A Tale of Two Churches

Posted on by beautybeyondbones

Hey friends!

So if you’ve been listening to my podcast, Oh What a Beautiful Morning!, then this is old news to you, but I’m in Denver, Colorado right now!

I’m out here for a shoot, and in my downtime, I’m just enjoying the mountain air in the Mile High City!

Well, this weekend, I had some much appreciated time to myself.

So what did I do?

I went to church…twice.

Now, I know – seems kind of a bit…much. But here’s the deal. I have heard so many amazing things about Red Rocks Church. I was at this nonprofit event on Thursday in NYC and had an incredible conversation with one of the organization’s founders about Red Rocks in Denver, and how I should check it out when I was there this week.

So I did.

Here’s the catch.

Being a dutiful Catholic, I didn’t want to miss Mass either. SO on Saturday evening, I went to mass at Holy Ghost Church, and then Red Rocks on Sunday.

And honestly, I could not have had two more different, and yet equally moving experiences in my life.

I mean, wow.

Spoiler alert, I ended both experiences in tears.

First of all, walking into Holy Ghost, I knew that I was going to be having a meaningful date with Jesus, as right when I walked in, I was greeted by a huge image of the Divine Mercy. And you know my affinity for that, and its “Jesus I Trust in You” message. So already I knew I was in the right place.

It wasn’t anything flashy. Humble in fact, as one of the oldest Catholic churches in Denver, founded in 1905. A sparse – mostly older – Saturday 4pm crowd was attended to by a lovely priest who gave a homily about mortification – aka the spiritual discipline of putting the flesh to death. Not exactly a sparkling, feel good topic.

And as I was about to tune out, he began to describe the process of pruning and blooming.

And quite honestly, at first my ears only perked up because of the mention of my book’s name sake: Bloom.

But he began talking about how a gardener has to prune the flowers and the branches in order for the plant to grow and produce even more blooms and shoots. That, although hard to do, it is necessary for a healthy and vibrant plant. And in fact, the pruning is done by a loving and caring gardener, wanting the best for his plants.

And it was in that moment that I fully appreciated how my past, and everything I went through with my anorexia and ulcerative colitis, and my mom’s stroke – those were all pruning seasons. And that I need to let go of the, admittedly anger – I can sometimes feel about those seasons of my life. Because God knew what He was doing. That pruning, was actually done in love, so that I could become fully the person I am, blooming with full capacity.

So walking out of mass, I felt completely revived. Having gained a new perspective.

Little did I know what was waiting for me in the morning.

Friends. I’m not going to lie. Amongst “diehard Catholics,” there is a bit of a stigma about the “Big Box” non-denominational Christian churches. The trendy sermon themes, and the coffee-touting patrons, ready to be entertained in cushy chairs by a too-hip pastor with Justin Bieber-hair, that shops at Zara, or Hollister. Catholics love to snark on it. We really do, and admittedly, I have partaken in many a conversation about just that. Zingers included.

So when I showed up to Red Rocks, with the free specialty coffee and donuts, and the concert-style worship music from a man with a perfectly groomed handlebar mustache, a pastor in ripped jeans that were tighter than mine, and a graffiti background/skateboarding-vibe sermon series called “Freestyle” – I could feel my snarky inner Catholic checking off every stereotype box there was.

But after about 30 seconds inside the building, I realized just how dead wrong those stereotypes were. (Surprise, surprise.) And how — real talk — Catholics really have a lot to learn.

I mean, wow. The Spirit was SO ALIVE inside that Vietnamese-grocery-store-turned-church.

I loved it so much I almost stayed for a second service.

I walked in, and the first thing I noticed was that not only was everyone super attractive, but I would say that 70-80% of the congregation was my age. Mid twenties to mid thirties. And they all wanted to be there! 

And within 5 minutes of me being there, I was warmly greeted by – no kidding – six different “staff” greeters, many my age – all genuinely glad to see me, and welcomed to their community.

