I have caught up on some reading and audio book listneing in the last month or so. I have listened to Brain Zahn's audio book Uncondtional, Rob Bell's book Love Wins, What we talk about when we talk about God, Velvet Elvis, and last but not least Jesus wants to save Christians. Through reading and listening to these books I am finding that my God is getting much bigger and much more tolerant and much more with us and for us. It has caused me to realize how much of what I have adopted over the years has been doctrine that has had at its core been a rigid set of beliefs. I found comfort in having a set of rigid beleifs becuase they gave me a sense of security and power. I am not saying that we should not have a set of beliefs. Those beliefs should never become the point, the center or the end of the conversation. I am discovering that my God is big enough to use an atheist to do His will as well as a spirit filled man or woman. I am discovering that God is not so much interested in whether or not we confessed a belief in certain things as much as He is interested in how we treat our friends, neighbors and enemies. What am I thinking, doing and saying when no one is around to watch or listen? These are the things that serve as sign posts to us and others as to which journey we are on:one of proselytizing or one of follow me as I follow Jesus.
So in a nut shell I am re-examining what I believe and how I have come to believe what I believe. I am re-thinking what is the most Christ-like way to invite others to consider what change it would make in them if they truly believed that God loved them, accepted them, and was for them. This includes me as well.
