Repairing Past Damage

So I've been thinking a lot about how the world views Christianity. I really want to be able to reach out to the people around me and share my faith with them, but I know that Christianity has a bad rep, and for good reasons. Past events (especially the Crusades and the corruption of the Church during the Renaissance) are still remembered around the world. Throughout history, "Christians" have persecuted Jews, Muslims, and various other religious groups in the name of God. More recently, right-wing conservative "Christians" have been condemning everyone around them. I actually know of churches that teach that if you don't go to their denomination, or worse yet, their particular congregation, then you are going to hell. And of course, there is always the big scandal over Catholic bishops that occured recently. The truth is, the world tends to focus on the negative, and they have a lot to choose from here.
Although I can't condemn others (because there is no way for me to truly see their hearts), I do want to help people see that Christianity isn't about hatred; it's about love. I want to show the world God's love, and that God didn't call people to persecute others but to minister to them. I want to help people physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I want to be accepting of others and show that I am willing to listen and learn. On the other hand, I can't just accept everything as true. As a Christian, there are certain beliefs that I have to stand by. There are certain thigs that I have to say are absolutes, and I have to believe in them with my whole heart. If I could believe strongly OR be accepting, my task would be easy, but I'm asked to do both. I have no idea where that line is. So I guess my question is, how do you do that? How do you compassionately stand for something? How do you make sure your words and actions remain consistent with your beliefs without unnecessarily offending people? When is it okay to offend people?

to go or stay. to dream of then or live now.

Let's start with some things we know. I'm attending a Christian University. I am majoring in graphic design. The mission of my university is ‘To educate students for Christian leadership service throughout the world.’ So I wonder, how do those things match up? When does the formal education stop and the leadership and service begin? I have a couple of roommates, whom I admire greatly, seriously and practically discussing just that. How much education does it take to serve and lead? Sure, there are a lot of people hurting in Abilene. We should help them. There are thousands of people in our country in desperate need. We should help them. There are tons of people to help them. What about the thousands of children in Liberia living on the streets without parents or even the shelter of orphanages? What's stopping us from going there? How much education is needed to love? How much knowledge is needed before our feet hit the ground running? How far will we go to trust? How far do we need to go to trust?
I hear my roommates talk about getting to places of great need as soon as arrangements can be made, and I want to be at that point with them. I want to take nothing but what I carry in my heart and head and go.

Then I get a call from a sister. My sister calls me, and I can tell, even over the phone, that she's broken-hearted and pulling her ever amazing trick of hiding it. I want to take nothing except what fits in my heart and head and get out of here... again. It becomes difficult to pin down just which place needs more help.

It seems this whole semester has been me struggling with wanting to be some place other than the place I am in. What I've been deciding is... I'm in a place. Live here! Regardless of views of God's will and whether He or I have landed me here, I am here. I'm going to school. I'm part of this community. So I need to be living in it and being thankful with every day.

Something's still bothering me, though. What about being called to other places? Do I so avoid the call of God that I'm rationalizing too much? I listen to my pod-mates, and I feel like a coward. I'm failing to see how my graphic design degree is of vital importance to the kingdom. Biology/Biochemistry majors acquire medical knowledge and go out to help people. Bible majors acquire knowledge to have better insight into people’s situations and such. Graphic designers... well they... hmmm... oh yeah… aaahh… get people's attention? What?! How sad. What a pitiful calling if that's all there is to it. So finally, an outright question... Do you all ever wonder about this stuff? Do you ever feel like you're rationalizing your way around the call of God? Have you (hopefully) come upon a God-formed conclusion? Pray tell... : )

That was lengthy a little.

swine of the blog

It stikes me that our blog is kind of sad. I think this might have two main reasons. One: We've talked about everything! Now, this is obviously not true. There are tons of things we haven't talked about, but we've covered a lot of things in the past year or so. I know we all still have things we wonder about or are passionate about or we want opinions on. This is me encouraging you all to blog about them (before I do something crazy like blog about dating and purity! : ) Noooooo! ) Two: The majority of us live in a pod together. We hear each other's opinions every Friday or, for that matter, anytime we ask (and sometimes when we don't). So this is me encouraging those of you who don't live in the pod (coughkaylacoughcough) to not feel like blog hogs! Please, blog more than once in a row if you're so inclined. Someone will tell you if you're taking over the blog. I can even threaten people so they will comment if you want me to do so. : ) Postscript... Still working on the pictures.