And it’s not like it was a small little gathering where I stuck out as an obvious “newbie” — although my “Sunday best” Lilly Pulitzer attire kinda stood out among the “come-as-you-are” athleisure wearing counterparts

The church was literally packed. It was standing room only. Probably 3 or 4 thousand people. The worship music was truly radio-quality — playing current worship songs that are on the radio. And I know I knocked on the handlebar mustache man, but boy could strum a six-string, lemme tell ya! The crowd was so into it. And so was I.

But here’s the thing that really was what made it truly special.

And maybe this says more about where I am in my life, but the sermon was so personal. So life applicable. And so moving.

You walked away from that hour and a half heart-fest feeling so incredibly loved. SO loved by our Father. SO welcomed by a community of imperfect people just like me. And SO on fire for Jesus.

By the end of the sermon, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. Then they brought in the band – people continued crying like babies, and singing their hearts out to Jesus.

That God-high stuck with me for the rest of the day. I can only imagine what that would be like to go back to the well like that, week after week.

My two church experiences could not have been more different. And yet, both brought me close to the heart of Jesus. And it revealed a gross prejudice I had been harboring, that frankly I need to put in check.

As far as I’m concerned, God is God. And no one form of worship is better than the other.

And frankly, -let’s call it what it is – the judgement from both sides of the “worship line” are doing nothing but create walls instead of bridges.

Because both sides are guilty. The Catholics think the “Big Box” churches are too “entertainment based” faith-periences and the “Big Box” churches think Catholics worship wafers and are too rigidly stuck in tradition, lacking a personal relationship with Jesus.

And you know what – both are wrong.

And in fact, I’d like to submit that both have something to learn from the other. IF we could stop speaking past each other, and constructively come together to talk about one another’s strengths and areas of improvement.

Catholics are reeling, feeling the threat of parishioners being “poached” by the Big Box, but how about we all come together, and compare notes? Because clearly, they’re doing something right.

Does this mean I’m going to abandon Catholicism and jump ship to Hillsong NYC or something else where young people abound (and I could probably meet a husband)? Absolutely not. I love the beauty in the history and tradition of our faith, and the meaning behind it, (namely the Eucharistic miracle and the sacraments) which make it so truly special and sacred.

But, I am going to try to build more bridges between the two. Because at the end of the day, we’re all brothers and sisters in Christ, and we’ve all got the same goal and the same God.

OK – that’s all for tonight – See you tomorrow for my Bachelorette Breakdown w/ BBB Podcast!

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305 thoughts on “A Tale of Two Churches”

  4. You caught my attention from the title. The geeky pastor in me was dying to read about your experience in two churches. Although I have never attended a mass, my background was in a more formal denomination while I now embrace a more contemporary style church. Both have something to bring to the table, and it looks like both exalted Christ. How wonderful it is to encounter the Lord and His love through people, even when you’re far away from home!

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    1. Thanks Matthew! Yeah both were beautiful and great. It was a very interesting experience! Thanks for reading! Hugs and love xox

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  5. Wish there was a love button not just like for this post. I have had many Catholic friends over the years. I will never forget some years ago when 2 Catholic young people from Vietnam that came to my Sunday morning group for English told me they pray for me and my class because we had many who were atheist or Buddhist. 5 of them came to believe in Jesus over one year. There is a small Catholic chapel that I go to sometimes to pray. We can learn from each other and encourage each other.

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    1. Aw thank you friend. Oh my gosh that is so beautiful. Faith is such a beautiful thing. Hugs and love xox

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  6. Whoa, this is really good- and I mean REALLY. I believe all Christians have lots to learn from each other!

    My mom, sister and I read your blog and have been so encouraged in our self-worth. One thing you said in one of your posts stuck out to me: when you were talking about why Catholics display and treasure priceless items, you said that it was to give God your best. Though I’m a Southern Baptist, this has had so much meaning for me as a teen growing up in a secular world. I’ve started to look at myself before I leave the house- am I giving God my best with what I wear and the mindset I’m in? And to be honest… I think sometimes I could use a wake-up call. So much to learn!!

    Thank you so much for this post, Caralyn- I can’t tell you how much your blog has impacted my life.

