I’ll just put it out there. Our family believes in God. Our family believes in Jesus. Our girls have studied the Bible and we pray. We do not attend a church and this is for several reasons. Lately though I’ve been surprised by how many people feel that you can only be a good Christian if you in fact go to and attend church regularly. I don’t believe that mainly because there are so many people that go to church just for the social aspect of it. Which is nice and fine, but is also a bit hypocritical when they are out being mean to people the next time you see them. This includes judging a woman that might not have her hair fixed at the best salon or live in the nicest of neighborhoods. People judge each other way too much these days and apparently many people have “standards” that you must meet to be considered worthy of their time. Seems to me that Jesus feels we are all worthy of his time and he’s there for you regardless of your status or persona in life. I’m not saying we are perfect, there are times when I get frustrated often and wonder why on earth people flaunt their money in such ways, or when some people give off the perception that they think they are better than me, I judge them for that mainly because I question why? Why do they think they are better than me simply because they wear make up and have a $300k house (and debt up to their eyeballs), but when I am honest and say that we are just renting a small duplex and are paying off all our debt, I get the looks and nods and the subject gets changed. I’m always asking Travis, is it jealousy? Is it because I’m just being honest? Its the same when I mention I do volunteer work with animal shelters. Aren’t we supposed to do volunteer work for God? Aren’t we supposed to want to help people and animals? People always tell me how good I am to do that. The thing is I don’t do it to feel good because there are many times I have felt very sad about it. I don’t do it for credit or recognition of any kind, I just do it to help and because I love animals. I also get told that they just couldn’t go into an animal shelter and look into the cages of the sad animals. I’ve gotten to where I start saying, “How do you think the animals feel looking out at you?” That usually shuts people up.
Back to religion though, I have a friend that is a Wicca and I find it interesting to ask her questions about it. She was always happy to answer them and it doesn’t mean I’m going to turn Wicca, but I do think it means that we can always be open to other people and their beliefs. Not judge them on their beliefs, but show a genuine interest. The interesting thing is of all the people I have know with different beliefs – and I have known Muslims, Buddhists, Agnostics, etc. Not a single one of them have ever made me feel bad or like other Christians can tend to make you feel. They have all asked me a few questions about Christianity which I am happy to answer to the best of my ability, but if I don’t know the answer I have told them that as well. I just feel that religion is whatever you make of it, no one has to be right or wrong, we just have to be open and kind.
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1:39 pm
I really like what you said here. Religion calls people to perform or look a certain way. If you don’t have the fruit to show that you’re a good Christian, then the devil is literally in you. You are a child of Satan. Why do they say this? Because they think they know Jesus. But Christians don’t seem to get that the only beef Jesus had with anyone was with those who were in church and had the good fruit. These people judged others as not of God, condemned others of their sin, and said they deserved hell. It’s always the ones that judge harshly like this that deserve hell. These Christians have a very different father from the one they think they have. If they knew Jesus, he would have told them this long ago.
How do I know? Because I was one of these idiots.
8:32 pm
Oh girlfriend, I’m so sorry that has happened to you. I hope in no way I have ever treated you in that way. If I have, I sincerely and humbly ask for your forgiveness. You are such a sweet sweet soul and I believe you are doing God’s work. Of course, we are to love and care for our furry friends as well as our fellow man. It makes me sad that you have witnessed this bad bad Christian behavior, for this is NOT the way God commanded it to be. My big turn off are social church cliques. Can’t take it because that’s not what God wants us to do in His house. The church is the people and when the church falls to such cruel and shameful behavior, it makes me sad. I don’t know what you have been through or what you might be going through right now, in a new place. I just want to send my love and HUGS to you right now. Please keep at heart that not all Christians that attend church are this way. My opinion, honey you are worth more to God for your kindness, love and willingness to help the helpless than all the riches of Texas oil combined. Your heart is of pure gold in my eyes and giving yourself like you do for nothing in return (for yourself) is worth more than a $300k house and all the diamond rings on your hand. You give your all for the greater good. You are fulfilling God’s purpose in your life. It doesn’t matter if you live in a box. These people that you’ve encountered will meet their maker one day and he will make the finally judgement. Please forgive these people and do not hold bitterness towards them or churches in general. You are a much better person than that and I love you for it. I go to church because it’s a way of fellowship with other Christians. Like a support group when I’ve had a very tough week in the WORLD. I try to focus myself in worshiping and giving thanks to the Lord of Lords for all He has done for me and my family. I love going to Sunday school because we have open discussion about God’s word. How does it speak to me? It is truly a living word and it’s amazing how one verse could mean something differently to someone else. No controversy or fighting. No cliques. Our Sunday School teacher is a retired school teacher and I love getting his point of view. I pray from one Christian to another that you will find that special church, God would want you to be in order to grow spiritually.
Your friend,
Mirya
9:10 am
Mirya, you have always been wonderful to me and you are what I pray more Christians would strive to be like!
You have never done anything to offend me or hurt me. You have always been a true friend to me and I miss you! 