I wish you luck in your new year’s journey. It’s just like anything else that takes self-discipline…you’ll wander and forget. Just gotta keep getting back on track. He’ll always be there.

Merry Christmas! And Happy New Year!

Regarding the religion blog; I was not brought up attending church regularly. I went occasionally with my best friend who attended church at LEAST three times a week. My kids attend church almost every Sunday with their Grandmother, but for some reason, I have a difficult time making myself adhere to the same practice. Why? I ask myself… I’ve actually gotten dressed several times to go with my best friend that I used to go with as a child, 20 years ago. But for some reason, I find some selfishly ridiculous reason to turn around and stay home, and say “I’ll go next week”.

I have made attending church regularly and developing a stronger relationship with Christ a New Year’s resolution soo many times. I’ve also told myself that same thing soo many times after something good has graced my life, and on the flip side-every time I survive something that I don’t know if I’ll make it through that I Must begin that relationship… But, at 29 years of age, I am still in the same routine. Sleeping in on Sundays and waiting for that perfect time for Nicki to feel comfortable, or to find a significant other willing and wanting to go to church with me. I guess I need to wake up and realize that if I haven’t found that mate in my 29 years, that I should stop making excuses, and Just Do It!!

Regarding the 1st amendment… I am appalled that the Pledge of Allegiance is not allowed in schools! How many times have we been to gatherings and had to say the Pledge? I would be so embarrassed if my children couldn’t say it. Luckily, they attended a Christian preschool, where it was allowed, and can recite it.

Great topic Jim. I could spend hours with questions and comments about it, but wanted to share my personal saga with religion…

Merry Christmas-and, I don’t walk on eggshells upon saying Merry Christmas to anyone. Jesus IS the reason for the season.

p.s. I was out of broccoli on Christmas day and went to the Asian restaurant by my house and bought two containers of fresh broccoli… I also needed a digital camera before the kids opened their gifts and got one at Walgreen’s, which was open 24 hours,… even on Christmas!

@Craig – Thanks for you comments, and the correction of “by” and not “on” in referring to Christian founders. You are correct, but I strongly believe that their belief in a “god” that they called “God” is one of the reasons our country has had such a prosperous two and half centuries.

@Kevin W – Yes, the PC trip is ridiculous. Our first amendment right is freedom of speech, yet the left wing liberals are trying to take that right away from us so that only their voices are heard. While I’m not a racist by any regards, it seems as though WASP’s (white anglo saxon protestant males) are being outcast as the new minority in the US. Also to your point about Chinese resturaunts being open on Christmas – I agree… I believe that all businesses that weren’t owned/operated by Christians, SHOULD have been open on Christmas day.

I would like to reply to a comment left by Tim though.

Tim, why would you expect Chinese restaurants and convenience stores to be closed. Many, if not most of these business are owned by non christians, so what would they gain from shutting down shop? Do you take off from work to celebrate the Chinese New Year?

I have bashed the Christianity quite a bit in the last year so I know I’d like to grow my faith in Christianity as a religion, even if it isn’t my personal religion.

More recently you were classifying yourself as Agnostic, but trying to define your belief in god/God at the same time. Have you taken another step in embracing Christianity for yourself?

One thing I did notice in the past week, was even though the ads are still saying Happy Holidays, individual employees and people on the street were much more open about saying Merry Christmas as we got closer to the day. For some reason, I didn’t expect that.