Au Revoir

Although it is difficult to classify myself under one category, I believe I have a creative mind. While people often make use of information discovered by others, I enjoy digging deeper and finding a different meaning or purpose to a question. While putting forth new ideas and developing new ways to view a problem,
I like to seperate myself from others. For example, with this blog topic, I could explore the mindset that various people may have on such a complicated subject; I am able to ask questions many people have never considered, which allows me to question myself as well.
Throughout my blog, I exposed curiosity towards the belief of others. My purpose was to engage the minds of others into exploring their own beliefs and their own relationship with God. By taking a poll, which was not as successful as I hoped it to be, I was interested to see how the common people would respond. In this case, I tried to exemplify all of the different views of the Lord. By seeing God from the viewpoints of others, I tried my hardest to display their opinions respectfully, even if I did not necessarily agree. By doing this, each stance was stated clearly and was explained as another option. In my attempt to engage the reader in debate with themselves, I asked questions that allowed them to challenge their own beliefs in order to find what is right for them. Although there is never a concrete answer, one's voyage of beliefs is a completely personal journey in which they discover God for themselves.
After taking my time developing the blog, I discovered that I, myself, began to question my own beliefs. Blogging was an experience that gave me the opportunity to express my way of viewing religion and the role it plays in the lives of others. Even though I would like to receive more feedback on the material I wrote about, blogging helped me work through my own questions I had about faith. Whether they ever be answered or not, it made me relax knowing that others who may be confused about their own beliefs can relate to someone like me. I love putting forth my opinion and seeing the reaction people take to the material being discussed; blogging does not have to be a pointless use of technology.

Who or what is God to the fearful? Is it possible that people believe in God, simply to have someone to believe in? Loneliness is a scary state of being, and if one does not have a higher power to blame circumstances, then many questions remain unanswered. It's comforting to know that God will always be there, and He is a consistent component of one's life. However, along with this comfort, abides doubt. Doubt in one's own beliefs and doubt in oneself. In the video below, a music group, Relient K, explores their struggles with their beliefs and doubts.

Magnificent God

Although some are familiar with God and are certain of where they stand in relationship to Him, many find God to be too magnificent and august to even form a relationship in the first place. Having been through years of Catholic education, this view of God is understandable. Seeing the avenues that priests take toward God during Mass, and the response people have to His presence in their lives, presents God as intimidating and unapproachable. Understanding God as sacred and holy helps individuals to become more comfortable with the idea of a greater power; however, too much emphasis on how exalted he is, leaves believers to reproach and hesitate on their voyage of beliefs. How can the Church downplay God's intimidating image without deteriorating his significance and opulence?

God the Engineer

Free will. An obscure term when referring to God and our own personal freedom. Do we, as individuals, have the freedom to make our own decisions, or does God have our entire lives planned out, including our cause of death? For some people, God is an engineer. His sole purpose is to devise a life and a reason for every being. However, if that is the case, then why do we contemplate on making good decisions if they do not necessarily matter in the end? The term "living" would have no meaning because our story already has a planned plot, climax, beginning, and end. In my opinion, God is the guideline. He has sent us here with ambition to assist us on our mission; however, the in between is up to us. We have the ability to make our own decisions, and in turn, he provides the outcome and the consequences, whether those be positive or negative. Life is not fair because we are capable of making mistakes; our imperfections are what make "living" interesting. When we endure hardships and troublesome times, God aids our recovery by supplying endless benefits and learning opportunities. While free will remains existent, so must our faith in God.

Scapegoat

God: The most popular scapegoat for our sins. ~Mark Twain


A Father, a friend, or maybe even a scapegoat. Many times when our lives are chaotic, and our list of worries is long, we do and say things unintentionally. Or, perhaps, we commit venial sins and need a fall back guy to use as an excuse. Most of the time, God is the alibi we provide for the sins we make. He takes the blame for our own personal actions in which we are too cowardly to claim as our own. Instead of praising God, we use Him; therefore, our superficial faith only exists when in need. This is a perfect example of the selfishness displayed by human beings. Majority of the human race only participates in activities if they're beneficial to themselves, and praising God is a great demonstration. Sometimes we need to take time out of our own lives to acknowledge the great work of another.

