Religion & Spirituality Community Check-in: September 8th-14th
Welcome to Religion & Spirituality weekly check- in!
[A trail surrounded by trees, fallen leaves scattered all around. Fall is just around the corner]
How was your past week? 😊
Today we can try to reflect on some aspects of your religious/spiritual path, you are welcome to join, share and to participate in the discussion!
A gentle reminder: let’s keep this space safe and judgmental free (HERE you can find the Community Guidelines) -
Let’s start with questions for people with a spiritual/religious path:
How important is it for you to find a place to pray or meditate and why?
What helps you have a connection with God ?
What are some things that make it harder to connect with God or to grow with your Faith?
How would you improve your religious practice?
Quote: - ‘’Life with God is not immunity from difficulties, but peace in difficulties’’ -
Let’s see some questions for everyone:
Have you ever wondered about something beyond what meets the eyes?
How would you grow your spiritual introspection?
Did you have any thought you want to share, about the meaning of life?
Quote: ‘’Spirituality is having your own experience’’
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tag list (updated Sept. 8th):
@Adamw12 @adripika @amiablePeace77 @Armon23 @beck1 @blindCupcake8608 @Carolincares7 @Chevy81 @courageousRiver589 @DivineLove04 @DragonView2 @easyDime4319 @egrima729 @generouscat0001 @goodAcres5039 @GoodEar1972 @Helgafy @HisLivingWaters @IamAubrey23 @ivoryDog4942 @Jaeteuk @Jenna @LoveMyMoonflowers @loyalApricot1375 @lyricalAngel70 @magnificentNutella @Mahad2804 @MalindaBelle @MeaningfulSilence @Michele2 @officialanonymous @ovowoody @passionateSea1909 @persistentFriend274 @philosophical2741 @pineapplepeanut @politePeach9642 @rhodawoolf @RogueOne1983 @SammiSweetheart30 @soulsings @stallion3 @SunShineAlwaysGrateful @Swordpsalm @ThatChristLover @TheJenInBlack @tommy @trueconfidant123 @Tulipsmile @Tyedyedbutterfly65 @yaswecan7
@MeaningfulSilence
Thanks for this check-in!
How important is it for you to find a place to pray or meditate and why? It's important for me to find a quiet space where I can pray so I don't have any interruptions or distractions during the prayer. This way I can focus on the spirit around me and the voice I need to hear.
What helps you have a connection with God? Definitely prayer, serve/help others, religious music, read my scriptures, attend church every Sunday, read conference talks within my church, and listen to BYU speeches.
What are some things that make it harder to connect with God or to grow with your Faith? Sometimes my trials are too much and I tend to push God away. Things that influence me can sometimes overtake my life. Not making time for my personal scripture study or not building my relationship with him.
How would you improve your religious practice? I find having a schedule for things related to growing my faith helps. Remember to pray in the morning, over a meal, when you feel prompted, praying for someone else, praying at night. Taking time out of my day to study the scriptures and talks by people in the church. Going out and doing something for someone else. Those are all things that help me improve.
@Jenna
Hi there Jenna! 😊
Hope you have planned a relaxing weekend!It feels like you have clear what helps you improve and what makes things difficult, at a time.
Awareness is a good thing, it helps the needed steps to achieve your goals and it allows you to do things in the way that make you feel better. That's good Jenna, thank you for having shared 💙
@MeaningfulSilence
How important is it for you to find a place to pray or meditate and why?
This one is a hard one for me because I pray no matter where I am throughout my day. If a situation comes up that I feel needs prayer or I feel like I need guidance, then I will pray. I see prayer as just having a chat with God and sharing with Him the things I want to share, just like I would a friend.
For "meditation" I would put that under me reading my bible - which is something I haven't been good about doing recently. But I definitely do need a quiet place for me to be able to do that. I get distracted very easily so phones have to be put up for sure!
What helps you have a connection with God ?
There are different things that help me feel connected to God...
- Being out in nature and seeing what God created
- Reading my bible or devotionals
- Listening to christian music
- Being able to help people in my community and serve through my church
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Going to Church
What are some things that make it harder to connect with God or to grow with your Faith?
