fiatlux

I went to the 8AM mass at Our Lady of Sorrows this morning with two friends. It was all in Spanish (a language I know very little of) and I felt like I had time traveled back to sit next to my father at the Latin mass of the 50s, not knowing exactly what was going on adding to the great mystery of God. It felt good. Then off to my eldest brother's to join the family for an Easter egg hunt, which is a blast watching all my nieces and nephews, but more importantly the coming leg of lamb dinner.

Going to mass is not normal for me. I was raised in a strict Irish Catholic family and it was up into my late twenties still "the one, true faith," but then slowly came the notion that God was big enough to accept a great deal of our foolishness that may come with our honest and sincere efforts to better know and obey him, no one denomination or person or group ever getting it exactly right. We all have bits and pieces that serve his ends. I might be wrong in this assumption yet that is my Easter message. In the love of Christ, we are one faith and one baptism.

By label (Catholic, Baptist, Presbyterian, etc), I see no reason to judge another's faith; only God knows our heart. God is emerging, not emerged, in all of us. We are a work in progress.

bahmer

Happy Easter to you also. I stayed home today because I am fighting a spring cold and although I am on the mends I still have times where I have to cough up some phlegm from the sinus drainage. That coughing spell in church would not be appreciated by those around me I am sure. I told my daughter that so far in my life I have probably been to sixty plus Easter services so missing this year won't hurt to much.

larrypuckett1939

IN MY YOUTH (THE 50"S) I WAS A "FRIENDS" BELIEF, AND THEN I DISCOVERED THAT OTHER CHURCHES WORSHIPED GOD IN MUCH THE SAME WAY AS I DID, SO I SPENT MY LIFE IN ONE OR ANOTHER DENOMINATION. SO I WISH YOU THE SAME HAPPY EASTER!
true patriot

Searching Loc: Rural Southwest VA

Amen to your reflections and Easter egg hunts, brings back fond memories, it does. I hope your day of celebration ends as happily as it began!!

Indeed, we are all works in progress, hopefully for our betterment. :wink: I was raised in a strict Southern Baptist household and my dad was a police officer and so it wasn't only the wrath of God I expected to come down on my head growing up, but like you, slowly but surely I seem to have converted to gathering, picking up a piece of this, a part of that, attending "a" church somewhere of "some" denomination when I get to feeling the need for some structure to my worship. That said, I am comfortable with my relationship with God and like you, I say to each his own, wh**ever speaks to his or her heart.

Coos Bay Tom Loc: coos bay oregon

You are so right

:thumbup: :thumbup: Happy Easter

fiatlux

Have never missed Easter service in 44 years, though I only choose to attend about 13. Love the pageantry and the kids all dolled up. It is something that my soul can feel the texture of and feel safe. Hope you get better soon.

fiatlux

The Friends is where my perspective started to broaden, be more inclusive. I feel comfortable in almost any denomination, though I may be hard pressed at Westboro. Happy Easter, friend.

fiatlux

My parents were very strict but thankfully had hearts of gold as well. Got used to the hammer coming down hard and waited only to find a few minutes later the love that was really first in their hearts. This was good for me, a benevolent insight into what God would have us do. Somehow this sort of mixed message brought me clarity: they h**ed I was hurting myself with my actions but cared too much for me for it to separate us. I was blessed.

I really love what you had to say. It is a great testimony of God's power to heal and t***sform. Thank you.

Searching Loc: Rural Southwest VA

:oops Sometimes, a long and winding road to come to understand that His grace and mercy give you peace. You sound so grounded in your faith.

In August I'll be 68. The summer of my 50th birthday my father took his life. He was a deacon in his church. My mother, already unbalanced, slipped into the shadows, never to be herself again. I had already started my "gathering" of those pieces and parts that enrich my relationship with God, truly a blessing during those dark days. Without my faith, I'm not sure I would have made it through in one piece. As time has passed, I have come to recognize when God is having to work at getting my attention. Sometimes, it takes more than a tug on my ear, indeed it does. :roll: :wink: That long and winding road....I have miles to go.

fiatlux

Searching, you are an inspiration, thank you. I have had it way too easy. Who knows how I may have turned out under your circumstances. Even under my generous ones I am pretty much a self-centered brat. That I am aware of my state is hopeful.

larrypuckett1939

I WOULD BE HARD PRESSED TO EVEN DRIVE BY IT!!

fiatlux

God forgive me, agreed.

larrypuckett1939

:thumbup: :thumbup: