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Original poster

Safe haven chat thread for believers

423 replies

Starwisher · 04/04/2012 23:45

I thought it be lovely to start a" safe haven"thread for all the believers on mumsnet. It doesn't matter what religion or spirituality you are, the important thing is a belief in God or higher power that unites us.

The idea is too talk with other believers to share ideas, thoughts and feelings or even general musings.
So come in and relax!

please can I respectfully ask that this is not a debating thread to challenge people. While I am not the mn police, there are other threads to debate on or please start your own. This is a safe haven

OP posts:
chipmonkey · 07/04/2012 01:10

Kal I have a theory and it is only a theory, that we may all be on a long path which consists of many lives and many lessons. The harder the life and the more we endure, the further we progress along our patch. I think it may be, not that God picks us and decides we are special enough to be a parent of a child with special needs or a parent of a child who dies, but that we choose the life ourselves before the start, knowing that it is going to be tough and hoping we will be able to endure it. And possibly that our children themselves are our guides and teachers who have chosen a harder or shorter life. Because it's easier to appreciate hope when you have known despair and easier to appreciate light when you have known darkness.

As I say, it's only a theory. But in my earliest memory, I remember feeling incredibly sad and I honestly don't know why. I had a happy childhood. I wonder if I knew before I came here that it was going to be tough. My cousin has a child with severe SN's and she feels that she always knew she would. And her little boy is as near to an angel as I've ever met.

SophieNeveau · 07/04/2012 09:02

I think disabilities be they genetic or accidents are sheer rolls of the dice of life. I don't think there is anything special about the disabled or those that care for the disabled. It is no more different to the chances of you developing blonde hair/red hair/brown hair etc.

I have met some horrible disabled carers and people with disabilities, nasty entitled people. Here is one example. On a long flight, after the meals finished and everyone was settling down, I like the person in front of me put my seat back, thump, thump, bash went on continually from the carer behind me. I went to the toilet and came back, the carer was leaning her head against my chair to prevent me from moving my chair back. I called the cabin crew how this person was exaserbating my disability issues and preventing me doing something everyone else was accessing, so cabin crew advised the lady and she stopped preventing me from putting my chair back, and explained she was hurting me when kicking my chair continually, the carer kept the knocking my chair and hurting me for an other half an hour. What a nasty individual. She had her chair pushed back. She had seen me get special assistance onto the plane, she was just nasty, nothing lovely and special about her at all.

Codandchops · 07/04/2012 09:42

I am ridiulously excited about tonight! Am being confirmed and received into the Catholic church. It feels like my wedding day all over again. [bugrin]

RhinosDontEatEasterEggs · 07/04/2012 09:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MonsterBookOfTysons · 07/04/2012 09:49

Good luck today codandchips. Are you nervous? :)

MonsterBookOfTysons · 07/04/2012 09:49

Sorry, chops not chips :o

tummytickler · 07/04/2012 11:11

Morning everyone, and welcome Kal . There is a lot to catch up on this morning!
chipmonkey that is a really lovely theory, I like that idea a lot.
Cod yay! Nearly time now! Have you planned your outfit, and got your testimony ready?
Kal it must be tough for your family. My Dad has MS, and I know he struggles. I often pray that God can bring him some kind of comfort or relief. Nowt as yet though. Do you have lots of support around you from family and friends for you and your dd?
I am being baptised tomorrow evening, and I am working on my truly terrible testimony and trying to decide what to wear. My vicar says wear white, my friends say don't as it will go see through! So I am wearing light pink, in layers. My testimony is rubbish. I am not a born public speaker and the church will be packed!

hiddenhome · 07/04/2012 11:13

Codandchops I'm so excited for you for this evening Grin I'm at work at the moment, but will think of you and say a prayer. You will be so happy and won't be able to get enough of going to Mass now.

Original poster
Starwisher · 07/04/2012 11:39

Good luck Cod!

I was baptised along with dh and dd about 2 years ago.

It was one of the most beautiful experiences of my life. I remember the nerves, but as the vicar started to place the water on me I felt an incredible sense of serenity. It was like suddenly everyone in the room disappeared and everything became timeless. It was almost as if sunlight was bouncing off the water

When it was my daughters turn I was in tears. A huge sense of peace and was in the church. It felt like angels were there. The church took on an ethereal quality. It was very humbling and very moving.

Everyone at the baptisim felt the same powerful feelings, even my atheist brother.

It was truly awesome. So don't worry about the nerves, they are normal but I'm sure you'll also get to experience something amazing too tonight.

