Our church has been showing and talking of apologetics recently, and we’ve been on a Creation vs. Evolution bit for a while. When we watched the video last night, I really just couldn’t help but notice how we sometimes brand and treat others as ‘the enemy.’

For me, I’m a Creationist, but then I’m not going to take the approach as some are by being upfront and telling you you’re going to Hell. I really just don’t like the stand some Christians have taken by saying evolutionists are so wrong (even though, really it is just a theory not a proven fact… like I said, my blog, my opinion, end of story), stupid, and a bunch of other adjectives. Like I said in another post, aren’t we taught to treat others with respect even if we don’t like them?

Really, this is a touchy subject and unless I get my words correct, I might just sound like a total prejudiced person, but it’s something I think a lot of people need to think about. I’m not trying to attack individuals but to shed light on how we treat those individuals.

A teacher of ours had brought up the point that some Christians believe in a Theistic evolution. He explained that some Christians just believe it because they’ve been taught it since they were ‘knee high to a grass hopper,’ and they really don’t know anything else because their local church hasn’t (yes, I did a double-negative, shoot me. I couldn’t figure out another way to word this) provided a solid foundation. If we, Christians, were really take to the stand of the gung-ho Creationists, we’d be branding them along with every other evolutionist as ‘the enemy’ when in reality they have an innocent ignorance of the whole thing.

I really don’t like the theory of Evolution and how it’s been taught in the public schools and generally accepted by the public, but I’m not going to go Jonathan Edwards on your tail and call you a cotton headed ninny muggins. Really, it’s not the position that a Christian should take part of - despising, calling names, nurturing bitterness and hate - just because someone believes differently. Christ tells us to love and respect others and to show them our light, not shove it down their throat.

The only thing that I can really do is just pray that through my attitude and actions, you can see Christ in me, and you’ll want what I have. You’ll want the relationship and the peace that Christ brings.

Part III: Continuously Praising God

(If you do not know what I’m doing, you can refer to this post)

On Sunday night, the teens of our church presented all our Teens involved presentations to the congregation. We did our dramas, puppet skits, a few sang songs, others played their instruments… I played the piano.

I messed up a little bit, here and there, but everyone seemed to enjoy it. Really, my mind wasn’t in it at all… With all these inner conflicts going on, I just kept thinking ‘This isn’t like before… My heart’s not in it. I didn’t pray beforehand like I usually do. I didn’t dedicate the whole piece to God like usual…’ Honestly, I just didn’t play my best, and that was my sin.

There’s a verse in the Bible that deals with this subject, and it’s a favourite of mine.

‘Wherefore it is our ambition… to be pleasing Him.’ 2 Corinthians 5:9

I really do believe that unless we give our absolute best in everything, we’re sinning because we’re not giving our entire selves and actions to God. He deserves our best. He really does. This includes washing the dishes (getting that extra speck even though we really want to finish), practicing our hardest (and not just doing it to say we’re done), or even the things we do in front of people. We have to give our best in everything we put ourselves into, or else we’re sinning against God.

So, when I messed up Sunday night, it was because my conscience finally got to me that I haven’t been the same. It wasn’t because of the air conditioner, or because I could hear people talking and laughing. It was because I came to the realization, mid-piece, that I was doing that for myself and not for God.

Part II: The Emotional Side of Christianity and Doubt

(If you do not know what I’m doing, you can refer to this post)

Lately I haven’t been feeling like a Christian. ‘How is a Christian supposed to feel?’ you ask. The typical answer is that emotional high felt while participating in praise & worships songs with other Christians present (you know what I’m talking about). But in reality, I believe that feeling is produced more by hormones and adrenaline. You feel that high every once in a while because of those around you and what you’re doing at that time. For example, at camp, I get that feeling because I’m surrounded by other believers, because the music is amazing, and because I really believe the words of the songs being sung. As soon as you strip away the atmosphere, you feel like your normal self, and you don’t have that high.

I just don’t feel like a Christian at times. I really don’t.

However I remember what my dad would tell me when I had these kind of doubts: It’s your hormones and emotions. You don’t have to feel like a Christian (that emotional high) to be one.

I’ve come to the conclusion that Christianity is a decision. You decide to admit you’re a sinner. You decide to admit you need Christ. You decide that the only way out of pain and suffering is through Christ.

A long time ago (and a couple other times, to be honest), I’ve decided to take that path. I decided to accept Christ. I decided to admit that I’m not good at all — basically, a tree is better at praising God than I do at times. I decided to live my life the way God wants me to. I decided that Christ is the only way to Heaven, the only way to peace, the only way to true happiness.

And even though I don’t feel those emotional highs, I know that I’m still a Christian because of my decision. Because even though I feel apathetic, sad, and worthless, through Christ’s sacrifice 2,000yrs ago, I’m going to Heaven. Because I decided to trust that what He did was enough.

Reader, you might not understand what I’m talking about, but that’s ok. If you want to talk further about Christ and what He did way way way back in the day, then you can just contact me.