Category: Let's talk
Hi everybody.
I want you all to know that I just started going to church on a regular basis. I find that it's important to keep going, so that you can make lots of friends and have god in your life. It seems that there are quite a lot of people that enjoy going and that's good. My sister does and I'm quite glad.
Hi Jamie, I am thinking about going back to church. I used to when I was younger but stoped because nobody in my family goes. I have heard people say you can make friends in church. But there are some things I am worried about, I have a guide dog and he doesn't like inclosed spaces also I am not sure how to start becoming a good Cathlic again. Do I just walk in to church or should I see somebody first. Maybe this would help my depression.
That's good to hear, Jamie; I've never been to church but lately I've been thinking of going just to see how it is. I hear the hymns are a powerful thing to experience. I'm afraid I might burn up the very second I step in the door. I think it's good to explore things that have to do with spirituality. Good luck!
...>>*sending a cyber space truckLoad of 500,000,000 Tons of ICE to Raskolnikov*<<... I guess it would depend on the type of church you attend as to whether the ice melts or not...
You do realize that some of the most beautiful and cherished of hymns can be purchased by way of a CD and the like... smiles ~ Gentle Hug of encouragement ~
What a wonderful topic.
Church brings us closer to the things we don't understand, and gives us the strength to go on.
At least, that's how I see it.
Bob
If your worried about your guide dog then don't bring him to church? It's not like you'd be leavingt him at home all day every day it'd be once maybe twice a week.
Actually, You wouldn't have to worry, depending on how big your church is. Its not enclosed, rather some churches are big. Congrats!!! That is awesome. I agree, you should find a church home that your happy with and keep going in order not only to be uplifted, but to build up and encourage others. Not only to receive, but to give to God.
Lelia
Congrats on going to church! Michelle, I agree with the last post. The dog will do fine in church. Maybe you can find a place to sit where he/she can spread out a little. You will find, as I'm sure you already have, that the dog can be a bridge between you and others, which will help you socially, and will as a result, be another way of keeping those depression deamonds at bey. Lou
Bob. Shouldn't a human being find the strength within themselves to go on, without leaning on religion.
Goblin: I don't mean to meddle but my ipinion is that most people who turn to religion do so because there are certain things in this life that are just too much for them. Think about it for a second, two mothers who suffer the same tragedy of losing a child to a freak accident will respond in one of two ways: one will turn to god in her despair for comfort, the other will conclude in her anger that there is no god. This has been going on for ages now. There comes a point in every person's life where their mortality is something they can't surrender to and so they cry out to a higher power to make sense of what they can't comprehend or of perceived injustices. They can't accept simple answers to the big questions.
I remember reading an article once about a surgeon who endured many sleepless nights because the terminally ill patients he was treating kept asking him for answers about the afterlife, questions for which he had no answer. I think he started the first class to help surgeons deal with such issues because in hospitals, where the sick and the dying are at the mercy of the doctors, religion apparently imposes itself upon those who can't go quietly into that dark night.
I think it's good to find strength within ourselves to deal with what we can handle, but what about the things that are out of our control? How much trust would you be willing to place in another mortal's hands if your life depended on it? Most of us will probably never encounter such a predicament, but for those who do, it's better I think that they lean on religion rather than lean on a temporary fix such as drugs, or some other type of unproductive lifestyle, because in the end, we all resort to depending on something outside of ourselves, be it family members, religion, drugs, etc.
goblin, this is the religion board. why can't you keep your opinions to yourself sometimes if they're always so negative! *grr
woops, not the religion board, but you know what I mean. still why do bashers need to come on and ruin it for everyone? We are entitled to our own beliefs and discussions without constantly bringing others down don't you think?
Raskolnikov has already said everything I wanted to say, and much more eloquently than I could have done. So...I will just second his post, and offer my best wishes to the creator of this board. I hope you find what you're looking for in church. Cheers.
...to rdfreak,
interesting your comments...
I could talk a book full, no probably a few and will spare you the 8,000 Characters ... anyhow Goblin is not so far off base as you give him credit for...
In my opinion and note this is My opinion and not his as Goblin is well cable to speak for himself...
