tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-338224184099573913.post6345865121079180909..comments2023-06-02T07:06:27.348-06:00Comments on Meaning and Authenticity: Faith Story Part IKatherine E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06322364633534297714noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-338224184099573913.post-42389960111127108362007-07-22T05:01:00.000-06:002007-07-22T05:01:00.000-06:00Indeed. I have to smile this morning, Kate. This...Indeed. I have to smile this morning, Kate. This General Assembly going on in my city means that we'll be overflowing at my church--quadruple the number of people that we usually have. I'll be giving the stewardship meditation and the communion meditation and words of institution, along with doing some other things in the service (we have a guest preacher who'll attract a very large crowd). That tension between being in "grave danger of being wounded by humans" because I want to be liked and make a reasonably good impression this morning vs. being "taken in by God" because I love and trust the God who loves me no matter what is playing out once again, here at age 51. The vulnerability goes on, although I guess i helps to be aware of it now. Yes, it helps tremendously, and reading your comment this morning has warmed my heart. Many thanks.Katherine E.https://www.blogger.com/profile/06322364633534297714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-338224184099573913.post-75934903905750357532007-07-21T20:59:00.000-06:002007-07-21T20:59:00.000-06:00Katherine, Thank you for this. As Jan said, the v...Katherine, Thank you for this. As Jan said, the vulnerabilty comes through co clearly. It is so incredible how fragile yet resilient we are at those oung ages, how the need for love both puts us in grave danger of being wounded by humans and taken in by God, all at the same time.RevDrKatehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06043193615563649333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-338224184099573913.post-61700326061847776602007-07-20T09:27:00.000-06:002007-07-20T09:27:00.000-06:00This is a wonderful read. It is completely fascin...This is a wonderful read. It is completely fascinating how God makes use of our life stories.Gannet Girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16374279595560691174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-338224184099573913.post-4608493596341638082007-07-19T21:49:00.000-06:002007-07-19T21:49:00.000-06:00Hi Jan. I have the same defense mechanism, and I'...Hi Jan. I have the same defense mechanism, and I'm sure it was active at the Academy with you, too. Not silly at all. I'm so glad we've both gotten passed that by blogging, aren't you? :-) That really makes me smile.<BR/><BR/>Yes, you've basically written my Part 2 for me, Jan. -- God wooing me with the love that really counts, the love that can heal the deepest wounds...That's what happened when I encountered Zen and went to Brite and all that. Thanks! ha!Katherine E.https://www.blogger.com/profile/06322364633534297714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-338224184099573913.post-4883662410568566912007-07-19T21:40:00.000-06:002007-07-19T21:40:00.000-06:00Katherine, thank you for sharing so deeply and hon...Katherine, thank you for sharing so deeply and honestly. I hadn't realized what a long history you had with Christian Science. My grandmother was a Christian Scientist (supposedly miraculously healed in Scotland of a heart ailment), and so my mother was brought up with that influence. I hadn't realized before how they felt about Jesus; maybe my confusion about Jesus stems from my mother's concept from her Christian Scientist mother.<BR/><BR/>I can so identify with wanting to be loved, and especially liked by certain people. It is such a vulnerable feeling. When you wrote, " I remember feeling so vulnerable, feeling that so much was at risk, wanting Donna to like me," memories came back to me of times when I felt this way. You'll think this is silly, but I sometimes felt this way about you at the Academy! (That's probably when I acted like I didn't care, my defense mechanism.)<BR/><BR/>I can see how God was drawing you closer to him as you grew up. Knowing where you are now, I see how he kept wooing you until you responded.<BR/><BR/>Thank you.Janhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08061517211101084120noreply@blogger.com