Comments on: divine healing?

By: rosacola

rosacola — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 13:04:30 +0000

Joann, why do you ‘go to church’ in the first place? Is it out of religious obligation? Or do you desire to have a relationship with God, our Heavenly Father? If the latter, let me assure you that that can very well be accomplished outside of the brick and mortar institutions. In fact it is very rare for that to happen in a brick and mortar ‘church’. Let me encourage you to read a book, especially together with your daughter, the title is “Sacred Romance” by John Eldridge and Brent Curtis.

As you ponder leaving the ’sunday morning club’, don’t do it and walk away from the Father. He loves you! and desires to woo your heart. So walk away from the ‘religion’ and walk into the Father’s love. He will come for you.

By: woodswalker

woodswalker — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 14:36:35 +0000

Joann, I recently left my church too for many of the same reasons you have shared. I have been quite ill for a few months and like your daughter, I needed to become pro active and look for answers myself. During this time I was prayed over and anointed, by church elders and was on many prayer lists. As my illness worsened, I found people impatient with me for not improving, since they “were praying like crazy for me.” I was told that I was blocking the holy spirit from working in me and that I needed to confess my sins and to make sure that I wasn’t doing anything to displease God. Essentially, I was being blamed for that fact that I was still ill, despite their attempts to intercede for me. Long story short, I have finally found a specialist who has diagnosed me properly and I’m starting to improve. I have also worked hard researching holistic medicine and have improved my diet and lifestyle. However, none of that matters to my church since it has absolutely nothing to do with my efforts and all to do with their prayers. Don’t get me wrong I believe in prayer but I also believe in taking responsibility for my own health and well being. I have to add that when I was at my worst and in extreme pain, people did not offer any practical help, meals etc but promised to pray and reminded me that my suffering was a “gift” as it connected me to the suffering Jesus went through. That was not helpful.

By: wally

wally — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 04:11:35 +0000

Good luck on your journey! Truth seeking is sometimes a nasty, painful business for those of us who found comfort in the teachings and fellowship of the church. But, if you are willing to accept the consequences of where reason and conscience lead you, even if it means losing the comforting message of salvation that the church professes, then by all means go for it.

It sounds as if your daughter is a truth seeker. Maybe you should join her on that journey. All you need is a bible and the willingness to read it for yourself without the propaganda of the church’s apologists , letting only your reasoning mind and conscience guide you. Let the bible be it’s own defender. Why should it be otherwise?

Then, if you feel that you have read the inspired word of God, and you are willing to trust it’s message as your life guide, rejoin your fellowship with like-minded believers and relish it. If not, take comfort in the love of your family and cling to that and relish that, and make the most of the time you have together and celebrate your human-ness and freedom “from” religious dogma.