My god is an AWESOME god

I just wanted to take a minute to profess my intense love and faith for my god. He is in everything I do, everything I see, everyone I know… whether they know him or not :) His love is so endless and powerful, he created the universe with a thought (and even that was a piece of cake for his infinite powers), he knows every thought I'm thinking at every moment, and knows every thought I will ever think. And he knows you too, even if you aren't aware of it.

He is the only way to true happiness. All you have to do is have total faith in him and put your life and your heart in his hands, he will guide you and bring your life into such perfect perspective. He knows your faults, your struggles, your mistakes, and if you just take that one step and give these over to god, then no matter what has happened in your life, no matter what you've done, you will be forgiven and loved. It can be a rough and bumpy road sometimes, but in the end, god will be faithful. And by accepting him into your heart, you will be granted everlasting life to be by his side in the next life. Can you imagine, being next to god in the most beautiful place that you can't even imagine for all eternity? How awesome is that!

Many many years ago, when he first created his covenant with his chosen people, he proved himself over and over again with miracles and by physically being present on earth, and by actually showing up and speaking to people. He doesn't manifest in such an obvious, physical way anymore, but he doesn't need to – I see his presence in every good deed that people do around me, every child's laugh, every sunset. Every ounce of love that I share for my fellow man is hard evidence of my god's existence.

This, my good friends, is why I give my complete faith over to my god, the Purple Unicorn. He truly is all-powerful, all-knowing, all-loving, mighty to save. Place your trust in him and you too can know his peace. The only proof you will ever need of his existence is all around you, because he IS love. And whenever people share in his love, grace, and mercy, he is there. That's all the proof I ever need. If you even have faith in Purple Unicorn the size of a mustard seed, you can truly move mountains. His love is amazing, for Purple Unicorn is the redeemer of all life on earth.

In Purple Unicorn's precious name I pray, Amen.

For love or Jesus?

Having religious differences in a relationship is something that many people are familiar with. Some find ways to work around it, some find it a complete and utter deal-breaker. Some friends of mine got engaged last weekend, they make a fabulous couple and are very much in love, but their differing of core beliefs kinda makes me nervous. The guy in the relationship (for privacy sake, we'll call him Scott) most certainly has Jesus at the center of his heart, and his whole reality is based on a faith in the Christian God. God empowers him, challenges him, gives him a way to find all the answers he needs in life. However, his new fiancé Tracy is not exactly a polar opposite, but is very agnostic. She was raised under the Christian faith, but developed her doubts as she got old enough to make her own decisions. In fact, she and I have had many long conversations about our religious pasts because they're so similar.

I guess I have two questions: 1) Has Tracy in fact decided to fully accept Jesus into her heart and truly declare herself a Christian? 2) If not, then will Scott be able to live with the fact that his wife doesn't share in his Christian faith? No I haven't asked them these questions myself because they live in Michigan and I don't see or talk to them that often; and yes, they will probably read this blog and it will spark more long phone conversations, but I guess that's half the point :)

My grandparents are in a similar situation, except not nearly as concerning. My grandpa drives my grandma to mass every Sunday, he sits in the car and reads the paper while she holds hands with other Catholics, sings songs about God, takes communion, and professes the Creed. Neither of them seem to mind the other's position, considering they've been married for 50+ years now. I wonder if Scott and Tracy will be able to settle into such a neutral lifestyle, or if it will eventually eat away at them and the love I know they have for each other.

They've been a couple for several years now, and they've always known and talked about their differences and been very accepting of them. In this kind of relationship, in the long run, it seems that it's the more agnostic/atheist person that is less concerned about it. They seem to be of the mindset, "Sure honey, I'll go with you to church, and I'm happy you have your faith," even though they really don't have it in their heart to join them. And it always seems that it's the more religious of the two who is the most concerned about their partner not joining them in their united life in Christ. Because a Christian marriage isn't just about two people as a couple who buy a house and have kids – it's supposed to be about living a life for God and Jesus together, and teaching those ideals to your children, and those are very serious and deeply-rooted things. It's not always as simple as "Ok honey, I'm off to church, enjoy your paper while you wait in the car."