Sunday, October 30, 2005

What does it all mean? most of you may ask what the purpose of your life is. Have you been caught staring up to the stars, it seems to be my favourite pose as of late. I ponder to myself alot I'm kind of an internal thinker, which sometimes gets mistaken for something else. I ponder things like this when I'm staring through you

What does it mean when your trials come to face you at the door? I find myself with mixed emotions about it all. Having the knowledge I know now but not the strength to react or to not react. I see two doors, two choices in every situation. Most people say it's not that black and white...that's fine it's your opinion.

What does it mean to be a christian? I don't think that there is really anything meant by being a christian, christianity is just the acceptance of christ, or the admittance that he is the son of god and the true savior for all humanity. But as a man he was just an everyday person with an extraordinary attribute. The one Living God working in him, the unity of being one with god.

If a woman or a man's goal was to become more like christ or the incarnation of christ what would be the first step? Is there really a step? Can we really learn from all these crap self help books that are titled "Ten easy steps to a better life" "A step by step guide to being a more sanctified christian" or other general books that lump the status quo into one group and forget about the individuality of each person.

I think the problem is that churches today stare into a void of the elite, the christianity is forgotten, the fakeness is lived from day today, the masks are worn, the motions are gone through, the smiles are passed, if you see someone smiling what is the first thing you notice? is it thier teeth or thier eyes. Do you ask how they're doing mindlessly...without waiting for the response? Do you care? Do I care that you care?.....Not really! the churches I see today are still made of styrofoam...there is no real substance no real stone.

Some people love crowds they get they're ego stroked they dream of big things while smaller men stand in the corner, the ones that get told they're no good or they got a long way to go. The new christians get told "your new, how great" 'Pat, pat.' on the head and a condesending smile. What does church mean? I don't see a purpose for church if it is not functioning the way it was intended to. Stop living the facade and start examining the inside, My mind is no longer trust worthy I will only listen to my heart.

SO you tell me the answers to my "What's?"
Cause I'm tired and out of Ideas.

Saturday, October 15, 2005

Rules of the Game

Well, spirituality took a back seat in this weeks discussion. It was still there, but we ignored it when it tried to give us directions. I'll comment on that some other time.

I think we agreed that the many different church denominations have distinguished themselves by the traditions they enforce. And that enforcing traditions kind of defeats the purpose and it makes Christians look divided and therefore foolish because we can't agree on how we should dress at church.

Church traditions are soully for the personal preference of the congregation. Choosing which church to go to based on whether they are strict about certain things is our way of having some control over this 'faith thing'. And I'm worried that it's the traditions, which are entirely deemed by man and not God, that can, and have deterred people from exploring a life with Jesus.

Isn't it important, to be united with and accepting of other Christian churches, no matter how orthodox thier pastor, minister or priests are, no matter what there dress code is on Sundays, or how formal their wedding ceremonies are.

Trust me I remember being on the outside, and I remember thinking what a joke those churches are. Even if I wanted to believe in God, how would I know who was right. Like a parent who loves all of their children equally no matter their differences, doesn't God love all of his children. Why do we spend so much time fighting with our brothers about the rules of the game. This isn't monopoly. I think people just want to be able to say, "I'm right", " I know better," or "I win, you lose, sucker."

I don't think that's what God had in mind.

Friday, October 07, 2005

A sober thought

I heard a story recently about a guy who went to visit a pastor in jail. This pastor had been caught trying to commit a crime which in this case is also a crime and the pastor had a sermon to preach from behind the glass and over the phone on the wall.

"Watch your life and doctrine closely..." 1 Tomothy 4:16.

I thought about this story as i continue to wrestle with the concept of Spiritual Formation. in this passage Paul tells timothy to perservere in these things so that people may see his progress.

I'm all for progress when it comes to the spiritual part of my life. Not just actualization, or realization, progress. So i here this loud and clear.

Spiritual progress includes both parts. Life and doctrine. The pastor behind the glass in the custody of the state probably watched his doctrine well. But his message that day was watch your life and doctrine closely.

Loud and clear. I want to grow in life and doctrine. Cause i don't ever want to find myself where this guy found himself. Expensive place to preach a message.

Thursday, October 06, 2005

This is Michael Tyas, signing in.


Hello to all the newest recruits. I am Michael, and if it wasn't for me than Pastor Darryl still wouldn't know what a blog is, let alone a vlog.

Now that that's out of the way...

I have no idea how this blog/vlog will evolve. I've never been a part of a group discussion blog but am interested in the challenge. I call it a challenge because I am so strapped for time. Geeze Louise!

More to report on later. Knock on wood.

Wednesday, October 05, 2005

Excellent


Good call D.!! I think I like this better than the touch thing. We can archive topics and go back to them...if we wish, might be a better system than php...although some might disagree.
I can't wait to see how this develops.
Your Friend and Brother.
Josh

The Touch Community

I have decided to create a community blog for the Touch community. It will give us a chance to discuss things on a deeper level. Leave me a note if you want in.