tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post7173321849305452966..comments2024-03-27T19:04:31.290-05:00Comments on The Amazing Trips: soul food: finding the faithThe Amazing Tripshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13761348688069779544noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-28397594005956531572009-11-12T08:28:28.614-06:002009-11-12T08:28:28.614-06:00Okay, I am trying to catch up ~ been out of the lo...Okay, I am trying to catch up ~ been out of the loop for a couple of weeks even on my own blog. <br /><br />But I have to stop here. <br /><br />Couple of Points: <br /><br />1) At my father's funeral ~ No one cared you went to communion ~ that is between you and God. <br /><br />2.) Your Catholic friend who is not a Christen but Catholic...She is missing something BIG time. <br /><br />3.) Jesus is not and has never been lost. <br /><br />4.) God does love everyone.<br /><br />5.) If I were Jewish I think I would be offended. <br /><br />6.) Church IS for sinners! No one knows what they are doing. Most poeple just go and try and try again...<br /><br />7.) Understanding your faith makes you realize "You" ((not you personally...but the person in general)) has a lot of work to do. <br /><br />Interpreting the Bible???....Stick to fund raising and raising kids...Your better at that.<br /><br />I love you Jen!!! Keep thinking, bring your kids up in a faith is very important...It does not have to be Catholic...don't feel bad about that ~ your doing a wonderful job with your family and WE are ALL so very proud of you. <br /><br />Love, LisaLisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04395804927366343180noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-20329493954640058492009-11-11T21:47:54.629-06:002009-11-11T21:47:54.629-06:00Michelle - the 80% statistic was quoted in church....Michelle - the 80% statistic was quoted in church. I haven't looked it up to confirm - but when I take a random sampling of 10 people that I know, I'm fairly certain only 2 of them went to church this weekend. So, that number doesn't seem too far off to me. <br /><br />I'm going to check out the link that you sent...The Amazing Tripshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13761348688069779544noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-63302636388735143902009-11-11T15:01:48.417-06:002009-11-11T15:01:48.417-06:00"(It's important to point out here, that ..."(It's important to point out here, that after one lap around the park, Carolyn decided that she needed her training wheels back ON.)"<br /><br />Why dontcha try just moovin them up a bit, but leavin them on? They will still catch her if she goes too far over, but will help her learn to balance. <br /><br />Then you can try takin ONE off, and leavin the other on. I have seen it work on kid's bikes around the neighborhood here.<br /><br />~Helpful ~Cindy! :)<br />..CindyBradyToohhttp://myspace.com/cindybradytoohnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-10009077601506500772009-11-11T06:07:51.175-06:002009-11-11T06:07:51.175-06:0080%? Where did you get that? Being a statistics ...80%? Where did you get that? Being a statistics person, that intrigued me so I did a little leg work. Though there are many polls, none that I found were anywhere near that statistic. Here's one of the worst, perhaps it due to it's leftish side, but again, no where near 80%: http://abcnews.go.com/sections/us/DailyNews/church_poll020301.html<br /><br />Interesting statistics though!<br /><br />MichelleAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-70901249210691549682009-11-10T22:08:06.509-06:002009-11-10T22:08:06.509-06:00No wonder Charlie puts up with you..you're fli...No wonder Charlie puts up with you..you're flippin' funny. I really need to not be anon. any more; I want to be your friend. You had me at the one about flushing the toilet.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-75326841444865644362009-11-10T17:42:28.797-06:002009-11-10T17:42:28.797-06:00About not receiving communion in the Catholic Chur...About not receiving communion in the Catholic Church if you don't practice....I am not supposed to receive either. I married a man who has been married before (in the Catholic Church) and the marriage was not annulled. We spoke to our priest before we got married and he told us that as a matter of practice, we were not "supposed" to receive Communion. He ALSO said, that hopefully that will change someday, but as of right now...<br /><br />But, I take Communion every Sunday. In the end, that is between me and God. No one in my church judges me...not even the priest. I think he "gets" it. <br /><br />I sort of feel at times that it is as simple as this. We NEED to believe in something. We, as humans, NEED a fundamental belief that there is something bigger than ourselves. There is no church that is perfect, and I don't believe that God ever intended for us to be perfect. That is where Jesus comes in. Of course we will have our doubts, but God loves us anyway. (doubting Thomas) <br /><br />We NEED to believe. As the saying goes...You've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything.....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-79356171850678935682009-11-10T10:35:38.664-06:002009-11-10T10:35:38.664-06:00Everything I've always been taught in Catholic...Everything I've always been taught in Catholic schools was that once the Catholic church lays claim to you through baptism, they ALWAYS consider you one of them. So if you've had the sacrament of First Communion, you should always be welcome to take communion at church.