A Confluence of Paths ... Shout Outs and New Members > Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (New Members)

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c0nn1ev5:
I have just finished reading The Shack. In fact it took several weeks for me to read this book because I couldn't get ten pages in, at each sitting, before I was sobbing, every time. This book brought up for me some very raw emotions. 

I have come to the realization I am an emotionally and spiritually mess; due to alienating myself from relationships in order to achieve "independence" and "self reliance". That was just one of the lessons I received.

About me: I grew up in the church, had a strong faith, strong convictions. Well, in my early twenties I made some decisions to get what I wanted, the way I wanted, which didn't coincide with the morals and convictions of the church. Here I am 20 years later, living the results and consequences of all decisions since. At times, thinking back on how things could have gone differently there is much shame and guilt.

I guess all this is more than a bit vague. Sorry this is what I can give right now. I plan on coming back and participating more; to learn and give more.

diegito:
Dear Connie, welcome to the Shack forum! I can imagine the courage it cost you to write what you did... I remember times when I felt just as small and worthless before God, and full of regret and shame and guilt. But He has set me free!! Jesus died for just such people as us. His precious blood was not given in vain. I hope you know that no matter what choices you made and what consequences you now have to bear because of them, you are beautiful in the eyes of God. All He wants is for us to re-turn to Him, and it sounds like you have done just that!

The Shack is certainly a very powerful and moving book. I am really glad it touched you so deeply, and grateful that you found your way here. I look forward to hearing more from you, when you are ready.

Much love to you, Connie! May Papa heal your aching heart and restore to you the certainty that He loves you - more than words can say and human minds can imagine!  :Hug: :Hug: :Hug:

NaomiStar:
Dear friend,
Welcome to this crazy forum  ;D, I'm pretty new myself not just to this forum, but to forums in general. But I tell you one thing, I can't leave. This group is very friendly and welcoming and nonjudgmental. You are safe here, there is no such thing as perfection, but there is grace and love... What Mack experienced in The Shack, well you will get a taste of that here.
Don't think of your circumstances as "reaping consequences" that will just make you feel like dirt. Papa never let Mack feel like crap, He always covered Him in grace and love. So what if you made some wrong choices, Papa in you (your new heart) knows that and has already been forgiven. The most amazing thing in the world is that Papa can take the hurt, the mess and make it into something beautiful. Just by reading your words I can tell He has been, is and will continue to make something beautiful in your life. He IS specially fond of you... Really, He is. He delights in you and loves you just as you are. Hope to hear more from you soon.

arus:
Hello C0nn, welcome to the forum  :)    I guess Papa decided that it was high time that you dealt with those raw emotions hmmm?  It's very, very painful, but oh so liberating!  Well, it was for me anyway  :)

That shame and guilt you mention?  Those feelings don't come from Papa, you know that, right?  I would go as far as saying that most of us have done things that we shouldn't have done, but if He can forgive you - which He has - who are you to continue to blame yourself? 

I hope you do come back, I'm looking forward to getting to know you  :)

Judy:
If you think about it, C0nn, if you hadn't done those things you'd still be walking around thinking you didn't need salvation or a savior.  So they served a purpose in bringing you into a relationship with Papa.

He's forgiven you. Now you forgive yourself.

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