"You just wait 'till you're a parent!"

Parental wisdom. Gotta love it.

Why is that when we have problems we have a tendency to run from our parents instead of running to our parents?

From the times we are born we are solely dependent on our parents. For food, clothes, shelter, protection, wisdom, etc, we are wholly in the care of our parental units. As we grow older, we become aware of our own identity and we begin to test that by attempting to make our own decisions and seeing how our parents react. A lot of the time punishment defers us from doing something we shouldn't, or it convinces us to lie about what we did. As we grow even older, sometimes we become rebellious and start listening to our friends, peers, celebrities, etc. instead of the wisdom of our parents, the ones who gave us life (in the technical sense)!! When we become even older still, our relationship again changes with our parents, and sometimes we become friends with our parents, going to them for advice, guidance, telling them stories, joys, achievements.

If there is something I have learned, tonight especially, is that we are always meant to run to our parents. No matter how scary it seems, or how disappointed they may be with us, they are always there to guide, protect, discipline, and most importantly, love us.

"Religion"

I am wholly against religion.

That may be a bold statement, but it's the truth. I'd even goes as far as to say I hate it. The whole subject of faith, belief and religion has played out in my mind for a long time. I could never quite figure out why people are so against religion. I used to think that religion had to do with your own personal belief. But I've come to realize that it has nothing to do with that at all. Religion is just an excuse to A) do what you want and give reasoning for it, and B) to control. Beginning with A, take the Crusades for example. My history on this is a little rusty so correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe what they did (the "Christian" Europeans) was they slaughtered a whole bunch of people....I think they were some tribal groups or something...I don't quite remember. But the basis is that these Christians killed a whole bunch of people in the name of God. No wonder Christians have a bad name! If God is ordering people to execute "savages" than God is not who I thought He was. My point here is that historical events/figures have done really stupid and inhumane things, but used God as the reasoning and justification behind it and that's just wrong to me.

On to B. I'm going to pick on the Catholic church because, well, I don't agree with it. We actually continuously have discussions about this in my Liberation Theology class, but you also want to know why Christianity is given a bad name? Look at the Catholic church. It is so ritualistic that it makes me sick. It's a chore to go because it's boring, its focus is distorted, and there is no freedom. What its aim is, is to contol who does what and who has what position. What's the point of confessional? So the priest can redeem you of your sins? Only God can do that. What's the point of the Pope? Is he any better than you or me? Does God love him more because he gets to ride around in that fancy car and everyone bows down to him? No. In fact, I disagree with the whole premise of people getting so excited over the Pope's arrival or appearance. Does that mean the Pope doesn't have anything good to say, or that he shouldn't be allowed to speak at all? No no no. But I don't think he should be elevated on such a level that he now becomes superior and there is created this hierarchy in which the focus becomes wealth and status within the church; it's almost idolised. Way back in the day, the church and the state were one, in a sense, but that ended up not working. I think it's horrible that indulgences were sold by the church to generate money, and by doing so, they tricked people into believing salvation came through these little pieces of paper. That's just manipulation of power.

What is church about? What is Christianity about? Certainly not controlling the masses and carrying out meaningless rituals Sunday after Sunday. I think that's the problem is that Christianity is about relationship. It's about me and God. Not me, God, and Benedict. I think that's why so many people are turned off by it is because there are all these meaningless rules. People are just following rules for the sake of following rules. There's no foundation. Sure there are some rules to follow that are clearly laid out in the Bible...especially in the New Testament regarding Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. No, I am not against church in any way. I'm just against the fact that in some relgions, or sects of Christianity, it becomes a focus of religon, not relationship. I actually think church is amazing because you learn and grow and are accountable to others. It is in the church that community is created and that people can come as one and develop relationships. Does this mean there won't ever be churches without problems? Of course not! But I just think a lot of churches, a lot of Christians have lost the purpose, or focus and our eyes should be on God, not on the self preservation of the church. For it says in the Bible that through Jesus we are saved and by him alone do we receive salvation.

Note: this was a very random tangent, so sorry for being all over the place and not laying this out clearer.

Evangelism

Hmm, I haven't posted in a long time!

I had the opportunity yesterday to sort of go evangelizing on campus. I can say that I have never done this without my parents before. Whenever I have shared my faith was when I was part of a church group going out as a kid, or when we went on a mission's trip. So needless to say, I was terrified! My D-Group leader (I think it means discipleship) at school asked if I would come out with her and go sharing around the UCC. I did. I'm sure those of you who are at Western know about the "Is Anything Free?" campaign going on. If not, it's an event hosted by Campus for Christ and it's asking the obvious question, is anything free? The whole promotion is to share the belief that Jesus is a free gift to us, all we have to do is accept Him. So there's this event on February 8 and at the very beginning there will be a draw for $2500. The reason that it's at the beginning and not the end is to show that there is no catch. That C4C is not looking for anything in return. There is a speaker afterwards and people can choose to stay if they wish, but are completely free to leave if they choose.

About the sharing. So my D-Group leader and I went out around the caf and talked to three different girls; and wow!! The difference in response between just three people is crazy! The first girl was of a Christian background and so she pretty much knew the concept, but she didn't seem very strong in her faith, but was willing to listen and answer our questions. The second girl seemed very unresponsive and somewhat annoyed that we were talking to her. She gave bare minimum answers and didn't really have any knowledge on Jesus or anything spiritual, and she seemed like she was hurting in some way. The third girl we talked to was actually joined by her guy friend and so we talked to both of them. She seemed embarassed by her answers that she gave and the fact that she grew up Catholic but couldn't really pick a stance on anything. The guy, however, jumped all over the questions and seemed quite "philosophical". It was great! So overall, it was a really good experience for me and I pray that those three people will show up to the event and possibly God can open their hearts to the message.

I think also, going evangelizing is a HUGE test on my part because when you're randomly talking to people about God like that, I think you need to also actively demonstrate those beliefs ALL THE TIME!! For me, it's difficult because I guess you could say I live a "double life". I often struggle with making the right choices and living for God 24/7, not just on Sundays and at church events. So I think by going out and doing this, proclaiming your faith to the world, especially Western, a place I will be spending the next 2.5 years of my life at, is definitely a test to whether I can live my life solely for God, or for myself. I believe that accepting Jesus is not just a belief, but a way of life. It's not enough for me to just say, "yeah I believe". I need to put that belief into practice and show others what is meant by a "follower of Christ". I was reading my blessings that were written for me by most of you, and a few of you mentioned the meaning behind my name, which is "light of the sun", but most of you translated it as "light of the Son", and it reminded me that that's exactly what I need to be. I need to live up to my name, so to speak. I thank you guys for those blessings because every once in awhile I pull them out and am reminded of who I am and who I need to be for Christ.

I'm going to hopefully go to FNL this Friday (I've never been before), so if anyone who reads this is going, I'll see you there! :)

A few songs I really like right now:
Rescue by Desperation
How Great is Our God by Chris Tomlin
'Till I See You by Hillsongs
Wonderful Maker by Chris Tomlin
Forever by Hillsongs