Comments on: Are you Listening? http://boldgrace.com/2009/06/15/are-you-listening/ It's more wonderful than you can imagine! Thu, 12 Jan 2012 00:53:43 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Connie Lard http://boldgrace.com/2009/06/15/are-you-listening/comment-page-1/#comment-7527 Connie Lard Fri, 19 Jun 2009 18:57:53 +0000 http://boldgrace.com/?p=786#comment-7527 One thing I appreciated about Cliff was that he didn't demand that you come to all the same conclusions he did. He felt it important to express his opinions, based on his study and life experience, but was also willing to listen respectfully to opposing views. And, I never felt that my relationship with him depended on my agreeing with him on everything. So often this is not the case! Many times people just aren't okay with differences of opinion. I've found this to be equally true both in "organized religion" and outside of it. One thing I appreciated about Cliff was that he didn’t demand that you come to all the same conclusions he did. He felt it important to express his opinions, based on his study and life experience, but was also willing to listen respectfully to opposing views. And, I never felt that my relationship with him depended on my agreeing with him on everything. So often this is not the case! Many times people just aren’t okay with differences of opinion. I’ve found this to be equally true both in “organized religion” and outside of it.

]]> By: Tammy Thompson http://boldgrace.com/2009/06/15/are-you-listening/comment-page-1/#comment-7526 Tammy Thompson Fri, 19 Jun 2009 18:52:03 +0000 http://boldgrace.com/?p=786#comment-7526 I have been on many journeys in my life and just recently i thought I was going to start one on my own without my husband. I had secrets and guilt and my soul was trapped. My spirit clouded and I could'nt see clearly. My family was my sounding board but in the end it was the very man, I was leaving that set me free. He said Iam guiltless, faultless and perfect. The forgiveness and unconditional love and the words he expressed,which came from listening and hearing my father, was the beginning of my true journey. I AM FREE! I now what it means to truly feel forgiven and not just by my husband but God. I know that through all of it, if I didn't have God in my life that I would never feel forgiven for anything I do. I now miss my dad more than ever because when I free'd myself from it all I wanted talk to my dad. I feel Iam mourning him all over again but I thank him for being strong enough to leave all of us and know that whatever journey we are taking, he knew we would be ok. I am who I am and I love me, all of me. I want to thank my sister Mindy for dropping her life in my time of need. i want to thank my brother Cliff,sister Amy and my mother for their uncondtional love. Uncle Andy and Uncle Doud, what can I say but I wish everyone had uncles like mine! I would need all day to thank everyone in my life and boy, what a blessing to have so many that I don't have time to list them. I have been on many journeys in my life and just recently i thought I was going to start one on my own without my husband. I had secrets and guilt and my soul was trapped. My spirit clouded and I could’nt see clearly. My family was my sounding board but in the end it was the very man, I was leaving that set me free. He said Iam guiltless, faultless and perfect. The forgiveness and unconditional love and the words he expressed,which came from listening and hearing my father, was the beginning of my true journey. I AM FREE! I now what it means to truly feel forgiven and not just by my husband but God. I know that through all of it, if I didn’t have God in my life that I would never feel forgiven for anything I do. I now miss my dad more than ever because when I free’d myself from it all I wanted talk to my dad. I feel Iam mourning him all over again but I thank him for being strong enough to leave all of us and know that whatever journey we are taking, he knew we would be ok. I am who I am and I love me, all of me.
I want to thank my sister Mindy for dropping her life in my time of need. i want to thank my brother Cliff,sister Amy and my mother for their uncondtional love. Uncle Andy and Uncle Doud, what can I say but I wish everyone had uncles like mine! I would need all day to thank everyone in my life and boy, what a blessing to have so many that I don’t have time to list them.

]]> By: Doug http://boldgrace.com/2009/06/15/are-you-listening/comment-page-1/#comment-7523 Doug Fri, 19 Jun 2009 14:41:02 +0000 http://boldgrace.com/?p=786#comment-7523 Cliff began his journey to serve Christ as a young man. For most of his life his only resources to answer the questions that he had was his bible, those in his congregation, a few special mentor, and his family on Saturday night. Many of his question he soon learned must be held silently in his heart out of fear of being rejected by those he believe to be his "church family". His journey to server God continued down a path of well laid traps of organized religion, traps of guilt , traps of fear, traps rejection. He continued down this path with one hand holding on to organized religion and the other in the hand of a God of love till he realize he must release one. There was no question in his mind which hand he would release at that fork in the road, and he never looked back. The advantages of the youth of today are emense. Cliff for bigger part of his journey didn't have the tools available today , such as computers and cell phones. I know that Cliff would want you to enjoy your journey. To have fun with it , never fear, and to remember that is a perfect process. If i recall correctly his words to Mindy were, "IT'S SIMPLE MINDY". Love never fails Cliff began his journey to serve Christ as a young man. For most of his life his only resources to answer the questions that he had was his bible, those in his congregation, a few special mentor, and his family on Saturday night.
Many of his question he soon learned must be held silently in his heart out of fear of being rejected by those he believe to be his “church family”. His journey to server God continued down a path of well laid traps of organized religion, traps of guilt , traps of fear, traps rejection. He continued down this path with one hand holding on to organized religion and the other in the hand of a God of love till he realize he must release one. There was no question in his mind which hand he would release at that fork in the road, and he never looked back.
The advantages of the youth of today are emense. Cliff for bigger part of his journey didn’t have the tools available today , such as computers and cell phones. I know that Cliff would want you to enjoy your journey. To have fun with it , never fear, and to remember that is a perfect process.
If i recall correctly his words to Mindy were, “IT’S SIMPLE MINDY”.

Love never fails

]]> By: Lisa Perry http://boldgrace.com/2009/06/15/are-you-listening/comment-page-1/#comment-7513 Lisa Perry Fri, 19 Jun 2009 12:29:03 +0000 http://boldgrace.com/?p=786#comment-7513 This is so cool! Mandy, I don't know you as well as doug and mindy but I can tell by your honest sharing that you have such a sweet spirit. Evidently you WERE listening to Cliff with an open heart and mind or you wouldn't be open to it now. Its okay to be cautious to some degree. Just know that ALL who seek WILL find and thats exactly what you are doing now! Your end belief may vary some from Cliffs, mindys, mine and anybodys for that matter for we are all different and special and thats what makes it so GREAT! And, why its good to listen and learn from everyone we meet. Some of my greatest lessons have been from folks I never in a million years would have thought they might actually have an answer for me. Remember if God used a donkey, he can even use me! :) This is so cool! Mandy, I don’t know you as well as doug and mindy but I can tell by your honest sharing that you have such a sweet spirit. Evidently you WERE listening to Cliff with an open heart and mind or you wouldn’t be open to it now. Its okay to be cautious to some degree. Just know that ALL who seek WILL find and thats exactly what you are doing now! Your end belief may vary some from Cliffs, mindys, mine and anybodys for that matter for we are all different and special and thats what makes it so GREAT! And, why its good to listen and learn from everyone we meet. Some of my greatest lessons have been from folks I never in a million years would have thought they might actually have an answer for me.

Remember if God used a donkey, he can even use me! :)

]]> By: Mindy http://boldgrace.com/2009/06/15/are-you-listening/comment-page-1/#comment-7497 Mindy Fri, 19 Jun 2009 02:39:46 +0000 http://boldgrace.com/?p=786#comment-7497 Mandy, I agree with Doug...you have nothing to regret. We seem to always be the last ones to notice the good in ourselves. Church can do alot of things, but the one thing they can't do is take away something that God gave you. Never live with regrets. Just learn and move forward. Don't be afraid of who you are. The more you let go of fear the more open your heart and mind will be and eventually you will find your own answers all on your own. You have awaken a slumbering Christ that has been living within you. Your spirit has been ready to soar. Promise me you will not live with regrets. You are right...it will not do you any good. I love you so much. Mandy,
I agree with Doug…you have nothing to regret. We seem to always be the last ones to notice the good in ourselves. Church can do alot of things, but the one thing they can’t do is take away something that God gave you. Never live with regrets. Just learn and move forward. Don’t be afraid of who you are. The more you let go of fear the more open your heart and mind will be and eventually you will find your own answers all on your own. You have awaken a slumbering Christ that has been living within you. Your spirit has been ready to soar. Promise me you will not live with regrets. You are right…it will not do you any good. I love you so much.

]]> By: Doug http://boldgrace.com/2009/06/15/are-you-listening/comment-page-1/#comment-7490 Doug Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:41:21 +0000 http://boldgrace.com/?p=786#comment-7490 Mandy, you have nothing to regret, your Uncle Cliff once told me that he new you heard him and that it was just a matter of time. No body can exist in an atmosphere that makes you afraid to believe in a Loving God. He would be so proud of you for facing your fears, and allowing yourself to listen , learn and grow. There is no sweeter kinder more beautiful person on this earth then you are, you have nothing to fear. Mandy, you have nothing to regret, your Uncle Cliff once told me that he new you heard him and that it was just a matter of time. No body can exist in an atmosphere that makes you afraid to believe in a Loving God. He would be so proud of you for facing your fears, and allowing yourself to listen , learn and grow. There is no sweeter kinder more beautiful person on this earth then you are, you have nothing to fear.

