Keep it simple, stupid
Nov. 9th, 2003 01:36 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
hot_foot_stephI just went to the most amazing church with Cassidy this morning.
The prayer requests in the adult Sunday School class consisted of:
"So and so is homeless right now..."
"My mom ran her car through the house yesterday..."
In the Sunday School class Cassidy attends, there are mostly elderly people. There's one guy who is mentally retarded, one who looks like she's a whore, one man who's only sense of knowledge is that Jesus loves him, and the Sunday School teacher who said (regarding the mentally retarded man), "This is Kenny. Kenny loves me when no one else does. And we all know that everyone needs someone like that."
The lesson? "Can we as humans not judge? No. But God is fair in his dealings with us. We have no idea what's going on in a person's life. It doesn't matter if they look good and well, or if they look like they were just in prison, we don't see what's on the inside. Only God knows a person's heart's intent."
Now, this doesn't seem to be such a revelational message at face value. In fact, it was quite simple. But if you could see all the types of people in that Sunday School classroom...they were JUST LIKE the people Jesus hung out with. JUST LIKE.
Part of their doctrine in response to the Episcopalian bishop? "We accept and love all people, regardless of their sexual orientation. While we believe that the homosexual LIFESTYLE is sinful, we believe that love and mercy is for everyone."
The church I regularly attend at home, and that my father is pastor of, is stereotyped as the "Rich church on the hill." While I think we do not deserve that stereotype, most of the members of that church have what one would call "normal problems," and we are pretty well off, as far as finances are concerned. So I was not used to this. I was not used to this DIVERSITY.
The people in the classroom gave their opinions and thought aloud. They interrupted. They asked questions. They talked while the teacher spoke. It was just so...REAL. They didn't just blindly take in what the Sunday School teacher spoke. This is what I've been yearning for. Realness.
I wish I could explain all this better. But I'm not good at explaining things. All I know is, I was definitely moved this morning.
And God told me this: "Stephanie, it's really not that hard. Simplicity. Don't get all worked up. The life I give to my children...is really pretty simple. Just have thismuch faith."
Yeah.
And Cassidy and I saw "Elf" yesterday. It's honestly hilarious. I didn't think it was going to be that great, but it was hilarious. Then her, me, Rusty, and Ang watched America's Sweethearts. And THENNN Cassidy and I watched "The Princess Bride" in her room 'cause I had never seen it. Me and Cassidy have been hitting it off pretty well. I'm excited. God's brought me a friend. :)
Friday night Ang and I watched Legally Blonde. I hadn't seen the whole thing yet, and I can't watch Legally Blonde 2 until I've seen all of the first one. So yeah. It was fun.
I worked at the animal shelter for freshman seminar for community service yesterday too! It was quite fun. Although we had to clean off poop, I love animals. :) It was a few of us - Cassidy, me, Amy, Dustin, Eddie, and Amanda.
Then I had to work the B.S.U. table for the incoming freshman openhouse.
I wish I could write more organized and more...better. :( Blah. I really suck at it. BRITTANY (yes, I'm talking to you ms. gibberish) is very good at it. :) Teach me. ;)
The prayer requests in the adult Sunday School class consisted of:
"So and so is homeless right now..."
"My mom ran her car through the house yesterday..."
In the Sunday School class Cassidy attends, there are mostly elderly people. There's one guy who is mentally retarded, one who looks like she's a whore, one man who's only sense of knowledge is that Jesus loves him, and the Sunday School teacher who said (regarding the mentally retarded man), "This is Kenny. Kenny loves me when no one else does. And we all know that everyone needs someone like that."
The lesson? "Can we as humans not judge? No. But God is fair in his dealings with us. We have no idea what's going on in a person's life. It doesn't matter if they look good and well, or if they look like they were just in prison, we don't see what's on the inside. Only God knows a person's heart's intent."
Now, this doesn't seem to be such a revelational message at face value. In fact, it was quite simple. But if you could see all the types of people in that Sunday School classroom...they were JUST LIKE the people Jesus hung out with. JUST LIKE.
Part of their doctrine in response to the Episcopalian bishop? "We accept and love all people, regardless of their sexual orientation. While we believe that the homosexual LIFESTYLE is sinful, we believe that love and mercy is for everyone."
The church I regularly attend at home, and that my father is pastor of, is stereotyped as the "Rich church on the hill." While I think we do not deserve that stereotype, most of the members of that church have what one would call "normal problems," and we are pretty well off, as far as finances are concerned. So I was not used to this. I was not used to this DIVERSITY.
The people in the classroom gave their opinions and thought aloud. They interrupted. They asked questions. They talked while the teacher spoke. It was just so...REAL. They didn't just blindly take in what the Sunday School teacher spoke. This is what I've been yearning for. Realness.
I wish I could explain all this better. But I'm not good at explaining things. All I know is, I was definitely moved this morning.
And God told me this: "Stephanie, it's really not that hard. Simplicity. Don't get all worked up. The life I give to my children...is really pretty simple. Just have thismuch faith."
Yeah.
And Cassidy and I saw "Elf" yesterday. It's honestly hilarious. I didn't think it was going to be that great, but it was hilarious. Then her, me, Rusty, and Ang watched America's Sweethearts. And THENNN Cassidy and I watched "The Princess Bride" in her room 'cause I had never seen it. Me and Cassidy have been hitting it off pretty well. I'm excited. God's brought me a friend. :)
Friday night Ang and I watched Legally Blonde. I hadn't seen the whole thing yet, and I can't watch Legally Blonde 2 until I've seen all of the first one. So yeah. It was fun.
I worked at the animal shelter for freshman seminar for community service yesterday too! It was quite fun. Although we had to clean off poop, I love animals. :) It was a few of us - Cassidy, me, Amy, Dustin, Eddie, and Amanda.
Then I had to work the B.S.U. table for the incoming freshman openhouse.
I wish I could write more organized and more...better. :( Blah. I really suck at it. BRITTANY (yes, I'm talking to you ms. gibberish) is very good at it. :) Teach me. ;)
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no subject
Date: 2003-11-09 02:17 pm (UTC)<3
Rissa
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Date: 2003-11-09 02:32 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-11-09 06:41 pm (UTC)I'm glad to hear you're having a fun time and meeting some more people to become better friends with. And it's great to hear about that Sunday school. It kind of reminds me of the church I went to before coming here (because yeah...it's rather difficult to make it there anymore). So many different types of people that are not only eager to learn and listen, but to teach within the group.
It's such an experience. I'm glad you were moved.
no subject
Date: 2003-11-10 10:07 am (UTC)Thank you, Brittany. I appreciate your concern and thank you for your insight.
Thank you, Erica. That really touched me. And you are very right. I have been changed dramatically (in a good way) by a lot of the people I have met online. It's amazing.
And Rissa, it really means a lot to me to have you care and be happy that I'm happy even though we don't share the same beliefs.
Much love to you ALL. :)
Love,
Stephanie
no subject
Date: 2003-11-10 04:52 pm (UTC):)
<3 Rissa