    ~Annie ❤️ xoxo

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    1. Thank you Annie I’m so glad you enjoyed the post! And gosh I’m so touched that you and your mom and sis read my blog! Thank you! Yes we are all one faith family! Hugs and love xox

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  7. A great post, you hit some nerves with me. A family member of mine is Catholic and so overbearing about it. It drives me away. I have also met other Christians who attend the Big Box churches like the one I occasionally attend. It has 5000 members. Wow. What bothers me about the big box is that it’s so impersonal. You never really get to know people as easily as a small church setting promotes.

    What matters most is that we are all worshipping the same God. The only God. I find the bickering and condemnation from either side of the aisle to be something that keeps me away from organised religion mostly. My faith is strong as ever regardless. I see people crying during those services, with joy. The sanctuary is overflowing with the Holy Spirit. It’s palpable and I love it.

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    1. Thank you so much John. I’m sorry you have had that experience with Catholicism. I promise we are not all overbearing! Amen – the same God!! That’s awesome. Hugs and love xox

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  8. This is a beautiful piece, thank you. I love the pruning – Not sure if you’re familiar with Dr. Henry Cloud, but he co-wrote a book called Necessary Endings and it’s focused on that. You also nailed the description of the “big Box” church. I say it with warmth because my wife and our family attend Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas (just outside of Dallas) – It’s a mega-church but is so filled with the Holy Spirit you have to fight for seating!!!
    If you find yourself in the great city of Dallas, my wife and I will treat you to the most amazing worship service ever (we’re a little biased about it)
    Thanks again and super article!!!
    Scott

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    1. Thanks Scott. I will definitely have to check out his book! Thanks for recco. Sounds very interesting! Awesome! I will definitely remember that next time I’m in Dallas! I’ve never been! Hugs and love xox

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  9. I loved this post so much! I live in Denver and used to go to Red Rocks YA every week where I would usually be sobbing by the end of the the message. But I agree, we should build more bridges between traditional and “big-box” churches because there is so much to be learned from both.

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    1. Thank you so much Sami. Amen for bridges! Oh cool! I would love to experience the YA! Hugs and love xox

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  10. Wondetful post. As for myself, I dis-sect-ed in November 2006 and never looked back. It is better to serve Jesus as He said to the woman at the well, that neither those who worshipped in the temple or on the hills of Samaria were right. Instead, He announced personal/private worship in Spirit and Truth. Both Church and The Big Box deviate from.His Word in terms of dogma, liturgy, structure, etc. This the pot can’t call the kettle black. I would really love to see Christianity to return to its original ways in first century Jerusalem,before (we) Gentiles corrupted it with paganism, idol worship, animism and what else. I have a friend who is a friar in the Dominican Order, a lovely man. In Cape Town, I saw a few times how (we) Protestants protected grossly erring pastors, it was only a RC priest who acted according to Scripture. I go where the Spirit, and not my gut feel, leads me. Have a great day!

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    1. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this. If you’re feeling the Spirit, more power to ya! Hugs and love xox

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  11. Another thought I constantly have is that with so many problems in our country and with the anti-Christian and anti-Catholic bias in our country, it would be wonderful if we had a better spirit of unity between us at least for us regular folks. 🙂

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  12. I am so very, very glad that you have now experienced a true worship service at a “Big Box” church and wrote this wonderful post! I am a “Big Box” Church attender/lover/worshiper and admittedly sometimes one of those “Catholics don’t have a personal relationship with Jesus” thinkers. Although I have to say that your personal relationship with Jesus is beautifully apparent in your posts 🙂 I have attended a Catholic service maybe 5 times in my life and found the Church buildings stunning, but lacked understanding of the importance of what was happening in the Mass. Through the years, after meeting several dedicated Catholics who truly love Jesus, I realized that it is what is in our hearts that is important, not what is in our church services! In my Big Box church, sometimes I come out completely wrecked emotionally after having a deeply intimate encounter with God, sometimes I come out so packed full of joy that I am gushing out love to everyone. Sometimes I come out feeling so utterly grateful that a God so Great could love and want such a mess like me. But I always come out feeling SOMETHING awe-inspiring deeply. God always touches me clear to my soul if I go in expecting to meet Him and willingly lay down my agenda at the door and open my heart to hear His beautiful Words to me. I believe anyone can have this kind of encounter, or the kinds you describe here, in ANY church, big or small, Catholic or Protestant, ornate or simple. Band-filled, or voice filled. You just have to check your agenda at the door and open your heart to Him.
    Thanks again for what you do, BBB, so many lives and hearts are touched by your words. ❤

