Like you, I have also abandoned religion and consider myself spiritual. I left for a couple reasons, one of which was the lack of support from my church when I needed them most. I also left because of the Catholic pedophilia crisis. As priest's names were coming out in the news, I was shocked that I knew quite a few of them. I was appalled that they were hurting children practically right in front of us. The church went out of their way to protect them by moving them around instead of filing police reports. I just can't even consider being a part of that hypocrisy.
Yes. I felt completely abandoned when my brain tumor returned. It seemed as if no one in this 1700 family-member parish was even praying for me. For three years they watched as my husband helped me walk up to receive the Eucharist and not one person asked me about it. The "cover-up" behavior you mention happened in many protestant churches as well. I know a girl (now a woman) who was raped by a youth leader and all the church asked him to do was apologize. He didn't even lose his job.
Great post. Well written, encouraging and inspiring in trusting in God.
Really appreciate you putting this out there for us to appreciate that the hand of God is not always evident in the first instance, but can take time. And God will be constantly testing and trying us to perfect us in his way and in his life.
Paul is a great example of this life of trial and difficulty, but learnt the lesson "when I am weak then I am strong"
He too suffered trials that would not go away:
For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
(2Cor 12:8-10)
God tests us individually for us to be made into the elements of his great spiritual temple.
Your example is an inspiration, akin to those in Hebrews 11, for you have grown and will continue to grow as you are grafted into the vine of Christ.
Yes….so true! I wish pastors taught more on the natural experiencing of suffering. Coming to belief in the midst of the “faith” movement when “name it, claim” was the charge made it hard to understand. Thanks for reading and commenting! It means a lot!
There are many false teachers, who teach for their own gain not to help anyone else!
"If anyone teaches otherwise, and does not consent to wholesome words (those of our Lord Jesus Christ), and to the doctrine according to godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing. He is sick concerning doubts and arguments, from which comes envy, strife, evil speaking, evil suspicions, meddling, of men whose minds have been corrupted and deprived of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness.
Withdraw from such.
But godliness with contentment is great gain.
For we brought nothing into the world, and it is clear that we can carry nothing out.
But having food and clothing, we will be content.
(1Timothy 6:3-8)
A nice house to live in would be good too, but food and clothing is a good start!!
Like you, I have also abandoned religion and consider myself spiritual. I left for a couple reasons, one of which was the lack of support from my church when I needed them most. I also left because of the Catholic pedophilia crisis. As priest's names were coming out in the news, I was shocked that I knew quite a few of them. I was appalled that they were hurting children practically right in front of us. The church went out of their way to protect them by moving them around instead of filing police reports. I just can't even consider being a part of that hypocrisy.
Yes. I felt completely abandoned when my brain tumor returned. It seemed as if no one in this 1700 family-member parish was even praying for me. For three years they watched as my husband helped me walk up to receive the Eucharist and not one person asked me about it. The "cover-up" behavior you mention happened in many protestant churches as well. I know a girl (now a woman) who was raped by a youth leader and all the church asked him to do was apologize. He didn't even lose his job.
Grrr. So upsetting all the way around.
Yep!
Thanks Linda
Great post. Well written, encouraging and inspiring in trusting in God.
Really appreciate you putting this out there for us to appreciate that the hand of God is not always evident in the first instance, but can take time. And God will be constantly testing and trying us to perfect us in his way and in his life.
Paul is a great example of this life of trial and difficulty, but learnt the lesson "when I am weak then I am strong"
He too suffered trials that would not go away:
For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
(2Cor 12:8-10)
God tests us individually for us to be made into the elements of his great spiritual temple.
Your example is an inspiration, akin to those in Hebrews 11, for you have grown and will continue to grow as you are grafted into the vine of Christ.
Yes….so true! I wish pastors taught more on the natural experiencing of suffering. Coming to belief in the midst of the “faith” movement when “name it, claim” was the charge made it hard to understand. Thanks for reading and commenting! It means a lot!
There are many false teachers, who teach for their own gain not to help anyone else!
"If anyone teaches otherwise, and does not consent to wholesome words (those of our Lord Jesus Christ), and to the doctrine according to godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing. He is sick concerning doubts and arguments, from which comes envy, strife, evil speaking, evil suspicions, meddling, of men whose minds have been corrupted and deprived of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness.
Withdraw from such.
But godliness with contentment is great gain.
For we brought nothing into the world, and it is clear that we can carry nothing out.
But having food and clothing, we will be content.
(1Timothy 6:3-8)
A nice house to live in would be good too, but food and clothing is a good start!!