but generally when I want to think on the divine, I go to the mountains or put Bach on the music player.
Every morning I go outside and sit on the back patio stoop (had to clear the snow off first the other day) and pray to stay sober this day. That I will help the people that need helpand that I will do what needs to be done (along with some special requests that spring up like my cousin battle cancer and such)
I have no idea what is out there but I know there is some "force" that works through me and others. Near as I can pin it in religious terms is the Holy Spirit. Fo now I have no need for structured religion. Can't say what my beliefs will be in the future.
Meade, the whole point is that I don't want to be a hypocrite by attending a traditional church service when I think half (or more) of the stuff is bogus and when I disagree with much of the dogma.
I didn't mean to infer that people who go to church are better than - I know better than that, believe me. But one thing I have seen among many regular attendees is an inclination to act less Christian in day to day life because the time in the pew proves goodness. Of course we both know that this isn't the case, but nevertheless, there are many folks like that and I don't want to waste 2 hours of my Sunday with them. (I think my current aversion to church has a lot to do with the fact that I'm living in a very conservative community where the tenets of Christianity which I most cherish - care for the poor, sick, etc. - are not so very much emphasized as those twisted perversion of 'if you've got yours, you must be blessed - and those that don't must have brought it upon themselves'. I did love my Episcopal congregations in Maine and D.C. very much; both were very liberal/progressive.)
I'd much rather hike with my dogs in the Rockies and feel God all around me and in the creatures who share my life with such faith and devotion.
For me, it is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring.
~ Carl Sagan
Yeah, in many places it's difficult to find a good Bible-based church that is true community in action - as opposed to inaction. We've been blessed here in Kent at (of all places) a Baptist church, which I wouldn't have expected. Prior bias on my part, no doubt. I've been fortunate not to ever have been to a church that shelters either the prosperity gospel or people who think themselves better or above others. I've only found them in universities and some parts of California.
For Christianity, by identifying truth with faith, must teach-and, properly understood, does teach-that any interference with the truth is immoral. A Christian with faith has nothing to fear from the facts
I've been fortunate not to ever have been to a church that shelters either the prosperity gospel or people who think themselves better or above others.
You're lucky Meade; I've been to several churches that preach the "prosperity gospel", and I've found as many arrogant jerks in the pews as in pretty much anywhere else.
I'd much rather hike with my dogs in the Rockies and feel God all around me and in the creatures who share my life with such faith and devotion.
Amen to that.
I think of it as love.
I remember when I was early on my sobriety path and I was struggling with the "power greater than myself" and a wise lady told me her view was that it's "love and caring" both more powerful than us.
find a good Bible-based church that is true community in action - as opposed to inaction. We've been blessed here in Kent at (of all places) a Baptist church,
My sister has also found a Baptist church that "does" rather than "talks".
This should go in my oldr_alky thread but I'll put it here as we are on the subject.
I was feeling a little disconected for my higher power this week and yesterday during my morning prayers I expressed that thought and asked for help/a way to strengthen my connection. So I go to a meeting last night that is usually an AA big book session. Turns out its an anniversary for a guy that has 11 years. One of his speakers is a guy (who I have heard speak before) is big on the higher power and how it is what keeps him and us sober. He speaks and afterwards I end up talking to him for 30min or so and he sahres with me some prayers and thoughts on being more connected. Seems I got what I asked for. After my prayers this mornign I feel more in touch with my higher power.