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    1. Thank you so much! Oh it was such s beautiful experience and I’m so glad I had it too! That is such a great point you bring up – the true beauty of the Catholic Church is what is actually happening beneath the words and he why behind the words and actions. And that’s why the initiation into the church is a process. RCIA prepares you to fully know so that you can really see the beauty. Because from the surface it can be difficult to make all the connections. I love what you said – it’s what’s in our hearts. Amen amen amen. Thank you so much for sharing your heart! Big big hugs xox

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  16. So glad you shared. Time definitely has a way of changing things. But God is still the same. Your experience is revealing since many today who because of their age difference may have grown up experinecing God in a different manner(if you know what I mean)😬 We all have to be sensitive to these changes and know that God wants us all to make it in. Thanks for sharing this.👍🏾🙂

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  17. As a cradle Protestant, I heard all the criticism of Catholics when I was growing up. Then, as an adult, I began reading some of the earliest of Christian writers (other than the disciples themselves) – Thomas a’Kempis, Brother Lawrence, St. Augustine, et al – and, lo and behold, they were all Catholic. 🙂 They were pre Luther and they were so in tune with God and the Spirit that I learned much from them and was inspired to follow God with my whole heart. I agree with you that we have much to learn from each other!

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    1. Thank you Beverly. That is one of the beautiful things about Catholicism — it dates all the way back to the Last Supper!! 🙂 Hugs and love xox

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  18. Great take on 2 churches! I know we can always learn from others, but whatever we learn it needs to drive us to be more like Jesus. Also to live in holiness. That’s a word that sacred people but it shouldn’t. As a Christian our desire should be to exemplify Christ. Not try to mimic the world. We need strong believers in these days in America!

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  19. New platform suggestion – Beauty Beyond Tears! Be sure to stay hydrated!!

    But seriously, folks… My church back in Ohio was a “post-Catholic” Lutheran church with traditional liturgies, etc. We developed a contemporary worship held in the gym every Sunday; two traditional servies in the sanctuary and the gym overlapping the late service, starting late enough for the pastor to sprint to the other end of the building in time to preach again.

    It was a disaster; there were rifts in membership over who had to be a background singer and who got their own microphones. The leader started thinking they were their own church and the pastor had no right to tell them what to do. It also turned into an excuse to be sloppy with many people showing up in heavy metal t-shirts, looking like they’d been gardening, and even walking aroud during the sermon.

    Obviously, a bad taste was left.

    All that being said/vented I think you’re right, but the trick is always to look to their theology first. One “Big Box” back home had billboards around town, urging everyone to “Feel Your Faith,” which is all kinds of wrong. Joel Osteen’s gospel of prosperity and feel good showman ship to bring In the dollars is leading many down a very bad path.

    If you attended an emotional service every Sunday, would you lose sight of faith and end up going for the emotional high?

    Anything that uses an overabundance of emotion repetitively is something I would be cautious of. Do the traditional churches need to take a lesson from the Big Boxes? I think so, but should tread very carefully in the process. I saw how it all went south at my home church.

    Well, sorry to go on. I just have had some bad experiences. I know we need to do some adapting, but very carefully.

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    1. Hey Jeff! Thank you os much for this thoughtful reflection. Wow sounds like a logistical circus! Oh the politics of churches. A bad taste indeed. You think that it being a house of God that there wouldn’t be such politics, but oh the contrary. Yeah, I feel the same about Joel Osteeen. I’ve had to just stop listening to him because every time it produces so much anger inside lol. I think you’re so right about that — faith is not a feeling. Or an emotion. It is a choice. A decision you make that changes your life and behavior! Love hearing your thoughts and experiences on this Jeff! Hope you and Julie had a great weekend! Hugs and love xox

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      1. Turned over another year yesterday! Unfortunately, we both had some sort of stomach flu and were home all day after church. My daughter, however, bought us all tickets to go see Gabriel Inglesias a.k.a. Fluffy next month not far from here in Mississippi Great gift!