Father to the Fatherless

I'm going to digress back to my first post, and provide examples of viewing God as a Father. According to the poll I have posted on the side of my blog, the tally demonstrates that out of the people who voted, God plays the role of a fatherly figure. However, for those who didn't have a dad growing up, or didn't have a healthy one, it can be difficult to imagine God's perfect love for us as our Father. A good father provides, comforts, protects, disciplines, and loves us beyond what we can imagine, similar to what the Bible describes as God's unconditional love. This image of God may be difficult to understand for those who have not had this kind of love displayed in their lives. For example, I grew up without a Father figure for the most part, due to the death of my Father at age nine. Although I am familiar with the feeling of a protective Father, I have never had a mature relationship with him in which I understand his role and his purpose. However, throughout scripture, there are many examples of God being a Father to all who need Him.

Father to the Fatherless
How wonderful that He can fill that father role in the lives of those who don't have a one!

* Psalm 68:5, "A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy habitation."



Provider
Provider:

He provides even the most basic of our needs.

* Matthew 6:26, "Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?"



Comforter and Protector
In times of trouble, we can run to Him for comfort.

* Psalm 32:7, "You are my hiding place; you shall preserve me from trouble; you shall surround me with songs of deliverance."

* Psalm 34:17, "The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart
, and saves such as have a contrite spirit."

* Psalm 94:18-19, "If I say, 'My foot slips,' your mercy, O LORD, will hold me up. In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul."



Disciplinary
Disciplinary:

Just as an earthly father is there to instruct and correct, so is our heavenly Father.

* Psalm 94:12, "Blessed is the man whom You instruct, O LORD, and teach out of Your law."

* Proverbs 3:11-12, "My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, nor detest His correction; for whom the LORD loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights."



One Who Loves Us
Who loves us:

I believe the greatest love was shown to us when Jesus died on the cross to save us from our own sins. He became that living sacrifice for us. Jesus tells us that the Father was in Him (John 10:38).

* Romans 8:38-39, "For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities not powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height not depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

What if i need proof?

Simple faith is a difficult concept to grasp. There is no proof of the foundation of our beliefs, and God remains a mystery to everyone. Nobody has concrete evidence of God's being and existence, so how are we sure that our beliefs are the "right" beliefs? How do we know that if we spend our lives searching for the answer, and following in the footsteps of Christ, that we will not be disappointed in the end? The lyrics to the song "Voyage of Beliefs," written and performed by FM Static may help individuals relate to one another in their faith struggles.

Considering God as a companion, rather than a fatherly figure, is common amongst Catholics. I've spoken to relatives and schoolmates to gather opinions on their relationship with an Almighty figure, and many agree with the reality of God being a best friend. I view God as a man I can talk to who is always prepared to listen. He let's me talk without passing judgment or criticism, and it's nice to know that what I have to say, and the situations that I'm dealing with, matter to Him. Whenever I am struggling with pain, loneliness, or stress I have an automatic comforter. He soothes me by allowing me to express myself without holding back, which is the way a best friend should be.
Without being able to express my true feelings, my anger and frustration builds up, leaving me more stressed than before. Everyone struggles to find who they are in relationship to God, but God can be a friend to everyone if you allow Him to be.

Honestly, having faith in an inanimate being is difficult. How does God expect us to believe in something in which he cannot provide concrete proof? Having attended private school for twelve years, I still struggle in my faith. It's not that I do not believe or do not respect and follow the teachings and the guidelines the Church administers, but it is hard for me to differentiate between philosophy and fact. I mean, sure God is our Father and our Creator and the One who gave us life, but are we aloud to see God as someone different than that. Better yet, can we see Him as someone MORE than that? People turn to their Fathers for help and strength, but I know I for a fact I talk to my friends more than my parents about things truly important to me. My friends know me just as well, if not better, than my parents. Could God be a friend?