For those that believe in God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit

[not2shygrrl]

I admit I don't go to church as much as I want to. I get in this rut, as a Catholic, when I get pissed at my life I blame God and stop going to church! It is because of my love, faith and trust that I always go back. When I get over myself! I am able to be the humble woman that I truly am and I go back to services, confession, in spite of my sins I ask for forgiveness and partake in the body and blood of Jesus.....as I believe in. I am not perfect, but I love the Holy Trinity!

I also believe that we who believe, do pray and honor the same ultimate energy, we all just call him by different names. One in the same for me My faith is positive, (with the exception of my stupid stubbornness) and ingrained in me from childhood. I remember goofing off in church with my siblings with looks and hand gestures and such! I remember looking around and contemplating such things as who will go to communion and who won't! Or looking around and wondering what peoples lives were like at home, and getting a little more serious in thoughts as to the life of Jesus and hearing about it when I listened to the readings! And as I got older, I could not wait to go to mass and pray, the solitude, one on one with the big guy! Arrive a little early and your choice of parking and seating were a bonus, the opportunity to pray in his house, with very little interruptions....was and still is uplifting to me. Confession......face to face is the only way I can do this, not shy in most any aspect of my life.

As long as I can remember liking females, is also as long as I can remember that I never felt that I was going to hell for being a lesbian! I didn't know that word at an early age, but I have never been ashamed of these feelings. My foundations in church were set in early with my parents and siblings. I pray to be a better person, I pray for peace, and I find it hard to pray for things that I want, feeling as if a roof, food and a means for working should be enough. Little by little that is changing! One of my favorite songs is about peace and I use it for my signature in my email......Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.

God bless you.

[princessbelle]

I have always so enjoyed the story of Ruth and Naomi.

Naomi being Ruth's mother in law and having become a widow, vowed to be with her until the end. Ruth had married Naomi's son but only because Naomi had pushed her to do so. After Naomi's son's death (Ruth's husband) Ruth promised to never leave Naomi's side again.

It has always amazed me that these two women made vows to each other and to God about each other. Their vows are often said in marriage ceremonies. It is a vow of love and companionship and family. I feel it could have even been more than that actually, but who knows.

Again, i don't really want to get into a heated debate about it. Let's continue to keep it a positive space.

Please feel free to share anything that touches you and thanks to those who have posted and those who sent reps and glad this thread is here. I really appreciate all of the positive energy in this thread!!!!

I wanted to share the famous vows that these two women made today....

Ruth 1:16-17

But Ruth said,
“Do not press me to leave you
or to turn back from following you!
Where you go, I will go;
Where you lodge, I will lodge;
Your people shall be my people and your God my God.
Where you die, I will die
There I will be buried.
May the Lord do thus and so to me
And more as well
If even death parts me from you!”’

[MsTinkerbelly]

Originally Posted by princessbelle

I have always so enjoyed the story of Ruth and Naomi.

Naomi being Ruth's mother in law and having become a widow, vowed to be with her until the end. Ruth had married Naomi's son but only because Naomi had pushed her to do so. After Naomi's son's death (Ruth's husband) Ruth promised to never leave Naomi's side again.

It has always amazed me that these two women made vows to each other and to God about each other. Their vows are often said in marriage ceremonies. It is a vow of love and companionship and family. I feel it could have even been more than that actually, but who knows.

Again, i don't really want to get into a heated debate about it. Let's continue to keep it a positive space.

Please feel free to share anything that touches you and thanks to those who have posted and those who sent reps and glad this thread is here. I really appreciate all of the positive energy in this thread!!!!

I wanted to share the famous vows that these two women made today....

Ruth 1:16-17

But Ruth said,
“Do not press me to leave you
or to turn back from following you!
Where you go, I will go;
Where you lodge, I will lodge;
Your people shall be my people and your God my God.
Where you die, I will die
There I will be buried.
May the Lord do thus and so to me
And more as well
If even death parts me from you!”’

When going through confirmation class i had to read that passage aloud...it took several tries as i could not stop sobbing. When read in context (and as posted here), it is one of the most beautiful in the Bible!

I begin all of my prayers with "thank you Lord for these my many blessings", and try to remember to be ever grateful in my daily life. There have been so many times over the last few years that i have " given it up to God", and although sometimes i don't like the answer, He always answers my prayers.

[Canela]

Originally Posted by princessbelle

Ruth 1:16-17

But Ruth said,
“Do not press me to leave you
or to turn back from following you!
Where you go, I will go;
Where you lodge, I will lodge;
Your people shall be my people and your God my God.
Where you die, I will die
There I will be buried.
May the Lord do thus and so to me
And more as well
If even death parts me from you!”’

I have a band by James Avery that I wear and have worn since 2007 with this scripture engraved in Hebrew. It is a beautiful vow I took when I decided to serve the Lord. It has been an exercise in patience, that's for sure, but my heart remains the same, definitely....
And in my heart, Jesus is Ruth and I, Naomi...

Great thread. Thanks for starting it

[Canela]

Originally Posted by Canela

I have a band by James Avery that I wear and have worn since 2007 with this scripture engraved in Hebrew. It is a beautiful vow I took when I decided to serve the Lord. It has been an exercise in patience, that's for sure, but my heart remains the same, definitely....
And in my heart, Jesus is Ruth and I, Naomi...

Great thread. Thanks for starting it

What a maroon! Jesus is Naomi, I am Ruth....oops

[princessbelle]

Prayer for Peace

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.


Amen.

--St. Francis of Assisi (1181-1226)

[CowboyJ]

Belle thank you for putting this thread up. I too, believe in the Trinity and am not afraid to be an out and proud Christian. I grew up Missionary Baptist and listened to the condemning words each and every Sunday and Wednesday evening. I was not drawn into that drama and that is where my faith grew stronger. I knew God would not have such hatred for God's children and nothing that preacher could say shook that firm belief. I have attended seminary and was fortunate enough to be able to be who I am, believe what I believe and as long as I could back it up in scripture, my professors were willing to listen. I do wish more of the LGBT community could realize just what a loving God we have and I know many have been tested by so called Christians. I am in constant prayer that we can all feel he love that God has to offer us.

Thank you again for starting this thread. It was a very warming feeling to see the post when I signed on tonight. I hope to have more interaction here.

Peace and Blessings........

[Electrocell]

Haven't been to church in years, but I believe in all three. Worship God in my own way.