So I just spent the past few days in one of the most amazing place ever... The Smokey Mountains, we stayed in a place called Pigeon Forge which is just out side Gatlinburg Tennesee and beautiful. They have a strip in both cities with things to do everywhere like movies great food lazer tag mini golf go-karts its just awesome to say the least. We did three different hikes a 2 mile a 10+ mile and a 2.5 mile but it really is glorious here. On two of the hikes I literally ended on top of the mountain and it was beautiful and amazing and words can not really do justice. I went down there with campus life roomed with two amazing students sean and nick who I really got to talk to and that was a blast they are two amazing guys. On our bus was haslett and eastern and I got really excited when I heard that because well I love eastern I was a quaker. But it got off to a rocky start and no one really talked to any from the other school, well I ended up talking to two of the guys from eastern and getting to know them and that was great. Miguel and Fill seem like two great guys as well. We had a trip to taco bell and that was a blast. But it was a little bittersweet for me... I realized I really miss eastern and the kids there. I once talked about doing this inner city thing that I was being called there and I still feel it. You know that's my environment that's how I grew up its what I really know... But I do a suburb school and though I love the students there I do feel a little out of place. I guess I sometimes just think a lot about it. I want to coach swim and I would coach anywhere but my dream place is eastern. I want to restore that pride there once was there. But there was a lot on my mind during the hikes from: goals in life, to relationships, to what to do about everything, and of course my relationship with God was on my mind. Sometimes a just feel small but being there on the mountain though making the trek hurt more than anyone may knowi tried not to let it show but the reward at the half way mark was so worth amasing views great stories some bonding it had it all. And though there maybe slightly more on my mind currently it is not allowed to be public knowledge right now... But I do wonder ever hear people say things and just want to comment but know its not your place or want to say something but don't want to have that awkward moment, or maybe its that fear? That is me right now... I'm not going to say anything would come of it because chances are well that wouldn't but man if it did... Ok well that's my mind right now... Later my friends...

so my mind has be running since yesterday when i heard a guy say "i don't see how non-denominational people pray, i heard a guy pray once and it had no organization, it seemed like a bunch of thoughts rolled out"... i thought that's what prayer is supposed to be, your thoughts like your actually talking to Good, i know a crazy thought i guess.... i mean that's how i pray, but now i ask you the reader, my friends my peers....
what is prayer? is it a ritual? is it something personal? do you have a set prayer for specific events and circumstances (dinner, weddings, funerals, before you fall asleep)? are they things you "recite" that you have memorized? is it something you enjoy for feel obligated to do? do you feel as if you are really talking to God, or trying to score Jesus points?
personally i don't think that religion is suppose to be filled with rituals and and things like that. your relationship with God is personal, it's for you and God. Don't let other people tell you how to worship, tell you how to pray, take your beliefs and make them your own. i think Bono said it best "Religion gets in the way of God". Dance for Jesus, Act for Jesus, Sing for Jesus... but do it all in your own way. prayer is full of thought. no two moments are the same. Jesus was radical, are you?

 

::edit::
when i said religion gets in the way of God, in my personal belief i mean it be like when rituals, and things that are allowed and not allowed bring distance between any believer and God or other in their church or that that have any connection with on their faith... for example when i toured with crossroads we were asked to leave on church because they didn't like our music or the fact that we danced (well one person didn't like that) based on their guidelines for their "religion", i firmly believe that got in the way of God. rules that are placed on you by the church that go beyond what the Bible says, like not playing cards or any other games in the chruch, non-instrumental verses instrumental, dancing verses not dancing, these are what i mean by religion get in the way of God. maybe the best way to say it is things that don't let you be who you are with your beliefs. these things get in the way. Jesus was radical, he didn't conform, he didn't say don't dance don't play games don't have fun. I know it says don't conform to the ways of the world, but couldn't that be extended out? don't conform to what people tell you is "religion" don't conform to the you only get to Heaven if... that's a load. You only get to Heaven if you truly believe, if you fully rely on God, if you have made him your personal savior. it has nothing to do with not doing or doing certain things in the side that walls of a "church" or "church family". experience God's Grace. no where does it say you can't have fun and believe while living for God. look at muscians, athletes, actors, and actresses. so i still say Religion gets in the way of God, if you have questions about that ask me.