tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13316589.post8605517610273948704..comments2023-10-26T08:46:47.730-04:00Comments on Contemplative Chaplain: Standing Outside the GateContemplative Chaplainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14418239767846591430noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13316589.post-2169325262908339632007-07-25T15:16:00.000-04:002007-07-25T15:16:00.000-04:00My dear Christen, This posting greatly touched ...My dear Christen,<BR/> <BR/>This posting greatly touched me. I lost a good friend since high school not by divorcing, but by marrying. She didn't approve of my choice in a spouse, thought I was making a bad decision, and didn't make a huge effort to get to know James.<BR/> <BR/>I thought the friendship was gone and lost forever. She and another (ex) friend stormed out of my wedding, ditched the reception, and sent a very humiliating wedding gift which was opened in front of family and friends. <BR/> <BR/>I received an e-mail from her recently. We've slowly started catching up and reconnecting via e-mail and phone calls. I don't know where the friendship is meant to go, if anywhere. However, I know that the love, concern, and care is still there. <BR/> <BR/>I know it's been many years since your divorce. It's sad that your friend cannot remove the beam in her own eye before trying to remove the splinter in yours. <BR/> <BR/>I think the best you can do is continue to be a friend to her. Send her birthday and Christmas cards. Send her family photos. Send her an e-mail just to tell her you love her and you're thinking of her. God will do the rests. It sounds like she's closed her heart to you at this time.<BR/> <BR/>Whether your divorce was a sin or not is for God to decide. If it was a sinful decision, then you and God will make your peace with that when the time comes. For all I know, I'm pretty certain you've already made that peace. None of us have any right to judge "sinners" as we were told to let those without sin cast the first stone. Try not to let her cast stones on you. <BR/><BR/>I have close friends who are very fundamental Catholics. They've made it known to my husband and I that I'm making an evil choice by choosing to take birth control pills. Never mind the fact that they lived together, had sex, and got pregnant all before they got married. I'm the "bad" Catholic by choosing to wait to conceive. I've been able to let our friendship continue while avoiding this sensitive issue but it's a shame when others feel the need to vocally judge us.<BR/><BR/>Best wishes and much love,<BR/>Kathy T.<BR/><BR/>P.S. You owe me an Anish and Jim, the Father story. I'm still waiting!! :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13316589.post-75483013192767618852007-07-09T18:11:00.000-04:002007-07-09T18:11:00.000-04:00There is strong company inside the gate. And it is...There is strong company inside the gate. And it is indeed company--they share a lot in common. But there is also good company outside the gate. It is company more familiar with hard truths, with sad losses, but also with solid grace and with deep awareness.<BR/><BR/>May this particular writing of yours be a remembered part of your continuing healing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13316589.post-12033451183777975942007-07-09T07:55:00.000-04:002007-07-09T07:55:00.000-04:00Continue on your path, friend. After many years of...Continue on your path, friend. After many years of struggling out of the straightjacket of fundamentalist Christianity, I have come to see that one can be a believer AND question AND have doubts and wrestle and struggle. The Bible, as you know, is filled with such people. It's a love story, not a rulebook--in which God and God's grace is central. ... I admire this post.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13316589.post-61816082414057718852007-07-08T22:36:00.000-04:002007-07-08T22:36:00.000-04:00The Peace of Christ be with you.the past can not b...The Peace of Christ be with you.<BR/>the past can not be changed and tomorrow is yet to be know but we have today. Happiness is found in the moment between regret and hope. <BR/><BR/>I believe that in your dream your roommate and the church is Eve. for to me the the true sin in the garden was the loss of the relationship that God long for...<BR/><BR/>Those outside that gate are many and often seekers of truth but realize that each has their own truth that is true to them and only through openly sharing and exploring each others truths with the love that Christ taught uscan we come to know the One Truth.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com