Son of a bee sting, Mother frito...

There are many unsaid rules of being a christian here in the bible belt (many of which I do not agree with, some I do...."work out your OWN salvation with trembling and fear"-Phillipians 2:12...booya)
Rule #1-Do not consume alcohol...ever... do not pass go...do not collect 200 dollars, even though I think this problem is pretty much isolated to the South. I think if you take anything to the extreme it's a bad thing (shopping, gossiping, eating, etc.). I don't think you are going to hell if you have a beer (please see scripture mentioned above, it's different for everyone)

Rule#2-Tithe, this one I believe with my whole heart, there is nothing more joyous than trusting God with everything...including your finances

Rule#3-Be at church everytime the doors are open...personally I think we need to get outside the four walls and interact with people, you know do what Jesus did, love people and meet them where they are. Somehow I don't think Christ envisioned his bride (the church) to be a lazy broad who sits at home in her bath robe...

Rule #4-Do no curse, cuss, swear, whatever you want to call it....don't do it...just don't....I personally am not pro-cursing or anti-cursing. I think if all people have to worry about it is a few four letters words...they might should re-prioritize. I think ironic cursing is funny...sorry...I don't think that makes me any less of a Christ follower...I do, however, become annoyed when I think that's all people say. I just wanna shake em by the shoulders and tell them to read a book, it increases your vocabulary.

Rule#5-Love people. It's true. A life postured after Christ is a life full of love for the human race. We don't try to be perfect, or at least I don't, it's impossible and tiring. A constant prayer is for God to break my heart for what breaks him.

I know the church has really screwed some things up. Some really great churches have been lumped in with some really crappy churches. I think we are on the verge of a new awakening. People are finally starting to get it. Even here in the bible belt. We have a way to go...but at least we are moving forward.