Define what it means to forgive...

[irishmom]

Originally Posted by GausJAMS

Just goes to show, that God isn't confined by church walls!

And, I really do mean this so tenderly, and I'm risking the peaceful atmosphere for the sake of honesty and truth, but if that's really the honest truth about your experience with church, you may want to find a different church. (I'm not saying I'm so much more wiser, only that when you're at the right church for you, you will grow, be mistered to, have a chance to serve, enjoy it, be challenged by it and feel fulfilled by His Spirit who draws you there. Maybe the Lord is doing a new thing in you? This is only my assumption and you shouldn't just take my word, but pray about it, too.)

I understand what you are saying about the right church. The problem is I have always had very individual beliefs when it comes to my faith. I have been to many churches and none of them are a perfect fit. So I choose to stay in the Catholic church not because I always endorse all the teachings but because I am comfortable in the environment. I also love the way the kids are taught to respect all other religions instead of teaching them that everyone else is going to hell. The sacrements are also very important to me. So I like my church for the community spirit, traditions and inspiration I get there. It just doesn't necessarily speak to me on an individual level, but that's ok because I know what I believe.

[Miss Blue]

Originally Posted by irishmom

I know we have to forgive those that have done anything to hurt us. I and I do in time let go of my anger and forgive people. But I don't necessarily let those people back into my life.

My question: Do you have to embrace people's presence in your life in order to forgive them? Or it is ok to forgive them and then send them off out of your life?

I don't have a problem forgiving..I do have a problem with forgetting the pain and hurt that person caused me. In my opinion forgiving a person doesn't mean you have to allow that person to be part of your life.

[GausJAMS]

Originally Posted by irishmom

I understand what you are saying about the right church. The problem is I have always had very individual beliefs when it comes to my faith. I have been to many churches and none of them are a perfect fit. So I choose to stay in the Catholic church not because I always endorse all the teachings but because I am comfortable in the environment. I also love the way the kids are taught to respect all other religions instead of teaching them that everyone else is going to hell. The sacrements are also very important to me. So I like my church for the community spirit, traditions and inspiration I get there. It just doesn't necessarily speak to me on an individual level, but that's ok because I know what I believe.

cool! I know Jesus certainly speak to you on your level, because He knows you!
And, no church is a perfect fit, for anyone, because we're all humans trying to carry out God's perfect will. Well, it ain't gonna happen so perfectly, but the goal, I guess is so that it does glorify The Creator and point back to Him.

Bet, everyone would agree there's something, even nit-pciky that they don't like about their own church. If they don't agree I would suspect they aren't being truthful at some level.