Dousing the Flames
So you’ve been burned. God knows I have. Maybe you’re in the midst of the fire at this very moment. The flames must be put out in order for you to survive. To properly put out the flames, several different things must be addressed, among them the ignition source, the fuel and the fallout.
An honest dialogue opens the door to forgiveness and healing and the dousing of flames.
Once something has been burned, it will always be marked as having gone through the fire. The extent of the damage will have to do with the time exposed to the flames and just how harsh the process was to extinguish the fire.
By writing my book or sharing my thoughts with you here on this blog, I am not trying to add fuel to the fire. I am simply sharing my story and hoping that my honesty will bring out more people that have been hiding their burns, their scars, and that we can heal together.
Originally, before I began sharing my thoughts publicly, I wrote because I found it therapeutic to organize my thoughts and emotions in a way that made sense, in a way that I could make some judgement or value determination of my experiences. I needed to understand why things had happened the way they did so that I could understand what to do next.
I am learning a lot about forgiveness, and a lot about love. Though it may not always shine through the words I write, my heart is filled with compassion and a desire to see the whole body of Christ be united the way it was always meant to be.
I have great hope that we will begin to live here on earth as it is in heaven, in community as Jesus’ followers, sons and daughters of God, reflecting and receiving love as we go through life together.
I just thought I’d share a bit from the heart tonight.
Judging by the sheer number of visitors to this site over the last couple months, there are many hurting hearts, many who feel like they’ve been hurt by the church. I won’t be so prideful or judgmental to say that I know how to help you, but let’s heal together. Let’s be the church rather than blame the church.
I love the church. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to say that enough. Where the church has failed, we, its people, have failed. We are the body. Where the body is burned, battered and broken we come together in Jesus’ name and believe for restoration and reformation.
Peace.
Great place to heal and share. Christian Power Now
Shalom Travis,
I am a retired pastor from the Wesleyan Church. I have been “burned” and I am new to your websight. So far I am enjoying the posts. I was a very succesful associate Pastor. Then I was put on a series of medications by my family physican I was being treated for migranes, severe depression and anxiety. I was given a CNS medication and I literally lost touch with reality for awhile. Instead of the church ralling around me the circled me like sharkes smelling blood in the water and went in for the kill. Needles to say I am no longer attending that church I have been unable to find a new home and I am skittish not from God but certinally from God’s children. II have tired several diffrent churches and denominations yet I have been unable to trust. forgiveness was never an issue I have forgiven. That is my story in a nutshell, without all the dirty details. I am no longer on any medication I still have migrans but I am practicing holistic treatments and prayer and fasting for my anxiety. Thank you for starting this page and I hope to here more from you in the future.
In His Service
Pastor Shel
Hi! My name is Donna, and I have been burned. I have felt such guilt in being a victim of deep pain for being treated the way I was in my good works…or His should I say….I think I can now continue to heal after finding this site. It is the only way to walk, a walk that has unconditional love, in spite of the horriable experiance. I too am much less trust worthy. Christ says we are to become child like..so I now look at my experiance with awe and wonder..that way I can shake my head without judgement and let myself be free of “that,” and continue to walk with “This.” Thank you .. I feel blessed to have been led to this site. dre
I am an older, but no less affected individual, of an astute religious upbringing. This was another encumbrance in my journey, until it became a stepping stone to me! There are no accidents or coincidences, if I am diligent in exploring personal responsibility, toward my own belief or understanding of those occurrences or experiences. If what I know is not truth then I must come to or know The Truth! He is my only Hope, not the agendas, functions, lifegroups, practices, programs, protocols or tradition of men. There is Only One Way, and until I am there, abiding in Him, I cannot do one thing that will have a positive effect on those with whom I have been given affluence, favor or influence. It is only as I am ready to be brutally honest about my state, naturally, that I am broken enough to become an able-bodied minister of the manifold Grace of The Living God to those who are hurting and wounded! It is by His Grace, through Faith, (btw/His Faith-in me), in Him, that I am saved, lest by some means I should come to a place of boasting. I have had many experiences, things I did not understand, but He delivered me out of them all, and if perchance I experience further ostracization, He will not leave me orphaned. I have much to share and He will guide me into all Truth! I rest my Hope in Him,He is my Rock! I have known I am not alone, just like Elijah, and am grateful for the availability of this site for insight and reflection.
J.L.S.