]]> By: Mandy Kates http://boldgrace.com/2009/06/15/are-you-listening/comment-page-1/#comment-7489 Mandy Kates Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:00:25 +0000 http://boldgrace.com/?p=786#comment-7489 "The kind of happiness that causes you to smile at the stranger next to you in line getting their coffee. The kind of happiness you get when you go see an old friend that you thought you would never see again. The kind of happiness that makes you want to kiss your mate when they come home from work. The kind of happiness that makes you feel good all of the time because you are free to think and feel the way you want to. " This is great Mindy, this is the kind of happiness I want!! I love your posts. My biggest regret right now is not listening to your dad with an open heart and mind, I think deep down I was hearing him and I knew what he was saying was the truth but something was keeping me from really listening. The "church" made me so afraid to believe him and I would give anything to just sit and listen to him for hours now......... Regrets........I know it doesn't do any good to have them. I'm so thankful that you are carrying on in his footsteps. I check this site everyday hoping for something knew from you. You don't know how much it means to me. I love you! “The kind of happiness that causes you to smile at the stranger next to you in line getting their coffee. The kind of happiness you get when you go see an old friend that you thought you would never see again. The kind of happiness that makes you want to kiss your mate when they come home from work. The kind of happiness that makes you feel good all of the time because you are free to think and feel the way you want to. ”

This is great Mindy, this is the kind of happiness I want!! I love your posts. My biggest regret right now is not listening to your dad with an open heart and mind, I think deep down I was hearing him and I knew what he was saying was the truth but something was keeping me from really listening. The “church” made me so afraid to believe him and I would give anything to just sit and listen to him for hours now……… Regrets……..I know it doesn’t do any good to have them. I’m so thankful that you are carrying on in his footsteps. I check this site everyday hoping for something knew from you. You don’t know how much it means to me. I love you!

]]> By: Lisa Perry http://boldgrace.com/2009/06/15/are-you-listening/comment-page-1/#comment-7478 Lisa Perry Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:09:06 +0000 http://boldgrace.com/?p=786#comment-7478 I call that abundunt joy and imo, can only be found when love has cast out all fear! I call that abundunt joy and imo, can only be found when love has cast out all fear!

]]> By: Mindy http://boldgrace.com/2009/06/15/are-you-listening/comment-page-1/#comment-7465 Mindy Thu, 18 Jun 2009 02:10:52 +0000 http://boldgrace.com/?p=786#comment-7465 Absolutely!!! Archeologist can dig. Scientists can test and research, but one fact remains and that is NOONE knows what happens when we die so why not live in a way that makes you truly happy...not temporarily happy like a drug gives you, but a happiness that gets you up and moving in the morning. The kind of happiness that causes you to smile at the stranger next to you in line getting their coffee. The kind of happiness you get when you go see an old friend that you thought you would never see again. The kind of happiness that makes you want to kiss your mate when they come home from work. The kind of happiness that makes you feel good all of the time because you are free to think and feel the way you want to. It isn't always sunshine and roses...I know this, but we can't let the world get the best of us. Give the best to yourself. Absolutely!!! Archeologist can dig. Scientists can test and research, but one fact remains and that is NOONE knows what happens when we die so why not live in a way that makes you truly happy…not temporarily happy like a drug gives you, but a happiness that gets you up and moving in the morning. The kind of happiness that causes you to smile at the stranger next to you in line getting their coffee. The kind of happiness you get when you go see an old friend that you thought you would never see again. The kind of happiness that makes you want to kiss your mate when they come home from work. The kind of happiness that makes you feel good all of the time because you are free to think and feel the way you want to. It isn’t always sunshine and roses…I know this, but we can’t let the world get the best of us. Give the best to yourself.

]]> By: Lisa Perry http://boldgrace.com/2009/06/15/are-you-listening/comment-page-1/#comment-7455 Lisa Perry Wed, 17 Jun 2009 18:24:14 +0000 http://boldgrace.com/?p=786#comment-7455 Thanks Mindy! That really makes a lot of sense to me about Adam and Eve and that damn tree! :) If only...... This morning the thought came to me that maybe what God will destroy will be the evil in all of us. That it is the evil that will be no more eventually, that when God gets through with us we will all be loving compassionate souls as He intended from the very beginning. Like I said, I don't know but I love talking to folks with all different view points. I've always said thats where we can learn and grow, not just from hearing our own pov's over and over. Right? Thanks Mindy! That really makes a lot of sense to me about Adam and Eve and that damn tree! :) If only……

This morning the thought came to me that maybe what God will destroy will be the evil in all of us. That it is the evil that will be no more eventually, that when God gets through with us we will all be loving compassionate souls as He intended from the very beginning. Like I said, I don’t know but I love talking to folks with all different view points. I’ve always said thats where we can learn and grow, not just from hearing our own pov’s over and over. Right?

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