tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557719621411312017.post1220840383393294067..comments2024-01-11T16:41:01.570-05:00Comments on The Real Life of a Red Head: ChurchUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557719621411312017.post-18743105383928023212012-04-18T13:15:43.622-04:002012-04-18T13:15:43.622-04:00I walked away from church 9 years ago, and it was ...I walked away from church 9 years ago, and it was the best decision I ever made. I think most of us go out of fear and guilt. I think most of us even believe in God out of fear and guilt. Why don't you try other denominations of churches? One of them might be just what you needAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557719621411312017.post-75639990691834673362012-04-18T07:48:53.973-04:002012-04-18T07:48:53.973-04:00I have often heard of churches of all denomination...I have often heard of churches of all denominations be referred to as hospitals of the soul. While God loves us at our best, he loves us even more when we are lost and broken.Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01287890951624330849noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557719621411312017.post-34494820001443691502012-04-17T17:04:21.105-04:002012-04-17T17:04:21.105-04:00Honey...I used to be ashamed of my tears, til I re...Honey...I used to be ashamed of my tears, til I realized they were a ministry both to me and to Christ. Remember when Mary of Bethany came and ministered to Jesus annointing him with the expensive oils and her tears? And how Jesus praised her for that...because she was really the only one who was in-tune with his heart at that time?<br />That being said, it's MORE that ok to weep during worship: tears are a form of worship in addition to be a release and a form of healing. You just let them go and let the worship of others around the throne comfort you and let Jesus reach down and comfort you. One of the things I love best about our God is that he is "a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief" (Is 53:3). <br />I am so grateful for Books in the Bible like Isaiah and Psalms and Lamentations~they are full of mourning and grief: showing us a God who understands our deepest emotions. <br />I don't know about you, but for some reason I am oddly comforted by quotes I run across...maybe because it's nice to find others who understand how I feel. So here are 3 of my favorite ones on tears.<br />Love you, Jill. I think you are very brave!!!!<br />XOXO~Mary<br /><br />“The Bible was written in tears and to tears it yields its best treasures.” ~ A.W. Tozer <br /><br />“Whenever you find tears in your eyes, especially unexpected tears, it is well to pay closest attention. They are not only telling you something about the secret of who you are, but more often than not God is speaking to you through them of the mystery of where you have come from and is summoning you to where, if your soul is to be saved, you should go next.” ~ Frederick Buechner, Whistling in the Dark<br /><br />“The closet communion with God comes, I believe, through the sacrament of tears. Just as grapes are crushed to make wine, and grain to make bread, so the elements of this sacrament come from the crushing experiences of life.” ~ Ken Gire, Windows of the SoulAuntie Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06610977491641901739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557719621411312017.post-31847697747312805562012-04-17T13:35:36.054-04:002012-04-17T13:35:36.054-04:00I am glad you have found a church that is a safe p...I am glad you have found a church that is a safe place for you to heal. Recently, one of my friend's mom moved in with her. I have been getting to know Betty and have learned some things about her that I would like to share with you, hopefully to encourage you. Several years ago she divorced her husband, who is a pastor. Her reasons are godly and I will leave it at that. However, she still went through a mourning process when she went to church (not the one he pastored). She told me that for the first six months straight after her divorce she balled her eyes out at church. EVERY Sunday she would sit in the pew and cry through the whole worship set and sometimes the sermon. She felt awkward at doing this but refused to stay away from church because she knew she had to persevere in her faith. The one thing that stuck with me the most is when she told me "it took a long time and a lot of tears but God healed my heart and I eventually cried less and less until it stopped." <br />My point, persevere, the healing is still happening (as you know), there will be a day when you won't cry at church. When? Only God knows. I look forward to hearing (or reading) about that day in the future. I know that if you stick to it, that day will come. Blessings.Bethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07687190167879947372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557719621411312017.post-2958715745727678562012-04-17T13:09:06.777-04:002012-04-17T13:09:06.777-04:00Jill, I'm so excited for yet another new chapt...Jill, I'm so excited for yet another new chapter in life for you. Life for you and in you is forever changed, the good and the bad. I hope thru this pastor and God's love that you can get answers to questions/feelings. I miss you. Life is too busy. We need to schedule a time to get together! Tons of love and hugs to you, Shane and the little ones!leahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17457023356420637958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557719621411312017.post-64878196877861012912012-04-17T08:58:18.005-04:002012-04-17T08:58:18.005-04:00You just explained my feelings about faith and chu...You just explained my feelings about faith and church to a "T". I've been more involved in church since I lost my son, but it's because I've been searching for answers, which obviously aren't going to be answered. I question God's existence, but at the same time, I have to believe he's real and that I WILL see my son again.<br /><br />(((HUGS)))Ashley Quarleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12649907814487220886noreply@blogger.com