Got quite a lot to say today. I'll try to break them into bits and pieces.
A friend told us that he's decided to join the Christian Brothers last night. I wouldn't say I was shocked, because I wasn't THAT shocked. Although I would've thought that friend is a bit too liberal to be joining the brothers. Then again, Pete was saying that not all of them are conservative fanatic and since New Zealand is quite small. Who said young people aren't attracted to the vocation anymore?
That said, it's interesting to see how people view Christians. (I know technically we're Catholic but I'll use the word Christians here as any followers of Christ.) Partly I suppose is to do with the way Christianity is preached is some cases. Ok maybe Jack Chick is a wee bit over the top. But then again, the people who's approached me to preach Christianity all seem to be using the same theme: follow Christ and that's the ONLY way to salvation. I have a few things against that sort of thinking. (Oh boy Vatican is gonna have something to say about that now aren't they?)
Firstly: I don't believe that God doesn't want a "personal relationship" with us "by default". They made it sound like God won't let us even get close to him because He's all high there and won't let us to close to him. Which part of the lost son parable did they miss? If us, imperfect human, can love our offspring unconditionally (well, more or less), don't you think the almighty and all loving God, whom created us in his own image, would do the same?
And then there's the fact that people keep talking about following Christ, accept Christ as your saviour, and then go and condemn other people? This is normally when I say "Hello? Which part of "love thy neighbour" don't you understand?" Christianity shouldn't be about this "exclusive club". I normally can't help but to laugh when I saw Jack Chick depicting all Muslim as evil terrorists. I have a few friends who're Muslim and they're absolutely lovely people. And here people are, just go and condemn people without even TRYING to understand their religion and beliefs, on the basis that there are a few fundamentalists with a different belief then them?
Don't even start with me about the "mighty Jesus in Heaven casting people away in the lake of fire". If I recall correctly, Jesus was the one who didn't judge anyone and hang around with the "sinners" to let them know that God is all loving, and has never abandoned them. Lake of fire? Where was that in the bible?
Honestly: live out what you preach. It's all about love and accepting people even if they're different from you. The world would be a much better place if that can happen.
Okay, onto the next item: Today marks the 10 months mark for me and Pete. :) Some people said that after half a year the "honeymoon" period will be over but it doesn't seem that way. Maybe it's because we're just so perfect for each other. It's uncanny, how the two of us never notice how much we have in common, and the fact that we have the same value and view on so many things. I suppose maybe that's what "soul mate" means? It's like finding a best friend. It's like when pieces of the puzzles just click together. It's like when the riddles are solved.
Emotional landscapes,
They puzzle me,
Then the riddle gets solved,
And you push me up to this
State of emergency,
How beautiful to be,
State of emergency,
Is where I want to be.
Borrowed lyrics from Bjork's Joga
Okay, now that I made almost everyone reading this sick, I think my work here is done and I'm back to reading. :)
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P.S.: If you're reading this today baby: Happy decalunaversary :D
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