<br /><br />Non-Catholics are not supposed to take communion, but most priests won't turn them away. My non-Catholic mother often takes communion when she goes to a Catholic church for a special occassion, even though she sees the host as representative as Jesus' body. It's still a meaningful act to her, even if it doesn't mean exactly what the Catholic Church believes it means. <br /><br />And in my not-really-Catholic-but-supposed-to-be mind, that personal relationship with God and doing things that are meaningful to that relationship is far more important than centuries-old rituals.Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11657949678045458231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-5911556285284364442009-11-09T23:17:06.231-06:002009-11-09T23:17:06.231-06:00Anon @ 8:56: I totally made it through your entire...Anon @ 8:56: I totally made it through your entire comment and really appreciate your thoughts.<br /><br />Regarding your opinion that there just doesn't seem to be much room for independent thinking in church, I agree. Unless, of course, it's a Unitarian church which I think might be a GREAT choice for you and your husband, right now. (I love, love the Unitarians.) <br /><br />All in all, we've gained so much from our church and although I may not agree with EVERYTHING, I agree with the BULK of it and to me, at this point in my life, that's enough.The Amazing Tripshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13761348688069779544noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-26580865172512063232009-11-09T22:56:37.717-06:002009-11-09T22:56:37.717-06:00I've been longing for a discussion forum latel...I've been longing for a discussion forum lately and this is about as close as I can get. Would love to be in a room with you all. I was raised catholic (as was my husband). I never questioned things all that much until he experienced severe depression and sought counseling. Part of his issue at that time was fear of dying. His counselor told him he must figure out what death meeans to him. So he started asking others, including me. It was like that one question sort of called into question everything I thought I believed in, and I can't explain it. Such a simple question. So he has concluded he's an agnostic, and unfortunately, I feel more and more like one. Jen, I want to thank you for this post. I can so relate to the the God vs. Jesus thing...I have noticed the same in myself and felt alone in that. We stopped going to church when the pastor felt it necessary to put down Mormons and hold Satan accountable for nearly everything it seemed. I had a real dislike for the parishoners use of the word "unchurched" as in "people who are unchurched." Well I'm sure I was one of those people as prior to that we had not been to one in a few years. That term bothers me to no end and makes me want to run for the exit. Barring some unforseen revelation, my husband will not return to a church (wait-he believes in God, but not Jesus-maybe that's not agnostic) and I doubt that I will either partly because I will not go without him. It saddens me to think that our kids will not be raised in a church, but frankly I don't feel I belong. One last point, if you've made it this far. Some people, our former pastor included, sometimes say that you either believe all of the bible or you believe Jesus is a liar. I don't see how that has to be the case. What about the possiblity that humans, somewhere along the lines, got it wrong? That some of it is true. I personally believe some people like the comfort of believing "it's all true." Leaves much less to the imagination, less doubt. But to each his own...there just doesn't seem to be much room for independent thinking in church. I am glad you found one you are so comfortable with.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-45784446024295683982009-11-09T22:31:10.085-06:002009-11-09T22:31:10.085-06:00It just cracks me up how much Carolyn and Sarah ar...It just cracks me up how much Carolyn and Sarah are alike. Gregory and Amanda, the waifs, got on the bike and floated off. Sarah had a much harder time finding her balance. It took her almost six months longer to get it. <br /><br />Carolyn is SO TALL. Sarah is so tall. 98th percentile. I've told you before, STOP COPYING ME.Michele Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15061520456909635254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-83831056258351438832009-11-09T22:05:27.383-06:002009-11-09T22:05:27.383-06:00Anon 9:43:
UGHHH.... I really don't want to ...Anon 9:43: <br /><br />UGHHH.... I really don't want to be characterized as "pro-choice" because I really don't think that I am. I definitely do not belong to the camp that a woman can do whatever she wants with her body because it is HER choice. I've already gone in to this - at great length - and I don't want to do it again here, because it's too draining. Suffice to say - at least to me, this is NOT a black or white issue. <br /><br />But your question was why was it wrong for me to receive communion at the Catholic church? <br /><br />Because I am not a practicing Catholic. And Catholics believe that communion is LITERALLY the body of Christ. If you are not a practicing Catholic, you SHOULD NOT receive communion. Period. <br /><br />In contrast, at our church, communion is offered as a SYMBOL of Christ. Everyone in the congregation who feels moved by the Spirit is invited to accept communion in remembrance and to accept God in to themselves. <br /><br />It's a totally different philosophy, and yet - it makes me laugh because ultimately? It's all about Christianity. Still, I was wrong and shouldn't have done it. Since my mother was sitting next to me, I blame her that she didn't stop me before I walked up to the altar....!The Amazing Tripshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13761348688069779544noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-28306025425208369282009-11-09T21:59:08.313-06:002009-11-09T21:59:08.313-06:00I struggle with the idea of "finding a church...I struggle with the idea of "finding a church that fits you." Yes, I believe that you must find a church in which you feel fed spiritually, but a church should be teaching the truth of the Holy Bible and the truth of Jesus Christ as the Son of God.