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To: Preachin'

Not everyone fits into what is expected of them in a religious setting.

Whether it's meeting in a crowd,
Whether it's feeling comfortable in large groups and working with them,
Whether it's the music, preaching and worship style,
Whether it's believing every word of the Bible as total truth,
Whether it's continually practicing NOT being yourself because you have literally nothing in common with the crowd The crowd that you're not only expected to not only 'fit' with, but actually act see them as a second family.
Whether it's attending prayer meeting and realizing that what is eating you alive and driving you to madness you could and would never, EVER say out loud in front of anyone in the room.
Whether it's trying repeatedly to read the Bible and just seeing a very mean, angry, female loathing/ignoring God represented.

For me it hit home when I was extremely ill one summer, and
I while I called, emailed and was visited by several close friends.... and was very safe and comfy.....

It dawned on me later that it never once crossed my mind to contact anyone at church or even the minister. They were that far out my circle of trust and comfort. Always had been, always would be.

So, as an experiment, I simply quit going. Or even beating myself up for not going to church. For the first time in my life, I actually enjoyed a Sunday!

Then Easter came and I spent the day outside in the garden, in the hammock, just watching clouds.

As for the Middle Eastern Dance component. It was the first time in my life were I was made to feel and actually believe that being a female was a good thing, and even something God would like.

Ironic, isn't it?


118 posted on 08/24/2006 11:02:18 AM PDT by najida (The internet is for kids grown up-- Where else could you have 10,000 imaginary friends?)
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To: najida
Ironic, isn't it?

It sounds like you were exposed to some VERY bad teaching and teachers.

That is not G-d's fault.

But I understand how it would lead to a great deal of hurt frustration. I am sorry you had to have that experience.

Shalom.

127 posted on 08/24/2006 11:08:44 AM PDT by ArGee (The Ring must not be allowed to fall into Hillary's hands!)
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To: najida
"As for the Middle Eastern Dance component. It was the first time in my life were I was made to feel and actually believe that being a female was a good thing, and even something God would like."

Did Jesus ever tell you that being a female or going to church was a bad thing?

How about the Apostle Paul?

I am a man, and I don't loom for church to make me good. It's there to encourage me; It assists me with daily living, i.e., the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5) and providing teaching on how to minister to the lost.

It's not a social club, whose primary purpose is to entertain me, or make me "feel" good.
283 posted on 08/25/2006 5:59:21 AM PDT by Preachin' (Enoch's testimony was that he pleased God: Why are we still here?)
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