jerryb

Hi Fred, I am living proof of your statement" The tension is where all the fun stuff happens". I am truly having "The time of my life" spiritually,and it's good...it's very good. I was brought up in such an extremely fundemental church, that it seemed their motto was,"If it's fun....it's wrong". But...they were wrong...God is fun too,isn't "she"? Blessings, Jerryb

Hi Jerry, welcome to the board. Sorry it took me a day to get to your post. I've actually been hanging out on another board. Don't tell anyone. I don't know if you've read any other posts on the board that describe my armchair philosophizing over the last few months, but in a nutshell -I'm still searching, still learning, and still a little lost. My search for God has lead me a bit towards more traditional Christianity, although I'm sure they would still consider me too liberal. I started with the premise that God exists and from that has flowed many ideas (social trinitarianism, open view theism, universalism, "soul making") that just happen to exist in Christianity (though some disagree) as well. I had to step away from Christianity and the Bible in order to come back to it (over a process of about 5 years). The tension between mystery and certainty that you mention? I think that's exactly where we are supposed to be. If you want to talk privately via email or messenger let me know. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hi Aletheia, I promise not to tell about your other "hang-out".....of course now....everybody knows. Just kidding! You mentioned that your journey back was a process of 5 years...I can relate to that. For ten long years I was completely away from the church,religion,etc. I tried my best to become an atheist,but it didn't work. So I went seminary...pastored a church for ten years...but again....it just wasn't working. But strangely enough,I am much happier as a "seeker", or as the book "Looking for God knows what" by Donald Miller says..." Sometimes I feel as though I were born in a circus...shot out of a cannon..felt myself falling through the air...and suddenly realized there is no net". The "falling" was both scary and intoxicating for me,because it gave me the most incredible feeling of freedom that I had ever known. And that is why I so enjoy hearing the stories of path-finding that you and others share on this board. Godspeed my friend , Jerryb

Hi aletheia, I believe that I am at about the same stage in my search for Jesus that you are. And I struggle almost daily to make sense of how I'm feeling. Perhaps that's the real beauty and appeal of christianity,it's mystery. However....even though I love mystery...my soul craves certainty,and I'm caught in the tension of those two emotions. Maybe you can share what you've discovered about this in your own spiritual walk. Blessings, Jerryb

Happy Birthday Jerry! I've flipped through that book quite a bit, and will probably pick it up eventually. The gnosis.org site is actually mostly Hoeller's articles anyway. He has also written a book called The Gnostic Jung. It should be fairly obvious from my original post on this topic that I'm a big Jung fan. Hi Fred, Thanks for the birthday greeting. I am more impressed every day by the Gnostic tradition. Much of my reading lately seems to take me in that direction. You have to wonder about all those centuries before the arrival of written works... how did people find out how to relate to God?.....Perhaps through the concept of "inner Knowing",or gnosticism. Blessings, Jerryb <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi fred, I just began reading a book on Gnosticism by Hoeller. The first chapter was very enlightening. I look forward to hearing more of your take on this subject. Godspeed, Jerryb

This is why I think the internet is SUCH a blessing. Without it I might have no spiritual outlet but my husband's conservative church. With the internet I can get another point of view on subjects, and also talk to people who are more closely aligned with my beliefs. It's nice to be a part of the majority now and then. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Greenparty You are right about the internet being a 'blessing'. The dictionary defines a blessing as"a thing that induces happiness". And I can honestly say that it has been an inducenent to my happiness to be able to share my spiritual path,and at the same time,become aquainted with the spiritual paths of others on this board. I truly believe that this formatt allows us to really "listen"....because we can pause and contemplate the posts of others,and because we have that time...perhaps gain a spiritual perspective we would never have in the 'rush' of normal conversation. Blessings, Jerryb

This is why I think the internet is SUCH a blessing. Without it I might have no spiritual outlet but my husband's conservative church. With the internet I can get another point of view on subjects, and also talk to people who are more closely aligned with my beliefs. It's nice to be a part of the majority now and then. <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

David....I totally agree with you. A liberal church that is so attractive that conservatives would give up their mega churches is my dream for this decade. The biggest challenge I have in my area, is finding some other like-minded ,spiritual people to meet with on a regular basis who would enjoy sharing our spiritual journeys with each other. If there are any such fellow travelers on this board,I would love to make your aquaintance,and perhaps arrange to meet occaisionally to share our spiritual paths. Godspeed my friends, Jerryb