Apologetics

Apologetics is the art of getting people to see the truth in Christianity, which involves becoming aware of the worldview of others around you. That is done by getting an understanding of the culture and beliefs of others and being able to explain your own. One definition I really like is "It is the scientic art of Christian persuasion". I'd like to think of it as polite evangelism minus the obnoxiousness plus the listening component.

How does this apply to my life right now one might ask?

Answer: I really don't know, but I do know that I deeply care about people a lot. It is kind of a tiresome habit. I guess there is some relation in that I am opened-minded about their different lifestyles like an apologist is opened to learning about other cultures and religions. I do the whole listening and learning about others views thing. I am just missing the whole "persuasion" thing. Then I think to myself: Why and how would I persuade someone to believe what I believe?

One word works for both answers: Peace

Christmas?!

This madness and tradition has to stop. While I enjoy how this holiday brings family together, I feel that this holiday has lost its meaning in our house. Now that I am older, I realize that this doesn't satisfy me. Every year we put up our tree, we search for the perfect gifts, and presents litter the bottom of our tree. There is the occasional eggnog and movie with family--everything that suits tradition. Sounds about right. Here is the question: where is Jesus? He wasn't wrapped in any of my presents, and I most certainly didn't see him at the dinner table. While being around family is fun, it isn't satisfying if we fall into this commercialized concept of our holiday. I would love to restructure the way we do things, but I don't have the guts to take down tradition. Who am I to change the way our family does things? I can make some suggestions. Here is a list of things I think can re-channel our focus:

1. As much as I enjoyed this when I was little, I think we should do away with the presents. This is by far my biggest distraction on this holiday.

2. Incorpate scripture into our celebration.

3. Actually learn some real Christmas songs.

4. Volunteer work!!!

This sounds great right, but here is where everything gets complex. No one wants to give up that nice traditional family time and good feelings that holiday cheer brings. There is that "Things won't be the same" effect. Maybe if we do this little by little it can happen. While I don't think that all this hype about Jesus should be constricted to just one of the two important days in a Chrsitian's life, I do think that we should remember why we personally acknowledge this holiday at this time of year.

So much to say in so little time

I've got a question for You God:

Why give me the answers and not enough time to share them?

Is it my fault that I hesitate, or do You purposely let things happen as soon as I get the courage to share what is on my heart? I realized today that although I am at a state of comfort and certainty in my faith, this is the age that most people experince uncertainty and doubt in their faith. Not only do I feel comfortable, I even feel that I can answer the questions that they sometimes have about faith. While I don't know everything, there is no doubt that You have given me wisdom and a clear perspective about certain things. Sometimes I feel that it is best for the person to come to that understanding on their own, and then there are other times when I feel that I can give valuable advice. Some how the words never make it out of my mouth or time runs out. It happens so many times that I am beginning to think that You are behind it. Why give me this understanding then? I am beginning to think You want me to deliver it in a different, shorter package, but I'm not as creative as You think. Like tonight for instance, just as I was about to say, "Hey, you should trust the Holy Spirit in guiding you on what to believe whenever you get confused by the Bible because God can open your eyes and help you understand when your mind isn't capable of doing it. Sometimes when we keep our eyes on the bigger picture the little things start making sense." Unfortunately, I had 3 seconds to convey that and what came out was, "I will pray for you." Both should be just as effective. I've really been into the power of prayer lately, but if that's the way to help people why load me with all of this advice? Is it my pride that wants to always give an answer?

This got me thinking. If I only have a couple of seconds to tell someone something important, what words and phrases would be the most important. I need to come up with an effective way to communicate in few words for when those times arise. (A light bulb just went off). This is what bible verses are for. If I run out of time, I can shout out the bible verse closest to what i want to say. Luke 12:22-23 can say a lot with one word a few numbers. While this isn't the strategy for every situation or everyone, it can work for the situations when I am advising a Christian friend. The new problem is getting to know my Bible well. As for those other moments, prayer will have to be suffice until God permits the right timing for me to speak. God I trust You. I don't know why I feel like I am on mute right now, but in the end You always have some bigger plan beyond me to carry out your work. I just guess I will have to sit back and watch how things play out as I pray. Just because I can't say it doesn't mean that I can't write it. Maybe You just want to focus on writing down these things more than speaking them. Whatever it is, I just ask that You open my eyes to understanding You more and to your plan for how I use the wisdom You have placed in my life.

S.

New Experience: Men and Women in robes

So.....Sunday I had a new experience. It sounds weird referring to church that way, but I never had to concentrate so hard in a building of worship. Someone from the dorm invited to come to their Episcopalian church. I knew there were differences in it from the non-traditional churchs and the Methodist one I have tried in Charleston, but I was still excited to worship with a group of people that do things a little different. I don't think I did it right though. Here are the list of things I screwed up:

1. Not bowing to the priest as he entered because I was too busy trying to catch up on the Processional Hymn (#76 to be specific).

2. Turned to the wrong page in the prayer book for the Baptism. (For some reason it was easier to navigate the Methodist books in the pews)

3. Almost frowned during communion when I realized it was real wine. (That stuff taste like Nite Qyuil)

4. Lets not forget the number of times I missed the cross thing with the hands.

So I wasn't so culturally graceful in this transition, but nevertheless I still love God and appreciated the experience worshiping with his fellow conservative followers. I just wish I could have focused on God a little more instead of multi-tasking. It is probably I lot easier once you learn everything in advance. Now for the things I did enjoy:

1. The beautiful architecture (There were stained glass windows and a courtyard. It was very prestigious and majestical.)

2. The choir was good in a traditional since. (hard to follow though)

3. Since their were a number of wise ones (old people) it was nice to see the candle boys and the one that carries the book above his head. (It's nice not being the only young one)

4. The baptism was funny. The priest slashed water on a baby and it cried. That's always entertaining. (Just for the record, I wasn't the only one laughing)

5. There were women priest too! (They wear the robes and everything too. It was unique for the conservative church experience.)

6. I think I feel more connect with people of this denomination now. I can relate to them, and understand their viewpoint on Christianity. (I think the point of the experience was to experience God in a different way, but I'll have to work on that. As I said, I had a lot of concentrating planned out for me.)

Soon I will be back in Savannah, where I will be welcomed by electric guitars, young people, a pastor that wears jeans, converses, and a button down shirt. Thats right, lateChurch. I am not against new experiences. I'm all about worshiping with all of God's people which is why I am so strongly non-denominational, but I need to worship God in my way now. I want to be able to focus on Him and not "the experience". Maybe with a couple more months of trying these different churches I will feel comfortable enough to worship God in their art forms. As for doctrine and differing beliefs, I see myself as a barrier breaker. I know what I believe, and I think the biggest thing Christianity needs to do before we address this is to open towards one another and fully aware each other. Once we are comfortable we can pray about the right way of leading others to God. Regardless of what we do people can still find God, but I would like the Church not to be the reason they loose faith in Him. So lets mend our wounds in the infastructure by mending our wounds with each other. How would we do this you may ask?

answer: Tearing down the walls of division. Lets make the parts of God's body work together again. Go check out some of your counterparts and find out how they work because they are affecting YOU too!

1 Corinthians 12:26 "If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it."