Currently Playing Long Line of Leavers By Caedmon's Call see related

I realized the other day I don’t read enough, so I started. My older brother always used to read the encyclopedia for fun and of course I made fun of him. Now I know I probably should have done a little of that too. So much of what I read is plagued by the intellectual arguments of what the church is and is not. It leaves me tired and seemingly further from the reality of God's love. I know that reading these things allows me to retain the knowledge I need to minister to others more effectively; but when I am done I feel further from that reality.

I would say I am more of an over arching theme person rather than a details person. You can probably tell that from my writing. When I look at the bible I try not to pick it apart and look for that over arching theme. God's love. We all say it is so important to us but we forget this love so easily. We split, we divide, we leave, and we try to avoid the problem. A community fights together, shares together, and endures together.

I am so sad.  

Check this site out, tell me what you think and I will comment later!!

http://shlonkombakazay.blogspot.com/2005/02/efficient-version-holy-st-its-fascist.html

Currently Playing Eyes That See in the Dark By Kenny Rogers see related

            Eyes. We use eyes for all kinds of things: reading, watching, searching. Everyday we use our eyes for things that are full of light or full of darkness. Tuesday I am speaking in chapel about eyes, how we use them in our own lives. As I practice the sermon over and over love is the resounding theme. Reading the gospels has taught me the depth of Christ’s love. Most important how he never “saw” anyone different according to their shortcomings or inabilities, he saw them as His children. My sermon talks about how the church teaches us to look at those around us for their actions, but it seems all wrong. Christ did not teach this, he taught us to love and to forgive. What would it be like if, as individuals, we forgot about social tags and loved instead? Christ would be pleased!!!   

Currently Watching Troy (Two-Disc Widescreen Edition) By Brad Pitt, Eric Bana, Orlando Bloom see related

Church always seems so funny to me. I haven’t been to church in close to six months, and I have to say it has been equally draining as it has been refreshing. The very foundation of my faith has been rattled but reformed. Being absent from church as taught me three things:

1. Church members are crazy!!! They think the staff has some super human strength to provide for everyone. Au Contraire my friend, we also have a responsibility in the church believe it or not.

2. "Reason". I am currently attending a Baptist liberal arts school, which may or may not be very left wing. It has forced me to think and reason out my faith; this has been both scary and very fun. My roommates and I have had a blast questioning the Bible and its teachings. Usually we end up confused and frustrated but I wouldn’t change it for the world. Questions have ranged from "Who was really their when Jesus was born?" to "Was Jesus was really a person?" (For those of you who know me, I love Jesus and still believe in him!!!)  Taking time away from church gave me a chance to leave Sunday School and find the meat of my faith.

3. Community. When I stepped foot back in church I am not sure I knew how much I missed it. I’m not talking about a sermon or scripture, but rather the people around me. There is few that care like a Christian brother or sister, few that will love despite. I think more than anything I forgot how to feel. Feel loved, feel touched, and feel God move over me. Books and talking all of the sudden seemed so infantile, I needed something more.

God has certainly given me new hope. Each day is one I look forward to finding His peace when I have none. I recall the last day I was on campus before I left for Christmas break. My roommate Jon and I were discussing and debating some theological issue (it could have been anything) when tears filled my eyes. I found my questions were filled with empty conclusions lost in space and time. True I had found the meat of my faith, but at that point I wanted nothing more than to sit in Mr. Billy Overall's 2nd grade Sunday School class and hear the gospel again.

As I write and reflect I see that it is about much more than being away form church, it was and is calling his name like a child to his mom. Forgetting not who cares for you and who gives you true life.