tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5399144105813088630.comments2012-10-19T14:55:44.603-07:00Charity. Mercy. Restraint.S.Z.B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01237269730816170413noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5399144105813088630.post-29709418727247515842012-10-19T14:55:44.603-07:002012-10-19T14:55:44.603-07:00Thank you!Thank you!S.Z.B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/01237269730816170413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5399144105813088630.post-13475481940996014942012-10-19T07:55:54.356-07:002012-10-19T07:55:54.356-07:00Many, many congratulations. Many, many congratulations. Michael Mockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06233321050691782148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5399144105813088630.post-42957258107779140952012-07-03T09:38:54.271-07:002012-07-03T09:38:54.271-07:00I hope Sara recovers quickly, and I'm glad to ...I hope Sara recovers quickly, and I'm glad to see that you're still around. Let me know if there's anything I can do to help.Michael Mockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06233321050691782148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5399144105813088630.post-91043793710830461682012-04-21T20:31:45.258-07:002012-04-21T20:31:45.258-07:00Oh boy, THIS conversation. It's amazing to me ...Oh boy, THIS conversation. It's amazing to me the reactions I have to questions like "Do you attend church?" It's a salt-in-wound question and my first instinct is to brush it aside, shut it down in some over-harsh way that I don't really mean, but I am tired of having to answer. <br /><br />I compare other things that want more of my time than I am comfortable giving to "church", mostly because of the time I felt I needed to devote to church in college. I am not a roller derby girl because it's three hours of practice 3x a week. I stopped volunteering at my local radio station because I was overwhelmed at having to review 10 cds a week. <br /><br />Where two or more are gathered, that is where Christ is. I talk to you and reason through emotions and events and I believe that verse. I trust you more than I trust most pastors. I think we go to "church" more than once a week, because I always leave a conversation with you inspired and wanting to move life forward.SShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00782769428968140131noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5399144105813088630.post-72378270685773255922012-04-19T11:45:28.318-07:002012-04-19T11:45:28.318-07:00Hello Messenger, thanks for stopping by.
I appre...Hello Messenger, thanks for stopping by. <br /><br />I appreciate the time you must have put into writing this message. I am certain it is sincere and heartfelt. <br /><br />I wasn't trying to suggest that "niceness" equals salvation. In fact, I really wasn't trying to discuss salvation at all. My main point was that sometimes we have ideas that are part of our Christian culture that might not be strictly true. Yes, God is holy and we are all sinners. I have no trouble believing that there is no one who has not fallen short of the mark of God's goodness and holiness. I don't even have trouble accepting that people who are "holy" or "nice" would not be found in God's presence. I do, however, have trouble accepting the idea that God would mete out the same judgment on, for example, Hitler and Gandhi. That's not to say He doesn't, I have no idea. For all I know they are both burning for all eternity in neighboring pits. But, I hope that's not the case. For me, that doesn't fall within the realm of a good and just God. And yes, I could be believing something that's not true to make myself feel better but that's not an unusual human reaction. <br /><br />I'm not trying to claim definitive truth. This post was just something I was thinking about.S.Z.B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/01237269730816170413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5399144105813088630.post-19904191357943124282012-04-19T11:20:19.393-07:002012-04-19T11:20:19.393-07:00You may find it interesting to look into the origi...You may find it interesting to look into the original word used in scripture to indicate sin. The words original definition is literally "to fall short" Christ speaks out and proclaims that "All have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God" No person under the old covenant of the Law of Mosses is judged as being righteous, instead the law convicts the world of their evil and reveals the need for salvation. Christ came to bring the new covenant of Grace and to reconcile us with God, to wipe clean the sin that entered the world through Adam "through one man sin entered the world and through one man sin was taken out." Christ undid the curse of Adam, for all who will have faith in him, as there judge and savior. He has convicted us of righteousness through faith, just as Abraham was counted righteous by his faith (not good deeds or works). Sin is a state of being, not an act. God loves us and gave his only son to die for us, on the cross becoming and taking on the sin of the entire world past