Reminders of Faith

There was a time where I might have wondered where my faith was. Or if I had lost it. I went through a phase where I really had to find it for myself. Not based on anything other than scripture. Wow, was that a struggle. Still is.

I'm pretty sure it was a few years after Sunnydale joined the military. Once we left the safe haven of "home" it was a much larger world than I ever knew it to be. And I thought I had tested the limits when I was a teenager! *laughing* I found that I was a little angry. I was angry at the life I grew up in.

Wait a sec and let me explain. I absolutely love the Lord and I am so excited about being a part of His ministry. But I've had to go through so much to get where I am. And it isn't over yet. That's the story I want to share tonight.

I'm now a firm believer that sometimes you have to lose something in order to appreciate it to it's fullest extent. Most people would probably associate that to a spouse or girl/boy friend.But I'm talking about faith. What you believe and why do you believe it. I believed everything my parents taught me when it came to church and the Bible and everything in it.

Borg would have considered me in the "pre-critical naivete". *scoff*

If you know me well nowadays, you'll know *exactly* how I feel about Marcus Borg and all the Christian people he's leading astray.

Anyway, so I began asking questions and mostly just listening and reading. Until one of the Chaplains I work with severely challenged my thoughts when he proposed to me that the Bible not be writings based on factual history. *what*??? This spun me...yep...You guessed it...Right down the "slippery slope to heresy" *grin*

Just kiddin. However, I did go through a pretty traumatic experience with the whole thing. I spent weeks reading all the books I could get my hands on. Johnson's "The Creed", Marshall's "Why the Jesus Seminar couldn't find Jesus" and a ton of things online. I printed out things periodically and handed them in to this Chaplain as my "defense". *laugh*

In case you don't know about the war out there with Robert Funk and his delusive followers such as Marcus Borg here is an example of what Borg believes...

The Bible as Word is symbol and metaphor.
His approach (and that of current biblical research) is Historical-Metaphorical.
The bible is not written for us or to us.
It is a mixture of memory and metaphor.
The bible is (David Tracy) "a religious classic."
The Historical metaphorical approach is the ability to hear the stories as true without
worrying about their historical accuracy.
A major need in the church and in education is help the people move from
A. A pre-critical naivete, thru
B. Critical thinking (How much do I take with me into adult life) to
C. Post-critical naivete: that is, able to hear as "true" events not factual.
"Now I don*t know for sure whether it happened this way or not, but this story is true...."

Now, through all the studying I've done (and I'm not done), I have come to my own conclusion. Which I am proud to say is truly my own conclusion that I worked hard for and not the conclusion of anyone else.

Obviously I strongly disagree with Borg. While I am respectful of his knowledge of the scripture, I am disappointed in his lack of sheer faith. Somethings got to be said for believing what is written. And I believe that Timothy warned us of such deceivers coming.

I also know that when I say to one of my 4 children "Tell me THE TRUTH, I want to know exactly what happened" I mean it.

Truth = Factuality

Borg would disagree.

So in all of this, I may slightly disagree with some of the beliefs I was brought up with. But I'm sure that it isn't anything essential to salvation. Mostly tradition disputes. The root is the root and to that I am sticking. I believe that I was taught in truth and in love.

I also believe that there are a lot of things that we argue over, things that sincerely bother us, that are not important issues for God. I think he wishes sometimes we'd put away the bickering and just worship him in freedom and love.

I wonder what he thinks of Borg. Probably something way out of the box and completely love inspiring. I'm not that wonderful. I feel a great deal of frustration to the teachings of Borg. A wise man told me not too long ago not to be frustrated, but fascinated. It changes your perspective greatly. I am having a difficult time finding anything fascinating about Borg's theology.....Then again, it did capture my attention. And I certainly know a lot more now than I knew 6 months ago.

~~

Random thoughts of sheer hydration

You know, I actually bid on my contract. If you'll remember back in September I wanted to become an independent Contractor.

*grin*

Being the Director of Religious Education at a military chapel definitely has been interesting. Especially for this girl with such a conservative background. Thinking back, it still amazes me at what a small world people live in when they surround themselves in a "Christian" environment. Forgive the quotes as I am still searching for clues to why people think it necessary to live like this. Did Jesus? No. Who did he eat with??? Thieves, murderers..Prostitutes?

But don't we get comfy in our pews, 3rd from the front on the right hand side. And isn't it amazing how quickly we judge when someone seems different.

