Lord, I've never lived where churches grow

I loved creation better as it stood

That day you finished it so long ago

And looked upon your work and called it good

I know that others find you in the light

That sifted down through tinted window panes

And yet I seem to feel you near tonight

In this dim, quiet starlight on the plains

I thank you, Lord, that I'm placed so well

That you've made my freedom so complete

That I'm no slave to whistle, clock or bell

Nor weak eyed prisoner of wall or street

Just let me live my life as I've begun

And give me work that's open to the sky

Make me a partner of the wind and sun

And I won't ask a life that's soft or high

Let me be easy on the man that's down

Let me be square and generous with all

I'm careless sometimes, Lord, when I'm in town

But never let them say I'm mean or small

Make me as big and open as the plains

And honest as the horse between my knees

Clean as a wind that blows behind the rains

Free as the hawk that circles down the breeze

Forgive me, Lord, if sometimes I forget

You know about the reasons that are hid

You understand the things that gall or fret

Well, you knew me better than my mother did

Just keep an eye on all that's done or said

And right me sometimes when I turn aside

And guide me on that long, dim trail ahead

That stretches upward toward the great divide

"Oh, Bury Me Not" - Johnny Cash

i listened to this song the other day and it really struck me. i have been having a lot of conversations lately on the nature of Christianity . . . on whether or not the bible should be followed literally and how many times a day one should pray. It is hard to sift through what should be argued and what isn't. Should we be worried about how much, or how many times we pray a day? in my opinion, no. it doesn't take an hour of prayer a day to be saved, it isn't a prescription. it has to do with our spirits, how we feel, and how much we want to be saved. our desire to be part of the Love that should be spilling out of our Christian hearts. but that is not what is happening, i am just as much to blame for this than anybody. we quibble about doctrinal issues that aren't even biblical, so how do we take the bible literally in a situation where the bible doesn't make a statement. then what? in modern Christianity, we judge. we have crazed pastors leading parishioners down a path to extreme hatred against pretty much every group, even other Christians. how is that Christ like in the least bit? LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE everybody without hesitation.

i am sinful . . . i am judgemental . . . i am unworthy of God's grace and love . . . but i receive it. how can i, in good conscience, deny anybody else even the slightest bit of that love?

which brings me to the lyrics to the johnny cash song above. this, apart from the horse, is the type of Christianity i aspire to. simple, beautiful, reverent, necessary, personal, and loving. will i ever achieve it? all i can do is try.