<br /><br />There is no picking and choosing what parts of the Bible to believe in because they work well for your family. That would be like people picking out which parts of history they believe in because it's just what they want to believe. The Bible is a historical account of what has come to pass. <br /><br />The truth is, Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and no man comes to the Father but by Him. It is through faith that one believes.<br /><br />Although I am a Christian, I would never beat someone over the head to make them believe as I believe.(Even though sometimes I would love to do this to my Jewish husband!) <br /><br />I try,(and fail often), to live a life so that others can see joy in me. It is through this example that others are won to Christ. Bible thumping is a TOTAL turn-off, and I understand that!<br /><br />With that...I'll sign off!kamahiclanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09904378870002585528noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-14502625293698156022009-11-09T21:46:25.501-06:002009-11-09T21:46:25.501-06:00theagnosticswife: My opinion is that I don't k...theagnosticswife: My opinion is that I don't know why there is so much hurt in the world and sometimes I, too, have doubts as to whether or not "God" exists. As I've said on more than one occasion, I don't believe everything that I read in the Bible - because although I believe it is an excellent guide book, I do not take it (all) as God's absolute word. <br /><br />For as many times as I see glimpses that God doesn't exist, I see just as many - plus one - that He does. And whenever I have those nagging doubts, I fall back on Albert Einstein's words: <br /><br />"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though NOTHING is a miracle. The other is as though EVERYTHING is a miracle."<br /><br />Although I may not understand everything (or believe everything that I read), my belief is that God is GOOD and when I believe in that, I believe that I have a purpose in my life to be the best person that I can be.The Amazing Tripshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13761348688069779544noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-16822197813526539262009-11-09T21:43:03.076-06:002009-11-09T21:43:03.076-06:00Anonymous 6:15
The acts of the sinful nature are ...Anonymous 6:15<br /><br />The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery, idolatry and witch craft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. <br />Galatians 5: 19-21.<br /><br />If we are going to label homosexuality under "sexual immorality" then we must also cast judgment on those of us who ever engage in hatred, fits of rage, selfishness and envy. <br /><br />It seems many of us all have a "pet sin" that we love to hate, but we forget that most of us are guilty of one sin or another every waking moment. <br /><br />If my neighbor is cheating on her husband, is she a worse sinner than I when I envy my sister's new home? Selfishly, I'd like to think so, but I believe the Bible says we are the same.HWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09260566913424446132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-62592386349852402962009-11-09T21:04:18.861-06:002009-11-09T21:04:18.861-06:00Tell me in your opinion, what is one supposed to d...Tell me in your opinion, what is one supposed to do who, all her life believed, had no doubts and just took what the Bible as their guide for life. What is this person supposed to do when she begins to realize that none of it may be true and that religion is made up by humans for humans. Sure it helps us in our times of need, but I'm beginning to think God is NOT there and he does not answer our prayers. There is too much hurt in the world, too much hurt for a God who is supposed to LOVE us like we love our own children. We would NEVER let our children hurt like that if we had the power to stop it and God is supposed to. I am so confused and angry about it at times it's not funny.theagnosticswifehttp://www.theagnosticswife.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-31871798964351571892009-11-09T20:15:43.210-06:002009-11-09T20:15:43.210-06:00I am not one to judge people, but the gay issue re...I am not one to judge people, but the gay issue really makes my blood boil. Do you know what happened in the Old Testament? Like it or not... it is wrong according to the Bible. It seems like people only believe the parts of the Bible they want to believe.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-400854948204842912009-11-09T19:39:20.442-06:002009-11-09T19:39:20.442-06:00Jen as you know I'm glad you found a church an...Jen as you know I'm glad you found a church and it serves you well. However, if you or your readers are interested in finding out answers to why "Catholics do that" and therefore better understand the faith of your large and devout Catholic family - visit these websites: <br /><br />www.catholic.com<br /> www.ewtn.com/vexperts/conference.htm <br /><br />or <br /><br />www.amerciancatholic.org<br /><br />Hope it helps. Marg.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-69360728908088716992009-11-09T19:11:08.714-06:002009-11-09T19:11:08.714-06:00I found a church I love. I wasn't raised in c...I found a church I love. I wasn't raised in church. I found that I loved church, just this past June. But I'm married to a man, a great man that doesn't believe in God. I think he has this picture in his head like you said...walking into church and getting hit in the head with a bible, and having someone tell you if you do this or that, your wrong and a bad person. That's what he sees, because it is like that in so many places. <br />I quit going to church for my husband as weird as that may sound. But he will never go, and we do things as a family...maybe someday.