Today starts a new day; I realize that I have been abused by religion. It took me through Day 8, 9 before I realized this, but I am glad I did. You can go back to see my comments on Day 8 and 9 to see what I am speaking of. I am taking the time to do the exercises as outlined in the book; Recovering From Religious Abuse, 11 Steps to Spiritual Freedom written by: Jack Watts. While I know that hurt and abuse as described and presented in the book are two different things, I have come to the understanding that in regards to taking advantage of me I have in fact been abused. I will admit, one of my greatest concerns is I may have at times abused religion. I don’t think I have but this journey will help me understand where I am at and in the process help others as I journal each day with the steps outlined in the book.Sometimes, if not most of the time, I think or see my life as being in crisis. It goes back to the area I have spoken of in the past, regarding feeling that I have been taken advantage of and not appreciated, especially regarding the area of finances. There are certainly areas bigger than this, but it is the one reoccurring theme. I given and given, and there are those in positions of power or influence, who call themselves Christian, who have routinely taken advantage of my wife and I.
I am grateful that I have a few friends I can talk to about these things; I also talk about these types of things online through my blogs or articles. I do think people sometimes misunderstand these postings. I post these things for a couple of reasons, mainly to get people to think about their own commitment and willingness to be a part of living out the book of Acts in the Bible.
I realize God is there for me, I also realize that at some point, as long as I don’t compromise what I believe to be an essential of following Jesus in regards to caring one for another, that I have to look at options which may take away the negatives of my life that sometimes makes me feel unfillifilled and of little effectiveness.
I am reminded today of a song by Resurrection Band or Rez Band and a concept called Broken Promises. The song seems to express my feelings as well as anything I can think of. Today I add to the journal experience, the song Broken Promises. Not just the broken promises others have had towards me, but the broken promises I have also been a part of.
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