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      2. Wait wait — it was your birthday!?!! I am so sorry I missed it! HAPPY BIRTHDAY JEFF!!! Bummer that you were sick! I hope you’re feeling better today 🙂 And dang what an awesome gift!! Cheers to another year! Xox

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  20. This pruning it’s one of many paradoxes in life, you must cut to grow in adversity there is wisdom and more, if you don’t fail can you succeed? how would you tell?. Life can be a hard sell, you can give a man the world and he still needs love to live well. Safe journies sunshine

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    1. Thank you friend. Yes! So true – cut back in order to grow. so glad you stopped by! Hugs and love xox

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  21. This post resonated with me. My parish is a tale of two communities: the caucasian crowd is getting older, losing young people to the more-hip church nearby, while the Hispanic membership is booming, with a lot of energy and a lot of love. Instead of honestly looking at why white millenials are leaving, noses get turned up and the remaining white crowd harrumphs, “We’re right and they’re wrong, so we don’t have to do anything. They’ll be back.” Frustrating, and not healthy. White millenials have left because a connection wasn’t made, while Hispanics of similar age have stayed. Denying that there is a problem won’t solve anything. There is energy in the hip churches, and we need to understand it and learn from it.
    Well done, and God bless– Mike

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    1. Thank you so much friend! I’m so glad this resonated with you. That’s a great point – we can’t deny the problem – we need to tackle it head on and work together! Thanks for stopping yb, Mike.

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  22. Amen! We do have work to do! As you embark on your mission, I highly recommend a book by my favorite big box guy, Andy Stanley, called Deep and Wide. In it he talks about how we need to be willing to do what you did: Namely, go deep (don’t shy away from our faith) and wide (find ways to appeal to the unchurched) .

    I continue to applaud and encourage your honesty and courage in exploring these topics. Keep doing awesome things!

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    1. Thank you so much J! Oh I LOVE Andy! I recently listened to his “The Greatest Question” about marriage — it was amazing! i look forward to checking it out! Hugs and love xox

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  23. I always enjoy being in a church that makes you feel like you belong. I attended a church like that earlier this year. Unfortunately, it is a ninety minute drive away, but I hope to make it back someday.

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    1. oh gosh yeah 90 minutes is a bit of a commitment. but you’re right – feeling welcome is so awesome 🙂 Hugs and love xox

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  24. This is why I’m a Methodist. I’ve always loved the traditional liturgy of the Catholic Church, but it lacked the Spirit I often felt at more “pentecostal” Churches. I think United Methodist is an excellent compromise. Spirit and Truth. Terrific blog post as always, Beauty! (Don’t know your real name, but the screen name definitely fits).

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    1. Thank you Neal, for sharing that! hah you’re kind to say that. it’s Caralyn! 🙂 Hugs and love xox

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      1. What a beautiful and unique name! It essentially means “warrior of love” because of the etymology being both “Charles” and “Cara”. It fits you very well.

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  25. Ok- total confession time! My heart kinda fell a little bit when I found it you were catholic (long story, and history has messed Catholicism up for me)- but since I already knew you were a definitely “of the fold”, I was intrigued and stuck around. I’m sooo glad I did. You’ve opened my heart up to embracing my brothers and sisters in the Catholic Church and you’ve shown me the sacred and beautiful side of the church. Oh how silly our prejudices are, and what an awaking we’ll have in heaven when “Father so-and-so” and “handle-bar dude” and worshiping side by side! Oh I long for the day! 💗💞💒⛪️

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    1. Hi Nita, I’m sorry that Catholicism had been soured for you. I’m sooo glad you stuck around too! Gosh, I am so touched by that! Yes! There really is so much beauty to be found in the Church, as with all houses of worship. Thanks for sharing your heart 🙂 Amen! I await the day too!! 🙂 Hugs and love xox

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  26. I had a similar experience at a more modern church not too long ago. Like you, I left feeling so full of His love. I go to a more traditional church and was pleasantly taken aback by the “Big Box” church. Thank you for sharing 😊

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      1. Well let’s get lunch or something. I can’t pass up an opportunity to actually meet you. That’d be like the highlight of my year. We never meet other bloggers in real life.

