i don’t believe god has to be sold or even wants to be defended. i think he is aloof sometimes or weird, which is why it is obnoxious when churches are so conformist.

i also like that you ask alot of questions. that is the beginning to digging deeper into god. he can handle our loaded questions, even about S-E-X. (i’ll have to think more to post comments on those :0)

i’ll keep up. maybe i can even contribute some suggestions and answers to the discussion pot.

keep writing, j.b.

Wow. I was unsure of where that video was going at first, but wow, that was really amazing.

I do agree with you about your high school ministry. I think beer is cool, but Im not about to tell that to my 17 year olds.

But as far as this guy’s video goes, I suppose I take away that we need to be people first – reaching out to other people. Not religious people. Not in it for our gold stars.

I find that it is the easiest to come out and share with people when I have something that relates to them – that I am really speaking out of the compassion of my own experiences and brokeness. Not simply what they should be doing different or better. Because let’s face it, I’m not interested in keeping track of goodness.

Thanks for your thoughts – I appreciate you.

I do love what you have to say here and agree with what the heart behind all of this is. In fact, I’ve somewhat based tonight’s message for the youth group on this blog. I was going to read excerpts from it but decided against it as I believe for “pre-teens” – “young adults” it may not be appropriate and construed the wrong way. I think it would be more appropriate for 20+ but none the less, I understand your thoughts and, as always, love the way you express them.

During my preparing for tonight, I came across this video. Check it out, you may find it some what interesting. I’m pretty sure you know who “Penn & Teller” are so I figure no need to explain. If I’m wrong though, he’s a comedian. (just to sum it up)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JHS8adO3hM&feature=player_embedded

And god probably wouldn’t want people being exclusionary by using creepy psychobabble in reference to him. He’d probably say “what’s up with the free-form blubbering/brainstorming prayers?” Be cool, don’t be creepy. God would probably appreciate it and so would I.

Hope you will have a look at my blog too. Thanks for keeping it real.
Blessings,
Mary
http://onewhitetree.wordpress.com