MY FAITH IN A LOVING GOD by (me!) sandra, tvgp
it feels so important to me that people understand
that people KNOW
i have not been made stronger by surviving traumas.
i am stronger thank you to my family, my friends and my faith
in a loving God.
through prayer. -but what a time i have with the bible. i love God, and love to read, but..
the bible.
it's so easy to put down.
the stories are not engaging for me personally, the way they are written.. i tried, for example.. psalms, over the holidays. psalm 23.. so beautiful
but oh! the repetitiveness.. the odd language.. the inconsistencies.. the torture.. the begging
i've decided to leave it to pastor mike at centerpointe. i enjoy taking in bible passages one or two at a time, one day a week, with educated help
but i still hunger, have such an appetite for stories about the goodness of God
and so i'm re-reading kathy cordova's book: let go, let miracles happen
contemporary, readable, engaging, inspiring collection of true stories about spiritual surrender
and in a language i can relate to and understand all on my own.
thanks friend! -it's a great book!
posted by SHE @ 10:52 AM
11 Comments:
Maybe I should do that. The Bible is okay at times, I adore Song of Solomon. But the God in the Bible doesn't really mesh with my idea of Her. Too angry sometimes, ya know? Anyway, thanks for your kind and loving words over at my place. :)
There are two images of God presented in the bible... one which is vengeful and angry and one which IS love.
The two cannot coexist... You cant BE love, and then wanna judge and condemn...
Theres a song which aretha franklin sings which I love...
its called it aint necessarily so...
"The things that you're liable to read in the bible...it aint necessarily so..."
May the God of love be your experience my friend...
May His fragrance find you whereever you go,
With love, M
karma: you hold such a special place in my heart.. i just love you so much
and i'm half way through already, my re-reading of let go, let miracles happen
so inspiring! -sometimes it's easier for me to invest myself in stories of how God is working in people's lives -today-
write now. in the 21st century..
my3: -and that is exactly what is cemented in me
God as love. God is love..
a loving God.
messages outside of that thinking don't seem to work their way in me
"to love! ~all around the world and throughout the universe
and beyond.."
lllooo, ~s.
Wow! You just totally made my day!
Wishing (and praying) for miracles on the way to you!
xo,
Kathy
dd: thank you! -and you mine!
-was going to send an email, but will put it write here:
i believe this is my 3rd cover to cover reading of your book
and it just helps.. it helps that i know you, that i know a couple of the contributors
i know these people and stories are real, and can see and feel how God has worked miracles through love in each of the very different, very challenging life circumstances of each individual and/or family.
i know this pattern is true: that ALL humans are made to suffer in one form or another
crosses all demographics.. economic, political, religious, academic, race, creed, color.. no matter
no money or job or level of success or achievment makes a person somehow immune to suffering.
and i know this pattern is true: that people who turn to God, people who pray and believe and trust
can experience a faith within and peace from the higher power that helps transcend the suffering
it puts you in a place that allows you to see and heed the lessons
which then allows you to not only heal personally
but help others as well.
this IS the miracle: love.
God is love.
no matter how i do the math.. always that is the solution i come to, over and over
but i am not without my tough times, my stretches of concern and doubt
so i enjoy my sunday's at church, and i am most grateful to have your book in my hands, on my shelf to turn to at any time night or day, 365 a year, when i'm hungry for reminders
it is a most beautiful and inspiring collection of true life stories and very real miracles
my love, hugs and thanks to you! ~s.
Love and hugs write back at you!
You've beautifully expressed the essence of the book and the impact that I dreamed it would have.
Thanks for reminding me, too, that the miracle in any situation is love. Especially when love is not my first reaction. I am again and again surprised and inspired that when I get out of my own way and I really get this message, miracles happen.
Much love to you,
Kathy
Joining the discussion a few days late...
In the New Testament, Jesus teaches that God and Christ are present in us when we open our hearts and invite them in through faith. So we write contemporary stories of God every day though our actions and experiences since we are the body of Christ.
The stories in the Bible are both history and lessons, and were once contemporary in their time.
But we are people of today, educated with an ear toward drama and suspense and turn of phrase that does not always relate to the Bible's tales, which often seem antiquated to us.
Just as I may not enjoy the music of my parents and grandparents, I am nonetheless a walking embodiment of the gift of life they gave me, and I honor them every day.
And so we honor God and Christ as Christians, and we write the stories of a continuing Bible when we love one another, when we give to the poor, when we follow Christ's example.
I submit that the living Bible is in our hands in Kathy's book and in this blog with all its rapture and anguish and spark and desire and questioning and celebration and especially in its love.
I have a simple religious faith as well. I believe in God, and I know a lot of the stories by heart from growing up in a church going family.
But a lot more discussion is going on like this one. Is the Bible culturally relevant? Of course it is, but translators may yet find a way to make it more readable to changing times, I imagine.
At least we don't have to learn Latin first just to be able to read a bible anymore. Other generations did not have that luxury.
Hope you are having a good weekend, Sandra.
Peace out.
Peace
peace is so nice
I think I'll say it twice!
ren man: LOVE everything you say here -thank you!
especially -ESPECIALLY- this concept of a living bible
a big YES to that beautiful truth
we are all contributors..
the story continues through us.
and equally, this truth:
".. I am nonetheless a walking embodiment of the gift of life they gave me, and I honor them every day."
it feels very important to me too, that we recognize we did not sprout out of nowhere, for no reason
we are connected and a part of the past. connected and a part of the future
God to thank for life, love & family
"to the circle of life and infinite love!" ~amen
1313/mr poetry: well said!
-and today i was thinkin' how the complexities of bible interpretation/teaching/sharing
does incline one to find a leader/teacher, join a group and digest it in smaller pieces over longer periods of time
where would the church be if the bible were a one time, easy, cover to cover read for solo artists?
it requires aid and so does life.
~do i hear one more amen?
peace and more peace back to you
love, ~s.
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