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      2. Aw, thank you for the invitation! Unfortunately I’m here for work so my schedule is crazy! I’m hoping to be back soon though so perhaps then! 🙂 Hugs and love xox

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  28. Loved that you love both experiences. I know there are people in both camps who love Jesus. And just as concerning, people in both who love their church experience and friends, but don’t yet know Jesus. May we never fail to see those around us who still need to come to the Saviour in loving repentance, to become one of his children.

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  29. In terms of coming together and comparing notes, I might’ve suggested InterVarsity Christian Fellowship if you were in college. I’ll write this anyway for those who are in college and resonate with Caralyn’s message. Many chapters, including the one I was in, had many different denominations among their students. This provided a really easy opportunity to compare notes with my Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist, Episcopalian, etc brothers and sisters. To this day, we all share songs we wouldn’t know if we just stuck to our faith traditions. It’s pretty cool.

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  30. Ahaha loved this so much! ❤️ yes, we have so much to learn from each other! Let us build bridges, not walls. I go to both- catholic mass and non denominational church, and I always feel God in both. At the end of the day we all worship the same God. Blessings, thank you for sharing Caralyn.

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  31. I wondered reading this if you were in any way influenced to check out that church after reading my “this is my story” blog. lol wishful thinking maybe. I live for impacting others and this blog definitely impacted me. I follow Bethel Church in Redding Cali and I highly recommend checking them out on YouTube, worship and the sermon by Bill Johnson. Some of the associate pastors there are evangelical and went to meet the pope and talk about unity! Chris valloton made a blog about it which is amazing.

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  32. always remember the best thing about churches is that there are people in them and the worst part is that are people in them. Churches spend way to much focussing what is different between them.

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      1. I was the Discipleship Director at our church for years and truly loved dealing with the congregation it was the business side of it I got tired of dealing with. I do miss it. It took me 2 years to get AEDS put in the church.

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      3. The part that got frustrating for me was other board members were focused on the business side of things and not the congregation. I finally said to my fellow board members that they had things backwards. I just told them if you don’t take care of the congregation you won’t have to worry about the business side! I can’t hide going to church because my name is on several walls. The other side of that is I have major connections within a certain denomination. Remember that no matter how tough things get all the garbage you have gone through up to that point has prepared you to handle that moment at that second.

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  33. Carolyn, I don’t know if you read a lot and this is just a oassing recommendation, but Catholic theologian Peter Kreeft has some reeaally interesting insights in his book “Catholics and Proestants: What can we learn from eachother?” But all your instincts I think are good! (Although, as an aside, I think the church should be a very quiet, mysterious, sacred place of worship, and that Christian rock, while wonderful and fun should be after mass with pizza and flashing lights in the Parish Center Meeting Room).

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    1. Peter Kreeft! Yes! I definitely know him! I’ll have to check it that book. Thanks! I like your idea about after mass!! Hugs and love xox

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  34. You find the good and the bad in all kinds of churches. You find all kinds of people in different kinds of churches. Every church has the “my way or the highway”. Every church has very inspirational clergy, and every church as those who drive people away. I can attest that sometimes a Catholic Church can have different spiritual vibes depending on what area of the country you are in. When we moved from NY to SC in 1994, it was such an eye opening experience to see and experience (for 6 years) a different Catholicism. The way masses, seasons, etc.. were celebrated and felt made NY churches (when we visited back up) seem like they were just “going through the motions”. But in moving back up here we’ve seen a Catholic Church that has tried to open itself more. So many stories about people marred by Catholicism in the past. You want my story?? I WAS MARRED BY BIG BOX RELIGION IN THE PAST! Where I grew up, a big box church moved in, years later after I was gone. A friend of the family lost a LOT of money to that church and then later the pastor (one of those that everybody throws there heart out too etc…) was brought up on big time $ fraud. When I was in college, there was a chapter of the InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and their “recruiting tactics” were very falseleading as they would lie to students about coming to their gatherings, to try to get them to come (making them sound like something other than what they really were). There were people in my dorm who had gotten involved with them and they were trying to practically brainwash them into a baptism that they didn’t even want. What kept up MY faith in college? A good old traditional Catholic Church on the other side of town. You see good and bad in all churches. Hugs and Love!! xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

