Watching that made me think of my relationship with my creator. I don't go to church any more. Too many years of too much dissension among those who should be focusing on things other than what someone else isn't doing right. I found t difficult to have a peaceful relationship with God in such an environment, so I left and began reading and learning about all kinds of religions. What I found is that formal religion just doesn't work for me. Does that mean I "gave up" on God? Oh, far from it.
I've learned some pretty wonderful things in many religions that I incorporated into my own spiritual path. It is, perhaps, an odd mix, but it is all based in the love of God and in my understanding of the fabulous world he has give us. I see the world as a reminder of that relationship, and it is a daily blessing for me.
A while back I wrote about it. I posted a poem this morning on If Only I Could Find My Pen ..... When I reread it this morning, I felt a wonderful calm.
.... Life is beautiful !!!!
I agree. My life is so much more peaceful without the church. Outside the limits of "the church" opportunities to find God are limitless.
ReplyDeleteAmen, sister. Been there, done exactly that.
ReplyDeleteLinda, your last sentence is spot on.
ReplyDeleteMeowmomma, I'm guessing in your travels, you've been in a few spots like my poem describes .... free of man-made lights and most man-made clutter. It rocks, doesn't it?
BTW, my spam-guard keep throwing your comments into my spam folder. I suspect it thinks "Meowmomma" sounds like a, ahem, porno site. LOL!!!
Your poem is wonderful~ and it does have a calming affect. It's so true ... what's in your heart and the relationship that YOU alone KNOW what your relationship is with God. How can one not believe in God when we see all the wonderful things that He has done on a daily basis? We need only to open our eyes and hearts to see.
ReplyDeleteMel, thanks. Open eyes and open hearts, the key to peace, for sure.
ReplyDeleteI know that I was here and commented this morning. Then I lost my internet connection. I guess my comment went along with it!
ReplyDeleteAnyway Lyn I just said that your post reminded me of something my mom used to tell me when I was a young girl. We traveled quite a bit back then. Mom would always say that it wasn't so important that we went to church as God was everywhere that we went.
Funny now that I am a church secretary, I do see all of the politics that go on behind the scenes. I used to be quite involved in it, serving many different offices. I got very tired of it. So now I just do my job and enjoy Sunday service. Our Pastor is very good at what he does. I ignore everything else. Some people would probably say that isn't right to do. But I look at it this way, I go to service to refresh my spiritual soul. The rest I have left behind.
Love Di ♥
Di, someday I'll share with you the some of the "behind the scenes" events I experienced. Gah. I'm glad your pastor is a good one. That makes all the difference in the world.
ReplyDeleteI think your mom was very smart. :)
As you know, I'm very involved in our church, even working in the office during the week. Does that mean I don't agree with you? NO!! lol
ReplyDeleteAs you say, it's a personal journey for each of us. For me there is something about corporate worship that feeds my soul. Of course, I can and do worship God on my own, too. But when I'm with others I can gain insight that I maybe wouldn't have thought of before. Then again, sometimes I have to just ignore said "insight" because it's nothing but narrow-minded ignorance.
But also, I want to make a difference. So I work with women and try my hardest to make them see how loved they are by God. And if God loves them then they must be awesome creatures, don't you think? We attend a large church which gives me the opportunity to reach a lot of women.
Our church isn't perfect - far from it. Simply because it's made up of humans. Some I mostly agree with, some I mostly disagree with. Some I like, some I don't. lol But it's so much better than some of the legalistic, dogmatic, judgmental places I've been - places that were that way because of the teachings of the church.
All that said, I totally understand your position. I've never believed I had to be IN church to worship God. I just choose to. That's all.:)
Oh, Jen, I get it. And I think you understand I'm not saying there aren't good people in churches, but over time, the "few bad apples" just made me realize that I needed to put space there. I'm a silly goose who has trouble believing that everyone isn't as trusting and accepting as I am, so it shatters me when someone behaves in a hurtful way. Even if it means they tell me I'm wrong in my faith!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you are able to do what you are. We should all be doing something that makes our lives worth while and help us be c.l.o.s.e.r to others. When I get shoved away, I take it hard. So, you hang in there and fight for us both, OK? :)
OK! :)
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