[LadyDragus]

Why go to Church? (This is good)

If you're spiritually alive, you're going to love this! If you're
spiritually dead, you won't want to read it. If you're spiritually
curious, there is still hope!

Why Go To Church?

A Church goer wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper and
complained that it made no sense to go to church every Sunday. "I've
gone for 30 years now," he wrote, "and in that time I have heard
something like 3,000 sermons. But for the life of me, I can't remember a
single one of them. So, I think I'm wasting my time and the pastors are
wasting theirs by giving sermons at all."

This started a real controversy in the "Letters to the Editor"
column, much to the delight of the editor. It went on for weeks until
someone wrote this clincher:
"I've been married for 30 years now. In that time my wife has
cooked some 32,000 meals. But, for the life of me, I cannot recall the
entire menu for a single one of those meals. But I do know this.. They
all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work. If my
wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today.
Likewise, if I had not gone to church for nourishment, I would be
spiritually dead today!" When you are DOWN to nothing.... God is UP to
something! Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible and
receives the impossible! Thank God for our physical AND our spiritual
nourishment!

All right, now that you're done reading, send it on! I think
everyone should read this!
"When Satan is knocking at your door, simply
say, "Jesus, could you get that for me?"

[WinterRose]

Nice. I know a similar one.

A grown son asked his mother what she learned at church and she said she couldn't remember. He then complained and criticized her, "Why do you keep going when you can't remember anything? What are you getting out of it? It's pointless, ridiculous." She asked him to go and get the colander from the kitchen, which he did. Then she asked if he'd go fetch some water from the stream with the colander. "But it won't hold anything. I won't be able to bring anything back." "Yes," she said, "but the colander will be clean. That is why I go."

I like the idea that even when you're not quite comprehending, you're still getting the benefit of becoming more pure because of what is going through you.

[SeptemberMorn]

Thanks, Sweety! You betcha!

[SeptemberMorn]

Winter, that collander would still be wet from being put in the stream. Something stayed behind.

[winnetka]

I think your posts have been wonderful!! *wow*
I haven't been able to feel the presence of God in years, due to severe and persistent mental illnesses and/or the medicines for them. But I go to church because I feel that the people I attend with can feel the presence of God and I'm as near as I can get right now. And I volunteer a lot with them, so I feel as if I'm helping to make the world a better place, even if I can't feel the presence of God, at least I'm doing my part.

[Soidhonia]

Hello I love all of the posts regarding coming back to something especially spirituality. Thank you all for the good work. Take care and good day. Soidhonia

[LadyDragus]

yes sept, said I should post it so I did.
I currently do not go to a "church" I worship god in my own home and I read the writing of many differnt people.. I am still trying to find my own way and someday I will find him again ..

peace to all of you.
In love and light
ladyD

[nothemama8]

ya know gathering under a leafy tree can be the same as a stone building , it's having a higher power there that counts, love this post thanks Lady Dragus

[LadyDragus]

Quilt of Holes
>
>
>
> As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord
>
> along with all the other souls.
>
>
>
> Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in
>
> many piles; an angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt
>
> squares together into a tapestry that is our life.
>
>
>
> But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed
>
> How ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled
>
> with giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my
>
> life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations
>
> I was faced with in every day life. I saw hardships that I
>
> endured, which were the largest holes of all.
>
>
>
> I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a
>
> tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with
>
> rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon
>
> my own life and was disheartened.
>
>
>
> My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together,
>
> threadbare and empty, like binding air.
>
>
>
> Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up
>
> to the light, the scrutiny of truth. The others rose; each in turn,
>
> holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been.
>
> My angel looked upon me, and nodded for me to rise.
>
>
>
> My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn't had all the
>
> earthly fortunes. I had love in my life, and laughter. But there
>
> had also been trials of illness, and wealth, and false accusations
>
> that took from me my world, as I knew it. I had to start over
>
> many times. I often struggled with the temptation to quit,
>
> only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again.
>
> I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and
>
> guidance in my life. I had often been held up to ridicule,
>
> which I endured painfully, each time offering it up to the
>
> Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath
>
> the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me.
>
>
>
> And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I
>
> had to accept it for what it was.
>
>
>
> I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light.
>
>
>
> An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others
>
> who stared at me with wide eyes.
>
>
>
> Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many
>
> holes, creating an image, the face of Christ. Then our Lord stood
>
> before me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said, "Every time
>
> you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and
>
> My struggles.
>
>
>
> Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let
>
> Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you."
>
>
>
> May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to shine
>
> through! Please share this with someone you love, care about or even
>
> someone who needs Jesus in their heart. They may scoff, but at least
>
> the seed has been planted, and God will do the rest. May God bless
>
> you today and Forever!
>