Want to know how many times people have judged me for being different? Well, when we were younger (11 years ago...*laughing*) and we attended Bible college...I didn't exactly fit in. I didn't look or play the part. Funny how now, things are so very different. Now, I probably look a more worldly part, And suddenly I find an environment that I fit into. A sinful one? I don't think so.

I absolutely LOVE my job. Religious Education is definitely something I will pursue further. I have gained insight on so many things on so many levels.

However, I have come to the conclusion that the "Christian" lifestyle has the potential to be terribly deceiving. Going back to when we were in Bible college, yes, we made lifelong friends there and respected so many people. I never truly felt comfortable. It was the "learned environment". That people who worshiped differently were to be shunned. "Lofty glances from lofty people" (Casting Crowns) I've seen it my whole life. Someone raises their hands to praise God and all of a sudden you're having a sit down with the Elders......

I had spent my entire life a preachers daughter, yet couldn't seem to get my foot in the door of the crowd that people liked. Of course if I remember right, I carried a huge chip on my shoulder back then. *grin* But I didn't realize what the difference was until we moved away and joined the Army. Back there, in that beautiful small town, from my experience, most of the Christians kept themselves tightly and deeply involved inside their own community.

Out here, away from the southern lifestyle, things are very different. I certainly don't condone any lifestyle out here. Worship is very different. People don't care how many songs you sing before the prayer, or if anyone took communion to the nursery workers (our nursery workers are paid contractors...Like me!), it doesn't matter if no one responded to the invitation....Out here, the "alter call" which may be administered 2 times a year.

I've had to deal with so many political things lately. Working in a military chapel is different than how I thought it would be. But then again, I NEVER attended a worship service other than a church of Christ one. So what did I expect? Certainly not what I got. And I've been so disappointed with the political games I've been privy to. *grin*

Out here acceptance is a religion. That's dangerous. It's a danger to be treaded on like tiny shards of ice. Acceptance is a powerful tool. Satan uses it masterfully. As he takes our weaknesses in the palm of his hand and turns them over and over, grinning, strategically planning his next attack. Causing people all over to be so accepting of anything and everything.

I recommend throwing away any desire for acceptance. Funny, I learned a few years ago, that displaying confidence demands acceptance. It's the nature of people. Very simply, you are accepted if you display a strong sense of confidence. ;)

I love every stage I've been in. My life is full of memories, ranging in a variety of emotions. Yet I will remain grateful for each. They are who I am. My past is why I make the kinds of decisions I make today. It's how I am so deeply in love with my husband and our children. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

The "man room"....should that be in caps???

The man in his room with his dog....is that my DYSON??

The man room is fully furnished with 4 couches, not all pictured, an entertainment center housing the t.v and the X-Box, the "D.J" area (holding all the music equip) and the coffee table which is actually my own work in progress. Oh...and a heater ( the white thing...remember this is actually just a garage. It's cold in there!)

And of course...the Man, himself. Gorgeous isn't he?

*wink*

Half Geek Half Bully

Broke a nail tonight. I hate it when that happens. That means I have to go back tomorrow and get them redone. *sigh...rolls eyes*

I don't have time this week for girlie froo froo stuff. It's back to reality as it stands. I drank coffee this weekend and thought of someone when I did. I won't mention names but she knows who she is. Just couldn't quite enjoy it the same way......it was either guilt or not starbucks....*sigh* Although I did get the pick me up I was looking for. Which leads me to send you back to the post about being a coffeeholic.

I got absolutely nothing accomplished today. At least nothing in the way of laundry. Which is what I'll be up for the next 4 hours doing. But hey, if we can't admit our weaknesses then what good are we really? I figure the fact that I KNOW who I am and can admit it is a major plus.

If the first step is admittance then I've only got 11 steps left right?

Might I add that this past week was enlightening on several different levels. All of which are not related but encompass some disturbing similarities. Well, I don't know if disturbing is the right word.....

Remember a few months back when I was so irritated by the women around me? (November blog) I think I figured it out this week. I can't say here, for the obvious reasons (hello friends!), but I think some of it is that I respect people who carry and execute their own opinions. People who say "Oh! Well, no actually, I think spinach is disgusting but if you enjoy it, more power to ya."
Rather than those who follow every word you say with an.."oh yeah I like that too"...or... People who change their opinion once they've heard yours. *rolls eyes* That just eats at me. Come on! If you agree, agree, if you don't say so. I'm so sick of people who want to be liked so badly that you can't even hold a conversation with them.... because you never know what their opinion really is.

I think I've lost a daily dosage of brain cells over this since October. *rolls eyes and grins*