I’ve decided to change the look of my site. The picture at the top of the site is of the lake across from the Blue Gentian Lodge in Londonderry, Vermont. (I’m not sure if the lake has a name or not, when I MapQuested the area, no lake even appeared on the map!) I took the picture myself over the weekend of their Peacefest 2007 (which was September 15th and 16th.)
I like the look of the site. Plus it gives me the flexibility to change pictures when I want.
This is so cool. There is a quiz you can take to help you find out what denomination or category of religious belief you are. Not that I had any doubt that I am a Lutheran, and a pretty liberal one at that, but after taking this quiz, it really made me take a look at what I really BELIEVE, as in theology.
The quiz then told me (with a certainty of 100% 
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“The top score on the list below represents the faith that Belief-O-Matic, in its less than infinite wisdom, thinks most closelymatches your beliefs. However, even a score of 100% does not mean that your views are all shared by this faith, or vice versa. Belief-O-Matic then lists another 26 faiths in order of how much they have in common with your professed beliefs. The higher a faith appears on this list, the more closely it aligns with your thinking. Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (100%) Also sometimes referred to as secular, modern, or humanistic. This is an umbrella term for Protestant denominations, or churches within denominations, that view the Bible as the witness of God rather than the word of God, to be interpreted in its historical context through critical analysis. Examples include some churches within Anglican/Episcopalian, Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, and United Church of Christ. There are more than 2,000 Protestant denominations offering a wide range of beliefs from extremely liberal to mainline to ultra-conservative and those that include characteristics on both ends. The Beliefs include:
| • | Belief in Deity Trinity of the Father (God), the Son (Christ), and the Holy Spirit that comprises one God Almighty. Many believe God is incorporeal. |
| • | Incarnations Beliefs vary from the literal to the symbolic belief in Jesus Christ as God’s incarnation. Some believe we are all sons and daughters of God and that Christ was exemplary, but not God. |
| • | Origin of Universe and Life The Bible’s account is symbolic. God created and controls the processes that account for the universe and life (e.g. evolution), as continually revealed by modern science. |
| • | After Death Goodness will somehow be rewarded and evil punished after death, but what is most important is how you show your faith and conduct your life on earth. |
| • | Why Evil? Most do not believe that humanity inherited original sin from Adam and Eve or that Satan actually exists. Most believe that God is good and made people inherently good, but also with free will and imperfect nature, which leads some to immoral behavior. |
| • | Salvation Various beliefs: Some believe all will go to heaven, as God is loving and forgiving. Others believe salvation lies in doing good works and no harm to others, regardless of faith. Some believe baptism is important. Some believe the concept of salvation after death is symbolic or nonexistent. |
| • | Undeserved Suffering Most Liberal Christians do not believe that Satan causes suffering. Some believe suffering is part of God’s plan, will, or design, even if we don’t immediately understand it. Some don’t believe in any spiritual reasons for suffering, and most take a humanistic approach to helping those in need. |
| • | Contemporary Issues Most churches teach that abortion is morally wrong, but many ultimately support a woman’s right to choose, usually accompanied by policies to provide counseling on alternatives. Many are accepting of homosexuality and gay rights.” |
I think these categories pretty much sum up what I believe. So I think taking the quiz was beneficial, because it really got me thinking about how I want to live my life and what goals I want to work towards. It also got me thinking about the political candidates that are out there now and their stands and positions on issues. It might help me flesh out who I’m going to vote for in upcoming elections.
So to take the quiz-called the
go to this link http://www.beliefnet.com/story/76/story_7665_1.html
and let me know what you think!
Here’s an example of one of the questions
| 1. | What is the number and nature of the deity (God, gods, higher power)? Choose one. |
| Only one God–a corporeal spirit (has a body), supreme, personal God Almighty, the Creator. | |
| Only one God–an incorporeal (no body) spirit, supreme, personal God Almighty, the Creator. | |
| Multiple personal gods (or goddesses) regarded as facets of one God, and/or as separate gods. | |
| The supreme force is the impersonal Ultimate Reality (or life force, ultimate truth, cosmic order, absolute bliss, universal soul), which resides within and/or beyond all. | |
| The supreme existence is both the eternal, impersonal, formless Ultimate Reality, and personal God (or gods). | |
| No God or supreme force. Or not sure. Or not important. | |
| None of the above. |
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The leaves are finally turning from green to the brilliant colors of reds and oranges this week here in New England. All of a sudden it’s no longer summer, fall has definitely arrived. The temps last week were in the 80’s and now it’s a breezy 59.
As of today my brother Ben has been deployed for 24 days.
