Day 14 When God Seems Distant

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Life sucks but it goes on so I suppose you just have to fix mistakes and when you have you'll realize that God didn't give you more than you can handle. I hate it when I am still working through something though and someone tries to reassure me of something by saying that because I haven't quite handled it yet.

So, who is to say I can.

Hindsight bias.

Day 13 Worship That Pleases God

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I didn't read all of this chapter because I most adamantly believe that if there truly is a God, he would not care the way in which you devoted yourself to him. One ritual cannot fit everyone. I mean, sure, going to church is probably better than not going to church. Church is a way to easily make time for him in your life and to be with others who believe what you do and to be lead by those more familiar or more used to a certain way.

That is some good stuff.

I wouldn't say that's the only way though and that is why God is beautiful. He can strike you on the middle of a long stretch of highway or on a walk through your neighborhood or in the middle of a dance floor.

He can be anywhere and everywhere.

Day 12 Developing Your Friendship With God

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Sometimes, God is as mean as your best girl friend. Just read the bible.

It's so hard for me to fathom.

Day 11 Becoming Best Friends With God

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I don't think you have to say everything to God. I think you should say hello, this is what I feel guilty about but even that, I wonder.

I mean, what would you know if you just stopped half of the nonsense everyone gets their selves into.

I've got to do x, y, and z by this time and see that person by this time and worry about this and that and everything.

Well, what would happen if everything stopped? Would you finally figure out the reason to keep going? Sometimes I wonder. If it weren't for the incessant chatter in my life, would I even get out of bed but maybe something else would come in. I don't know.

I can't say I pray daily but I believe mediation for 5 minutes would be a challenge. Prove me wrong?

Day 10 The Heart of Worship

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Whatever you do, do it with all your heart.

That is what I got from today's chapter and really can't find much words to say it better.

Day 9 What Makes God Smile?

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When I first learned about the story of Noah's Ark, I was really excited. The basic interpretation to me, as a little kid that went to Sunday School and conferred with my peers - we were all related! We were all brothers and sisters! This made me really excited because I am an only child and I just loved the fact that my best friends were related to me.

Now I realize what the true point of the story is and how devastating and chilling it really is. It is a story of horror.

There are two sides to each story. How can you evaluate without knowing all the sides and so, how can you judge a person?

It bugs me about today's society about our classification of what the Bible says sinning is.

Lying is a sin and I can assure you that we have all done it and yet none of us are condemned like those who happen to be gay are.

Things like that get me.

Only God can weigh the price of a sin be it adultery or a white lie.

We have no right to say one is worse than another.

That being said, the best religions seem to be the ones that lead by example.

Christianity is appealing because it shares the message of love. What is religion without it's people. Can you judge all of Christianity for a bigoted few? How can you tell what's what when you've got 20 interpretations flying at you? How can you just feel it?

Day 8 Planned for God's Pleasure

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What makes me keep reading and wanting to understand is the mere fact that every human has a need to worship - has a need to connect with some sort of believe system.

It's like an instinct.

But who... or what? Gave us this.

But then I know the other side of the argument.

It's an instinct to protect us - to question what we don't know because what we don't know has a potential to be dangerous.

I am not sure if I can say the curiosity is supposed to be quenched in the case of mortality and ruling and creation. Maybe we filled up these mysteries with something as a way to adapt to say okay, I don't know the answer but here is my next guess and now I can worry about other things that need attention.

I couldn't tell you if a snake is laying beneath a rock but I would pick it up anyway to know for sure with the risk of getting stung, but at least I could prepare for the sting. So, that's what religion is, picking up rocks until you die I suppose.

In this journey I believe I am okay with the risk of the snake beneath the rock. It's okay by me and if I never find a snake, I will always have my heart beat a little faster in anticipation when I try the next rock, just in case.

Day 7 The Reason for Everything

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When I pray to God, it is usually quite awkward. In Elizabeth Gilbert's words, I almost wanted to start off any prayer with, 'I'm a big fan of your work.' I just never know what to say. I think it's important to understand that who you are is vital. Without you, things would be different and vapid. I couldn't tell you if it would be better or worse because I don't think either of those words would be appropriate. I think it would just be different. Think of the life you lead now and those you affected. You've made someone laugh or picked up someone from an airport. Simple things but... they happened. Perhaps, it is just living until today that is super amazing because right now is the oldest you've ever been.

I don't know if I could offer any advice besides simply talking to him more - not just through a secretarial way of doing things but an actual face to face conversation as often as you think of God. You don't have to call him your home skillet because I for one, am uncomfortable with such and idea, but why not at least look him in the eye and say, how do you do?

Every once in a while.