But I shouldn't be.
I don't want people mad at me.
I'm a people-pleaser-in-remission.
But I want to walk
Pleasing Him.
Because God is real.
He sees me.
He sees inside my heart.
I confess and
Pause--
At that thought.
I'm writing this in rerun.
Ha--adding this comment after I hit "publish" instead of "save".
And then retracted--
Last night.
But now share with intentionality.
Oh--how that is the real me.
So weak and wobbly.
Going to spill out today and read through the wreckage tomorrow.
I decided to do this whole Top 25 Faith Blogs List--
Because I love writing.
Because God made me a writer.
Maybe not a brilliant one.
But He made someone who enjoys writing.
And because they say--those Circle of Mom's People--
That they reach 6 million viewers.
And I honestly believe that God could use the platform.
He doesn't need it.
But He could...
Choose to use it--
For His glory.
And I have friend-supporters-family who are more encouraging-faithful than
Even what I could pray for.
And they've walked with us through sorrow...
Through the death of a child.
Through those dry, heavy, dark days that followed.
And I invited them in now...
To walk through this joy as well.
Through this delightful world where writers paint pictures in words.
And I get to join
In the artwork.
I wouldn't do it if I felt otherwise...
If it wasn't for Him.
And we wouldn't be in the running otherwise.
If it wasn't for them...
Which really means...
You.
And then there's the whole recent development.
Where a group with particular beliefs--
Got organized and energized and mobilized.
Some say against Christianity.
Some say for Paganism.
But I understand that.
Both.
I really do.
There are people I love who claim other beliefs.
And it makes sense that if you believe other...
You want other as a piece...
And a part on that table of:
Faith.
But I'd be lying...
So false...
To call their faith...
mine.
To say our beliefs are parallel.
To say we walk side by side.
Without--
Diverging
In weighty disagreement.
And it scares me to post this.
Because I don't want to cause pain--
To hurt them.
Or to feel hurt.
So many comments flowing freely in the word world.
Comments that would've made me cry--
Were I the target.
On both sides.
I don't want to be misunderstood...
But we all call for--
Trueness.
Realness.
Genuine talk.
And I want to be
clear.
I believe
All should be respectful...
And kind...
And that words without love cut deep.
But I do believe...
That Jesus said:
I am the way, and the truth, and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me.
(John 14:6)
And that is my Faith.
And God is my Father.
And that is the faith that I want to see listed.
Just me being honest.
Because I believe there is--
Truth.
And if that moves me out of the Faith Blogs List ...
Then, so be it.
But it's the real me.
Trying to honor the Real God.
Who I cannot--
Deny.
Or live--
Without.
What is that phrase?
If you stand for nothing...?
So you declare what Faith is.
And then in kindness, with love--
Hold your ground.
Because really...
It's between you and--
Him.
And He...is God.
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34 We love comments!:
I haven't looked at Faith Blogs but I admire you for being faithful to stand up for what you believe in, especially the issue that Jesus is the one and only way. May God bless and I pray others will accept your words with the humility you wrote them.
Honestly, I can't say it better than the above commenter. :) our first priority is the proclamation of the Gospel and the glory of His truth. :)
Oh, and I'm a people-pleaser-in-remission too, (love the way you put that). :)
I understand but want to say that we should never be afraid to proclaim the "truth" and declare our relationship with the Lord. You have a wonderful voice and a gift that is used for God's glory. :-)
He has really gifted you with the ability to write. You put it beautifully and we love you for who you are and what you represent. Bless you. Amen.
Well written - and thanks for saying what I've been thinking! I'm so sad reading comments and hearing what is going on between the 2 "groups" and I haven't stepped up and said anything. Because I don't want to make anyone upset - since I like to please people :)
Praying that you will be blessed by this honest post!
Beutiful!
Thank you friends... :)
Are you saying the Faith blogs knocked you out because you believe the Bible when it says that only Christ offers salvation? What kind of Faith Blogs is that? I guess not a Christian site.
