (1 Cor 1:23)?
The answer is that the cross proclaims good news for all people. Jesus willingly died to pay for the sins of the whole world -including your sins and mine. "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree" (1 Peter 2:24). No wonder we call the day Jesus died "Good Friday."
All who embrace the message of the cross, trusting in Jesus' death and ressurection as payment for their sins, are given forgiveness and eternal salvation. "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God" (1 Cor 1:18).
-- Pastor Rick Reed

*I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10:11 NLT
*Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. John 14:6 NLT
*****oh Abba...let me acknowledge You in everything...use ME!*****