“Church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints.” Somebody smart once said that.
I’m hurt and I’m angry and I’m done. I can no longer bear the self righteous idolization of tradition elevated so far above and beyond the love of Christ.
Don’t ever stay somewhere where you are rendered invisible, unseen and unheard, because you deserve to be loved and celebrated.
And just like that the Lord set me free. Walk away, IB walk away. Those aren’t your people and they never will be.
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See, there's this thing called biology... 
I’m so sorry, sister. I’m not sure where you live, but I would love to have you at my church. I feel as though I know you from your blogs, and I think our congregation would love you as much as I do.
I hope you don’t give up looking for a church where you feel at home. They are out there!
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How kind of you! I have a dream of traveling all over the country for a few years and simply visiting churches and a few pastors I’ve met. The church is in my blood, so I’ll be doing church a few times a week with Christ’s people somewhere, no matter what.
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Awesome! If you are on the western side of Michigan in the summer (May- October) or in Louisville, KY, in the winter (November – April), give me a heads-up. 🙂
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God bless you. You are awesome.
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Thank you, Stephanie. My husband, bless his heart, said “I told you so. What took you so long? ” It was funny, very smug, but also encouraging to know he’s been paying attention to my struggles, even while he struggles with his own stuff.
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Know what your trouble is msb?
You see things entirely too clearly. Would to God we all were blessed with such a defect. 😉
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Ha! True story Colorstorm, I once begged the Lord to take my vision away, cover my eyes, don’t let me see this stuff anymore. Took quite a while to learn to be grateful, to understand it’s not a defect, but a blessing. I regret that ingratitude and not thanking Him more often for His goodness. 🙂
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As is usually the case, I totally relate and empathize with you, sister!
“Whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them” – Mk. 6:11.
““Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ If he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector” – Mt. 18: 14-17.
“I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you” – Jn. 14:18.
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Thank you, MJ. I have a terrible time letting go sometimes. This pastor I adored used to tell me, “Just shake the dust from your feet and yell Ichabod!” He was right. 🙂
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I was once both.
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And in viewing church in the way you do (and the way I’ve learned to do), it really transforms how we think of church. Or, at least, it has transformed how I think of church.
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I’ve kind of been in that boat IB for quite sometime when I watched with great pain what was happening within the Episcopal Church and in turn the greater Anglican communion—I cut my physical tie but wounder if that life-long familiar tie is still not somewhat bound…I too continue to seek but I must say I like your desire to set out and seek…
Happy travels my friend as I know God will be taking you on a marvelous and wonderful journey!!!
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Thank you, Julie!
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Praying for you; its so hard finding a church community
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It was simply said, but I know it wasn’t simply done. I hope you can find a place to hear and be heard. A place to know and be known. A place of grace. Blessings IB.
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Sounds like you’re on a new adventure! I’m sure God has something really good in store for you.
I, myself, can go toward Groucho Marx on occasion: “I would never belong to any organization that would have me as a member.” And I’m the pastor. LOL!
Seriously, heal up and re-calibrate. God has a great “rest” program! I do hope there’s a healthy church family to do life with in your future. 🙂 God bless.
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Thanks, Mel! Love that Groucho Marx quote. I actually told that very thing to our interim pastor a few months back. Chuckling here, but I don’t even need a healthy church family! I’m perfectly content with those willing to just put some “fun” in our dysfunction. It’s the good people I can’t deal with or rather those who think they are good. It’s okay, I think Jesus had that same problem Himself. 🙂
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I’ve not had a church for two years now. I watch online, study my Bible at home, and I am a witness for Christ. The Churches have lost their way.
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I’m sorry you don’t have a church. Glad to hear you watch on line and study the Bible. 😊
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Church is a place, but God is the one who will bring us to where we will belong, as well as grow.
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