Hi Sharon...sorry if that was confusing...
No...we're still in the running...somewhere around #22 or #23. If you click on the link above, you can find The Chuppies.
But you are correct in that the Circle of Moms is not a Christian organization. They will be circulating the "Top 25 Faith Blogs" (which is open to listings of all different faiths) to their "6 million viewers".
But there has been an organized movement by one group to move up into the top 25 (which is completely legal and allowed).
And some heated interaction has followed in different internet circles.
I feel strongly that all communication should be done with kindness...but I also want to be clear about my own faith and Who my faith is in.
Which may mean not as many votes...
Which is okay...
Thank you for caring...and commenting :)
Love,
K
I LOVE your blog and I love everything you write about. You inspire so many people, Kara. Keep it up!! Love you, sweet friend!!
Kim
As I've been saying lately, It's all a matter of respecting the religious diversity that exists in the world. Lovely blog post, Kara, with grace and courage to stand up for what you feel it's right for you and for not adding fuel to the fire.
Kisses from Nydia, A Brazilian witch mom blogger.
I just don't understand why anyone feels the Pagans got organized "against" Christianity or "for" Paganism. The Pagans simply entered the same contest the other faith bloggers did for the same reason; because they are mothers of a certain faith who blog. How can something so simple get so complicated and filled with drama?
Lisa, I agree! Too much ado for nothing, in the end of the day. Everybody just wants to have fun and to be visited by other awesome moms! ;)
Just to clarify - the Pagans did not get organized until after they were attacked by so-called Christian moms in the running. The attack started off with very disrespectful & hurtful comments by one blogger. It then turned vicious through comments posted by others.
I followed the Christian faith for over 40 years & I now follow a Pagan faith. And there is no difference in the faith part of my walk - I just chose to direct my faith to a different Divine. And that is where the "misunderstanding" came in - faith is faith - it doesn't matter to whom it is directed- it is still faith! The dictionary - any dictionary - does not state that faith is only to the Christian God, it is "strong or unshakeable belief in something, esp without proof or evidence; any set of firmly held principles or beliefs".
I understand your need to proclaim the Gospel, but that is a Gospel of love, not hate - and hate is what was spewed forth the other day. Having been on both sides, I do happen to prefer the truth I am following now - it so less judgmental & hateful & stressful. It is a truth of love & acceptance & peace for me. Your truth is your truth, and mine is mine. Your faith is your faith & I would never ever begrudge you the opportunity to walk that faith in peace & love. And that is all we Pagans ask - is that same respect as we walk out our faith in our Divine.
PS - I love the way you write - beautiful!
Kara, you should never be scared to stand up for what you believe. Blogging with integrity is what its all about. I seccond the other Pagan bloggers who have commented here, your post was lovely, and the way you write is so poetic and beautiful. Good luck in the contest! You have my vote.
Susie Kirk
Pagan Blogger
First...let me just thank you for the gracious tone of your comments.
And second...I will probably be more brief than I'd like to be...as I've promised myself that this will be a weekend of less computer and more family...and honestly, often less is best :)
I very much agree that I should not be scared to stand for what I believe--and I'm truly not. But--I still am at fault for worrying that my words will be misunderstood...and honestly...it feels scary to open the door to hurtful comments...because like I wrote...I still probably care too much what people think. And words can really hurt.
I didn't follow all of the details of this last week's interactions...but when words become weapons...when the kindness is lost, that is always harmful, rather than helpful.
That said--while I believe all should be treated with respect (and in love)I cannot say I respect or support all faiths or belief systems.
Because that is not what God has said. And I have promised Him that I will do my best to align my heart and life with His Word. I cannot love what He rejects. It would be false....I would be false.
That doesn't mean I can't show kindness or be respectful.
It doesn't mean I cannot love someone who believes otherwise.
I do have friends and family with other beliefs. And I truly love them.
But it just means I really do believe the verse that I mentioned above.
