Sarah Dreams

Church and friends

Monday, July 14, 2008 2:57:55 AM

I actually went to church this evening and I actually enjoyed it.

Except for the part where the preacher talked on and on about hell. He admitted before starting that he prayed for another sermon to give, with no answer from God. An internal dialog played in my mind as the older preacher spoke in calm and slow fashion.

"But what if someone doesn't believe in hell?" I would think...
The preacher said, "We as believers must go out and tell the ones that don't believe about heaven and hell. They don't have to believe it, but it is your duty to tell them!"

He was certainly getting me pumped and excited about being a warrior for God....

Also something that stuck to my mind was this passage, 'Romans 3:10 As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one; 11 there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. 12 All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one." 13 "Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit." "The poison of vipers is on their lips." 14 "Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness." 15 "Their feet are swift to shed blood; 16 ruin and misery mark their ways, 17 and the way of peace they do not know." 18 "There is no fear of God before their eyes." '

I got a bit stuck thinking that God is merciful but then...there is hell?

Ok......some good news...I haven't seen my friend Belissa is about 6 years and was so freakin' happy to see her tonight at church with her boys!!! I just love this girl and I don't know how we ever lost touch. I think I would say that about all my friends, though.

Sarah

26 Questions about my number 1 highlight on Opera.....Bulletproof-Kerli Kõiv (Song+Lyrics)

Comments

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Dacotah # Monday, July 14, 2008 3:26:15 AM

Sarah Dreamsangel292005 # Monday, July 14, 2008 3:33:47 AM

Dacotah # Monday, July 14, 2008 3:56:59 AM

Sarah Dreamsangel292005 # Monday, July 14, 2008 3:58:51 AM

Dacotah # Monday, July 14, 2008 5:10:53 AM

KarenNerak # Monday, July 14, 2008 5:29:10 AM

That's killer! We went to church last night. We were lucky enough to have found a really good one here in Vancouver last Sunday. They had a pot lucky thingy-ma-jig last night. (Although pretty much everything they served contained a dead animal, so I ate three grapes.

)
The people are super cool, friendly, and welcomed us very warmly.

That'll become our new church home.

It's awesome that you hooked up with an old friend!

Double whammies rule!

beavidal # Monday, July 14, 2008 11:53:31 AM

haaammmm... I'm not a fan of churches... I can't stand what the priest says... But I'm glad for you, if you feel nice and free there, go ahead!

Sarah Dreamsangel292005 # Monday, July 14, 2008 1:13:06 PM

Carol,

Karen, Seriously? Wow, that is so cool that you also went. I guess it is in the air or something.

Dead animal? YUM!

I think they are just trying to warm everyone's tummy and heart.
I remember going as a child and there would be a potluck dinner almost every Sunday. What wonderful and special memories.

I was also shocked to see Belissa. We have both changed over the years that we didn't see each other! But I think when friends get along once well, they usually do years later as well. I am excited for you finding a church.

Becky, You are so right, I think that if someone is happy at the church then they should do it. I was actually not wanting to go into the service but after getting in there it just felt 'right'.

beavidal # Monday, July 14, 2008 1:42:14 PM

That's nice sweet!!! As I was saying, if you feel right, I'm glad for you!! I guess religion, churches or any kind of belief is to make people feel happy and free, not to make them feel guilty and thinking of going to hell... Life is so hard and we just pay all our faults here. Why think about hell when things are so hard to drive??

Sarah Dreamsangel292005 # Monday, July 14, 2008 2:07:44 PM

Yes...that is what I wonder.

beavidal # Monday, July 14, 2008 2:09:57 PM

Be in peace!

Tyler Parke YoungCaptivevet # Monday, July 14, 2008 2:15:23 PM

I am a Dao. I eat meat, but I do not forget that it was a living thing. I don't approve of people who eat flesh and don't think about where it came from. Also, hunting for sport is wrong. Killing anything just for the hell of it is wrong. Hunting for food because you need to eat is alright.

Hey, somebody help me get off this soapbox!

Sarah Dreamsangel292005 # Monday, July 14, 2008 2:23:11 PM

Everyone has their different likes and dislikes.

