Prayer 101

So God has many forms of communication with us- the Bible, ideas, a song, something said, even actions, etc. Those are all great, for sure, but that's just how He talks with us. Whether He's responding to a request, answering a question, or anything that we just want to talk to Him about. This is usually how it works, right?? I mean, it DOES take 2 to have a conversation, or else you just have issues....
So how should we have a conversation with Him??? Think about it, when you have a conversation with anyone person you like to talk to, what do you say or talk about?? Do you go on & on & such or do you stop to listen & get feedback, about the topic, from the other person? No. You start a conversation about a certain anything, and you state you ideas & opinions then you would ask what the other person thought or they would just tell you. That how it works with everyone else, but why not with God??? I mean, He's the One who knows every answer to every question!! He invented questions & answers!! He even knows the square root of pi, squared then cubed!!!
So why are we so demeaning about prayer?? Why are we so complacent about having the opportunity to have a 1 on 1 conversation with the One who gives us our very existence???
Just because we can't see Him, makes no nevermind. Or should anyway. I mean, people have friends they've never met, via Facebook, Twitter, Google + & any other social media site. So talking to the Being who loves us enough to die for us. I can pretty much promise that the friends you haven't met, will not do that for you.

Prayer isn't something that we should do because it's an-almost-necessity to the Christian life that we do before going to bed & at certain times, but praying should be something like talking to a friend. Literally. True & authentic prayer should be something we want to do. Just a random pop-in to say thank you, I love you, ask a random question, ask for help, etc. Those are all the things we talk about & enjoy with friends, so shouldn't talking to God about this stuff be a chore?? I mean think about it, as teens, the parents have to take away the kids telecommunication devices because they won't stop talking to they're friends...But what are they gonna do to make us stop talking to God???? Didn't think so...
Pray does not even need to be "Dear God,.................." or a pastoral prayer, but can just be like your talking to a friend. Cuz hey, you really are. It doesn't have to be formal & ceremonial, because God would  rather have sincerity & authenticity than a long drawn out sermon. He know what is on your heart.
So pray for the the wanting to pray & being more enthusiastic about it.  
To say I don't need to work in this area would be a lie. So I will be praying to pray more earnestly & like a true person who WANTS t pray.
I tell a couple of my friends to always pray & never ever stop, so I will pray for you to pray, NOT BETTER, but more (insert word here). ;)

The Christianity Debate

So Christians have this debate going, and some say agree & others disagree. The controversy that boggles &  starts riots(Christian style...you know what I mean...) is whether Christianity is or isn't a religion. You guys know those t-shirts & such where they say, "Christianity is not a religion, it's a relationship".??? That's the argument we like to debate about. Some of my friends say it is a religion, and others say its a relationship. This almost always, ensues an amusing argument between them, which causes me to laugh. But that's neither here nor there....
So what is Christianity???? Is actually the religion or is it the relationship??? Does it have more of the inner workings of a relationship or religion??
Well, first you have to look at Christianity as itself & then compare to other religions.

As Christians, do we have any sort of relationship with our Master, similar/opposite to other religions?
Yes. When we receive salvation, a part of God enters us. This is called the Holy Spirit.
Jesus told the disciples, before He ascended to Heaven that they were to wait in Jerusalem for the Promise of the Father to be endued with the power from high. Jesus is telling them that He will always be with them until He returns. This is a sign of a relationship.
So, it is safe to say that Christianity is a relationship.
But is it a religion?
Technically, yes. How?? Being religious is anything that involves a personal belief in anything spiritual or having to do with the spirit.
But what makes it different from the very many religions out there, is that we have a relationship inside our religion. In fact, our relationship with Christ, is the very foundation of it(So, the religion part of Christianity, is for label & bookstore purposes only).
Other religions such as Mormonism, don't have a relationship at all. Yes, they believe in Jesus Christ. Yes, they believe He died. But they do not believe He is God & that He resurrected. They believe that by doing good works, they will ultimately make it to Heaven. Where is the relationship between God & us??

So Christianity, it is a religion. But Christianity is the only religion that has a relationship with God, as our basis. And if we treat it as a relationship, the religion part of it all, will be nothing more than a label.

Dress For Success

So everyone owns clothing, & everyone wears them(I hope...). But the thing with your clothes is they're yours. When getting your clothes, you can pick what colors you like, what kind of style you like, what patterns you like, what brands, what logos & graphics, etc.
Those are just something's you factor when picking them.
But the thing is, when picking clothes, most people choose clothes that others think cool or sophisticated. That's not really bad, because you naturally like to be cool & sophisticated, so you, in turn like the clothes too.
Now, this post is more for a girl than a guy, because more guys don't seem to care about their clothes. As long as they have a tshirt & jeans, it doesn't really matter. Not to offend you guys who do or don't like clothes, that's just the way you operate.
Now, by society's standards, the more revealing the article of clothing, the more it is considered "glamorous & sophisticated" or "sexy". And if you are not sophisicated or cool, then you're basically pathetic.
That's just society's opinions & ideas. And, of course, there's none more important that what society thinks of us, right???
However, God says that "a woman of charcter is worth far more than rubies." And, fact- rubies are worth more, carrat for carrat, than a diamond.
But the world sees our character from the outside. If we dress inapropriately, then the world will find us that way. And if we dress like we are setting an example for Christ, the world will percieve us that way. If we don't, they won't.
Not only does how we dress say how we set the example, but it tells about us personally. How much respect ourselves, our propriety, dignity, etc. 
I'm not saying that we can't or even shouldn't wear cool cute clothes. We can do that. I'm just saying that we need to dress modestly for Christ. Whatever you think is appropriate & modest is up to you. If you dont/do think that skinny jeans are appropriate, that's fine. Its up to you & you're the one wearing them. If you do/don't think tank tops are appropriate, that's fine. Its up to you & you're the one wearing them.
Just be aware of how you set the example & represent Christ through how you dress.