I really really truly hope you can hear the heart behind these words...not at all spoken in anger. Again, please know you are welcome to visit here anytime.
Again, I very much appreciate the tone of your comments.
What?!?! You can contend for truth AND treat people with kindness and respect?!?! Revolutionary. :) (And you know I'm being sarcastic here, I hope, based on another experience that we both know about.)
Oh the drama of the blogging world...Your words were very carefully chosen and "spoken" with kindness. Great post.
Thanks Elizabeth :)
You know...I knew...you would understand...
Amen...to your post and your comments in response.
So sad that Christians get a wrap for their judgement because that is not God's way at all. You reflect the Christian faith well. Without judging, you stand firm. Press on, girl!
In my devotions yesterday I read from I Chronicles 16 in The Message: Sing to GOD, everyone and everything! Get out his salvation news every day! Publish his glory among the godless nations, his wonders to all races and religions. I was asked to think where I wanted to shout this Psalm if I could do it anywhere in the world and I thought, "From my computer." That's what you're doing--with courage and grace. So nice to meet you here at emily's. Blessings.
The truth will always cut someone. True north will always show someone the way and someone else they are going the wrong way. We cannot be all things to all people. Thanks for this post.
I love "hearing" your heart in this. Your writing was beautiful, but the courage and deep faith and love shown even more so. May we all walk likewise.
"people-pleaser-in-remission"...me, too! Glad, also, I'm not the only one who has hit publish instead of save. :)
May God bring you the readers of His choice. Grace and peace to you in Jesus.
now doesnt it feel good having said it...smiles. faith can be a difficult convo to have as people become very passionate with their beliefs...
Yep, yep, yep. And I love your comment clarification, loving and respecting all people is not the same as loving and respecting all beliefs. In fact I think it would not be loving to do so. If all faiths (and they do) claim at the heart an exclusive corner on truth (which Christianity certainly does) then how loving would I be to encourage someone, anyone to do something I believe will harm them. To love is to want the very best for someone. And I understand that the very best and the easiest are not always the same thing. But it has to start with love. (BTW good job. I can understand the risky feeling and I think you handled this with gentle openess and clarity.)
such a gentle and loving statement of faith...
understand where you're coming from. can't put it into any better words than what anyone else has said. just want you to know that someone else understands and hears :-)
blessings,
steph
The Word of His Truth cuts like a sword...separating faith in The One True GOD from faith in any other created being. You've chosen the high road and that blesses your LORD and so many others....well done Kara
These words of encouragement...they lift my heart.
Thank you all...heading your way for a visit...thank you.
Love,
Kara
Tempered with kindness and respect, your words don't offend.
you speak with such gentleness and love, friend. that is Christ. and he is beautiful in you. may you and your blog be blessed.
Oh Emily...thank you...and I'm thankful for all of you...
I'm behind on...well... *life* right now...but coming to visit you all soon. I feel so thankful and blessed by all the comments and encouragement...
(clearly need to reign in my ....s)
:)
Kara... I admire that you're leaning into your own voice, in the midst of a noisy storm of voices, all of which are still valuable. I admire that your desire to speak in love is so evident. I have been thinking much lately about the pressure of the blogging world to "please everyone," and I relate to your fear. More than that, I commend your courage. Truly your faith is between you and God, and all your words and actions can flow out from that center. Thanks for your brave honesty in this post!
What a wonderful balance of truth and grace. I was so saddened when some decided to go with the "I can't believe THEY are in the faith blog contest."
I look at Jesus example on how to relate to Pagans, and other non-believers, and he was always kind to them FIRST. He loved them and earned the right to speak His truth to them. Although, HE is God, and he could have just smote everyone at once who didn't acknowledge him as Lord. But he didn't. He loves them, even while convicting them of sin.
I have a friend who is a Pagan mom in the contest. (GASP!) and I know her heart was just deeply hurt by the condescending attitudes that came out, not the fact that Christians were standing up for their faith.
I'm so glad you have represented Christ's heart here, and glad I discovered your blog through WFMW
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