Saturday, February 10, 2007
Doubt
If there is one thing that I wish could be publicized more it would be doubt. In my belief there is nothing more valuable to a human soul then doubt. But isn’t doubt what puts seeds of evil in your head and heart leading you away from the church? Quite to the contrary if it is nurtured and cultivated it can lead to gigantic spiritual breakthroughs. Would the United States be in existence if the Founding Fathers didn’t doubt the Royal Family? Would the Church have ever experienced the reformation if those involved hadn’t doubted the church of the time? From my experience the doubts we have are very well founded and should be explored intelligently to increase our belief. If we are told to blindly believe for the sake of believing rather then to experience things for what they are our belief will stay stagnant and what we believe we have can never be one tenth of what it could be. In my life I have had doubts I have pushed limits, but I never try to do so just because. This is important in doubt and one thing that I think is over looked. If you just go out and do crazy things because they feel good or because you wanted to see how it would affect someone else then you are exploring your doubt the wrong way. Doubt should be explored scientifically. With prudence and intelligence, until you become grounded in where your doubt led you.
Thursday, February 8, 2007
What is Most Important?
"Hearing Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in law, tested him with this question: 'Teacher which is the greatest commandment in the law?'
Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matthew 22:34-40
What a novel thought, the greatest of all the commandments has nothing to do with judgment, blame casting or who is more righteous. This seems to be a lost thought in Christianity today. Instead we are focused on the “right” way to believe. Accept Jesus, say this prayer, give this much money, do X amount of good deeds. And certainly don’t Sin, Sin is the product of the devil, and if you Sin you hence have communed with the devil and therefore are going to Hell. Of course these things include not accepting Jesus, being a homosexual, drinking alcohol, using tobacco or other substances, and questioning the church. But don’t worry just follow the steps listed above and you will have done right by God and the Church. Of course when I say Church I mean Christianity as a whole. But once you are in this group then you can join the rest of the righteous and look down upon those who have committed the atrocity of Sin.
But wait wasn’t there something about loving your neighbor as yourself?
That was probably just a typo; let me look that up in my Bible… Nope it does say that, Gee Whiz. Oh but it says neighbor, and all my neighbors are good Christian folk so I am ok because we get along great. But, you know that family around the block, I heard their daughter is pregnant, and she is only 17 years old and obviously not married. God’s honest truth. Can you imagine how her parent’s feel knowing that their daughter is a harlot? I just can’t believe the disaster the world is becoming.
So maybe I took some license with my scenario there but come on, everyone full well knows that in this day and age we are neighbors the world over. If we can’t begin to love each other beyond what sin we may or may not have committed we loose sight of those two commandments that say so much. Regardless of sexual preferences, stupid choices, or religions we are one people under God. Jesus didn’t say the only rule we need to follow is that we believe in him and serve him or that we shouldn’t be a homosexual, or make stupid choices that can change our lives, but to serve God first and foremost and take care of each other second.
Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matthew 22:34-40
What a novel thought, the greatest of all the commandments has nothing to do with judgment, blame casting or who is more righteous. This seems to be a lost thought in Christianity today. Instead we are focused on the “right” way to believe. Accept Jesus, say this prayer, give this much money, do X amount of good deeds. And certainly don’t Sin, Sin is the product of the devil, and if you Sin you hence have communed with the devil and therefore are going to Hell. Of course these things include not accepting Jesus, being a homosexual, drinking alcohol, using tobacco or other substances, and questioning the church. But don’t worry just follow the steps listed above and you will have done right by God and the Church. Of course when I say Church I mean Christianity as a whole. But once you are in this group then you can join the rest of the righteous and look down upon those who have committed the atrocity of Sin.
But wait wasn’t there something about loving your neighbor as yourself?
That was probably just a typo; let me look that up in my Bible… Nope it does say that, Gee Whiz. Oh but it says neighbor, and all my neighbors are good Christian folk so I am ok because we get along great. But, you know that family around the block, I heard their daughter is pregnant, and she is only 17 years old and obviously not married. God’s honest truth. Can you imagine how her parent’s feel knowing that their daughter is a harlot? I just can’t believe the disaster the world is becoming.
So maybe I took some license with my scenario there but come on, everyone full well knows that in this day and age we are neighbors the world over. If we can’t begin to love each other beyond what sin we may or may not have committed we loose sight of those two commandments that say so much. Regardless of sexual preferences, stupid choices, or religions we are one people under God. Jesus didn’t say the only rule we need to follow is that we believe in him and serve him or that we shouldn’t be a homosexual, or make stupid choices that can change our lives, but to serve God first and foremost and take care of each other second.
What Does It All Mean?
A Mohawk? What kind of stupid crap is this, right? Who is stupid enough to say Jesus had a Mohawk.
Well me I guess.
So again you ask what is with this stupid Mohawk garbage?
Aside from the Indian Tribe, the Mohawk has become a basic staple in the Punk, anti-culture, rebel look.
Right, so what does that have to do with Jesus?
Everything, and if you don’t get it, this Blog probably isn’t for you.
If you do get it, then it has become obvious that if Jesus was to walk with us today he wouldn’t be attending Sunday service with Billy Graham and the like, but spending his time at soup kitchens and shelters sharing his blessings with the less fortunate. I weep for a world of Christians who think sitting in a church doing bible study instead of helping others is what we are called to do. Not that Bible Studys are evil, but if you never leave your comfort zone who are you helping but yourself. Jesus’ message was about love and caring for all regardless of differences, and yes that means different religions, homosexuals, criminals, and all those other people who are too smelly, too weird, and too this or that. The world is full of labels and that of a rebel is one that I am sure Jesus would be glad to wear, even if it means having a Mohawk.
Well me I guess.
So again you ask what is with this stupid Mohawk garbage?
Aside from the Indian Tribe, the Mohawk has become a basic staple in the Punk, anti-culture, rebel look.
Right, so what does that have to do with Jesus?
Everything, and if you don’t get it, this Blog probably isn’t for you.
If you do get it, then it has become obvious that if Jesus was to walk with us today he wouldn’t be attending Sunday service with Billy Graham and the like, but spending his time at soup kitchens and shelters sharing his blessings with the less fortunate. I weep for a world of Christians who think sitting in a church doing bible study instead of helping others is what we are called to do. Not that Bible Studys are evil, but if you never leave your comfort zone who are you helping but yourself. Jesus’ message was about love and caring for all regardless of differences, and yes that means different religions, homosexuals, criminals, and all those other people who are too smelly, too weird, and too this or that. The world is full of labels and that of a rebel is one that I am sure Jesus would be glad to wear, even if it means having a Mohawk.
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