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 5/20/2007 5:36:27 AM
User is offlineJackie
9 posts


Our Journeys
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Hi, I am new to Metamorpha.  I was hoping that this might be a place to share our "stories" on the journey to Christlikeness.  I would love to hear from others about where they have been along the way.  In the past year I have found myself in a difficult place where God has felt very far away.  I have questioned the reality of everything I have believed, been told to be careful I don't lose my faith.  Questioned who I know God to be and asked what is the difference between faith and delusion.  The bottomline for me has been that there IS no where else to go but to God.  Life without Him is ten times worse than life with Him.  I am believing that He will lift the fog in His time and in the meantime I am holding on.  Anyone read Nouwen's Return of the Prodigal Son?  I'd love to interact with someone about it

Jackie
 5/25/2007 4:31:44 AM
User is offline808080
4 posts


Re: Our Journeys
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Hi Jackie, I have read Nouwen's book. It's pretty powerful. And I've also been through a season much like what you describe you're in. If you'd like to talk about it more I'd be happy to. Adie
 5/26/2007 2:54:13 AM
User is offlineJackie
9 posts


Re: Our Journeys
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Adie, Pleased to meet you.  I would love to dialogue with you.  To hear your story.  One of the big things that struck me from Nouwen's book was his description of the of the older brother.  I have been such an "older brother" in recent years.  What was a bit sad for me in reading that section was when Nouwen communicated how hard it is to move from the older brother place.

On the journey,

Jackie
 5/26/2007 6:45:48 PM
User is offline808080
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Re: Our Journeys
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Hi jackie, Nice to meet you, too! You know, I wonder if your relating to the older brother right now is part of the same thing that's causing you to question God and your faith. Odd as it sounds, that's a really good place to be. have you ever read a book called The Critical Journey by Janet Hagberg? It's a really great description of the 6 stages of faith we all go through. Really a good read. It was so helpful to me when I was questioning everything to get the bigger picture of what was going on. For me, God needed to pretty much blow up my life in order to break through to my heart. I'd been walking with him for many years at that point. But he'd always fit into such a nice neat little box for me - I didn't think that then. But it's clear to me now. So about 4 years ago, my life hit the fan and God used that to change my spiritual life in ways I couldn't even have asked for. But it was hard. What I hear from you is your deep faith despite the questions and feelings. That's where God is - waiting in that fog for you and with you. For me it felt like when you've been outside and it's really bright then you go into an unlit room you've never been in before. Your eyes haven't adjusted yet. You don't know your way around yet. I felt safe, but in a place I didn't know. I didn't feel alone. Just unfamiliar. Once I got comfortable with being in that room/stage/mindset, God slowly did some intensive work that has been so rich.
 5/28/2007 10:26:38 PM
User is offlineJackie
9 posts


Re: Our Journeys
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No Adie, I haven't read The Critical Journey but I did look it up on Amazon and read the excerpt.  It looks like one I would like to read.  Thanks for telling me that you hear "deep faith despite the questions and feelings".  Some days I feel like I don't have any faith and wonder if I ever did.  I am angry much like Nouwen describes the older brother and am trying to practice trust and gratitude as Nouwen discusses in his book as being the only way out.  I have this feeling though that I can't "do" anything to get myself out and that I just have to wait on God.  That is very hard and doesn't make logical sense.  So how is life now?  How has "who God is" changed for you now that He is out of the "box"?  I am not implying that I think God changes but maybe our perception or understanding of who He is, is off and He has to continually reintroduce us to Himself.  Thanks for your willingness to have such an honest conversation with me. Jackie
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