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    1. thank you so much Miguel for this great insight. Yeah there are definitely different “flavors” of parishes out there. I love the one I go to in NYC. They’ve been able to incorporate that moving worship music into the litergy. It was awesome. Oh gosh I’m so sorry to hear that about your and your friend’s experience. Makes me sad. And amen! I’m so glad about that! Hugs and love xox

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      3. Probably the most interesting Catholic parish I have ever been to was somewhere in the Raleigh/Durham area of North Carolina. You had many Bible Belt influences on the Catholic Church down there. This one (and I can’t remember where it exactly was, or what it was called, had, instead of the traditional holy water font to bless yourself, this “river” of holy water that “flowed” from the entrance , where you blessed yourself, to back of the altar, where it come out on the other side to be the Baptismal font as well. Quite a set up. 😉

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  35. Nice post, Caralyn. I agree with you – we are all the family of God, even though we worship in different styles. “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am among them.” Matthew 18:20. Worship styles may differ, but Jesus does not! He is the same today, yesterday, and tomorrow. Glad you had a great weekend. 🙂

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  36. This is interesting. I have been known (nearly every time I run lately) to burst out in tears while on a foothills run listening to modern worship songs. Yet, I have been ministered to so much by attending my current home church, which is an Anglican congregation and has decidedly traditional liturgy and Eucharist service. The many facets of Christianity are fascinating, and how they can minister to someone at various places in their life. You touch on nicely here that there is a place for the many faces of his church.
    rethinkredorepair.wordpress.com

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    1. Thank you so much for sharing that. Aww I can definitely relate. There’s something so moving about worship music. Hugs and love xox

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  37. Beautiful how diverse God likes us. He totally doesn’t care about differing ceremonies but cares deeply about our hearts and motives. Love that about Him. Love you as ever, friend. ❤ XO

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    1. I love that – He cares about our hearts. There’s a lot of truth in that! Thanks Tonya for stopping by and your kind words! Love you friend!! Xox

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  38. I was bought up in a town that had a strict divide between Catholics and non-Catholics back in the 1950’s. I found that quite a turn off and compared that spirit with the simple life Jesus demonstrated on earth and the various prejudices He suffered from the traditional Jewish and the big box Greco-Roman religions. His life to me compared positively with both negativities mentioned. So I abandoned both options and tasted the world to the extreme, but the simple Gospel of Jesus continued to work on my mind and I eventually yielded to Him on a personal basis. I refuse to take a label and being called one label or another is not going to get us into heaven. It is a personal relationship with Jesus that is going to make it possible for me to experience heaven, not confession to an earthly person, doing penance or any of that stuff. My “works” will be an outgrowth of my experience with Jesus, not the method of getting me there. My label is Christian and while we all have slightly different interpretations of Scripture I’m part of a fellowship of believers, the children of God. I look forward to meeting you up there and we can enjoy the delights of heaven together with all the other pilgrim believers. Keep writing your uplifting blogs.

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    1. Thank you for sharing that Ian. I agree that we are all Children of God! And aw you’re sweet. I look forward to that day too! Gosh that will be amazing 🙂 Hugs and love xox

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  39. I enjoyed this post so so much! I definitely go to one of those “Big Box” churches that freak out the catholic churches in my area and I have been around more than a few discussions about the”rigidness” of the traditional catholic church. I love your mature perspective and how you were able to find love for both styles. It would be soo cool to be able to bridge the gap between the traditional and the contemporary churches, they both have so much to offer.

    I really appreciate your writing! Always so refreshing!

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    1. Aw thank you so much Nicole! What a kind thing to say. I would loveeeee to bridge that gap too!! Both have so many beautiful aspects! Hugs and love xox

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  40. MARK 10:17 -25
    Patricia A. Bow January 21,1972

    I live in the soft prison of my desires,
    home of all my comforts.
    There is no other tenant,
    and nothing breaks the silence.

