As of late I have been confronted with many life altering thoughts, about Christianity, about the hope that we (as Christians) cling to, and about our active role in the church and in the life of others. So if you will allow me (and ultimately you have no choice) I am going to share those thoughts with you.

I am a social justice and peace major. That is my major in university. All things considered I may not look overtly "into" my program as some others might, but the things we talk about resonate in my ears quite loudly and leave plenty of room for reflection. I love justice. Not just as an academic pursuit, but as a daily reflection. Not just as a person wanting to make a difference in this life, but as a lover of Jesus. I love justice because I believe that justice and love go hand in hand. I believe that as Christians we have a responsiblity to pursue justice. It isn't hard to live this life and realize that there are broken and needy people surrounding us. If you live in a good home, with food, shelter, etc. you are a minority in this world. It is our responsiblity, as humans, and more importantly, as Christ Followers, to care for the poor. Remember when Jesus told the rich man who asked him: teacher, I have followed the 10 commandments stictly all my life. But what must I do to inherit the kindgom of God? You know what Jesus said - Sell all you have and follow me. Hmm. Ouch. Our goal, as Christians, is not to accumulate wealth, live in rich, prominent communities, but rather, to redistribute the wealth that we have to those that are in need! Yes?

I have been struct with the overwhelming sense that this life is NOT about us. When did we start believing, as a society, that our goal in life was to go to a good univerity, get a good degree, and have an excellent job. All these things are not bad in and of themselves. I go to univerity. I want a degree. I want to pursue post graduate studies. But I am painfully aware that the things I want in life come from the calling God has placed upon my life. This life is not about me. And the money I make in this life is not mine.

Since when did we believe that we should go to a church that fits our agenda? It should have the right music, powerful preaching, a big building, with thousands of people. If church has just the right amount of things than its the right fit for me! If the church is growing it is a sure way to know the the Lord is annointing it! Really, is it? Cause in America, agnosticism is growing at an alarming rate, and indeed the church is shrinking, has God annointed that? I am not saying that large churches are bad because indeed I cannot criticize a part of the body that I am connected too. What I am saying is that we need to be more focused on preaching the truth, being connected to the body, and distributing justice [justice and love go hand in hand remember, I am not speaking of criminal justice, but God's justice].

Imagine this type of congregation for just a moment, if this is what the church - the body of Christ- could look like:

"All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God, and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." Acts 2:44-47

Imagine a church like that. A church were "church" wasn't just in the 4 walled building with pews. A church that met around the dinner table, a church that shared what they had so that NO needy person was among them. Maybe in today's society, in the "west", that is hard to ask because indeed that would mean there would be no rich people among them either. No. All would be equal.

Church. You have been a blessing in my life. I am glad to be apart of this body of believers. I am thankful for those of you that have not left me behind when I was sad and broken. I thank the Lord for you. But I encourage you to open your eyes. To see the poor and needy among you, indeed among the body in which we are apart of. I encourage you to strengthen one another and give to one another. I also encourage you to love those around you that are not apart of this body. To love the man on the street asking for money. To love the people across the street living in the low income housing. Do not look upon them with judging eyes for the father in heaven will look upon you with those same eyes. Instead, look upon them with love, and distribute justice as the Lord indeed demands.

Have a splendid day.

Sometimes I am such a damn girl. And I wish I wasn't. Sometimes I just give things my all. And while thats a good thing at work and school - sometimes its wierd. Sometimes I can be horribly weird. My confession to all my xanga subscribers - I am really weird. Friggen odd.

Sometimes I wish I could give up work. Make damn good friends that just love me and want to hang out with me all the time and live life. Yea?

I just ate a bunch of slowpokes.

Amelia's birthday was yesterday. She turned 26! I'm proud of my sister.

I should go to bed. But I woke up at 1:27pm. So I don't feel like it.

Hm.

Randoms.

Remember when my blogs were insightful. Yeah. Not so much anymore.