Relationship

Today I had more fun than I've had in a very long time.

Some of my old high school friends were back in town and we ran around doing shenanigans that I haven't done since, well, high school.

I'm trying to remain rational in my spiritual journey---and I can't help but notice something I find quite odd.

Hanging out with my "spiritual" friends has been---bleak---to say the least.

Richer---maybe---but bleak.

I remember feeling this "bleakness" in the past---and it is quite irritating really.

God is fun---God loves laughter and joy.

Why are religious people boring?

The religious spirit sucks life out of people.

Christians were not meant to be isolated from the world.

Christians are no better than any other person in the world---"ALL have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God"

So why do we just to conclusions about certain types of people? Why do we pre-judge and have prejudice against people who do certain things. I'm sick of it--Religiousness needs to die. I'm just as guilty of it as anyone else--but I'm tired of it.

Yes, we need to have people in our lives who share our core values that we can encourage each other---but we should not isolate ourselves from the world. This is our world---we bring the Kingdom here.

Spending hours in prayer and worship is not the only way to please God---I believe He delights in our adventures and endeavors--in our creative mischievousness--in our playful, childlike nature.

I felt like a kid again today---and it was a blast.

My friends thought I was drinking---but I wasn't---I was just full of joy, laughter, childlikeness, and was free of insecurity.

Some of my friends actually were drinking---but it made no difference to me--I mean---some people need that to help them relax and enjoy---"drink wine and be merry" --definitely scripture.

I don't think I need it to enjoy---I don't think everyone needs it to be childlike---but some ppeople, where they're at---do.

There is use and abuse of substances--I totes understand--but it is not our place to judge where people are at--especially if everyone is simply enjoying themselves. Yes, accountability partners/good friends should call each other out when the gray line is being crossed...We all need someone who truly cares about our well-being--someone who has good discernment of course.

I'm just trying to understand this religion thing---like I said--I've been on both ends of the spectrum--and I definitely prefer staying under the covering---but I'm not convinced church go-er have it right---through my personal relationship I think I'm realizing many of my "judgments" have been religious based not spirit based. Coming from tradition rather than relationship.

God knows where I am at, and He does not require me to isolate myself---but rather bring His life and light--not through judgment--but Love. God will correct when the relationship is established---but the relationship must first be established---people don't listen to people they don't respect---it's only once they've established respecting relationships that people will heed correction.