I was fortunate to have attended a Catholic school for one year but I learned so much more- of ‘standard’ education- that when I went back to public school I was far ahead of the other students. Until age 12, I attended a Baptist church with my mother and sisters but came to the conclusion that I no longer trusted what I was being taught there as it had too many inconstancies. I happened to have contracted mononucleosis that year and was home for 4 weeks and ran of things to read- I was a voracious reader. I found the KJV Bible my grandmother had given me at age 6 and began reading that and it led to to lose even more trust in what the preacher and Sunday school teachers were telling me so, against my mother’s strong objections, I simply refused to attend church after that. But I continued to read the Bible, the NSRV among others, well into adulthood. That didn’t exactly make me the most popular kid in my circle of friends whenever one asked me for advice and I’d direct them to the Bible.
I feel like my catching that illness was God’s way of forwarding me in my search for truth and I still believe that I’m quietly led everyday to what is best for me, no matter how difficult things might seem at first. And I’ve been through many hard times and setbacks in my 40+ years as an adult but a deep belief that all will work out for what is best for me has gotten me through them. I majored in Religious Studies (not theology)in university, including Eastern religions, along with the 3 based on Abraham.
I’ve never written anything directly about the church or any religion because I do understand how little I truly know and don’t want to be one of those whom Jesus condemned for standing in the way of those who want to find God.
I was “born again” long ago but took Paul’s word that that only made me a “babe in Spirit” and knew I had much to learn just as a baby in the flesh has much to learn to become an adult. I have published an article/story on dreams that definitely leans toward the Spiritual sense of life and base it on what I understand of them from Jung’s writings and a ‘non-Spiritual one about letting the universe, or God, or whatever word one chooses, to live a better life. I have at least two more to write on dreams and publish as soon as I have time to do that- I hope sometime this month. I would be honored if you take some of your precious time to read them and comment, if you care to.
This reply has gotten a bit longer than I intended so I should end it here.
Take care and may you have God in your life always.
Blaine Coleman
