The Long Post, Part 2, My Theology (part 1)

I am Christian.  I do my best to make sure that my lifestyle is as close to that of a good Christian.  That is a good Christian in my point of view.  I have many different reasons for my point of view, and I assure you that they are all well founded and thought out. I have a large scope of understanding of MANY different religions throughout the world.  I have done my best throughout my life to try to take into consideration what theological standpoints people may be coming from when we are discussing issues.  Throughout my life I have seen the paths that I felt that I must go down open and close.  This has afforded me the opportunity to always be listening.  There are three main parts to my theology that need to be noted.  First is that I believe that the acceptance of JC as our Lord and savior is a HUGE deal.  It is so much more than an utterance of a few words, calling yourself a Christian, and then going to church.  It SHOULD shake the foundations of who you are, and make you strive to be better.  It should show in all that you do (and yes, I fail miserably at this part… but I think that we all do).  The second part of what I believe is that as Christians there comes a point when we just need to shut up and listen.  This comes firmly from Elijiah’s encounter with God in 1 Kings 19:11-13:

¹¹ The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.”

   Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. ¹² After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. ¹³ When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.

We often allow so much to consume us that we seem to have issues “hearing God”.  Part of the way that I communicate through prayer, fasting and meditation is by letting everything else fall off by the wayside and focus on Him.