Regarding Elijah's comments about Christianity:
Too many people today espouse the philosophy that God is just great and wonderful, as long as He doesn’t require too much of me (i.e. make me be “religious”). Just so long as he doesn’t interfere with my “lifestyle” choices. Just so He doesn’t “get in my way”. Just so He doesn’t make me do anything I don’t want to do, that wouldn’t be right “for me”, etc. etc.
But this way of looking at it has it all backwards. God created us, and loves us, and knows what best fulfills us. He paid a sacrificial price for us in order to restore us to what our full potential could be. He does not ever want us to operate out of guilt, anxiety, fear, or compulsion. He wants us to respond to Him with love and faith and a clear conscience, knowing that He will redeem all our mis-steps and mistakes. Jesus said: Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden, and learn of me. My yoke is easy, my burden is light….
Just some of my thoughts….