Christianity

My 16 year old daughter wrote this on her facebook today and I thought it worth sharing.


What I don't understand is why Christian's are stereotyped as the hateful religion. I understand that there is a tiny minority of extremeists that will beat you over the head with a Bible and tell you you're going to hell, but what I don't understand is why this tiny minority is portrayed by nonchristians as the majority of Christians.

I'm a Christian. I will not try to "save you from hell" by telling you you're going there. I'll tell you that I believe there's someplace better, and that's where I'm going, and because I love you, I want you very much to come with me.

I'm a Christian because I believe there's a better way to live than to hold grudges, to hold hate, and to hold onto me and mine.

I am a Christian because while some may deem it illogical to believe in a God you have no proof of, I deem it illogical to believe that we as humanity are a supreme power and a supreme knowledge. There is so much we don't know that we search everyday to know, which means we believe that there is knowledge we can gain. But for knowledge to exist, someone MUST know it. Therefore I believe there is something bigger than myself, that understands what I don't and can't. I believe that there is more to the universe than I can ever explain or experience through my five senses.

I am a Christian because I believe that even though I am human and a hypocrite, my honest tries to help, comfort, and love, even though imperfect, can be made helpful, comforting, and loving through the perfection of my God.

I am not a Christian because I believe the Bible word for word. I am a Christian because I believe that the best way to live, is to live with the same unconditional, ever-forgiving love that Jesus Christ lived with. I believe in loving and cherishing absolutely everyone, and I believe that I can love someone I disagree with without agreeing with them. Jesus hung out with the worst of sinners and loved them as much as anyone "righteous". He loved them, just not what they were doing.

Thus I write this note, not out of hate, not out of spite, but in HOPE of a better way and in HOPE of opening minds. If you don't believe in my God, okay. But don't hate me because I do, because I don't hate you because you don't. I ask you to stop stereotyping Christians as hateful, but to start realizing that everyone is human, Christian or non-Christian. MOST Christians do not claim to be any better or to sin any less than a non Christian. So please stop holding us to the standards of perfection. We don't believe we are way better, we believe in a better way. If you truly want to eliminate hate, don't hate Christians who don't hate you. Let's stop being blind to any kind of hate on EITHER side, Christian or non Christian, and encourage love.

This is the video that inspired my rant. I am not trying to accuse or justify, I am simply asking you to not overlook Christians like this, the majority of Christians, and suggest that we stop uncalled for hatred on any side.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaKu1Bv3L24

A Day in the Life

For any of you interested in a day in the life of an 11th grader in public highschool, my eldest has written an amusing article about her election day experiences. Her new blog Survivor: Rome Highschool Edition is located at www.livylaine.blogspot.com .

Am I a Prude?

This is the exact illustration of the super hero Dark Phoenix that is in the level 4 DK reader Marvel Heroes Greatest Battles that I purchased at Barnes & Noble tonight. I flipped through quickly before I purchased it and thought it looked like a great book for the boys. They love super heroes. As always, I looked at it more thoroughly when I got home before giving it to the boys to read. Glad I did. I will be returning it and Marvel Heroes Amazing Powers, which also has disturbing images. Keep in mind this is a book for approximately 3rd through 5th graders. I'm used to the female super heroes being a bit more "sexy" than I would like but this is downright pornographic.

Pictures From Our Wreck

The kids and I were in an accident on Monday of this week. We were at a stop sign waiting to pull onto a divided highway when the woman in front of us pulled out to make a left turn and stopped right in the middle of the road. The GMC Sierra that was speeding toward her swerved to miss her and slammed straight into my driver's side door.

This is the last thing I saw before impact. Laine says she will never forget seeing the big, red, GMC in my widow when we finally stopped moving (he pushed us 29 ft.).

Our van at the junkyard. We ended up facing ninty degrees right from where we started.

My sister had just given me this sticker. How true it is!

One comment I heard over and over after the accident was "God was with you." I believe he was. Not because we are all o.k. but simply because I know he never abandons his children. Bryan and I are going to have a talk with the kids because I don't wan't them to think that God abandons you when bad things happen. If I had been killed the last thing I would want is the kids thinking God was not with us. He is the one I want them to turn to first in difficult situations.

I'm am so thankful for the life I've been given. This is a reminder not to take any of it for granted.

They're Onto Us

Conversation overheard between Mason and Eli;

Eli -"With mom you can ignore her 'till she actually turns off the T.V. Then you'd better get up and get ready."

Mason-"Yeah.....with dad it's when he counts to three that you'd better get going."

Like.........You Know?

Prince Caspian

I took the boys to see Prince Caspian last night. I don't take them to see movies on the big screen very often, maybe twice a year or so, so it was a treat for me. I say for me because they actually get to go quite often thanks to Aunt Heather & Miss Holly. Anyway, it is a great movie with many wonderfully presented life lessons. It's been a while since I read the book so I can't actually say how it compares. If you're interested in a good review go here.