I would definitely say that my faith journey has been difficult recently due to some personal struggles that I have been going through. Sometimes when we can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, it can make us doubt what we believe. But I've been fortunate enough to find a new church that I feel like I'm going to be able to get plugged into and they really have very similar values and beliefs to me, which is important.
I think so when I stop getting in my bible or talking to God, that can also cause distance from Him and weaken my faith.
How would you improve your religious practice?
I recently started doing a study guide that is going to help me focus a little more during my reading time and allow me to feel a little more grounded with what I am reading which I'm really excited about doing
Again, being plugged into a good church is going to help too and definitely thankful for that.
@beck1 I find service to others is like walking the talk and really helps me feel whole. Thanks for sharing.
@beck1
Hi beck1!
Thank you for sharing your experience ☺️
I see that you organize well everything, it surely helps you growing with your faith, i am glad to hear it's something that makes you feel good.
Don't get discouraged for the difficult moments, I've heard many experience or experienced them. Probably the intention to seek for God's connection is the important point, to entrust to Him.
Have a good weekend over there!
@MeaningfulSilence
How was your past week?.... To be honest it was a bit of a "whirlwind"~
How important is it for you to find a place to pray or meditate and why?...... I'd say for the most part this isn't something that is difficult for me to do. As long as I have a quiet place without interruption is the most important.
What helps you have a connection with God?....To be honest, I've always "felt" a connection with God since I was a very little girl. As I got older that connection has never been lost, and I've found that the more I "feed my faith" (Reading the "Word", practicing it, Listening to my favorite sermons etc..) the stronger that connection has become.
What are some things that make it harder to connect with God or to grow with your Faith?....I can't honestly say that I can remember a time ever feeling this way. I've found that in my more challenging moments in life, that it has only drawn me closer to him and his Word & promises for me.
How would you improve your religious practice?.....Well, I feel that we have to keep a continuous relationship with God. Not "just or only" when we need him or want him, OR On Sundays.... So I've had a continuous "Daily" relationship, and stay in his 'Word' daily.
Have you ever wondered about something beyond what meets the eyes?....I'm sure we all have somewhere along the way at some point in time or life. Only now as an adult who follows the Word of the Lord, I don't question those things.
@PoliteOcean
Hi there PoliteOcean!
Thank you for your testimony 💙
Yes I understand how quiet places help the connection and it's wonderful that you have clear how the relationship needs to be nurtured on daily basis!
Wish you to have a relaxing weekend, hope to read you soon 🌺
@MeaningfulSilence I talk to God all the time. I don't really think I have a particular place to connect. Well maybe I have a willow tree (joshuas tree) it has my sons cross under it. So I am talking more to God and my Angel when I sit there
@Tinywhisper11
Hi there Tinywhisper11, how are you doing?
I am sorry to hear about your loss, I can't even imagine how painful it is to lose a child.
I hope your Faith can help you bringing that heavy weight because it probably is a daily struggle to deal with.
I also wish that 7 cups can be of support in some ways.
Take good care of yourself Tiny 💙
@MeaningfulSilence ❤❤❤
@Tinywhisper11
May God give you comfort and inner peace, you are welcome to post in 7 cups whenever you need to feel that we are here for you Tiny! 💙
Sending you good vibes!
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How important is it for you to find a place to pray or meditate and why?
For me, the place doesn't matter because He is with me every time, everywhere. I just have to look up above the skies and whisper that little prayer inside my heart it is that easy for me. Undoubtedly, my solitude helps me talk to Him and connect with Him in the best manner as around people it is harder to achieve that nearness.
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What helps you have a connection with God?
The consciousness of The Almighty God watching over me and watching me all the time helps me the most.
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What are some things that make it harder to connect with God or to grow with your Faith?
Life challenges that squeeze you can make you doubt His love for you but who doesn't have to go through it afterall? Even the pious of people, the best of Saints, and Prophets had to go through trials and tribulations to test them as to who was better able to hold onto their faith. If even the best of the best people had to go through them then who am I? This thought helps me keep going.
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How would you improve your religious practice?
I would love to feed the animals and birds even more than I do, I would love to donate my clothes, unused stuff, and money as per my capacity. I would love to be kind to every soul that can't pay me that kindness back as The Almighty Lord is the most merciful and kindest to everyone even when there are people who hate Him or don't believe in Him. ♥️
Much love,-Angel 💜💙
@MeaningfulSilence