July 23, 2010
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I Like Cheese With My Wine, BTW
I had no intention in participating in the latest topic set forth by Featured_Grownups, you know, the one about, “What do you worship, follow, or believe in?” When I saw that this particular topic was the one voted on for the second part of July I cringed. It’s not because I am ashamed or embarrassed by what I believe in, it’s just that I was always taught not to discuss such things in mixed company…religion and politics…they always make for lively and sometimes heated discussion. Actually I’ve rarely blogged about either, wishing to keep my blog on the lighter side of things, usually. But this topic has been nagging at me for several days now. I guess the Spirit is willing, but the flesh has been weak.
But we’re all friends here, right?
I actually have many friends here on Xanga who I know don’t see things even remotely close to the way I do. And that’s fine. I guess the biggest reason for my hesitation is that I don’t want anyone thinking I am preaching to them, or trying to convert them to my way of thinking on the topic. It’s a very personal subject, and it should be. Typically I don’t share my religious views until I feel led to do so, and well, now seems to be a time to do so, since I can’t seem to escape the thoughts about this very post that I’m about to share. So here goes…turn back now if you don’t want to read it…you’ve been duly warned!I am a Spirit filled, Bible believing, follower of the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth…Son of the only true and living God (the Father), the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Many call it being a “Born Again” Christian. However, I don’t really fit into a nice little cookie cutter mold as many would think I would, professing this as what I believe. My beliefs differ in some respects compared to other believers. I know when you think of someone who calls themselves a “Born Again Christian” it conjures images of a Bible thumping, hellfire and brimstone preaching, straight-laced goody two shoes. Well, that’s not me. Here’s why:
1) I don’t go to church. I’ve done that, been there. I haven’t found a church yet that believes the same way I do. I study on my own, I’ve heard a bunch of sermons. I’m bored. I’m hungry. I want more “meat” than what the church today can give me, and all I get there seems to be a steady diet of milk. I know, you other Christians out there are saying, “But the Bible says that we aren’t supposed to forsake the assembling of ourselves together!” I don’t believe that a church building is the only place that it can be done. I assemble with other Christians elsewhere.
2) I believe that abortion should remain a legal option. I think it is between that woman and God. I also don’t believe that life starts at the fertilization of the ovum. I believe that the fetus is nothing more than a mass of cells before God “quickens” it…that is, until you can feel it moving inside your womb.
3) I take my communion with real wine. Many think that drinking alcohol is a sin. I don’t. I firmly believe where it says in the Bible that Jesus turned water into wine that he didn’t turn it into grape juice. I even enjoy drinking wine at times when I am not having communion. I like beer sometimes, too. I’ve never been too into hard liquor, but to each his own.
4) I don’t think that one particular sin is any greater than another. Have you ever lied? Have you ever coveted something that someone else has? Stolen? Are you gay, lesbian, or bi? I’ve lied. I’ve coveted. I’m not a lesbian, I’m straight, but does that make me better in God’s eyes than someone who prefers a same sex relationship? No. In God’s eyes there are no varying degrees of sin. And if anyone says they don’t sin, they are a liar. So there. We are all in need of redemption. I am not better than anyone else.
5) I don’t think shoving my beliefs down someone else’s throat yields the results that God wants. As I said before, I don’t share what I believe until I feel led by the Spirit to do so. You will not find me going door to door passing out tracts. You also won’t find me posting a whole lot about being saved, or that you’re all sinners destined for Hell. We are supposed to love one another. God is a God of Grace. He is love. Should I not sow seeds of love instead of seeds of despair?
6) I don’t believe that “spare the rod, spoil the child” means that we are supposed to physically harm our children. Not that I haven’t swatted my kids on the backside a time or two. If anyone knows anything about what a shepherd uses a “rod” for, it’s not a tool of aggression, nor used for beating; it’s used as a prod for guidance.
7) I believe in free will, and I believe God can still do miracles. I think we all have our own choices to make. I can’t make a choice for anyone but myself. I can only walk my own walk. I also believe in the gifts of the Spirit, and that they are in operation today.
I guess those are the main things that make me different than most Christians. I am curious if there are any other Christians out there in the Xangaverse who think the same way I do?
Would you like to know where I stand on other issues? You may ask in the comments…
Comments (29)
Woohoo! It’s like you read my mind!
Very nice post.
I have the same problem with finding a church. Thanx for the courage it took to share these thoughts.
I believe very much as you do,we always did fit! Love you much.
“Should I not sow seeds of love instead of seeds of despair?” Great line.
I stayed away from this topic for many of the same reasons you stated. And, surprisingly, we think alot alike in the things you talked about …….
I got to the point of reading and interpreting for myself instead of blindly accepting others interpretations. And I have learned that not everyone is ready for a debate on what some of those words mean.
Very nice post on a most difficult topic ….
@YeahHer - It’s good to know that there are like-minded people here. Thank you!
@prophetzparadox - I’ve found a few that have some nice elements – - great praise and worship, etc. – - but when I get down to brass tacks something is always missing or askew. :-/
@seedsower - Love you, too, Beth!
@jo63psalm - Thanks.
@Alive_in_Vegas - Yes, difficult topic, indeed. It’s amazing to me how some can go to the same church for years and be spoon fed the same stuff forever and never think for themselves, some of them never cracking open the Bible for themselves. Sad. They miss so much, IMO.
I want to write something intelligent, I really do,but all I can think of is “May God’s love be with you, always”.
@Aloysius_son - That works for me.
Thanks. You have been linked!
I’m with you on all but the first two. Though I must say it’s very hard finding a church that gives out real “meat” in their messages. And I agree that the church isn’t necessarily within four walls. You can gather with Christians anywhere, not just in a designated building.
