Sunday-so glad God invented it

Today at church we had a very interesting discussion in Sunday school on Open vs. Closed Communion. Basically Open Communion states that anybody who is a professing believer is free to take communion at that particular church. Closed communion states that one must abide by the church's beliefs, specifically in reference to baptism, and only then is he able to participate in communion. For example, a Presbyterian church practicing closed communion would not allow [saved] Baptists to partake in communion because baptists do not abide by that presbyterian church's beliefs, especially concerning baptism.

The question sparked a lot of debate---ahem, dicussion---on what baptism really is, why my Church believes in believer's baptism, if refusing communion to someone is denying their salvation, etc. I realized that I know NOTHING. Who knew something as simply and seemingly innocent as communion could actually be viewed different ways, even between people of the same denomination! And that's just communion! Who knows what else there is that I have assumed to be straight forward, when in reality it's nearly as complex as the human eye! I'm not sure how I feel about this newfound knowledge- I almost feel as if ignorance is bliss, in the sense that whenever I visit a church I may very well get caught up in their views on communion and whether I should partake or not, when for heaven's sake I should just be able to go and worship with fellow believers in Christ with the unity that Jesus speaks of in John 17. So the complexity of doctrine and faith in Jesus is somewhat daunting. Yet I also found it to be exhilarating. To know there is so much out there beyond what meets the eye is an incredible thought.

After all the "discussions" ;] at church (all in good nature), we went to my Pastors house and had a really great time of eating and talking about even more spiritual matters I had never considered. I loved to sit back and listen, perhaps occasionally inserting an opinion I deemed worthy of hearing, and to soak in the wisdom around me. I'm realizing I'm more of a quiet person than not and wonder what that entails for the person I may be with someday...

I have heard that opposites attract AND that birds of a feather flock together; but which is it? If I find myself to be more quiet, do I need to find someone opposite who balances me out or do I need to find someone who is similar and who understands me?... Who knows. I'm glad it's not up to me!

College and marriage and all those "beginnings" of life (which really feel more like endings) are coming up so close. It's really hard to believe! I kind of imagine that once I find someone and marry them, life will just pass on as a blur and I'll die soon afterward. Ha! But seriously, society seems to promote such a view in the sense that all the movies are about finding that special someone, and maybe getting through the wedding, but after that, they have a baby, they grow old together, the baby grows up, and they die! Think about a movie that actually starts with the couple getting married and portrays their life after marriage. There aren't a lot that I know of, at least. Average Joe might throw out "Up" (a favorite movie of his,) but that's about all I can think of...so yeah. It's weird to think of life beyond college, marriage, and maybe a kid or two.

Random string of thoughts has come to an end. Happy Sunday. It's been a good day :)

Jenna