Bars and churches

Our society is filled with options for escaping the reality around us - movies, alcohol, workaholism, television shows, sex, over-eating, under-eating, the internet, materialism. There are no shortage of possibilities for attempting to fill one's self, for striving to appear as though you have it all together, for avoiding that human feeling of loneliness. My former small group leader, Alice, says that bars and churches are both full for the same reason - lonely people looking for a place to belong.

I have been a frequent flier at bars and at churches. The bars, they offer a place to forget everything - provided you drink the "juice". They offer a place where you feel liked, or maybe even lusted after. They give you instant gratification - a few hours of flying high. But the next morning or sometimes even that same evening, you are left in the same place you started, often even a little bit worse off than you started.

The churches, they offer a place to be forgiven - provided you drink the "juice". They offer a place where you can be loved, unconditionally. They give you a reason to be grateful. They do not promise a lifetime of flying high - there will be ups and downs. But the next morning or sometimes even that same evening, you are left in a little bit better place that you started. A little closer to God, a little more full, a little less lonely.

I still go to both bars and churches. After 5 years of learning to follow and love God, I still have the urge to fill up in other places. With the other options, I have filled, my stomach, my house, my closet, my mind; but my heart is still left feeling empty. With church, I have given - my worship, my mind, my money, my love, my service; but my heart is left feeling full.

Simple pleasure:
Realizing you are not feeling quite as lonely as last year

Why I could never be a critic...

After watching the movie "Twilight" the other night, I found myself thinking how nice it is to not be a very critical person.

A list of things that I am not picky about:
1) Food
2) Restaurants
3) Movies
4) Music
5) Cities
6) Cars
7) Books
8) Beer and wine
9) Classes

I am pretty sure the list could go on and on. So, some people consider themselves lucky to have great taste in movies, music, books...I consider myself lucky to not have many preferences. I find most things I experience enjoyable or nice - which makes for a satisfying life. Although sometimes this general feeling of satisfaction leaves me wondering if I am missing some of the richness of experiences when they all seem to be on a fairly even playing field for me...

Welcome to my mind

I love random questions, introspection, and trivial knowledge - so consider yourself forewarned. I enjoy writing - but most of my writing thus far has stayed in the recesses of my hard drive. I am excited about my foray into the world of blogging. I consider myself a most-of-the-time-but-not-always optimist so "simple pleasures and silver linings" seemed like at appropriate title.

Simple pleasure for today:
Iced coffee on a summer morning