This may offend a few but oh well... Growing up in church as I did my whole life is a lot like going to out to eat. I know when I hear the name of a restaurant what I'm most likely going to order. That's just like you going to church knowing that you are most likely going to know the Bible story that the preacher will preach. Here's my point: Knowing what I'm going to order or knowing about the Bible story doesn't mean I know the main ingredient or the main plot/reason of the entree or story. You know the details but not the reasons of the details. You know you need to go to church, pray every day, read your bible, tithe 10%, "do this", "don't do that", but why? There is nothing wrong with the way I was raised, nothing at all. Now being on my own, starting my own family, I have to decide what morals and values I want to uphold and why. The bad part is I know what I was raised to believe I just don't know most of the reasons why, which if you don't know or haven't had to experience this dilemma you wouldn't know how frustrating it can be. Parents today need to educate their children of the reasons why they are raising them the way they do. Not allowing them to know how to "play" church without first explaining to them why you go to church, pray, read the Bible, etc. Denominations are man made obviously but I never knew why I was baptist I just knew that's how I grew up. Why do I have to wear a dress when there isn't a verse to say I need too? Men need to be clean shaven and have a part in their hairstyle. It's a joke. Everyone is more worried about what they have on, who's doing what, etc. rather than what's going on for the cause of Christ. It wasn't until I stepped out of my own comfort zone that I realized how judgmental, hypocritical, and close-minded my life has been. Religion is just a money guiltin', judgmental scandal. No wonder people think "Christians" are such jokes. I'm tired of everything being so narrow-minded. My life was built on what I thought was the fundamentals and lead by superior authorities who I knew to be set apart from others, just to find they were two-faced and scandalous as the convicts. Now I have huge issues with trusting anyone for who they truly are because of the past experiences with liars. Be Real. That's all I can be. I'm not perfect nor do I claim to be. Some hold grudges against people and the only person that's being affected is the one holding the grudge. Forgive. I've faced many conflicting convictions and relationships that I never thought would be mended in recent weeks/months and it is so refreshing to know that gloom and disappointment doesn't hang over you anymore. Create a relationship with God, pray and ask where you need to be. Some 30 year christians are no more advanced in the knowledge of the Bible or a walk with Christ than an 8 year old who got saved this summer in vacation Bible school. No one is ever to old to learn the truths of God's word. I have a new respect for those who are now taking a stand for being different and expressing their new leases on life. Whether I agree with them or not I have no right to say they're wrong, they are doing something most people are to scared to do and that's standing up and claiming a belief. Be proud of what you stand for. It's always funny to see and hear those that find something to pick/point out of others yet they waver on everything they do. Don't waver. Stand up. Be thankful. Be Blessed. Thanks for reading a rant that maybe someone can relate to somewhere. Talk to you soon!
yours truly
