tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1106665110258615812.post6799143809508339080..comments2023-07-20T05:43:21.162-05:00Comments on Peace Garden Mama: faith fridays: grappling with my relationship with my churchRoxane B. Salonenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01459456545891720716noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1106665110258615812.post-85452526444641992812010-05-02T21:19:58.935-05:002010-05-02T21:19:58.935-05:00Tami,
This is a beautiful response. Thank you.
...Tami,<br /><br />This is a beautiful response. Thank you. <br /><br />And peace be with you in turn. :)<br /><br />RoxaneRoxane B. Salonenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01459456545891720716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1106665110258615812.post-84842006135613103282010-05-02T19:29:35.737-05:002010-05-02T19:29:35.737-05:00I'm not exactly where I am in the journey of f...I'm not exactly where I am in the journey of faith....<br /><br />but....<br /><br />I know that I have it in abundance.<br /><br />And that my belief in our faith (The Trinity) is not in the least bit shattered or broken over the 'doings' of mankind. Whether neighbor, Sister, or Priest.<br /><br />Our Creed (Profession of Faith) is strong. When I read it and speak it I do so w/the deepest of conviction. And take from it the comfort, joy and hope that understanding it offers.<br /><br />Peace be with you.Tami Weingartnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00162998790940785630noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1106665110258615812.post-43136548289581231492010-05-01T10:55:38.986-05:002010-05-01T10:55:38.986-05:00Roxane, thanks for the thoughtful response. Amen....Roxane, thanks for the thoughtful response. Amen. I've felt some of that already in a new worship space.Mary Aalgaardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08051735579638637382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1106665110258615812.post-45550443021682701202010-05-01T10:01:16.661-05:002010-05-01T10:01:16.661-05:00Kim, that's probably the case for most of us a...Kim, that's probably the case for most of us as we move through this winding journey. Nice thought that we can be a little of each at different times.<br /><br />Fran, what a blessing to find your comment here today! Looking forward to connecting with you on your blog as well. I'm glad I've helped express some of your own complex thoughts.<br /><br />And Mary, our fallen nature can be found everywhere -- within the church, within the public sphere outside of the church, within our own souls. I think the best we can do is be watchful for the signs of it rearing its ugly head and continue to form ourselves in a way that we keep it at bay within our own souls and recognize it in others. There are many good souls within the Church. It might end up that you find the greatest sources of love in the person sitting next to you who compliments your children, or someone who tells you your music was lovely, or that they love your smile. The community is important because it draws together the faithful, imperfect though we are. Personally speaking, I need the community -- within my circle of friends and within the larger Church as well. It keeps me grounded and connected. But I agree that God's voice can be found in many places, not just at church, and that listening to the still, small voice is a beautiful way to approach faith.Roxane B. Salonenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01459456545891720716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1106665110258615812.post-32879164702644776302010-05-01T09:43:11.072-05:002010-05-01T09:43:11.072-05:00I'm feeling like a rebellious teen, in a mild ...I'm feeling like a rebellious teen, in a mild sense. Sometimes I wonder if we were ever supposed to form organized religion. It seems to set people up for power positions and abuse. As you know, I've experinced spiritual abuse. How could someone who claims to be used as God's voice say such hurtful and emotionally abusive things? How can those people remain in positions of power and abuse, especially when it drives people away from what is intended to be the sanctuary of life? Where is that safe nest we long to rest in on Sunday mornings and in times of personal chaos?<br /><br />I'm clinging to my personal relationship with God. Listen for the still, small voice. God speaks to us in many voices and actions, dreams and longings.<br /><br />Great post, Roxane, brave and honest.Mary Aalgaardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08051735579638637382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1106665110258615812.post-11107565711972763652010-05-01T08:51:05.361-05:002010-05-01T08:51:05.361-05:00I do not even know where to begin, but the natural...I do not even know where to begin, but the natural place to start will be thank you for this thoughtful post.<br /><br />How this question has weighed on us who do stay and how I have struggled to answer it as well. It is like trying to grasp sand however; time I work to craft the words of explanation, I feel the grains slip from between my thumb and index finger. <br /><br />Like you, I look around me and think about the very full church each week, which I have often expected to find empty. <br /><br />Rosslyn's point about unity is well taken by me and I am grateful to have read it here.<br /><br />So much to say and so hard to say it. You have done it beautifully here Roxane along with Carlo Carretto (who I needed reminding of!) and your commenters. I am so glad that Mary DeTurris Poust linked to you from OSV; I shall be back.Franhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07181529277715646835noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1106665110258615812.post-55141980351969281052010-05-01T08:43:37.107-05:002010-05-01T08:43:37.107-05:00Roxanne,
This is an excellant post! Your writing ...Roxanne,<br />This is an excellant post! Your writing is an inspiration! <br /><br />In answer to your question...I must be truthful. What a blessing there is in the learning of all the different stages, as I find myself flowing through them all through out my day.<br /><br />Thanks again!Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15396309591269376813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1106665110258615812.post-87160349572499713012010-04-30T17:29:28.571-05:002010-04-30T17:29:28.571-05:00Renee, it was good to see you here, and thanks for...Renee, it was good to see you here, and thanks for the nice words.<br /><br />Laura, you're so right! It is very much this way. That is likely part of the reason we call our Church "She." :)<br /><br />And Rosslyn, I'm glad to have thoughts from a Protestant sister in Christ here. Thanks for weighing in and reminding us Catholics of one of our greatest strengths. Unity is a goal ever before us and certainly gives us more strength in doing the work God has called us as Christians to carry out. We are kind of like a boisterous family in that way. There are many different personalities within our "home," and we don't always get along perfectly, but in the end, our goal is singular: salvation, for ourselves and one another.Roxane B. Salonenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01459456545891720716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1106665110258615812.post-47226535781655569532010-04-30T14:57:59.261-05:002010-04-30T14:57:59.261-05:00Roxane, this is very beautiful and it's close ...Roxane, this is very beautiful and it's close to my heart, as our church is also going through trouble. I'll tell you this, though. One strength that Catholics have in the Christian community is their ability to forgive the sins of the Church. In our denomination, people often do not have this forgiveness, and the result is that churches split very frequently over small disputes. That fracture is not good for the body.Rosslyn Elliotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11304732306399786236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1106665110258615812.post-47599808025731379252010-04-30T08:23:34.557-05:002010-04-30T08:23:34.557-05:00I think, too, that your daughter knows she'll ...I think, too, that your daughter knows she'll always be welcomed back into your arms. That's why it's so simple to lash out at our mothers! Mom's unconditional love.<br /><br />In the same way it's easy to condemn the church because we know it'll always be there for us no matter what we choose. Just like mothers.<br /><br />Great post, Roxane!Laura S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13934230198562773803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1106665110258615812.post-21417098357536384442010-04-30T01:58:45.232-05:002010-04-30T01:58:45.232-05:00OUTSTANDING Roxanne. Very, very good. And your 12 ...OUTSTANDING Roxanne. Very, very good. And your 12 year old? She doesn't know what has come over her - bless her heart, it is adolescence, the watertorture of growing up. :-). You both hang in there. Thanks again for this great post.Renee Schafer Hortonnoreply@blogger.com