I’ve always looked at overly analyzed publications and other Christian magazines and cringed. Not that I disagree with their professionalism or their standard of fun-filtered articles. The truth is I see there is a place for such reporting. But I do feel that the type of magazines that are religious based lack a bit of… style? What I wish I had was a place to showcase my love for God without having to siphon the soul from my words, my writing, my music. Call it reality or the grunge of life, but I wish I didn’t have to cover my tracks for the purpose of a religious publication. I just want to tell people how God is working in my life instead of writing to work out the finer kinks of theology. After all, that’s what Bible studies are for.

I have come to realize how often Christianity is brought up in the media. Christianity takes hard hits from atheists, homosexuals, and other religions. And because our society seems to take each step according to what the media says, Christianity has been declared all but obsolete in this new individualistic world. I’m here to say that it isn’t! Religion rocks! Religion makes me happy.  But you know what else makes me happy? The company of my gay friend, drums, earrings, and movies where people get the CRAP kicked out of them. It’s who I am, simply said. So in the grand spectrum of the Worldly vs. the Religious, where do I truly belong?

The truth is, it’s not just me who has found themselves in this conundrum. From my perspective, what we have on our hands is a huge disconnect between Religion and the world. Those of us who are in love with the structure based faith of religion and living out our individuality by “worldly” standards (i.e.: dress, music, political views) are caught in the middle. I want to stop expressing my talents with someone else’s idea of perfection and just Write, just Sing, just Praise Him! Because when I am allowed to simply live my life, if I am searching for the truth I will find it. The truth will always set you free.

                Those of us raised in religious backgrounds have parents who are religious. They had the opportunity to wrestle with their religious convictions and have now made whatever church they follow their own. They are comfortable in their beliefs, their church, and their world views. I simply want the same opportunity. I want to find God for myself—not have a sterile heirloom of him passed down from my grandpappy’s, pappy. I want to live and breath and consume him and I can’t if the media is telling me that my religion is dead and if my religion is telling me that the world will lead me astray. Wasn’t it Christ who dined with hookers? Aren’t hookers and drunks part of “the world?”

I just want to ask you, America, who are you as a Christian? I am a Seventh Day Adventist and I wear earrings. I dress simply enough, that’s to say my clothes don’t define who I am. And I love to tell anyone who will listen to my songs who Christ is in my life. I see him everywhere; in nature, in other people, in my guitar strings. I’ve even seen him in bars and restrooms. God is everywhere. And the great thing is that he came here to make religion relevant to the individual. And now anyone can meet God anywhere! Where have you met God? How is God using religion to carry you throughout the world?