Language

Surrounding dull ideas in fanciful language is not creative; it is pretentious.

I think my writing sounds too pretentious, overly abstract, and intangible. Hmm....how to change this...

Knowledge

"If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God..." -John 7:17 (KJV)

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." -Matthew 7:7-8 (KJV)

Recently I have begun a revamping of my theology, which is extremely stressful and frightening. Orthodox Christianity appears to be more credible and historically true to the original church than Protestant Christianity. I don't want to join some strange sect or fall into misplaced thinking because of a lack of knowledge, a temporary predilection for a certain community or worship style, or because of any disillusion with a previous church. However, I find myself drawn nonetheless.

What does that first quotation mean? If we are willing to obey Christ's command even before we hear it, then He will be faithful to reveal to us the correct doctrine? I do know scores of persons with unfaltering devotion to Christ, but each of them has his/her own understanding of Christian doctrines (ex: the real presence of Christ in the eucharist, the communion of the saints, the authority of the Church). The idea of a correct doctrine (other than the primary doctrines about which all Christians agree) offends people. I am not debating the idea of a "correct doctrine", but only mentioning the wide variance found amongst Christians because it seems to nullify Jesus' first statement above. I do believe that God judges each one based on the grace given to them, but I have hope that if I truly want to know and am willing to obey, God will show me what I should believe.

Well said! Ha

"I have been fasting from men, and I'm REALLY hungry."-A friend who will remain unidentified

"Your mom needs a paradigm shift."-Steve

"Jesus gets awfully specific in telling us where we can find him. Each of the habitations he lists here is marked by lack: lack of food, lack of water, lack of hospitality, lack of clothing, lack of health, lack of freedom. Christ chooses these places, inhabits these spaces, waits for us to show up. Waits, too, for us to recognize those places in ourselves. He knows that if we haven’t recognized the poverty within our own souls, and how he dwells there, it’s hard to see him and serve him in others without being patronizing."-Jan Richardson

Carmelite Woman, Raise Up Your Hands and Clap!