I think I may be in the dark about religion. Looking back at all the blogs I’ve read – All the news articles I’ve read –  All the comments left in various places that I’ve read – All the comments and statements I’ve heard people say about it – I am now thinking that maybe I really have no idea what is being talked about.

How much do I really understand about something that I have never experienced myself? How much understanding do I get from only observing others’ experiences and listening to their thoughts and comments? What’s the validity of what others are saying the definition of religion is – both for or against it?

I would like to be an understanding and compassionate person towards others. And I do my best to be that. But I’m wondering how successful I can be in that endeavor. Of course, who’s definition of success am I using?

I don’t like to be called a religious person. From what I have gathered from observing others, I don’t like religion and I don’t want to be associated with it. But it also seems I am not able to totally disassociate from it due to the “comes with the territory” principle. Things are too interwoven to be completely separated from religion or at least the appearance of it.

Is it possible to be committed Christian and be completely separated from religion? I would very much like that to be possible. If I say I am religious, am I? If I say I am not religious, am I not? What about someone else? If someone else says I’m religious, am I? What if they say I’m not religious, am I not? Who really determines if someone is religious or not?

RELATIONSHIP – now that’s my thing. I LOVE my relationship with Jesus Christ. And I would give it up if I found someone who treats me better. About fifteen years ago I did go looking for something better than what I had. It was fueled by disappointment and unmet expectations. I couldn’t find anyone better, so I just said, well I might as well just stick with what I have and make the best of it. That’s when things really got bumped up to a whole ‘nother level. Another level that was exquisite and more than I could imagine. I just spent another two to three years in another valley, but this time I didn’t go looking for something else, just waited for things to change for the better. And last month, they finally did. Its been a miracle to me. I don’t know exactly what or how He did it, but He did something wonderful for me and to me.

Wish and pray everyone could experience this. Can’t cry too long when I see they don’t.

Its been over two years since I blogged. Life does seem to get in the way, putting obstacles on the path we are walking. I’ve missed blogging. I want to get back to it. Its a little bit scary going in this time (vs. new and exciting before). Social media/networks, like a lot of things, has its pros and cons. And some of the risks are riskier as time goes on. Things change – desires, modes of operation, thought patterns, what’s acceptable and what’s not, what’s tolerated and what’s not.

Bottom line – I still want to be that person that gives that little needed word of encouragement to even just one person. And using any means I can is still an option.

Its January – always a good time for, “Let’s try this again.” Always a good time to see life giving us a clean slate. Time for a redo or two. Time for reboots and fresh starts. Time to forget the past and press on towards the future. Time for hope to shine again. Time to forget about the disappointments and failures. Time to dream new dreams or pursue the broken or dead ones again. They just might be resurrected.

So, here’s to getting back into the saddle! Let’s see where this horse carries us this year.