present and future. He died conquered and rose again, as his life was greater than the sacrifice needed for sin. So yes in a way all sin is the same because it is not an individual act but a division of us from God. Christ said he has removed your sins as far as the east is from the west and so you are free of all unrighteousness in him, in him you are righteous and holy, no matter what. Your sins are washed past present and future, nothing you ever do will change Gods view of you as being his child and joint ere in the kingdom of heaven. For Christ is the end of the Law for those who have faith in him. We are set free and forgiven, by true faith in him your name is written in the lambs book of life. God will forgive all who have received his son, and unfortunately all who have rejected his son will perish for they have turned there backs on God and decided to earn there salvation through good deeds, works, and self-righteousness. The Pharisees where regularly rebuked by Jesus Christ as he pointed out that they have broken all the laws just as much as any other man on earth. It is the people, who attempt to live a good life and believe they are able to please God with there acts that will be condemned to hell, in-fact some of the "holiest" ( in the worlds eyes) and nicest people will be condemned, because they could not have faith in the one and only doorway to heaven Christ. There is a scripture that states the we will be surprised by the people we see in heaven, and the people who go to hell. To believe you are a good person apart from him is to condemn yourself to have faith in your righteousness and perfection through him is to be saved.<br /><br />Sincerely, a messenger of God's willAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5399144105813088630.post-20239737815542499102012-03-25T19:59:08.850-07:002012-03-25T19:59:08.850-07:00oooo, very interesting question to ponder. For me,...oooo, very interesting question to ponder. For me, it's distance. Just as you don't tell everyone every thing about your life; you also would not make everyone your best friend. Some people will naturally be distant, some people will naturally be closer, and I think even those two spectrums have ebbs and flows for people in our lives. When I say I need distance from a person, it's a break for me to determine how close I want to be with someone who is proving beyond my scope of emotions. I have a tendency to want to FIX people, and have developed "close" relationships with people that need actual therapy, not just a good friend. I have had to learn how to establish healthy boundaries, and to say it is ok to NOT be close to everyone I know. It's near to impossible, unless of course you have no other time commitments like working, working out, maintaining a marriage relationship, etc.. <br /><br />You are correct in thinking you never stop loving that person, no matter what. Distance doesn't mean you don't love, distance means space - we all need space in our relationships, no matter how close we get. <br /><br />There's also understanding that distance means you're allowing the person to be who they are, and allowing you to be who you are without getting irritated at her/him all the time and dwelling on the horrible things she/he says. There's not a quicker way to destroy a relationship and build resentment than to force one's self to continue to stay close to a toxic human. Sometimes the strongest love is to let someone go. Besides, you're so kickass, they generally have no choice but to come back :o)SShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00782769428968140131noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5399144105813088630.post-36652117368882607782012-02-16T13:41:56.933-08:002012-02-16T13:41:56.933-08:00Thank you! No catastrophes, just a busy moment in ...Thank you! No catastrophes, just a busy moment in life :)S.Z.B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/01237269730816170413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5399144105813088630.post-88783064525030396222012-02-16T06:28:13.707-08:002012-02-16T06:28:13.707-08:00Bearing in mind that I don't actually know eit...Bearing in mind that I don't actually <em>know</em> either of you, and like that, I just wanted to say that I really enjoy reading (both of) your writing. So I'm glad you're just on hiatus, and not abandoning the blog or anything like that. (I'm also glad that you haven't been pulled away by real-life catastrophes!)Michael Mockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06233321050691782148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5399144105813088630.post-15292342902337490192012-01-20T08:16:01.716-08:002012-01-20T08:16:01.716-08:00Thank you. Even when my brain says what you say, i...Thank you. Even when my brain says what you say, it's so much better to hear it from a third party.S.Z.B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/01237269730816170413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5399144105813088630.post-5325726422236594182012-01-20T07:41:23.973-08:002012-01-20T07:41:23.973-08:00"Am I allowed to just say, 'I don't k..."Am I allowed to just say, 'I don't know' and leave it at that?"