AUTHOR: Mark TITLE: DATE: 9:07:00 PM ----- BODY: I had a good conversation with a friend today, but even though the conversation was good, my heart was sad. Many of my friends are confused and searching for truths and answers and questions, that I am not sure will be found. So what do we do? Where do we look? Jesus said that if we seek we will find, if we knock the door will be opened, but I don't see that happening. I think there has been progress made by some people, but I know for me and my friends we have this sense, this question that is nagging at our souls, WHY? What is all this for? Why do we "work" at a church? Where is the meaning? Where is the fulfillment? How do we possible carry out any type of redemption? Do the places we find ourselves even WANT redemption? My head hurts from banging it on so many walls. Sometimes I am afraid that I am running. Running as fast as I can so I don't have to stop and face reality. The reality of faith.... The reality of hurt...... The reality of meaninglessness.... These are my nightmares, these are the ghosts that haunt me. Am I going to school so that I don't have to face these realities, or am I truly seeking to find new questions and new directions. I pray that I am doing the latter. Pray with me....walk with me....search with me....long for redemption with me.... --------