Tyler Parke YoungCaptivevet # Monday, July 14, 2008 2:32:40 PM

Sorry, I didn't intend to get on a rant. Rants tend to turn people off. At least they turn me off anyway.

Off I go to work now. I hate Mondays.

Sarah Dreamsangel292005 # Monday, July 14, 2008 2:54:34 PM

Don't hate mondays! It can make you sick to hate mondays. Start to embrace and love them and be well.

KarenNerak # Monday, July 14, 2008 3:28:23 PM

Well, we're pretty regular church goers, so finding a church was at the top of our list of things to do once we moved to Vancouver. We lucked out and really liked the first one we attended.

KarenNerak # Monday, July 14, 2008 3:28:57 PM

Kinda hard to believe I'm a regular church goer with my avatar doing its thing, huh?

CherylDuckyChickenLady # Monday, July 14, 2008 3:44:45 PM

Good on you all!

(for the church thing)
God is merciful Sarah..don't get unstuck from that thought.
That scripture you quoted is in the beginning of Romans and the beginning of Romans talks about living according to the 'law'...no one can live according to the law. The letter of the law kills...but since Jesus came into the picture...he fufilled the law so that in order to live pleasing to God...all one has to do is Believe in Jesus and what He did...and follow after Him. (the end of Romans..almost half way through talks about living by the Spirit. (very very short version of the gospel)
& I eat meat..I love meat...and meat loves me.
I guess I won't mention that we 'processed' our meat chickens on Saturday...YUMMMMM!!

Cleanclean # Monday, July 14, 2008 3:54:06 PM

As I recall, I think it was the previous Pope who said hell didn't exist as an actual place, but was, rather, more a state of being separated from God.

Cleanclean # Monday, July 14, 2008 3:55:09 PM

(More here for those interested).

Sarah Dreamsangel292005 # Monday, July 14, 2008 8:27:02 PM

Karen, Church is so good for the soul, in my opinion. I am going back Wednesday.

Sarah Dreamsangel292005 # Monday, July 14, 2008 8:28:47 PM

Cheryl, thanks for explaining. It helps a little with the whole "law" thing.

Meat and I don't get along on a cholesterol level...but I do like it as well. God bless the meat you will have soon!

Sarah Dreamsangel292005 # Monday, July 14, 2008 8:29:34 PM

David, thanks a ton for the linkage!

KarenNerak # Monday, July 14, 2008 8:40:13 PM

Yay! I'm happy to hear that. I mean, if it makes you feel good, then I'm all for it.

Tyler Parke YoungCaptivevet # Monday, July 14, 2008 8:56:38 PM

Never argue religion.

CherylDuckyChickenLady # Monday, July 14, 2008 10:26:12 PM

Who's arguing?

r jrjfink # Tuesday, July 15, 2008 4:26:29 AM

I haven't gone back to church since they tried to scare the HELL (haha) out of me when I was six. I do, however, believe that faith carries a lot of people to find great things in their lives, whether it's faith in a higher power or even just themselves. It's never a bad thing to try to be decent, honest, and good, no matter where the message comes from...as long as you GET the message. Isn't that what every religion's "Good Book" is all about? We all need those messages (and lessons) of hope and good will every once in a while, right? I just wish the message of tolerance and acceptance would get through to more people, especially to those that sometimes use their religion as a weapon instead of for good.

I

the fact that you find good in so many things, Sarah. You inspire me to do the same. And to meet up with an old friend, well, that's pure joy, isn't it? So glad you had a great day. You deserve it! Go, girl, GO!!

Tyler Parke YoungCaptivevet # Tuesday, July 15, 2008 11:53:49 AM

The Pope was wrong. There is Hell, and you don't have to die to go there.

Sarah Dreamsangel292005 # Tuesday, July 15, 2008 3:16:07 PM

Tyler, You mean 'discuss' religion?

Sarah Dreamsangel292005 # Tuesday, July 15, 2008 3:18:04 PM

Cheryl, You have a new avatar!

Sarah Dreamsangel292005 # Tuesday, July 15, 2008 3:30:56 PM

RJ,
I can relate to feeling scared when they talk about hell. That is one of the worse things I hear in church. We are naturally going to be scared to death about something that we have never seen in person or even heard about....or even heard from someone who has been there. BUT actually the bible talks about it and says it exist. I really hate going into it...but that is our proof.