<br /><br />Yes. Yes you are. Christians - at least, in the Christianity where I was raised - are called upon to have faith, to do their best, and to trust in the mercy of a being who loved the world so much that he was willing to sacrifice his son to redeem us; who understands our flaws and imperfections and failings. <br /><br />What Christians are <em>not</em> called upon to do is Have All The Answers, Right Now.Michael Mockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06233321050691782148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5399144105813088630.post-84365064131038063732012-01-20T07:35:03.821-08:002012-01-20T07:35:03.821-08:00This. Very, very much this.This. Very, very much this.Michael Mockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06233321050691782148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5399144105813088630.post-75138879585327020072012-01-13T10:07:48.109-08:002012-01-13T10:07:48.109-08:00Even when our interactions were few and far betwee...Even when our interactions were few and far between I always felt like they were an oasis of sanity for me. I would get off the phone and just breathe a sigh of relief that you exist in the world, no pleasantries or catch-up necessary. Just, "I haven't been to church in 3 months and I don't feel guilty at all! On a scale of 1 to 10, how evil am I?"<br /><br />And I believe this is the journal entry you were referring to:<br />"Most importantly I have learned that I really only need God. I can be lonely and sad and scared and God is there. And even at my moments of deepest confusion about the infinite nature of God I am still comforted by the words of his promises."<br /><br />Love this post.S.Z.B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/01237269730816170413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5399144105813088630.post-1810501437368039812011-12-12T07:19:37.463-08:002011-12-12T07:19:37.463-08:00I love you Sara. This is an awesome post and I fee...I love you Sara. This is an awesome post and I feel this way so often. Grey all around, closing in, lost in fog and wondering WHY things aren't sharp and clear. Especially when making big life decisions. BAH!S.Z.B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/01237269730816170413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5399144105813088630.post-43997324201979957072011-11-30T04:17:27.132-08:002011-11-30T04:17:27.132-08:00Thanks for coming over to read! Your blog has been...Thanks for coming over to read! Your blog has been such a relief and comfort to me, so thank you for that and for your kind words.S.Z.B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/01237269730816170413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5399144105813088630.post-79146285785691244462011-11-29T22:22:00.665-08:002011-11-29T22:22:00.665-08:00Hi! Just clicking over from the comment on my blog...Hi! Just clicking over from the comment on my blog. I've enjoyed reading yours so far. Being able to blog without my whole family reading really has helped me though some rough times. It's very lonely being confused and scared and unsure about religion and faith. Having a blogging community that is going through or that has gone through some of the same stuff before is a relief knowing you are not as alone as you feel.<br /><br />theagnosticswife@wordpress.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5399144105813088630.post-11817276199069498562011-11-10T07:25:30.942-08:002011-11-10T07:25:30.942-08:00If you're curious, I found the blog from a lin...If you're curious, I found the blog from a link in the comments at Alise Write. I do like (both of) your writings, so do please keep it up!Michael Mockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06233321050691782148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5399144105813088630.post-17408581558501611132011-11-09T17:35:13.376-08:002011-11-09T17:35:13.376-08:00Hey Michael, thanks for stopping by. I like your c...Hey Michael, thanks for stopping by. I like your comment about "literally" being a code for assigning equal weight- I agree completely. Very interesting to think about. Thanks!S.Z.B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/01237269730816170413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5399144105813088630.post-16092489187983139932011-11-09T08:15:06.714-08:002011-11-09T08:15:06.714-08:00I'd go a bit further. I'd suggest that you...I'd go a bit further. I'd suggest that you <i>can't</i> take the Bible literally if you hope to get any sort of sense out of it. The way I most often hear it in this context, "literally" is actually a code for assigning equal weight and similar purpose to every single sentence (unless that appears to create a contradiction, in which case you need the proper literal interpretation). And that's no way to read, well, <i>anything,</i> really. It attempts to take a wide variety of writings, and treat them all as if they were one, big, unified instruction manual - when, in a lot of cases, they clearly aren't and were never intended that way.Michael Mockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06233321050691782148noreply@blogger.com