Friday, December 31, 2010

Spiritual Cliches

"Freedom is frightening. There are people who want to be told what to do and when, how to believe and why. And the result is tragic perpetual adolescence." Chuck Swindoll

A big pet peeve of mine is the overuse of spiritual cliches. It's not that I'm an atheist, but every "amen", "just pray on the spirit", "the devil is attacking our ladies", and etc is to me empty, meaningless words. From another point, it's as if these overused phrases gives one something to say when there is no substance to be said. It's playing it safe instead of speaking with sincerity and transparency.

It's a shame really when our English language contains such an exhaustive choice of words. We can say old things in fresh new ways. Perhaps we are just too lazy to do so. For I believe a big part of becoming older is forming your own thoughts and expressing them in an original manner unique to you. Most people seem frightened to do this however. But think. Reason. Feel. And be real. Perhaps in doing so, it'll be a step towards leaving adolescence behind.

Goodbye 2010!

While skimming through my old blogs I realized I had a goodbye post for 2008, but not 2009. Somehow I had two years that have gone by since then. As I wrote on a friend's facebook status: "every year goes by quicker than the one before it". That much I know to be true. Since 2008 was a hard year, it's only fitting I reflect on one of the best years I've had: 2010.

This was the year fulfilled dreams and adventures. When I finally:

finished that last college course,
received my college degree in the mail,
married my best friend,
went on vacations/honeymoon to cool places,
moved to my very first house,
became a preschool teacher (however temporary),
read, learned, decorated and crafted to my heart's content,
and it's safe to say many good things happened in 2010.

As blessed I was this past year, I have so many other goals I wish to achieve in 2011. But regardless of what the new year will bring my main goal is to "...be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." I Cor. 15:58

A blessed 2011 to us all!

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Tangled thoughts

The stomach flu while gross, does provide one with ample time of thinking and reflection. While bedridden the past few days with ginger ale and crackers, I pondered my beliefs and values. I love reading the blogs from various Christians with different theological leanings. I used to be paralyzed at the idea of considering other stances on issues I had long thought I had made up my mind on. Now, I find it intellectually invigorating and it forces me to be a "Berean". I'm asking questions like a critical atheist, but with the goal of digging the meat from the bones; instead of throwing the baby out with the bathwater. (And how bad is it I just used two metaphors in one sentence?)

I'm starting to notice that a lot of Christians that leave legalistic, "Independent Baptist" backgrounds tend to take a reformed/Calvinistic stance. While I relate to no longer wanting to be associated with most of Baptist culture, a part of me puzzles on why they give up much of man's free will/stewardship/etc. And I'll be the first to admit that I haven't figured it all out.

For the goal is that while swimming through the whole Bible versions debate, pinpointing when human conscience begins, noticing when verses are taken out of context, and other big/small issues, is that in the end I'm that much closer to knowing who God is for myself and not what others would have me to believe of Him. My hope is to come close to this before I have a family, but if not I'm willing to be honest about what I do/don't know and learn alongside them.

"Freedom’s calling, chains are falling,
hope is dawning bright and true.
Day is breaking, night is quaking.
God is making all things new.
Jesus saves.
"