Jenn: Hell – My Greatest Gift (A small portion of my story)
Hi Everyone! I am fairly new here and just haven't has the time to write out my story or be overly involved here, and yet, that is why I joined. So, what better way to spend an Autumn evening, eh? I first found the church as a sixteen year old kid on October 31,...
just one more chance
I always give people in this situation, including myself (yes, I've been there!), this advice: GET OUT NOW! or, in one word, RUN! It seems from what I know of you on this site is that you have run, you did get out! I'm thankful. And I love your stories. Please share...
Exercise: personality test
Self-knowledge is crucial. In fact, many of the saints and mystics and philosophers insist that our knowledge of Divine or Truth is in direct proportion to our knowledge of ourselves. One of the most significant learning experiences in my life was taking the...
more on listening
Seriously! A great book with specific listening and speaking skills that will help you, not only with your kids, but with every living human being. (Is there any other kind?) Here's some bibliographic info: Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish, How To Talk So Kids Will...
listening wins
Do you take time to listen? Are you receptive? Are you open? Do you hear the many voices? Can you hear the countless stories? Have you felt the anguish, the pain, the joy, the love? Are your mind and heart wide open? Or do you just chatter your life away, bowling over...
church in bed
For many people, family is the last battle to be fought for their spiritual independence. Some of my siblings have unfriended me because of the changes I've gone through. Even though they love me, I don't think my parents will ever understand. Or even try. But my task...
loneliness
The most prevalent feeling since leaving the church has been loneliness. I've been thinking about this quite a bit. Actually, I think I was just as lonely within the church but I didn't feel it as acutely because I was surrounded by people. I had some meaningful...
Saturday Spiritual Supplement: Enneagram Test
I think it is important to have resources at our disposal to help us live out our own unique spirituality, especially if we are outside an organized form of spirituality such as the church. So today I'm happy to announce that you can do a short Enneagram test right...
McBeth: My Love/Hate Relationship with the Church
I have hesitated to post my story for two reasons: First...I don't have the extreme horror stories of power-hungry leaders or abuse that many of you have described. Overwhelmingly, my friends and co-workers have been wonderful people who are interested in the things...