In my thots, there is a strength within that needs to be found or rather I will say, can be found and for me as I have sought, you know, searched out and reached out for...some might say this is prayer, others might say meditation or contemplating, anyhow, reaching out beyond myself, beyond my own weak and tiresome moments and trust me there have been my share and a plenty and I will spare you the long story of it all...only to say that in the delving deeper within I have found peace in the mist of turmoil (though sometimes it seems forever and a few days to find and sometimes yet in certain areas the searching ever…ever…. ever… ever is continuing and ongoing...Call this what is found,Strength-in-the-midst-of-Weakness, yes and, A Higher Power, The Great Spirit of The Skye (Native American Indian Beliefs ~ Spirituality) The TriuneGod, The Giver of Life.. well, Thankful within my inner spirit, my soul perhaps one would say..
In Swahili I would give Praise unto... Mungu.
"Kabidhi A Baraka & Kuwa A Baraka" ~~~Translated ~~~ "Receive A Blessing & Be A Blessing"
To me finding strength within religion well, it is not the religion, the church building, the oh this is so hard to explain for yes, there is a need I have found to look deep within… not to the building no matter how nice it is and I am not knocking going to church or temple or what term anyone wants to give… it is just that finding inner strength can be found right where we are finding ourselves, in the moments present that are now passing… The Journey Continues..
Just some personal Thots, Connie ~ Grace
here here, goblin!
I have yet to meet a christian who had an adequate level of self esteem or self belief.
Goblin, I have yet to meet a human who had an adequate level of self esteem or self belief. No matter how strong we think we are, there's always something to bring us down.
To put it another way: "pride goeth before the fall."
I rejoyce when another person finds a way to get the strength to continue this combative arena we call existence.
Just my thoughts.
Bob
... in quote marks are said, ...
..."pride goeth before the fall."
Referencing I have found/located is from Proverbs 3 and 18:
"Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."
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whilest a favorite statement/Proverb of mine can be located at 3 and 24:
Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones."
Connie ~ Grace
You just have mate. I accepted this person long ago, and I can live happily with myself, and I've fallen many tims and got straight back up again.
Goblin, congrats. Hope you keep it up.
Bob
I intend to for my family cheers man. smile
Good evening Michelle. In regards to enclosed spaces, the dog should have no problem. There is plenty of space under the shairs, piews and whatever else they might use for the dog to either slip under and definately lots of area for him or her to see around and not feel enclosed. I presently am serving as the sound tech at my church and previously served as a bass player at my previous church. There has always been lots of space for the dog and also you will find people more then eager to make appropriate room for your furry friend. Warning: the creature is definately in danger of one thing. an over abundance of love and affection which he/she will sincerely enjoy. I willl relate one story. I had a dog that started barking at a church play. after he jumpped on my shoulders and was able to see what the banging was he immediately stopped and returned to his place. Dogs do like to see things and some get a little insecure if they hear a sounds and can't see waht it is. So, keep your shoulders available for your furry friend when the large loud pipe organ starts playing. He might want to have a look. Have a great newyear and bring that critter to church.
I wish I could find a church that spoke, really spoke to me.
Sadly, I'm afraid that I'm too disilusioned with religion as a whole. I used to be a catholic, a very good one, but my last church experience was so depressing, or more accurately it didn't speak to me... at all, so I don't think that's for me.
I attended an Evangelical Free church a few times with a friend of mine. It was very welcoming, sincere, and really seemed to speak to me. However, the people seemed to be both religiously and politically concervative. I'm very liberal, and I think that's my biggest problem. Within Christianity, I've yet to find a church that speaks to me and is as theologically/politically liberal as I'd like. I could hide my liberalism while attending church, but that's not fair to me or the rest of my fellow church goers.
I know, I could branch out of Christianity, but that seems to speak the most strongly to me. I've looked at Unitarian Universalism a few times, and that intrigues me. If we have any UU's on this website, I'd be curious to hear, straight from the horses mouth as it were, their impressions of a UU community. Especially if they come from another religion before hand. Comparisons are my friends.
I'm done, now.
try a Methodist or Episcopal congregation, some of them seem to be fairly liberal.
also might want to look at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
i'm with you on this one goblin! it's sad that people lean on religion, and can't find the inner strength within themselves.
I think it isimportant to both find strength within ourselves nd in religion. I don't have ayone in y family willing to take e to church.