Bee~ Journal of then...

[Blackbird]

Our church has TONS of fellowship - except its all gossip! Lol. We were always the ones to leave early so we didn't have to listen to people whisper about us. My longer hair was the #1 topic it seemed.

I have to tell myself that they're just jealous.

 

[Farmfresh]

I often wonder what would happen if Jesus would show up in his normal dress clothes at some churches!

The church I go to now is glad to have you there ... if you showed up buck naked they would probably get you some clothes from the clothes closet to make you more comfortable, but you would still be welcome!

 

[dragonlaurel]

Bee, Maybe they are afraid to look down the road they Did Not choose. You don't know how many stay married out of insecurity about if they could make it on their own. A strong woman would be a reminder that there is a Scary!!!! option. They know if any of them divorced, that many of their friends might evaporate on them.

Being single is much better than being tied to someone that is totally wrong for you or is mean. You have your options open if there is someone suitable around and you don't have to answer to anyone if there isn't. I spent most of 15 years single and was happy most of the time. I'm happy to be married now but glad I didn't settle for Mr.Wrong.

Some people will plant a row in their gardens for the poor. Donate the stuff from it to a food bank if you don't know who needs it at harvest time.

 

[keljonma]

It took us two years after moving back to Ohio to find the church we joined. There were a number of bad or uncomfortable experiences. We were very blessed to find this congregation.

I think the theme song for our church is Come As You Are To Worship. Absolutely no dress code.

If you don't want to attend either of the two services at the main church building, you can go to the worship service held at 11 am at the biker bar or the worship service on the lake (during summer).

 

[punkin]

Bee, if you didn't mind the drive, you could come to our little Church. It's just a little white clapboard Church in the country that needs a new roof. The congregation is small, (about 35 on a good Sunday), but full of love and welcoming arms.

We are not stuffy about what is worn to Church, we just want you there. And if you miss a Sunday, there's no scorn about what you were doing.

And, get ready for this: Our pastor is (gasp . . .) a woman. She's a very fine woman filled to the brim with the Spirit of God. She radiates love wherever she goes.

 

[keljonma]

Wow, punkin, THAT is a small congregation! I think we have about 400 members. Our senior pastor is a woman too, and she sounds much like your pastor! I think if I were in your area, I would love to come to your church.

 

[Quail_Antwerp]

And if you miss a Sunday, there's no scorn about what you were doing.

That's what I want in a church! I want to be able to wear jeans and a t-shirt, and I want to be welcomed for who I am, not what I look like or what I do. I want a church that won't be all, "Well, where were you last Sunday?"

I shouldn't have to feel guilty if I didn't make it on a Sunday. God knows where I was and what I was doing. If I'm not on a pew on Sunday, that's between me and God.

I want a church family that's just happy to see us. One that will accept us as we are, see us for the inside, not the outside.

A church family that's not afraid to be just that, family, that we can participate in and help others.

Too many of our local churches are full of pew warmers and the one I was attending, and placed membership with, would give me a guilt trip if I missed the previous Sunday. One lady in the church even hinted that I should have an abortion when I was pregnant with DS3

I was treated as a single mom even thought I wasn't only because Ernie didn't attend with me every Sunday. First, Ernie doesn't believe the same as me, and forcing my beliefs onto him is NOT going to work. He has to make the decision on his own, I have to be an example.

Apparantly today wasn't a good day for me to pop on here. I had a really good day and evening yesterday, got some new poultry, and today I'm really getting hit with the misty eyes. It's all I can do not to cry, and everything on the forum today is just getting to me. (not making me mad, just adding to whatever I'm feeling that has me wanting to just have a good cry?)

 

[keljonma]

QA! Weep away.... hope the rest of your day is sunny!

 

[big brown horse]

QA Everyone is entitled to have a good cry! A good cry actually makes me feel so much better.

When will the folks at church stop seeing it as a competition? And how dare anyone imply abortion???

Honestly, that is one reason why I stay away from church. I talk to God on my own, we actually have a better relationship one on one. I feel God all around when I'm outside with my animals and in my garden, rain or shine.

 

[keljonma]

...I had a really good day and evening yesterday, got some new poultry, and today I'm really getting hit with the misty eyes. ...

HA! Thought you'd sneak that past us, did ya?!
Are these the call ducks?