Pacquiao or Facquiao, God or god

Samantha and I were in Vegas for the Pacquiao and Dela Hoya fight last week. After the fight there was this Manny look-a-like afterwards taking pictures as if he was the real thing.

From Las Vegas, NV

From Los Angeles, CA (Part 1)

I thought it was pretty hilarious and took a picture with him. He actually looked a lot like him, and a lot of people mistakenly thought he was Pacman himself.

Which brings me to the guy who sat next to me on our flight home.There was this American guy who sat next to me on the plane. This guy was a successful business man in Florida.

We introduced ourselves to each other and we talked about our "Vegas Experience." He quickly told me, "Robert, you are not going to believe this and I know this is going to sound like I am not telling the truth. I got a picture with Manny Pacquiao. He was walking in the hallway of MGM Grand after the fight. He was so nice. He even took a picture with me with his fist up."

He couldn't wait to get home, and blow-up the picture and put it on in his living room. I glanced at Samantha, and she looked at me to send a silent warning saying "Do not call him out" and quickly turned away, to prevent herself from laughing.

All I could do is smile. As much as I wanted to tell him that the guy was a fraud, I couldn't do it, because I didn't want to "burst his bubble"Which got me thinking about my faith and I started to get convicted.

How many people profess to know Christ, but deny Him by their actions. Being in the States the past 6 months, I have met countless of people who are like that.

I do not blame them because it isn't their fault. There isn't enough personal discipleship and one on one encouragement that allow each other to experience a TRUE and LIVING God.

They try their best to be a good Christian, but never really had an encounter with the authentic God.

Unless you have encountered the Real, Holy, Powerful, Loving, God, in many ways we are like the guy who thought he had a picture with the real Manny Pacquiao. He was deceived, like so many of us are.

My prayer is that we will not be ashamed to share the Real Christ, and the whole Gospel and that we might have an encounter with God, that would change us forever.

Are you sure you have met Jesus? Or do you think you have met Him?

- Robert