The Christianity of today has changed drastically from that what Matthew wrote of Jesus' sermon on the mount. We are to love others, forgive others, serve others. Are we following Jesus' example or just politicians?
I get really upset when I hear christians using the analogy that we are "at war." It isnt true, it isnt. We are not in a battle of us versus them. We are all people. If we focus so much on the differences, it causes separation between people. Ive seen it all around me.
Jesus lived a life befriending the friendless; prostitutes, lepers, etc. He spread a message of peace and love and if we would follow him there would be life, solutions.( Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and selfcontrol. )
Here is another thing. Where is the line between living by the word/scripture and living by the spirit? To either EXTREEM it gets pretty crazy. There are crazy pentecostle folks who are all about the spirit and emotion and then crazy baptists who think if you are claping your hands, then your getting too rowdy. I know people on both extreemes, and I've been in churches in both extreems. Here is an exaample: I once was in a church and during a song a woman came over to me and asked me if I wanted to be prayed over. Sure, i said. She got some other people around me and they all laid their hands on me and pushed me to the ground and they all began to chant. They kept telling me to open my mouth and say the words i felt, but i didnt feel anything. The the woman asked me, "Do you REALLY believe in Jesus? Do you? Because if you really believed in God, you would be able to speak in tongues. " I told her i did. And she said, then I must have demons on me preventing the spirit from giving me power. THIS is CRAZY! I DO believe in the gift of tongues, but I dont think it works this way. I DO believe in the Holy Spirit, but i dont believe it ever leaves you. I dont think it comes and goes and I dont think it is a force we should play with like in politics. It has become a tool of manipulation.
Other example: I went to a church where the average people were about 65 years old. Everyone stood up and read some words and sit back down, Then stand up again and read some words. Then they all prayed out loud the same prayer. Nobody talks, nobody smiles. Just a tradition. If someone was too loud, other people look at them with this pissy face. When its over you just go home, alone.
Another example: I once had a science teacher who didn't own a TV. She had tons of kids, like 12, and she MADE all of their clothes herself cause the clothes in the stores are "not godly". She homeschooled all her kids, She never cut her hair or wore makeup or any of her daughters and they all sang together in the car and always seemed WAY too happy.
Last one: I know people who believe or say they believe because they "just want to make sure." They don't care about anything real, they have no passion or desire to know truth or to question life and human existance, its a superficial faith "just in case."


I am not like any of these, but I do believe in God. I have faith and hope for a future and I believe the Bible. I dont think there is anything extra, like the book of mormon or the Koran, and i dont think anything was left out, like scrolls or the book of Thomas.
I have alot of reasons for believing in God and for believing it is true.
I also believe in freedom. I have a freedom to love, and I also have freedom to hurt someone. Potential to give a little and the freedom to take a little. Love a great deal or hurt a great deal and so on. This is the concept of "Free Will." Something I think all humans have. We have the ability to slay millions of people in war, BUT we have the potential to liberate and protect millions. Thats why there is good and bad in the world, free will.
If this short life is all there is, if death was the end of existance, then perhaps we might risk the legitimate argue that we were not worth ever being created, at least not the ones who live their whole lives in poverty and pain. "Why would God have created them just to live a life of pain?" But if what i believe is true, then there is love in the end. These lives are here but there is life after. If there is no heaven then all the crys of pain will eternally go unanswered. Life would just be tragic for all of us. Life is a bitch and then you die.
But there is something in the depth of my soul which refuses to believe that. There is something in me, a hope for a future.

I'm not a radical for either side of "Christianity." I just believe in life and in love. I pray and so many times my prayers are answered. I've been blessed in every part of my life and God has shown me so much of life and what life can be. Life is truly beautiful.

"For I know the plans i have for you' says the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."