Happy July...

I am getting to the part of summer where I get anxious.  I know I still have a month or so left, but I feel like now it is going so fast and in no time I will be back to the grind.  I LOVE being home.  I love spending time with friends and family, having spontaneous lunches with friends and the hubby, and of course shopping.  (Matthew doesn't love that part so much...) 
      This reminds me of a conversation Matthew and I were having earlier this week.  My life is currently based upon relationships.  I am always looking for ways to build closer relationships with those around me.  I find ways to minister to those friends through relationships.  When I was in college, it wasn't the case.  I was very much focused on the "rules" of being a Christian.  Don't drink, don't use foul language, don't watch rated "R" movies...etc.  I spent so much time worrying about all the things that I could or could not do, I missed out on many relationships.  I actually scared more people away from Christ than I led to Him.  I think it was a very "me" centered faith. 
    The rules aren't what makes your faith.  Matthew actually compared my previous way of thinking to that of a Pharisee.  (OUCH!)  But, he was right.  I had a very "legalistic" faith.  Originally, the Pharisee's used the "rules" to define what a good "Jew" would be.  Christ came to redefine all of that.  His premise was love.  You can't love rules...you love people.  Christ asked us to love people into the kingdom - not rule them into it. 
   So...on that note....anyone wanna do lunch?  Let me know!