PUT ME IN A BOX » Uncategorized

Merry Christmas

Lynnea — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 19:25:30 +0000

To those who may stumble upon this blog and our few faithful readers, Merry Christmas. I hope the New Year will bring inspiration to all of us, and perhaps a few new posts here on Put Me in a Box.

Peace to All,

Lynnea

Trick or Treat

Lynnea — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 02:23:30 +0000

Were you raised Trick or Treating? I was, and I am sure I never was engaging in evilness. I don’t think it opens the door into witchcraft.

I love the community opening their doors, greeting each other, candy doesn’t hurt. It is fun!

Trick or Treat!

Happy Halloween

How Does God Work?

Lynnea — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 20:50:09 +0000

How do you view God?

Do you believe in a Creator, but then creation is let it run it’s course?

Is God a voice of reason from within?

Does God have a mapped out plan that we are following?

Is the future already known?

Is there a reality of “God’s Will”?

Do you believe in a Divine Being?

If you have read this blog before, you probably know I am a person who wonders about these things. As a child I wondered what would happen if I followed God’s will, but my future spouse didn’t. We would never meet. I know that sounds dramatic, but I was trying to make sense of this divine plan in my childlike mind.

As I matured I no longer saw God holding the huge blueprints of our lives. I wonder what did you think as a child? How has your image of God changed?

Saying Goodbye

Lynnea — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 00:08:26 +0000

My pastor is leaving our church. He is leaving to be a coordinator for our brand of Baptists at the state level. I think it seems like a great job–but I am crushed emotionally. He is respected and loved. I trust him completely with my questions and doubts. For nearly ten years, he has been my pastor.

The process of going through changes can be trying on a church. The fear of the unknown, the uncertainty of what the new pastor will be like. I don’t know how to completely process this all. Most of all, few people love change.

Unitarian

Lynnea — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 20:55:37 +0000

Audra and I met for a weekend trip, We were sad that Lainie wasn’t able to join us. Saturday night, Audra was looking at a newspaper and saw church listings. Originally, we had discussed our lack of interest in attending a church service during our time together. The ad blurb for the Unitarian church caught our attention. Even with a typo in the newspaper, we found their website.

There is freedom in exploring different churches while traveling. There is little chance of seeing these people again. Of course, reality was slightly different for us. Audra saw a former university professor. I saw a familiar face from my job at the university library.

I enjoyed our hour or so with the Unitarian Congregation. It was a small group, which can be uncomfortable for visitors. There is no crowd to hide in. I was a bit hesitant when I went to open the door, but I am so glad I went in. They were quick to greet us and include us wholeheartedly. The conversation seemed to eerily mesh with discussions Audra and I had the previous evening. There was no grand conclusion of the discussion, no perfect answer to our struggles. It was openness and discussion–most importantly community.

Good or Evil?

Lynnea — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 14:09:57 +0000

Are we evil from birth? Do we come into this world wretched sinful beings? Although it can seem like a dark, depressing idea, it is a common theological belief in Christianity. What is your opinion?

Coming Soon…another Frank Schaeffer book review

Lynnea — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 21:54:41 +0000

Patience with God: Faith for People Who Don’t Like Religion (or Atheism) by Frank Schaeffer

I ordered this book from amazon today. I am eager to receive it. I joined a book club. I thought it would take me beyond my typical reading, which has proven true. I have already read our February book, so I am ready to read some of my own choosing.

Here I come religion and biographies–True Compass by Ted Kennedy is waiting to be finished as well.

Deal with the Devil

Lynnea — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 03:57:01 +0000

“They were under the heel of the French. You know, Napoleon III, or whatever. And they got together and swore a pact to the devil. They said, we will serve you if you’ll get us free from the French. True story. And so, the devil said, okay it’s a deal.” Pat Robertson

Must we imply that if there is hardship, poverty, war, illness–God must not be there. Are all the wealthy, successful people finding favor with God? Do earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, and flooding mean Satan is attacking?

Superstition rules and Science is out. It must be the Devil.

Lost My Way

Lynnea — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 04:02:29 +0000

My doubt through the Christmas season was strong. I felt so much doubt, I meet with my Sunday School Teacher to talk about it over coffee. He was not surprised, I had alluded to some of my questioning in class. The odd thing about me is that I LOVE church and have no interest in leaving. It is pretty amazing since I doubt so much of the time. In my December struggle, I was given this perspective which gave me comfort.

Faith always includes uncertainty or else it is not faith. Unbelief itself is a long-standing perspective. See the works of Robert N. Bellah and Martin Marty. Marty, a historian, has written about unbelief as a tradition within American thought. Unbelief is a kind of faith, odd at it may seem.

Child Like Faith

Lynnea — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 02:27:39 +0000

Growing up, the notion of a child like faith was often praised. I thought it was odd and irresponsible, even as a child. Those who know me would say that is so me. I have often thought and over thought much of life. I didn’t doubt faith as a child, yet I thought it was something to be studied and not taken lightly.

Oh today I long for the faith of my childhood. I wanted answers, yet I didn’t feel the answers would lead to disbelief. I felt it would lead to understanding. In my studying and struggle of adulthood, I have found more questions. Lately those questions have been clouded with the darkness of unbelief. I WANT to believe. I want the mysterious peace at passes all understanding. The loss of faith saddens me.