Religulous...Is a really good documentary

Maybe I am getting old, but I am starting to enjoy a good documentary. Seeing the stark reality in this form is very raw, gripping and inspiring to me. I saw "Religulous" this week, a documentary filmed by and narrated by Bill Maher. Maher interviews people of different faiths, namely Christians, Mormons, Jews and Muslims as he questions them about their faith, their belief in Creation, in the existence of heaven and hell, their religion's views of peace and war, comparisions of each faith's spiritual leaders, etc.

Maher does not believe in God and is very upfront about that. The film has moments that are hilariously funny, as he catches people unsure of how to answer him, or his responses...he is SO sarcastic. But I have to applaud him because he did his homework, especially on the Bible, and at times, is more educated on the literary facts than the ones he is interviewing. His seeking soul won me over too; this is a man who is almost convinced there is no God, but has taken the time to really dig deep for the answers here. He lets believers pray with and for him. He sees the injustice in women praying in a seperate area in the Muslim temple built in Jerusalem. He is enlightened (for just a moment) with comparision of the Holy Trinity to water,steam and ice(if you were raised in the Bible Belt and went to Bible School...you know what I am talkin bout). He is just so honest about this quest that I can't be angry at him for some of the views he expresses.

I thought about the movie in bed after I watched it and what my repsonse to this movie would have been a few years ago. I would have been outraged, insulted, I probably would have cut the movie off early. But I understand now, more than ever, doubt. Doubt in myself, in God, in everything. I also understand grace, and forgiveness. I understand faith, even though I can't taste it, touch it, see it. I just understand that it is there. I know there is a God who loves me and created me, I don't really know every single minute detail, but I know he did. I believe in Jesus and that he lived and died for me, and because of this I have a relationship with my Creator. I know He hears me, and He cares about everything in my life.

And I can't give you all the historical facts about Jesus, about Creation, or about the future of mankind. But I know that it is so real in my life, and that I also struggle with doubt too.

If anything, I walked away from that movie admiring Bill Maher for digging REAL deep, probably deeper than alot of the leaders he interviewed. I hope he finds something that satisfies the quest he is on. He challenged me to dig deeper so that my words and actions will coincide and speak volumes for the things I cannot explain.

My faith became the most real to me through the love and actions of others, which prompted me to seek more truth from classes and books. Whether or not Maher realizes it, his little movie may be the springboard alot of us need to push into the deep waters of our faith.

Go to Redbox, or Netflix, or Blockbuster and get it. Trust me, if you have an open mind, it won't offend you. If it does, I will give you a dollar for watching it.

Some Twists and Turns, but its all good....

Right now, I think everyone is experiencing the vulnerable state of our world. You may not be financial trouble right now, but your world is probably affected by it in some way, shape or form. Everyone seems on edge right now, unsure, yep, maybe even freaked out.

It is easy to hide out and run away when things don't look good, but is that really gonna help me? Nope. Even if I haven't felt like it, I have gotten out in the sunshine and joined the human race.

Last Saturday, I rode down to Pulaski, TN and hung out with a good friend of mine. We rode around in the country for almost three hours. I saw the most beautiful swinging bridge over a creek, we stopped on the side of a hill and watched the clouds pass over the valley and you could see the shadow of the clouds; it was breathtaking. I ate a FRIED PIE. It was decadent, to say the least.

I had dinner with two of my dearest friends this past weekend. They are both a little frazzled by the state of our world because they don't necessarily know what is next, but we ate and laughed and talked about life, and it reminded me again that things can come and go, but our relationships and connections are priceless.

I guess what I am trying to say is "don't worry". This is so hard for me, worrying is like water for me. I have literally been a worrying soul since I was in Pampers. But what good will it do me? All I can do is love my family and friends, do good in life, work hard and hang on. I mean, really, that's all we can do. The moments are what matter anyway. Like the sunpatches on the valley that I saw last week, I have to live for those, they are golden. Sure, the clouds will come up, the sun will go away, but it will come back! It's kind of like when you cry yourself to sleep, I always wake up feeling better the next day (I look like hell, but I feel better).
"weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning"