Just playing...SO glad so many will see and hear, here. And this guy is pretty dang funny, too! (Make sure he knows you brought him a little traffic as well.)

So glad the veritable WORLD will see you now, in all your beautiful glory, reflecting God's heart and love as nearly always.

( And, for the record, I did woo you over first....of course, posting on my blog is basically like being on your cousins.) Nonetheless, I'm taking credit for discovering you and showcasing you to the masses of blog readers ( readers period) in my neck of the woods.

Love these words, and the lessons of life you relay. Powerful as always.

I'm feeling you. I think the same thoughts all the time. I unofficially work for the church, too. But though I am somehow free to be myself and even real in our youth zone, I sense no freedom anywhere else. I walked into church last week and began to cry. There is lo's that is trying going on in my family and life that I cannot control. I was not crying in relief, that I was at home, in a refuge, in a safe space. I was crying because it is there that I feel least safe. Any utterance, breakdown or revealing of my mind about circumstances in my life and our world might equal the loss of my access to youth kids or even my job at their school. I love The Church. But, I have no idea how to navigate in "mine."

I don't think your problem is rare. But, that doesn't make it any easier now does it? If you need or just want to rant, or share tear filled accounts, or just have a come apart, on someone who gets it, here's my email. kfsullivans@gmail.com. I'm here. I'll read/listen and pray for you. I'm already praying.

Hey, I'm 45, a wife and mother of 4 teenagers. Not you demographic, but since most of my friends and comrades are 30-35, we see the world more the same, I'm busting in here.

1.) I am very involved with our church, but over time I have geared my involvements more and more toward my calling, aptitude and some areas where my gifts are effective in service. So, though I have been in structured small groups, sunday school classes, etc. for years, I now sense better traction in more organic gatherings which I have facilitated or another has asked me to attend.

2.) As I have revelation to do so, I do. I am a passionate mentor and coperatively facilitate a contemplative discipleship/leadership initative with young adults via our church. Most of my passions and skills are well incorporated into kingdom applications and I think I am beginning to understand walking with Christ and living in the kingdom in my "voice."

3.) Shallow. More about who we should ( narrow and if I may say rather religious confines) be than who we are ( and are made to be.) Limited scope and modern as opposed to post modern perspectives. I live in a part of the country that is easily 40 years behind.

4.) engaging, freeing, and more purposeful in pursuit of the depth and breadth of talent, insight, vision our women possess.

5.) I teach social science to high school students and sometimes they turn me loose to teach "bible" classes as well. I oversee and mentor in programs designed to facilitate growth in youth and college age students. LOVE IT! And I write a bit: with my students, curriculum, I edit for several authors, I blog and may be working on a piece or two myself.

6.) I am incredibly blessed to have several mentors in my life. Some are professional guides, some focus on my writing, others my ministerial gifts and callings. All encourage my growth in the Lord and His ways. We do have programs to pair women at our church. For some it has been a good experience. I'll be honest. I'm a questioner with a bit of a revolutionary temperament, most women over 35 give me plenty of space, though they are thrilled to have me involved with their kids. I was just born early.

Trying to think of things not regularly getting lots of press among bloggers right now.

Best I've read this year, non-fiction:

It sounds dense and difficult, but it is shear joy, David Dark's, "The Importance of Questioning Everything?"

Something I buy every READER that I know is Madeleine L'Engle's, "Walking on Water: Reflections on Faith and Art." Beautiful and incredibly touching. BEST of the BEST EVER.

I always have a stack or two going.

amen. so important. thank you for raising up the standard of love. that does seem to be the measure that Christ raised.

Just the same...My best friend from 25 years ago has reentered my life, come and stayed close. I have met friends from far away that seem as family, except closer, in ways that matter particularly to me.

It is so amazing what the changes born of God in just one year can bring. How can hope not grow in the ground of such understanding?

wow. thank you so for sharing this.