<br />I love your blog. I never comment, but I wanted to tell you that I love it, and your family is amazing, and so are you.Christinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03133112426691403173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-69138702996548626132009-11-09T18:12:03.836-06:002009-11-09T18:12:03.836-06:00Love these posts Jen. I love that you can talk re...Love these posts Jen. I love that you can talk religion without trying to sell it to anyone else. We are in very similar boats here.Just Vegashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09851077598314983920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-20680479183973430602009-11-09T14:59:54.122-06:002009-11-09T14:59:54.122-06:00I read your blog often but don't comment often...I read your blog often but don't comment often. Religion is something that strikes a conversation! <br /><br />I was born and raised Catholic. I didn't go to Catholic school but we didn't miss church much when we were small and I am trying to raise my children the same way. <br /><br />That being said, I have not followed all the "rules" of the Catholic church. I have been in many conversations with people who ridicule Catholics and what they believe. (most just don't understand..and that's okay...but before making judgement, I wish they would open their minds and not be so judgemental..) I digress...<br /><br />Here's the thing for ME. I have been very fortunate to have many many good Catholic priests/nuns/etc, around me. They have been very good and NON judgemental people themselves. I haven't been in church where the homily was about people being damned to hell for not following the rules of the Catholic church. In fact two of the churches that I have attended have welcomed other churches to use our facility for their own worship service in times of need. <br /><br />My take on religion: Here is a set of standards set before you for you to aspire to. Those standards do NOT include things of judgement. They do include The 10 Commandments. Other churches speckle other standards here and there. The journey of religion helps us aspire to those standards, and teaches us that we WILL fail, but God/Jesus is there to help us along the way and will love us unconditionally. <br /><br />It's very very easy for people to judge what churches want them to be or not to be and get angry and say that "churches aren't keeping up with modern society." Well, no one said you HAVE to live within the standards of one church or another. But, some of us try. And, hopefully, that alone will make this world a better place.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-44711764675879564882009-11-09T14:32:53.533-06:002009-11-09T14:32:53.533-06:00I think this is just great. I love to hear your po...I think this is just great. I love to hear your posts about church, partly because your struggles are similar to mine and partly because I'm so impressed that you've found a place that seems to be a good fit.<br /><br />I have not had the time or energy to find a church that would be the best fit for me and my husband, who was raised in a very different denomination than I was. However, we live in the same area where I grew up, so I/we simply go back to the church I grew up going to where my parents still go (and where we got married). <br /><br />I would love to really look around and find a church that fits us (if you have any tips, I would LOVE to hear them). But right now, it's more important that we are going (though not every week), getting the children used to going and hearing good sermons from a thoughtful priest. Some day, we'll find the right atmosphere in addition to a good message.caramamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02327695885346537321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-83134993982735309892009-11-09T13:37:30.325-06:002009-11-09T13:37:30.325-06:00Great post! I want to find a church I can feel co...Great post! I want to find a church I can feel comfortable in. Still searching...Erikahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03863461381473308483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-58722906697364697182009-11-09T13:10:49.284-06:002009-11-09T13:10:49.284-06:00I just want to say...
"WAY TO GO!! STICK WITH...I just want to say...<br />"WAY TO GO!! STICK WITH IT!!"<br />Being a Christian takes work and commitment. And I bet if you really talk to those people who always seem to know what to do when/what to say when during a service, quote scripture, are filled with the spirit...they will tell you they work at their faith every day. And it is SOOO WORTH IT! Cause like you say, every day you are running with a superhero beside you and one day...you'll be with him always.<br /><br />Really...Way to go!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-8856015646910605452009-11-09T12:02:01.264-06:002009-11-09T12:02:01.264-06:00I am going to tell Uncle Bernie and Aunt Ann on yo...I am going to tell Uncle Bernie and Aunt Ann on you.Aunt Gracenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-17511224597754744712009-11-09T11:43:59.160-06:002009-11-09T11:43:59.160-06:00Love this quote: " . . . we've had such ...Love this quote: " . . . we've had such an incredible time splashing around the shallow end of Christianity . . . "<br /><br />But I want to know why it was wrong for you to take communion? Does it have anything to do with being pro-choice?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com