Chapter 3a

So, I didn't have you guys read anything for homework this week because I was really hoping that some of the things we talked about in class on Sunday would resonate with you this week. I know there is a LOT in chapter three that has stuck with me since the first time I read the book a few months back and it seems to stand out to me even more as we read it together.

I want to let you guys in on a dirty little secret...sometimes, I'm not sure what I believe. As someone who has always prided myself on being very sure of myself, this is a very big deal. I don't mean I don't believe in God or that I'm not a Christian. I know where I stand on the big stuff--the Trinity, Salvation, etc. But, I think I have become distracted by a lot of the things I have been taught (even by other Christians) and I neglect Jesus' teachings. As far as Christianity goes, the more I step back and REALLY examine things, the more I find I really don't know and the more I question what I always thought I knew. I think that Jesus is probably frequently offended by some of the things we taut in his name. I think that he would probably point out to us that we have trivialized so much of his message and missed the most important part--we were CREATED to be in community--with God and with one another and we are really great at fouling up relationships up because we don't take the time to pay attention to the people around us. I think that Jesus cares more about how I treat the guy sitting across the aisle than he cares about what songs I sing on Sundays.
When Donald Miller says, "In order to believe Chfristianity, you either had to reduce enormous theological absurdities into children's stories or ignore them," that also really speaks to me. I think I am pretty good at ignoring the things I don't know what to do with. But, I know that pretty much everything Jesus said boils down to how we treat one another and I need to work on that.
I have really been thinking a LOT about you guys this week. I hope you're having a good one. See you Saturday if you're going to Six Flags. See you Sunday if you're not! K