Learning.

I have been learning new things about myself lately. I haven't had any big realizations about myself, I have mainly just been noticing little things that I didn't pay much attention to before.
Here is a little taste. (Because I know you are dying to hear what I am learning...)

I like the money I am making from a full-time job, but I am not sure if I am as ready for a full-time job as I once thought.

I like my job, but I don't like being exhausted all week. This has brought a whole new appreciation for weekends.

I don't mind being alone at times, but I do not like eating a meal alone. I have no idea why I dislike eating alone. Something about a meal that should be shared.

I don't hang out with my friends enough.

Drumming can either relax me, or send my frustrations over the edge.

I spend too much money, but I am also pretty cheap.

I am really good in bed... I can sleep for hours. (Ha!)

That's some things I have noticed about myself... They have been bouncing around in my head for a while so I figured I would dump them out.

Keep the good times glowin'.

I don't know... (the second)

I have started to dig into this statement “I am a Christian but I am not religious/ I hate religion.”
This statement has me confused, and I have been for quite some time.
I am starting with the basics, the definition of religion.

Religion: a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.

A specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects.

The body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices.

Now the definition of Christianity…

The Christian religion, including the Catholic, Protestant, and Eastern Orthodox churches.

How can someone claim to be a Christian and yet be unreligious? Looking at these definitions makes it seem impossible to me. Again I ask, do people actually know what they are saying when they claim to be a Christian and unreligious? How do you follow Christ and not practice the ways of the Christian religion? Do you practice the ways of Christianity and just call it something else? Do people say they are unreligious because religion as a whole has had a bad sound in the ears of people over the years?

This is a strange statement to make. I don’t understand how someone can say it. Which again makes me think, do people that say it actually know what they are saying or meaning?

Shine on.

I don't know...

I have been hearing a statement among people I know. I don't what exactly it means.

"I am a Christian, but I am not religious"

Or while talking to another person,
"You're being too religious."

Like I said, I don't know what exactly they mean by this. Frankly, I think some of them don't have a damn clue either. All I know is, it doesn't sit right with me.

Dare I ask... What are your ideas on this statement?

He Said "No, I don't like the way I am"

It has been ten days since I last wrote something on this blog of mine. I usually only write something if it has been on my mind for a while. Well, there has been a lot of stuff on my mind in these ten days and it’s not that my thoughts aren’t worth writing about (although, maybe they aren’t), but instead I have noticed that I have not wanted to share my thoughts with anyone these days. I have noticed myself beginning to keep my thoughts, burdens, questions and concerns to myself. I have never really shared all my thoughts and feelings with someone but releasing or venting some of them helped me “keep it together”. Lately I have noticed my patience is on a short fuse. I don’t know if this is coming from a lack of sleep, a loaded mind or possibly, a combination of the two. What I do know is, even the smallest things can set me off. Not long ago a friend of mine called me an idiot and I was ready to cuss them out for it. Usually I pay no attention to a statement like that because I know the intention was not to hurt me. Lately “keeping my cool” or flipping out at someone is like hanging over the edge by a thread and when that thread breaks there is a dam burst of profanity. I don’t know why I have or when I got a cuss filled mouth but I am not very proud of it.

I’m hoping that throwing these thoughts out there will help lengthen this short fuse I have. I do know it will take more work than just sharing what I’m thinking again. I think I’m up for the challenge… I hope.

Shine on.

Where Are You Going?

I am not one to make New Years resolutions, but I had a thought to maybe live, act and speak in a different in this New Year. Now it is close to being two weeks into the New Year and that goal has already come crashing down in a spectacular ball of wreckage. I know to change is a long and tough process, which is discouraging to me, at times. Lately, for some reason I have been thinking of friends and what they mean to me. I find myself thinking of a name of a friend and making a list of attributes in my head. I think about what glimpses of God I can see in their actions towards me and others. It has helped me appreciate my friendships even more. From friends, I started thinking of God and making this “list” of who God is to me. I have come up with a list that is something like this:

God is,
My teacher,
Unconditional love,
My forgiver,
My protector,
My comfort,
My deep joy,
My encouragement,
And my challenger.

I thank God for being all of these things to me. This encourages me to set challenges out for myself, not just because it is the new year but because I have a longing to grow closer with God as I live. This new year will bring me many challenges and new experiences. I have no idea where these challenges and experiences will take me.
It’s my hope that I will be reminded of what and who God is to me as I go through this year questioning, growing, and challenging myself and my faith.