Religion

I haven't blogged in quite some time. I guess I haven't been moved to express anything lately, or life is just keeping me busy. I have a new rant... or a new reason to write... and that's Religion. Christianity. Differences?


What if I told you that I had a closer relationship with Jesus than anyone else in the world? How would that make you feel? How would you feel if I said "My relationship with Jesus, is the correct way!" Would it make you angry? Would it make you feel as if I am putting you down? Would it make you think that I think I am better than you???


What is a Christian? By definition it is an adjective " of, relating to, or derived from Jesus Christ or His teachings" as a noun it is "a person who believes in Jesus Christ".


I believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for me. Oh, and for you too. I believe in God. I do believe that makes me a Christian. Why don't you believe me? I pray, I devote time to him. I study him. I study his writings. I ask question to others when they make remarks about Jesus so that I can learn.


I recently had someone say "Sue is a Christian, or at least she says she is"... Why would anyone doubt me? If someone tells me that they are a Christian, I believe them. I don't question that fact for a moment. I do ask questions about some of their beliefs related to Christianity, but for the purpose of broadening my understanding. There are many different belief's. Each person, each religion has their own. There are many interpretations of each Bible verse. What makes one right and one wrong?


Some people believe that they are "BETTER" Christians because they follow their church's rules like not wearing pants, or cutting their hair. Others are Bible Churches where one pastor gives his interpretation of each verse. What makes those right and others wrong?


Jesus has never spoken out loud to me. Does that make me a non-Christian? Does that mean that Jesus doesn't love me? Personally, I don't believe that. I do however, get a very warm comforting feeling when I meditate and ask Him to help me make a decision. It allows me to think through and when it feels right, that feeling comes over me and that's the direction I head. Is that Jesus talking to me? Or is that Jesus letting me use the God given skills that were given to me? I also turn to him when I am down and in need of comfort. Is that wrong?


I do not go to church. I will explain why even though it may bore you. I was baptized Lutheran. My Mother was Lutheran and my Father was Catholic. I was not allowed to be Catholic as the Catholic church didn't recognize my parents marriage because my father married outside of his religion, so I guess his children were not recognized as real either. That's sad to me, because I really think I wanted to be Catholic. So, the Lutherans would accept me. YAY! My parents didn't take me to church and I couldn't drive so I didn't go. A very nice lady down the road (Ruth) who always wanted a daughter babysat me one day and I told her that I didn't go to church, but would like to. So, she started taking me to her church which was Baptist. I went for quite some time, and when I got nervous about something, she would be there for me. I remember once it was my turn to say a prayer and I was afraid of what to say... she helped me write a prayer that I was comfortable with. I was very very confused though when it was time for my Sunday School classmates to be baptized. I was already baptized. Confusion set in. Would I be in trouble with God if I didn't get baptized? Would I be in trouble if I got baptized twice? I planned on asking Ruth for her thoughts but I never got the chance to. I loved her. She was kind. She took me to church and then home with her for dinner on Sundays. I played with her sons and then she would take me home. Unfortunately before I got the chance to ask her, she became ill and eventually died of cancer. I didn't go to church there any more. I didn't go to church much after that, only when a friend would ask me to go with them. I attended different churches and was amazed at the different rituals and atmospheres. My children, as they were born, were welcomed into the Lutheran church and were baptized there. I loved Reverend Dufford and every week he told a story in his sermon that I felt was directed right at me. My husband did not want to go to church, so I went myself with the kids. I took my children to Sunday School. My children started bringing home pictures of our family.and their pictures showed their Daddy burning up. They said he was burning because he didn't go to church. When I would be leaving church, people around me kept saying that I should bring my husband next time. I finally made a comment that he didn't want to come, and someone said to me "It's up to you to bring him with you". From that day on, I paid attention to how I was treated and I realized that I was actually being shunned. Then a new pastor came, and his sermons did not move me at all, they almost seemed anger based. I quit going and quit bringing my children. My children went to various churches when they wanted to. They have since grown and are attending the church of their choice. I tried to sign up for confirmation classes with the Lutheran church about 20 years ago. They said they would notify me when they were giving them again. I'm still waiting... I have received other communications from them regarding getting my picture taken, donating to various things, but after 20 years I gave up waiting to be notified of confirmation classes. I attended several local churches over the years and each one of them had a negative impact on me, one even "forgetting" that they promised my son and daughter in law that they could get married in the church. People whispering behind my back about my husband, or my family, people refusing to shake my hand, etc. Every time I step foot inside of a church, something happens that makes me angry. It's not supposed to be that way.


I have had various conversations with people about my decision to avoid attending a church. They say it's for the fellowship. Well, when you are feeling like people aren't welcoming you, there is no fellowship there.


I have also been made to feel that I am not a Christian because I will occasionally say a swear word, or post something unchristian-like on Facebook. I will say this: When I say a swear word, I am not saying the word literally, I say it as a slang. For instance, if I say shit, I do not mean poop. I mean darn it, shoot, crap, etc... it's just another word. I am around people who say these words all day and some of it rubs off. I never mean it literally, and I am sure that Jesus knows that. I know that he is not going to prevent me from being admitted to heaven due to swearing!! I don't judge anyone by the things they post on Facebook! Sometimes something is just plain funny even if it does contain a swear word. And there are days when I am stressed that words come out of my mouth worse than a truck driver. It has NOTHING to do with religion.


I do not believe that I have to walk into a building to have a relationship with God. I do not believe that I have to have "fellowship" to believe in Jesus. I do not put down people for not behaving like me or believing in my Jesus. I do not think that people are not "real" Christians if they have a difference of opinion with me concerning things going on in the world. When the time comes it will be Jesus judging me, not anyone else. As I said earlier, I pray, I spend devotional time, I talk to Jesus, I thank Him daily. I lead an honest life. I work hard, play hard and love hard.


I AM A CHRISTIAN!!!