tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7236745.post112252715409543725..comments2008-12-09T15:58:45.257-05:00natalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05169875093170987241noreply@blogger.comBlogger90125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7236745.post-1123528496526805502005-08-08T15:14:00.000-04:002005-08-08T15:14:00.000-04:00Natala, <BR/><BR/>I just read the entire series. At first I did not know what to think. But then I thought that I am no better than "Marie" non of us are. <BR/><BR/>We have all rejected God over and over and over. We are all sinners. We are all evil. And maybe Marie did die knowing Christ, I guess we won't know until we get to Heaven. Where God is judge, not us. <BR/><BR/>Very Challenging. <BR/>Thanks.Jessica R. , From Madison, Wisconsinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7236745.post-1123514383048908232005-08-08T11:19:00.000-04:002005-08-08T11:19:00.000-04:00thank-you mariac &amp; chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13358329831008547508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7236745.post-1123494897504963522005-08-08T05:54:00.000-04:002005-08-08T05:54:00.000-04:00Natala, the part of your story that really touched me was Marie's mother's behavior. I have felt called to pray for mothers for some time now. I have a beautiful soon-to-be 18-year-old daughter. Our recent past has been terribly difficult in that I took my daughter and left a 30-1/2 year marriage after finding out information that lead me to realize that my daughter was in danger if we stayed. She and I have always been blessed with a beautiful and close relationship which has grown tremendously over the past 2 years of our singledom. She has brought many friends into our little home. To know my daughter you must understand that she is just naturally drawn to the "underdog" or the kids that no one else will hang out with. We have had quite a parade through our home. Each girl has her own story, and most of them had the sad story of no relationship with their mothers. They just broke my heart. These girls were so desperate for a mother's love that they would take it where ever they could find it. I became their "surrogate" mom. Marie's mom sounded so much like the mothers of these precious young women. My prayer is for mothers to return to God and take up their responsibilities to their children and families, to become the prayer warrior for her family as God intended. So many of the world's woes today could be eliminated if more mothers prayed for their families---without ceasing.Samonenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7236745.post-1123479445267267162005-08-08T01:37:00.000-04:002005-08-08T01:37:00.000-04:00beautiful Natala.<BR/><BR/>I'm linking.<BR/><BR/><BR/>grace and peace, jimmyjimmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07323243151997926304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7236745.post-1123467598943200942005-08-07T22:19:00.000-04:002005-08-07T22:19:00.000-04:00This story has been at the forefront of my thoughts for three days now. Thank you, I needed to read this.Johnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7236745.post-1123462784102812172005-08-07T20:59:00.000-04:002005-08-07T20:59:00.000-04:00Natala, thank you. i keep having this verse and song go through my head - "Be still and know".<BR/>It is all about Jesus, not Christians.<BR/>Once again thank you for making me think again about how I live my actions and life affect the lepers.The Merry Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17521197815107151123noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7236745.post-1123396356435658782005-08-07T02:32:00.000-04:002005-08-07T02:32:00.000-04:00For ten minutes I've sat here and have no idea how to share the hundreds of thoughts I wish I could share with you.<BR/><BR/>Instead I will simply say thank you, and hope that sometime we might be able to chat.<BR/><BR/>Kenny<BR/>kc@spoonfork.netAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7236745.post-1123379570753080032005-08-06T21:52:00.000-04:002005-08-06T21:52:00.000-04:00I'm not a christian either. And this got to me. <BR/>Thanks for writing it, and for being honest, you are not like the others.Joelhttp://comicsaneblogspott.conoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7236745.post-1123374538740978922005-08-06T20:28:00.000-04:002005-08-06T20:28:00.000-04:00Natala, I am so stunned. Thank you for writing this.Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08900874017388094590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7236745.post-1123368657322453512005-08-06T18:50:00.000-04:002005-08-06T18:50:00.000-04:00Natala, I am not a Christian, though some say I act like one. Being "in the clique", you forget what it's like to be "in the field." Jesus did what he did because he loved people. The church assumes that you are not as strong as Jesus and you will fall for temptation. Only the elite group you are involved with, the "choir", can help. It's not other humans that help, but god (or Gods, in my case) that help guide you. Keep your faith strong. WWLisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00561026237630932373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7236745.post-1123355019423718512005-08-06T15:03:00.001-04:002005-08-06T15:03:00.001-04:00Without a doubt the most powerful statement I have read on the web yet, the warmest, most heartwrenching post. My heart now goes out to you and know that others feel your pain and wish you all the best......DazzlinDinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14875104023072439913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7236745.post-1123354981021267502005-08-06T15:03:00.000-04:002005-08-06T15:03:00.000-04:00Without a doubt the most powerful statement I have read on the web yet, the warmest, most heartwrenching post. My heart now goes out to