OP posts:
KalSkirata · 07/04/2012 12:04

sadly no tummytickler. We are pretty alone.
I hope your baptism goes well and you're not too nervous Smile

TheGreatestmadhairDayinHistory · 07/04/2012 12:09

That's so lovely Starwisher [busmile]

Cod and tummytickler, how wonderful, hope the occasions go well and you have a brilliant time.

I think about the problem of suffering a lot, having been sick all my life. I've read some good books on it and a couple of the best are 'Where is God when it hurts' by Philip Yancey and also 'God on mute' by Pete Greig. There are so many but I found these to be honest and real with no cliches in sight. I'm now writing a book on disability and theology, and the church response to sick people, and society's view of sick/disabled people also. Always interested in talking about experiences if anyone wants to share anything, good or bad.

SophieNeveau · 07/04/2012 18:08

Cod and Tummy, hope all goes well.

I had a look at the prayer thread and cheekly asked to be added, I feel a difference today.

CheerfulYank · 07/04/2012 20:56

Just popping back to keep my place. Prayers and good vibes for all of you.

The whole God thing can be so strange...I can't explain why or how I believe what I do. It doesn't even make sense to me...and I have my skeptical days, but I always seem to come back to Jesus.

TheGreatestmadhairDayinHistory · 07/04/2012 20:59

CY - yes, totally. That's why it's sometimes so hard to explain on some of the more ermm...... interesting threads. People want proof and hard facts, yet we know there is something more. I too have skeptical days, but then days when I just know with all my being and it is so very wonderful.

[busmile]

MonsterBookOfTysons · 07/04/2012 21:04

CY you have just explained how I feel, and as you said, I always go back to Jesus!

Original poster
Starwisher · 07/04/2012 21:14

I was going some research into perth in Australia earlier when I came across this article by accident

www.perthnow.com.au/news/aussies-are-ok-with-jesus/story-e6frg12c-1226321078623

One bit particularly summed up how i personally feel right now with a bit of cross roads of faith versus the church

This is the bit:

""The research shows people are fine with Jesus, but they have issues with the church. They like the product but they don't like the retail outlet"

I really identify with that. Does anyone else feel similarly?

OP posts:
tummytickler · 07/04/2012 22:44

Starwisher that hits the nail on the head pretty nicely I think! I have a friend over popped on whilst she is on the loo, so better go!

hiddenhome · 07/04/2012 22:52

I like the church Blush I know it's not fashionable to like the Catholic church, but I feel sort of secure in it, due to the history and The Vatican being in charge and running it. I know it has some terrible history, but I still feel a deep love and respect for it. I hope that it has turned its back on the bad things and can find a way of redeeming itself somehow. I loved it when Pope Benedict visited the UK too Smile

MrsShrekTheThird · 07/04/2012 22:59

Starwisher, that's spot on! I've now found a retail outlet that suits me, bit it's taken a very very long time. For ten years or more, my "church" was the back field...out pushing a sleeping child in a pram.

tummytickler · 07/04/2012 23:52

I love my church, but there are lots of general things I don't like about 'church' in general - the gay marriage issue being one. Dh has big issues with mission work, the fact our church has stuff going on all over the world, but he thinks we all sit about in our nice mc homes drinking tea/wine having bible study and praise meetings, and not getting out into the more deprived area 20 miles down the road. I kind of see his point, and may be something i need to think/pray about. Dh is very quick to pick out negative sides to the church!

MrsShrek - I have that same church too! I remember a very nice lady telling me God doesn't mind where I am, and praying in Tesco is fine, as with young children it's hard to get to church. Your back field sounds gorgeous, I love the idea of church in a field under a tree, in nature. Praising God whilst being in his work. (Does that make sense - it's late - I am droning on!)

I must go to bed. Still have my testimony to finish writing for tomorrow!

Cod I hope you had a beautiful evening xx

SophieNeveau · 08/04/2012 08:58

Cod how did it go?

Happy Easter, all [busmile]

hiddenhome · 08/04/2012 10:32

Happy Easter to everyone [busmile]

MonsterBookOfTysons · 08/04/2012 11:40

Happy Easter to all :)

tummytickler · 08/04/2012 11:57

Just back from the most inspiring Easter service!

Happy Easter all [busmile]

TheGreatestmadhairDayinHistory · 08/04/2012 14:15

Happy Easter everyone :)

I know Starwisher what you mean. What dh and I are doing at the moment is somewhat reflective of this (he is a C of E pioneer minister, so starting a 'fresh expression' of church in our area) - people may believe in God but church turns them off. Our challenge is to start something authentic that draws people in. I do like church, love it in many ways, but in many ways also get utterly frustrated with it, particularly when it doesn't reflect the church Jesus meant....sigh.