Frustrated, a bit confused, and just bouncing my thoughts around

[gritsar]

I really don't have any words of wisdom to offer, but

 

[Toast n Jelly]

Quote:

 

[bargain]

I think that you might benefit from Walk to Emmaus. If you need a link to that, please let me know. It has been a deeply enriching experience for our family....

Here it is: http://www.upperroom.org/emmaus/whatis/about.asp Although started by the Methodist church it is for all Christians. Chrysallis is for those who are younger age, college and under.

Best luck and I'll add you to our prayers...God will direct you! Nancy

 

[Spookwriter]

I've read these words many times since they were originally posted.
After the two recent discussions on religion, I've waited to see who's
going to post and what's going to be said.

Just as I said recently about the word "happiness" having the ability to
mean something different to each of us, this post comes into that same
ground by using words without a clear meaning of exactly what's being
said.

I think we can all relate to being, at times, a murky Christian. At least, I'm
sure the Christians here can. That being a Christian is not a cut and dried
thing, as we too, just like the people of other faiths, make our way through
this thing called life. There are times that we all feel lost and confused.

Don't pick on me here, but to use the term "the church" is one of those words
that doesn't exactly have a cut and dried meaning. The church itself is for the
most part, only a building. While it is a safe bet here to assume we're speaking
of a Christian, faith-based church, there are many different denominations. And
each of those denominations may believe things a little differently. Right down to
the local church in your neighborhood being slightly different from another church
of the same faith.

For a church, all though of God, is also made up of people. And goodness knows,
we're all different.

Nobody here is qualified to tell you what faith to be. That's your own journey. But I will
say that while you may be comfortable at your current church, by your own words
you're still looking for something. Your path may not be in that particular church.
Time will tell. I personally think it's wonderful when people of different faiths can
get along.

"Love: is just like church and happiness: one of those words with a whole lot of
different meanings. I love my wife as a man loves his mate, I love my daughter as
a father loves his child. The love I have for God is a love on a different level. Just as
the shared love we have for our chickens is a lesser love than the love for our familys.
Again, I'm on a bit of shaky ground here but I would think that most churches preach
some sort of "Love God" theme. Even to the point of "love each other." But that is yet
another and different aspect of love. If you choose to love your neighbor as you love
your mate, it generally leads to a problem.

In broad terms, Christianity is your personal belief in God...that you have made a personal
choice to believe in God. That in your own mind, you have accepted the fact that only you
and you alone can make the decision to accept God into your life. No one can do it for you.

Religious is an act of that faith.

So, Christianity and religion are not the same terms, and do not have the same meanings.

Compassion...Each time that I've read this post, compassion is the word that comes to my
own mind. And I agree that people--regardless of their faith, the color of their skin, or any
other difference--should have more compassion toward each other. Every day as we come
into contact with different people, we have the chance to change their life. Just as they have
the chance to change ours. How they perceive you, is often based on how you treated them.

Passion is the other word that this post brings to my mind.

As a church, to visit a senior center is certainly worthwhile. Or a hospital. Or anywhere else
you can interact with people. But may I ask why your church would only do it at Christmastime?
You can almost certainly do that more often. That isn't about giving things to them. The thing
they want all too often is to know someone cares.

In closing, I would like to say that WE are the church. Each one of us that attends church are in
some manner a reflection of that church. Be it good or bad. If you feel that your church needs a
program to reach out in the community, well...step up. Speak out.

 

[bargain]

Wonderful post above. Religion is an institution. How we live makes our Lord Alive! Merry Christmas and May I always reflect God's gifts to the World. Merry Christmas. In our house it is Christ mas not xmas. With continued pray for the OP's search and for all of our quests for a deeper relationship with our Lord. Amen..........Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Nancy

 

[darkmatter]

Everything mentioned sounds like just normal life to me. I just make coffee in the morning, go let the chickens out, work in my garden when weather permits, and be honest with friends and family. Ignore the @#$#@%^@#'s and help out when I can. Wall street and the Government stole my life's savings but can't steal my attitude-------but if they get around to stealing the carrots and potatoes in my garden----then we'is gonna have a revolt.

 

[Wifezilla]

So how do you spread love all by yourself?

One person at a time.

The Parable of the Starfish

One morning an elderly man was walking on a nearly deserted beach. He came upon a boy surrounded by thousands and thousands of starfish. As eagerly as he could, the youngster was picking them up and throwing them back into the ocean.

Puzzled, the older man looked at the young boy and asked, "Little boy, what are you doing?"

The youth responded without looking up, "I'm trying to save these starfish, sir."

The old man chuckled aloud, and queried, "Son, there are thousands of starfish and only one of you. What difference can you make?"

Holding a starfish in his hand, the boy turned to the man and, gently tossing the starfish into the water, said, "It will make a difference to that one!"​

 

[KinderKorner]

Quote:
Yes yes yes!

Anyone can benefit from this spiritual journey.

I love my church. I feel so close to God. I've been in many many others were the spirit just isn't there.

I would look around, try different things. Every church is different because they are ran by different people.

Goodluck on your adventure.