Grits wrote:Not to sound preachy (and I hope I don't) but that is one of the best benefits of being a Christian...knowing that God is in control and no matter what happens in this life that another better one awaits. I'm going through one of the worst periods in my life ever with my wayward son who is probably going to jail for breaking his probation and that hurts to no end, but I have faith that he will one day return to his faith and become a productive citizen...then on the other hand, I'm about to depart to go and meet my newest granddaughter and that is a joy that is wonderful. My own life has been an emotional roller coaster lately but God is my rock and He steadies me. I honestly don't know how people cope that don't have God to lean on. He calms all my human fears and truly does provide that "peace that passes all understanding".
Not proselytizing, just sharing my thoughts...
Enjoy the beautiful world that God gave us and all the wonderful people He puts in our paths. That is the most important thing...
I want to say this to all of you who have written here.
When I was a little child, I was very close to God. I prayed sincerely at night on my knees sometimes nearly until dawn. But I found something lacking in my Christian religion, something/one inspired me to begin a quest, and at an early age 12 or so, I started to question a lot of things.
So began a lifelong study--a search for the truth. I am sure many of you have gone through this circuitous route. I think at times I found too many truths--and too many lies and deceptions--so I chose to leave organized religion.
Then came the years of denying that God even existed. I went from one extreme to the other. I went through some really rough years that truly tried my soul. Throughout it all, I found out that there is one thing that matters, and it is the most important thing in the universe. God is love, and the reverse is also true, LOVE IS GOD.
Sometimes, I wish that I had not found out what I did in all that searching. I long for those old gospel hymns and that old time religion--to feel the way I did back in my innocent youth. But that is gone forever now. I also saw what clinging to religion did to people--the dark side--a side we see today in this world where a man will kill another in the name of God.
I know, and I believe that most of you know, that God has never intended that anyone die because they have a different belief. When a man honestly and unselfishly lays down his life for another, that is the highest and best quality of humanity, but it is an act of self-sacrifice not an act of murder.
We need GOD in our lives--no matter what name you give him/her. We need that one on one relationship, and we need to believe, to have faith that HE/SHE will finally come riding in on that white horse and end this insanity that we are experiencing in our world today.
So long ago, 37 years to be exact, I believed very much in the Archangel Michael and his protection for the human race, so much so that I named my own son Michael when he was born as a constant reminder. I don't know right now what the name of the ONE up there is that will stand up for his people but I do believe that he exists and will come and this will happen in our lifetimes.
Love,
Betty