Pagan Christianity

It's a book. Not how I feel. I don't feel happy about the book. It talks about where all the traditions in Christianity of today started and why they are not biblical. Ok. I can handle that. But this book is so cynical. I understand what the authors(Barna and someone else) are getting at, but they sure take a negative spin on it. Of course, I'm only about half way through the book. They keep pointing out the problems and they haven't brought up any solutions. Times have changed since the New Testament was written. I don't think that Jesus died and expected us to just remain the same in how we practice our faith. The writers mention something about the use of visual appeal in church buildings. First of all, we shouldn't have church buildings, but second of all, they make the arguement that art shouldn't be used. I'm pretty sure that God gave us gifts and talents in order to serve Him and worship Him better. And using those gifts to stimulate worship and an atmosphere in a building where the body of Christ meets doesn't seem like such a bad thing. Maybe I'm totally off base. I am hoping that they produce some solutions to making current Christianity what it was supposed to be(?). I mean how do we know that what they did back in the NT is what God wanted them/us to do forever? If any of the "Christian things" were doing are not edifying God, then of course we should stop. Does God really care where we meet? As long as we're authentic, I don't think it should matter.
I'm probably just a pagan anyway. But God is the judge. Not some authors.
If it's not for Jesus, why do it?

Practice makes perfect... or so I'm told

Tonight was my first practice with the band. I don't even know how quite to describe it. All I know is that my shoulder hurts from where the strap crossed it. That bass is heavy. I think I caught on pretty fast to what we were playing. I didn't get the music until this morning and I was practically on my way out the door when I got it too. I knew I wouldn't be home all day so I quickly printed the songs. Those songs were only half of what I was supposed to have. I felt like 5 blocks behind the rest of the band tonight. I know it was only my first practice, but I hate to let people down. I don't know what they were expecting. Maybe I can surprise them next week by being totally on top of things. Or just make another complete fool out of myself. LOL. I need to be able to keep that bass on my shoulder for 2 hours straight. I guess I won't put it on until I absolutely have to.
Hopefully next week will go better...

B things

Today is sponsered by the letter B.
Yesterday there was a bat in my house. What was more scary is that the bat had been in our house before and never had left. I'm pretty sure he was hiding out in our basement, which is very very scary because I've been down there plenty of times and I don't like bats. See, I discovered the bat first. It happened like 3 weeks ago and it flew at my head. I closed the doors to the kitchen and hid out there until my family got home. I was so scared. So the bat is back. Has it left yet? Nope. I hope that I never run into it when I am home alone. I will cry like a baby if it does.
I started learning how to play bass on Sunday. I haven't decided how I feel about it yet. I mean its cool, but at the same time pretty unreal. The only reason I am learning bass is because I was asked to be in a band that needs a bass player. I've never played bass. They invited me even before they heard me play bass. They have faith in me... faith that I don't have yet. I mean I'm not awful, but not band worthy yet.
So if you have any suggestions on how to get rid of a bat or how to become a better bass player, please let me know. And you're always welcome to laugh at my posts. I'm ok with that. But seriously, if you have any miracle things that rid bats and make the unmusical professional musicians... please let me know. Thanks!

Affirmation

My life has purpose. I know that. Sometimes I just need to say it out loud. I live a fairly uncomplicated life and I'm ok with that.
I'm good at telling stories about my life. I think they're best told in person. I'm definitely not boring.
I've lived with indigenious islanders. I've camped in the snow at the Grand Canyon.
I like to be myself.