Saturday, May 24, 2008

So it's not a new direction

I was just re-reading my posts and got to the first one about a new direction...now I'm not sure why I deleted the old blog. I still have many of the same questions and issues to think and write through. My faith is the core of who I am and this is just one part of the process of growing and maturing. I suppose this is a disclaimer of sorts. Not that I plan on becoming overly harsh or slanderous...I just plan to be very candid about who I am and where I am in my walk with The Lord and His call on my life to serve Him. Whatever that means.

I'm posting this today because I've come to the realization that I still have issues. If you know me this is no big surprise! I can hear my sis-in-law laughing out, "No kidding!?".

So I guess this is sort of a do over on the idea of a new direction. I'll finish the old direction and then move on from there. Hopefully!

Blessings,
Brandon

10 comments:

Heather said...

Who doesn't have issues? Working through those issues ... not many people actually make it that far. Good for you!

~Heather :)

Lew A said...

You sound almost as confused as I am :).

Just don't stop writing... I enjoy your writings.

God's Glory,
Lew

Angela said...

If you are talking about THIS Sis-in-law, you would be surprised to know that I didn't say that (or even THINK it) :o), but I know what ya mean.
I, on the other hand, don't know anything about issues. I had to go to the dictionary to look up the word, because I SOOO don't know anything about having issues.

And anyone reading this that believes that, must never have met me. Now, it is I that can hear my bro-in-law laughing,"Ya think?!?!?!?"

God bless you Brother. I love you, issues and all.

~Angela

Brandon said...

Good point Heather. Sometimes I'm not sure I wasn't better off when I was fat dumb and happy in my little religious life...

Thanks Lew, I hope you aren't this confused. :) But I appreciate you saying that about my writings.

Blessings,
Brandon

Brandon said...

Thanks Angela. Yep, you were that sis-in-law...and yes, I laughed. :-)

Glad to know I'm not alone.

Now if someone can just give me all the answers I'm looking for that would be great...anyone?

Alan Knox said...

hmmm... Heather looks younger in her latest picture.

Brandon,

Not too long ago, I stopped looking for all the answer and accepted that this life will be confusing. I think... and I could be wrong... that faith is trusting God even when you don't have the answers and even when you're confused.

-Alan

Brandon said...

Alan,
Yes, Heather is three now. :-)

I agree with you wholeheartedly. It's not that I don't trust Him with where my life is going. I think I'm coming to the reality that what I thought the church was is not at all what it really is. What's shocking to me is how disappointing that reality has been for me. I'm coming to discover that I swallowed the image from the pulpit whole and never saw the sharp hooks. I think that most of my frustration has little to do with God and more to do with people. And I'm just beginning to work on how I deal with these new found realities in a spiritually healthy way.

My first reaction was to throw the baby out with the bath water. The baby isn't the problem...but the water sure does stink!

Blessings,
Brandon

Heather said...

Alan -

Look what daily exercise did for me - can you believe it? Not only did I lose weight but I lost 33 years as well!

Sorry to interrupt the converation, but that made me LOL ... really, it did ;)

~Heather :)

Steve Sensenig said...

Out of curiosity, what is the "baby" and what is the "bathwater"?

Brandon said...

Hey Steve!
I see the baby as the Church...the body of Christ and to a certain extent any "organized" gathering of that body. The bathwater is larger part of the organization or the institution and the ridiculous rules of man that it imposes on the baby...not for the sake of nurturing the baby but for the sake of growing the bath. The water is dirty and needs to be replaced...but in most places we just keep adding more water.

And to some extent, I really didn't want much to do with the baby either. There were relationships that I took to heart. Relationships that were NOT what I understood them to be. Speaking of those relationships, there is a group of 10-15 people that will gather around the pool today (and every memorial day, 4th of July and labor day) to grill and eat and have a good time hanging out. We used to be a part of that group of friends...until we left their organization. Apparently we are no longer their friends. While I wasn't surprised by some of those "friends" dropping us, there were a few what really surprised Heather and me.

I think that's the primary reason we seriously considered walking away from church altogether. And throwing out the baby with the bath water.

Thanks Steve for asking me to clairify...I hope I did. :)

Blessings,
Brandon