tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-363962141957926826.post8095080241671792277..comments2023-10-16T08:05:55.304-05:00Comments on Reality Check: Real Talk or Religious TalkMary Burlesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00834456649246397997noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-363962141957926826.post-52631601251164096452008-06-25T00:20:00.000-05:002008-06-25T00:20:00.000-05:00Mary: This is so true, and I find the hardest for ...Mary: This is so true, and I find the hardest for people to do. In fact I have always practiced this and have had people with good intentions tell me that I was losing my faith. In fact I had so much faith and was so secure in God's love, that I knew it was ok to grieve, question, wrestle.<BR/><BR/>God knows our humaness, he created us after all. When things happen that temporarily crush us, I don't think he expects anything less. In fact in the end I think it strengthens us in our faith and certainly in our relationship to God.Debbie Kaufmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17748664558802779885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-363962141957926826.post-22213654192349219022008-06-24T04:43:00.000-05:002008-06-24T04:43:00.000-05:00Cathy,I like your statement, "When we love people ...Cathy,<BR/>I like your statement, "When we love people enough to be real with them, we don't need our cultural words as security blankets."<BR/><BR/>Right on. My point exactly.<BR/>MBMary Burlesonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00834456649246397997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-363962141957926826.post-6612274233288328922008-06-23T10:38:00.000-05:002008-06-23T10:38:00.000-05:00I think we don't often see how much of our Christi...I think we don't often see how much of our Christianity is cultural. For instance a friend of mine--who recently joined an AOG church--often tells me to "Have a blessed day" or says, "Praise the Lord" in response to good news. These are new phrases for her and for the most part reflect her new church culture. <BR/><BR/>My church friends use prases like "missional" or "incarnational." Unless you are part of it, it doesn't translate. And it definitely doesn't mean anything to the people they want to be "missional" or "incarnational" to.<BR/><BR/>It occurs to me that when uncertain we revert to the cultural because it makes us feel connected to "our group." (Much like my daughter's "let's bounce" or "whatever.") <BR/><BR/>The thing is that it isn't the cultural that connects across lines, it is the humanity.<BR/><BR/>Maybe that's the whole "perfect love casts out fear" thing. When we love people enough to be real with them, we don't need our cultural words as security blankets. <BR/><BR/>Thanks for the "reality check." I'm really enjoying your blog.Cathy Hutchisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11242970591103966392noreply@blogger.com