A very good post and a quite a bit here that I would agree with.
I believe very similarly to you, particularly with number four. You put that excellently. For number one, thankfully we were able to find a church that served “meat” though admittedly it took some doing and occasionally I find that “meat” hard to chew. However I would rather find myself pondering and questioning a tough sermon than patting myself on the back for understanding every powerpoint slide from a “milk” based diet…
I will admit that I disagree strongly with your stance on abortion as I feel that as soon as that cell has a unique set of genes (after the first cell division following fertilization) it is a new unique identity and person. However, that is a soap box that I don’t feel like stepping onto in the near future and so I will leave it at that.
There’s a lot here that I agree with, too.
With regards to #1, I was reading an article on Sunday that was talking about the rising number of “home churches”, with memberships of no more than 15 that are a reaction to the seemingly unending growth of the faceless “mega-churches”, which are more like businesses then uplifting, God-driven gatherings of like-minded Christians. This is one reason why I’m still looking for a church to call “home” despite being in the US for over 2-and-a-half years now.
#2 is a tricky one, and I think it is very much down to the individual and their wishes. Of course, we can educate – evenly – as much as possible, but ultimately if they decide not to keep their child, they are going to find ways to do it regardless of what others may think. So, having a legal option for the safety of the mother at least is a must for me; however I think that the threshold to get one should be raised so that the ramifications of a life-altering and permanent decision can be fully embraced. My personal point-of-view is that once created, that life should be given every chance of coming into this world. I guess I’m in @skittler335‘s “camp”, if you will.
#4 has my full support, and as for #6… I was spanked as a kid, and I think I turned out alright. XP I wouldn’t change my upbringing for anything, and I think the greatest compliment a child can give their parents is to want to raise their children like they were raised. I can definitely say that I’ll willingly follow my parent’s model for sure.
GREAT post! I enjoyed reading it… so in short, I’m in most agreement with most of your beliefs.
I go to church only rarely. I just can’t seem to ‘fit’ into any church. I’m a shy type person, not outgoing until I get to know people. So when I go to a small church, I feel awkward when people try to be friendly and socialize.
On the other hand, I sometimes go to a local nondenominational mega-church where there are perhaps a thousand people. There isn’t much socializing except for groups who know each other. But I really don’t feel like I’m in church; you have to look at the TV screens to see the pastors and the choir. I can do that at home. LOL
As to the points you have posted, I believe pretty much the same way you do, with perhaps a minor difference or two.
@firetyger - ”You can gather with Christians anywhere, not just in a designated building.” Absolutely!
@Chatamanda -
@skittler335 - I am glad we can strongly disagree and remain friends.
Thank you.
@cmdr_keen - The mega-church/business thing is what really bothers me a lot, also. I have been to many, many churches and if they aren’t the huge ones, they almost feel “dead’ to me. I enjoy Bible studies with like-minded Christians. I am counting that as “church.” Wherever two or more are gathered, ya know?
About #2 – I have three children. I couldn’t have aborted them, and I am blessed to have them. I still believe it’s an individual choice. I don’t believe that choice is without consequences. I am all for education, and I don’t think abortion should be used as a method of birth control. But trust me, I think few women who have an abortion take the matter lightly.
And I’m not against spanking, necessarily. I have just heard too many times someone justify beating their children with that verse from the Bible. I don’t mean spanking, I mean something beyond that.
And thank you!
@dsullivan - I am fairly introverted myself, believe it or not. I understand!
You rock!!! And yeah… I could’ve very easy copy and pasted this list on mine… good job.
@BubblysLife - Thank you!
On #2, (Yes, I’m going to go there), I can see what you’re trying to say… but even the biblical definition of the word “quickening” is a bit ambiguous, given the fact that it’s a King James era translation of a concept that wasn’t fully understood at the time.
At the time when the Bible was first being published in English people believed-basically as you do- that a baby isn’t a baby until you can feel it, however, God does give us technological advances for a reason; that “clump of cells” begins to move around by 7 weeks (the time, coincidentally, when most abortions occur) so one would assume that if “quickening” was an actual phenomena, it would happen THEN and not at 16-22 weeks when the mother can feel it.
You have every right to post your opinions on these things–but please don’t use a mistaken understanding of God’s word and centuries out-dated medical (read: Old Wives) theory to support your stance on abortion.
@colonialgrl - Having attended nursing school, I am very well aware of the various stages of cell separation and growth. You’re right, I am entitled to my opinion, as you are yours, but please do not presume to tell me I have a mistaken understanding of the Word of God. Perhaps I should expand upon my brief statement, but you have no understanding of the depth to which I have studied both the Bible and medicine. Thanks for your comment. Have a nice day.
@CynaraJane - So much the worse for you that having such knowledge at your fingertips you misuse and manipulate it to fit a conclusion you don’t want to drop.
Producing credentials (i.e. nursing school, in this case) is usually meant to make the argument drop, but I don’t see how it’s particularly relevant here–I’m not going to turn this into a flame war, but the “gathering together” of Christians, as you mentioned, isn’t always just church or other fellowship: Sometimes, it’s the iron-sharpening-iron process of rooting out what heresies we hold on to, the duty of brothers and sisters in Christ to help each other find the truth.
I do not doubt your study of the Bible OR your understanding of human biology, just your reasoning on this subject.
Thank you for your time.
@colonialgrl - If I thought your rebuke was made in Christian love and kindness maybe I would take it differently. Heresy? Wow. Dear girl, I am far from a heretic. As you try to assert your spiritual superiority, remember that you are human and imperfect just as the rest of us. Were your comments made to make me drop the subject? Won’t happen. Run along. There will be no flames, I won’t comment you again.
Comments are closed.