Comments on: doubt and faith on easter

By: towanda

towanda — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 00:09:00 +0000

there was a time in my life when I very much needed someone to tell me that it was okay if I didn’t feel Jesus in my heart…nice job.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 13:55:00 +0000

C’s comment reminds me of a similar story I heard from a pastor friend, now retired and serving as a parish associate. His young daughter (now a pediatrician) of one of my former pastors was taking about Jesus with her family one evening at dinner. Something was said about “having Jesus in your heart.” Youngdaughter/now docter put her hand on her chest and remarked, “Oh! That’s who I hear walking around in there.”

This same pastor friend is currently undergoing aggressive chemo for an equally aggressive form of leukemia at MD Anderson. Please keep him in your prayers.

By: reverendmother

reverendmother — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 13:39:58 +0000

I still don’t know what happened Saturday night; I’ve been meaning to call our ~~neighborhood busybody~~ neighborhood watch coordinator to see what she knows.

By: mibi52

mibi52 — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 12:14:14 +0000

Scary night. Have you found out yet what the story was behind the noises and the helicopter and such?

I use the Jesus Prayer when I’m in the MRI tube for 45 minutes at a time getting checked for whatever. This happens a couple times a year. 45 minutes of clanking and beeping and zapping noises.

Sometimes I think time in as place with unnerving noises that one can’t escape is a kind of hell. Having a mantra/prayer that focuses me away from the noises helps. I also sing spirituals in my head. Of course, thinking through “Sometimes I feel like a motherless child” or “Amazing Grace” has a tendency to get the “feeling sorry for myself” button pushed.

When we’re unnerved, whenever our comfort is taken away, whenever we feel disequalibrium, we reach for Jesus for comfort. When we remember to reach for Jesus at other times, then we’re starting to figure it all out, I think. Some days I’m better at that than others.

Peaceful rest as you get over the rigors of Holy Week!

By: Trace

Trace — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 10:08:30 +0000

I love this post!
I want to know Christ as well; more now than I had a few months ago. I have been involved in church for most of my life, in one aspect or another. I have not been involved in a church for about 4 months now. Searching…pondering, really wanting to get it together for me. It takes time. I will not worry about the time thing, I suppose. I just know that in the end, I really want to know Christ.

By: lukee

lukee — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 03:34:34 +0000

“If you have to pray for mercy, I’ve always reasoned, it’s either because a) you are so completely unlovable or “bad” that you’re in danger of God’s judgment or because b) God’s default position simply IS judgment unless we pray this prayer to coax Him [sic] away from the smite button.”

Ah! This was my favorite part of the post!

By: anne

anne — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 01:26:27 +0000

i heard a story about the footwashing/communion at suburban presb. and i think perhaps you and C each/both saw/felt/touched/were touched by Jesus in that ritual. i hope you’ll write about that soon.

By: Texas ClergyPal

Texas ClergyPal — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 01:13:08 +0000

Very powerful Reverendmother. I think when I get to the office tomorrow that I will write you a personal email to follow-up. But THANK YOU. I, too, wrestle with wanting more presence beyond just narrative. All. the. time. Spiritual growing pains, do you think?

By: ppb

ppb — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 01:05:05 +0000

beautiful.