Comments on: Where it belongs

By: Masaki

Masaki — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 19:05:00 +0000

This made me think about the KINDS of messes we allow and disallow in church. Countless times where I’ve wished some kinds of mess, such as public displays of status and power, be a little bit less acceptable in church, whereas, like you mention, expressions of mourning and humility (can you say, beating of the breast?) be considered normal.

By: Amber

Amber — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:01:37 +0000

This ended up being particularly relevant to my life this week. So thanks for the reminder. It helped to have just read it before I broke down in our worship service this week.

By: Llama Momma

Llama Momma — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:26:26 +0000

I’m serious.

And they didn’t say it like that, of course. They said, “Oh, we didn’t realize you have a three-year old in addition to the twins. That puts us over the quota of children we can handle in our group.”

It still stung.

By: erika

erika — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:02:33 +0000

Are you serious?!?!?!?! Oh my, words fail me.

By: Llama Momma

Llama Momma — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 20:40:48 +0000

I just got a call today from the leader of the small group we just joined on Sunday. We haven’t even been yet, but are officially uninvited because we have too many children.

You can’t make this stuff up.

By: Troy

Troy — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 16:28:29 +0000

Hi, I really appreciate your blog.

I don’t know (obviously) the setting in which your friend’s expulsion occurred but it touches a nerve with me. Sure, perhaps her expression(s) of need were not timely or were too much but still, she leaves feeling she’s a needy fool. Could not other options been presented to her at least? That’s cold.

I have envy when I hear of your experience of being so open and vulnerable and transparent in church. Church (or “church”) is not a safe place for me yet I long for it to be, if that makes sense. There is something very clean and healing about what you describe. Maybe I’ll find that or bits of it in future.

Thanks again

Troy

By: erika

erika — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 02:47:08 +0000

Bethie,
Your comment made me smile

By: bethie

bethie — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 05:02:52 +0000

I love this about you. I realized once, when going to a Bible study, that the others there never shared in the midst of their struggles. Only when they had overcome them. I felt like I was in the midst of struggles all the time. Needless to say, I didn’t develop a strong relationship with that group. I have always loved that you are real and make it ok for me to be real too.

By: brunettekoala

brunettekoala — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 19:14:34 +0000

AMEN SISTER!

Thank you for writing this Erika.

By: Ann

Ann — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 18:33:55 +0000

Thanks for this post, Erika. If we don’t weep and mourn with those who weep and mourn, how are we conforming to Christ’s image? It’s important for those who are hurting and struggling to know that being among the members of the Body is safe harbor from the world, and on the other hand (reflecting on Mark’s comment), to grow in ministering to others. Our temptation when in pain is to shut down and need healing attention, but we cannot remain there too long and be healthy, either.

Driving away or shutting down those who hurt should never be our responses, either, though! How may we help them grow stronger in Christ, so that they may console others with the same consolation we receive from the Lord?

Ann