Beautiful
Things
The paragraphs describing why I think the things in this section are beautiful
will be horribly inadequate explanations. I think I'm a pretty fair writer,
but I know that there is no way that I can string some words together that
will adequately describe the wonderful way these things make me feel.
The Mountains
I
think that the mountains are the most beautiful of God's natural creations.
Certainly they are the product of his desire to add aesthetically pleasing
features to his earth. The mountains are my favorite place to visit. They
are the perfect place to go and reflect, philosophize, and enjoy the simple
beauty of God's earth. It's hard to really describe what I feel about the
mountains deep down in my soul. I'll say, though, that every serious assessment
and reevaluation that I've ever done in my life has been after spending
time in the mountains. Maybe it's being closer to God that helps me understand
who I really am and who I really should be.
I like the mountains for other reasons than how they effect my soul. Certainly
in the North Carolina mountains there is plenty of fun stuff to do. There
are plenty of wonderful places to hike and bike. There are rivers to swim
and raft in. There are tons of great restaurants (esp. little Mom and Pop
places miles off the beaten path), and shops. There is a wonderful sense
of history and community. And the tight, twisty mountain roads appeal to
those of us who fancy ourselves NASCAR drivers. Certainly the mountains
are a wonderful and fun place.
Music
I
won't even begin to try to explain how good music makes me feel. Certainly
that would be an impossible task. What I'll say is...Who hasn't heard a
song that makes their heart melt, sends shivers down their spine, and makes
them break out all over in goose bumps all at the same time? It's amazing
that a collection of tones can do that to a person. Do you understand what
I'm getting at? I hope so.
The United Church of
Christ
Certainly
the nature of one's faith is one of the most important things they will
have to consider in their life. I've struggled, and continue to struggle,
with the nature of my faith everyday. I think a person that doesn't doubt
and question is not a truly faithful person. Since faith essentially means
belief without proof, I believe, although it's certainly not this simple,
that doubt is the essence of faith.(More on this in "My
Thoughts".)
I feel that people need a place that will help them answer their questions.
I feel that helping folks answer their questions about faith is the main
role of the church. The reason why there are different churches and denominations
is because folks have different ideas about how to help folks answer their
questions. I've learned about the beliefs of many different churches, and
the church that I think points folks towards the true and correct meanings
of the teachings of Jesus Christ is the United Church of Christ.
Maybe I'm biased. I'll admit that I've grown up in the UCC and have never
been a member of a non-UCC church. However, I have considered other denominations,
and I've always found myself coming back to the intelligent and reasonable
interpretations of the Holy Bible taught by the UCC. I honestly...well,
I honestly think this paragraph is the most hopelessly inadequate of them
all. Please click on the logo to visit the UCC web page and find out some
things that I can't relate to you.
Sobriety
Now that I'm 21 I do consume adult beverages occasionally, but never to
the point where I'm drunk. I've never been disqualified from driving on
any occasion where I've consumed such beverages. My personal opinion is
that if you drink to the point where it effects your mind (even getting
tipsy) than you've drank too much.
My opinion of alcohol stems from my general opinion about all substances.
I feel that using substances to experience their effects is a sign of a
weak character. Why get drunk? Why get high? Cause it feels good is what
folks would say. But so does hanging out with your friends. So does playing
sports. So does watching sports. So does making out with your significant
other. So do a lot of things. The point is, if you use substances for satisfaction,
you're weak and you don't appreciate all the other things you have.
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