    Outside, in the clarity of sun and wind,
    God’s voice reaches men
    as well as angels,
    hands touch,
    and eyes look out for love.

    I am a prisoner,
    reaching no hands outward,
    having withdrawn self to self.
    Accustomed to my prison now,
    I love it, fear to leave it.

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  41. Welcome to Denver! My home town. My wife is third generation, and our grandkids fourth! Great town but definitely has growing pains. We attend a fine Presbyterian church. But I’ve gone to silent retreats at a Jesuit retreat house for decades. Viva la difference.

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    1. Thank you Spencer! Oh lucky you! It’s such a beautiful city! Oh wow – yeah going on a silent retreat is definitely on my bucket list! Hugs and love xox

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  42. Awesome post! You are so right – we all have a lot to learn from each other. Jesus called us to be ONE church. We need to work to accomplish this and your insights will hopefully inspire others to widen their perspectives. Keep up he good work! 🙏🏼❤️🕊

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  43. Once you said “Colorado” and “Church”, I IMMEDIATELY thought of Red Rocks Church!! I’ve been listening to their sermons on podcast since 2012 and the Lord has used that church SOOO much in my walk with Him! Such awesome post!!

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    1. Oh that’s so amazing! Yeah I just downloaded their podcast and it is going to become a weekly staple in my life! I’m so glad that you know them too! Hugs and love xox

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    2. If you’re ever in the area you MUST go and experience the Spirit and the energy in that place. He is ALIVE in there!!!!!!

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    1. Haha still mountain time for sure. Heck, I’m still watching the bachelorette! Haha Hugs and love xox

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  46. Fantastic. And precisely my soapbox with regards to church. Having been in several different denominations, from Anglican to Charismatic, I long to see the unity of the Church transcend the theological and practical squabbles. All in all, we see through a mirror dimly… and we could all learn from each other, indeed! 🙂 Thanks again. -ES

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  47. So good!

    I’m evangelical-charismatic with a leaning to Hillsong and Vineyard, and a love for an ecumenical, Jesuit-run chapel in Brussels, where I use to go for Thursday-lunchtime prayer services until we left Brussels last September.

    But I had one of my most intense spiritual experiences in a the small Romanian Orthodox church next to the Metropolitan’s HQ in Bucharest. I still shed tears of joy to write about it. Nothing was happening like a sermon or worship songs, but an old lady was face-down on the floor in worship while a young lady was looking reverentially at an icon and priests sang hidden behind a screen. God was being worshipped and had been worshipped there for hundreds of years, I guess. His presence was strong. That presence moved me to tears. It still does wherever I encounter it/Him.

    We have much to learn from each other!

    Brian McClaren has written an excellent book about this called “A Generous Orthodoxy” (link below). He makes your point: why not see what we can learn from the way other streams of Christianity “do church” instead of pretending that we have the only good way?

    John Wimber, who founded the Vineyard church movement, once said that he believed that “they” HAVE to worship “like that” so that we can worship the way we feel is best for us. All sincere forms of worship are necessary to worship Him as He deserves!

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    1. Thank you Stephen. Oh wow that sounds like an incredibly moving experience. Yes! That’s one of the beautiful aspects about the catholic faith is that it has its roots all the way back to the Last Supper! Amen – much to learn! I will definitely check it out! Hugs and love xox

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  48. Speaking of pruning which that German pope was writing about when he still was a Cardinal, isn’t it ironic that the big box stores are dying, for retail shopping.

    For some numbers, as the next generation inherits the Earth, when it comes to pruning, you may want to read the link which is enough to bring tears.

    The Book of Numbers: Why Pope Benedict Abdicated

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  50. I was raised in the Catholic Church but, now attend a new age, nondenominational church. One main problem is the actual beliefs of the two. The Big Difference; not necessarily the rigidity of the service.

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    1. Hi friend! Thanks for sharing that. Yeah – that’s definitely the biggest difference – the dogma. Which is precisely why I attend the Catholic Church 🙂 but I loved my experience yesterday. It brought me back to my days of going to nondenominational Christian summer camp. That was probably the most formative period for my faith life. So glad you stopped by! Hugs and love xox

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