you and know that others feel your pain and wish you all the best......DazzlinDinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14875104023072439913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7236745.post-1123354961572192182005-08-06T15:02:00.000-04:002005-08-06T15:02:00.000-04:00Without a doubt the most powerful statement I have read on the web yet, the warmest, most heartwrenching post. My heart now goes out to you and know that others feel your pain and wish you all the best......DazzlinDinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14875104023072439913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7236745.post-1123303072591418262005-08-06T00:37:00.000-04:002005-08-06T00:37:00.000-04:00i just wanted to say thank you for all of your words, i have thought greatly on the things you have said. <BR/>much peace to you...Natalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05169875093170987241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7236745.post-1123290139272586052005-08-05T21:02:00.000-04:002005-08-05T21:02:00.000-04:00Part 7 was especially moving. Thanks for your honesty.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7236745.post-1123274437433498662005-08-05T16:40:00.000-04:002005-08-05T16:40:00.000-04:00Natala, you are an inspiration to all of us trying to do the Lords work. You have opened my eyes to just how wretched I am.<BR/><BR/>As someone else posted -- Love the sinner and let it end there.<BR/><BR/>Lord have mercy on us all.-tg2http://www.blogger.com/profile/02562917159591460134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7236745.post-1123272204468079042005-08-05T16:03:00.000-04:002005-08-05T16:03:00.000-04:00What an incredible series of posts. What a sad story; my heart bleeds both for Marie and for you Natala.<BR/><BR/>This is a story that resonates with everyone, Christian or not. Being a friend does not require religion, it requires giving of oneself.<BR/><BR/>Don't beat yourself up, Natala, you were a young college girl. You gave Marie something she'd never had before. That your own needs got in the way is not your fault, it is just life.<BR/><BR/>Take your lessons and apply them, knowing that you are honoring Marie's memory every time you choose to love rather than judge.Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00460561617520331248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7236745.post-1123256615343440182005-08-05T11:43:00.000-04:002005-08-05T11:43:00.000-04:00Hi Natala! <BR/><BR/>What an amazing series of posts. I have been reading them for the past hour or so! <BR/><BR/>I am sure you have been asked this, but I am curious what Church you go to now? And if you have found people that are more "Christ Like" and less "Christian like". <BR/><BR/>Thanks! <BR/>Have a nice day! <BR/>AliciaAlicianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7236745.post-1123256502646931432005-08-05T11:41:00.000-04:002005-08-05T11:41:00.000-04:00I don't know if I can add anything. I did want to tell you that this really impacted me, in ways I could never explain. <BR/><BR/>Thank you for writing, and for wearing the "Pharasee" sign. <BR/>What if we all just realized that is what we have become? <BR/><BR/>Thank you again.Johnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7236745.post-1123225045474136842005-08-05T02:57:00.000-04:002005-08-05T02:57:00.000-04:00There's so much going on in my head after reading your story that I can't get the words out. But thank you, thank you, thank you! for sharing it.Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09669869159446275381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7236745.post-1123212186085988702005-08-04T23:23:00.000-04:002005-08-04T23:23:00.000-04:00Allow me to add my thanks.Jeffhttp://g220.lifewithchrist.org/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7236745.post-1123170384269749072005-08-04T11:46:00.000-04:002005-08-04T11:46:00.000-04:00Thank youRobb Heatonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11640502839703052065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7236745.post-1123136880499316582005-08-04T02:28:00.000-04:002005-08-04T02:28:00.000-04:00Thanks Natala, for your honesty. <BR/><BR/>I felt like I was receiving a confession that has also convicted me.<BR/><BR/>What an amazing way to see Jesus - the life of Marie - the 'other' which most of us would have forgotten about.<BR/><BR/>Natala - I am in 'formation' for Ministry, and your story has spoken to me about what it really means to follow Jesus - not to be a Christian.<BR/><BR/>Thanks so muchSaemonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17270137441141931259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7236745.post-1123095632689932362005-08-03T15:00:00.000-04:002005-08-03T15:00:00.000-04:00my heart is crying and my soul is aching...i have been on both sides of the story. i have been the judging, condeming, goody-two-shoes Christian and now...i'm the outcast, the forbidden, the unloved and unwanted. i feel the pain...yours and marie's. but i also feel the realness...the grace...the gift of love. thank you for sharing your spirit.hazelorbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12687767500393426461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7236745.post-1123095037213320792005-08-03T14:50:00.000-04:002005-08-03T14:50:00.000-04:00I hink Kenny is very right, this is something that not just the church should be wary of. It is all of society, and the Church has never made a great example of helping people like Marie. Which is sad becuase the Church claims that that is what they are there for, to help. Only when they say "help" they mean "save", and then they push people like Marie away. If the Church is going to hold to higher standards, than they should also be made accountable to do so.Romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06493777844036378788noreply@blogger.com