It's not like the neighbor can come over and say, "OMG, you would not believe what happened in hell the other day! You SURE don't want to retire there!

Just to let you know, RJ, for future reference...you know...to weigh your options on whether you want to retire in heaven or hell." unavailable

I mean, we are not getting this daily communication or reports from hell in a clear and precise manner that, we as humans, love. News from hell? News from heaven? Without guessing what it is?

We like to know the rules....in a list...oh wait...that's the 10 commandments right?

CherylDuckyChickenLady # Tuesday, July 15, 2008 3:57:37 PM

Yep...I thought it was time for change!

r jrjfink # Tuesday, July 15, 2008 4:54:06 PM

Yep; I feel that if one follows the basic message as closely as possible, they're doing really well as a human being. It's not hard to be good...well, except while dieting...

Sarah Dreamsangel292005 # Tuesday, July 15, 2008 4:57:42 PM

Cheryl, When people change their avatar, I am like

I find myself reading the names more.

RJ, I can totally relate....I need to get further down on my watch list..was busy with the kids.

Tyler Parke YoungCaptivevet # Tuesday, July 15, 2008 8:57:53 PM

As a Dao, I beleve that religion should be held close to the vest. Disscussion almost always leads to argument, and then to bad feelings. I even struck off the explanation I had on my blog about the Dao, for that very reason.

Sarah Dreamsangel292005 # Tuesday, July 15, 2008 9:51:13 PM

Mmmm depends on who you are discussing it with.

Tyler Parke YoungCaptivevet # Tuesday, July 15, 2008 10:05:17 PM

Just save me from "Jehova's Witnesses".

KarenNerak # Tuesday, July 15, 2008 10:11:49 PM

To each their own.

Tyler Parke YoungCaptivevet # Tuesday, July 15, 2008 10:16:53 PM

I have some in my family and it is an argument every time we get together, and it isn't pleasant, and we don't get together much anymore because of it. They do not "live and let live".

Sarah Dreamsangel292005 # Tuesday, July 15, 2008 10:35:08 PM

Yes....this is true. there are some also in my family.

Tyler Parke YoungCaptivevet # Tuesday, July 15, 2008 10:37:21 PM

Yep, and there is nothing to be done. You can't imagine what they think of me.

Sarah Dreamsangel292005 # Wednesday, July 16, 2008 12:51:06 AM

Oh who cares what they think!

Tyler Parke YoungCaptivevet # Wednesday, July 16, 2008 12:38:16 PM

Well, you know, I don't amymore. At 58 whatever I might believe in (Dao) isn't going to change. When I am preached at, I kind of find it insulting, so I just avoid them most of the time.

Sarah Dreamsangel292005 # Wednesday, July 16, 2008 1:52:38 PM

You know what you want.

Matthewnoah counte # Wednesday, July 16, 2008 3:33:47 PM

My biggest heartburn with some flavors of Christianity is Hell. I believe you should be righteous because it is a moral imperative. It bothers me that a Church feels we need to be blackmailed into behaving properly by the threat of awfulness.

If there were no heaven and no hell, living by the Golden Rule would still be the right thing to do.

Tyler Parke YoungCaptivevet # Wednesday, July 16, 2008 9:08:37 PM

My own theory about hell is that you build it here while you are alive. Your own actions put you there, and yet, you are not dead.

r jrjfink # Wednesday, July 16, 2008 9:12:13 PM

Amen, Noah!

Tyler Parke YoungCaptivevet # Wednesday, July 16, 2008 9:38:53 PM

I am not building another Ark, I don't care what HE says.

Sarah Dreamsangel292005 # Wednesday, July 16, 2008 10:24:57 PM

Tyler I think she was referring to Noah counte aka Matthew

Sarah Dreamsangel292005 # Wednesday, July 16, 2008 10:26:59 PM

Matthew, I totally agree. Sometimes I feel like they are threatening us, "LIVE RIGHT OR BURN YOU WORTHLESS PIECE OF HUMAN SHIT"

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