Wake up

Just because you go to church, doesn't assure you a place in heaven. It's how we live our lives that counts, rather than praying to be forgiven.

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Bj Legros Kelley

Date: 3/6/2025 7:13:00 PM

I once heard someone say that going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than going into McDonald's makes you a hamburger. I feel sad not to be in fellowship besides online, but I really have had it with people who do not practice what the Lord preached, to love God with all your heart mind, strength and your neighbor as yourself. I want to follow God, and my Savior Jesus Christ, but not a man who is more a professor, than a loving shepherd. I joined Poetrysoup the day I left for good.

John Read
Date: 3/19/2025 1:50:00 PM

God bless you BJ..

Bj Legros Kelley
Date: 3/6/2025 7:23:00 PM

Not saying I'll never go to a fellowship of true followers again, not at all, but the fruit on the tree at the place that I left didn't seem to bear the fruit of Love, Patience, Goodness, Kindness...any way! I know where you're coming from! Sorry to go on n' on!

Panagiota Romios

Date: 2/14/2025 6:36:00 AM

Hi John, first, I am not God,LOL. So of any particular denomnatiion or church, there is no way I can know what every person does or does not do. This includes those who don’t go to church that would be the whole planet almost. I decided to let go of that.. and no, I wasn’t afraid of Covid. They closed the churches here too, but how nice of them to bring Covid over here…. not this time. We don’t have a nutcase for a president.but the Brits deserve a lot better. Pangie

Panagiota Romios
Date: 2/15/2025 5:40:00 PM

John, your PM seems to like everybody who is not British. That’s terrible. We had the same situation with our president. Glad he’s grown. Not only that last year America spent 20 I think billion dollars of Americans money on nonsense, That was more than his first three years. The liberal press will never tell you that. I really like GB News. I think I’ll put it on now. I haven’t heard it yesterday.. I was watching three. Hostages released , the news does not tell us that 253 Hamas murderes were release as ell. by the way, I heard on GB News that some of the British Jews are planning to leave Israel because of theats to their lives, love, Pangie xx

John Read
Date: 2/14/2025 8:11:00 AM

Hi Pangie, we certainly have a nutcase in charge in the UK, hope your keeping well God bless you.

CayCay Jennings

Date: 2/13/2025 8:19:00 PM

Well said! CayCay

John Read
Date: 2/14/2025 8:08:00 AM

Thank you CayCay for your visit and comment God bless you.

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 2/13/2025 4:28:00 PM

I would say both are important. But definitely being a kind person is most important of all

John Read
Date: 2/14/2025 8:08:00 AM

My thinking as well Andrea. xx

Karen Jones

Date: 2/12/2025 11:54:00 AM

Witty and so well said!

John Read
Date: 2/12/2025 12:25:00 PM

Thank you Karen nice hearing from you. xx

Beryl Edmonds

Date: 2/12/2025 2:57:00 AM

Brother John, I went to church each Sunday, till Covid. I’m reluctant to leave Alan now, he’s reliant on me due to ill health. It was poetry that got me going in the first place. Outside church was a message, Alan said - those are nice words. We went for a coffee and I wrote a poem on the words we’d read. Sent the poem to the church, they put it in their monthly news booklet, wrote to tell me, that’s the reason I started to go. I used to write them poems regularly, they loved them. I miss Sunday worship. Sis Beryl

John Read
Date: 2/12/2025 7:50:00 AM

Hi sister Beryl, I believe religions are just fairy tales, and there are many too choose from, I believe if you do good you'll go to heaven,my God is my spirit and soul my God is love. xx

thriveni c mysore

Date: 2/11/2025 7:33:00 PM

calm, peaceful, camaraderie, pleasant, breathtaking architecture, grounding defines a church; church is door-hole to heaven dear poet. See the heaven and return to daily chores once in a while. I love your poetic thoughts dear poet. awe-inspiring!

John Read
Date: 2/12/2025 7:53:00 AM

Hi thriveni doing good things in your life is the doorway to heaven, I stopped visiting church years ago when our vicar was arrested for child abuse.

Terrell Martin

Date: 2/11/2025 8:42:00 AM

Words very well written and filled with ageless truth and wisdom, John. I grew up Catholic but have to come to the realization that religions can only go so far in pointing the way to a deeper realization and relationship with God. It's a personal experience that only deep thinking, searching, praying and longing for and yes - how we treat others can ultimately yield good fruit. Kudos & Bravos /// Terrell

John Read
Date: 2/11/2025 9:44:00 AM

Hi Terrell, I lost faith in the church, my faith in God has never wavered,thank you for your visit and comment.

Hiya Sharma

Date: 2/11/2025 6:43:00 AM

This is so deeply heart-touching and thoughtful at the same time! I love how you've conveyed a deep message in a crisp manner, which also reflects so much wisdom and experience. I absolutely agree, it's our way of living life and making an impact that matters the most, not only asking for forgiveness through mere words. Goodness and faith, blossoming within one's pure heart ~ this is the ultimate form of prayer which we can achieve. Keeping full believe in the Almighty. Loved reading your words today, dear John! Sending you best wishes and light!

John Read
Date: 2/11/2025 7:03:00 AM

Dear Hiya,I do believe you're comment explains how I feel better than my poem, thank you for your time and visit God bless you. xx

Tom Cunningham

Date: 2/10/2025 12:25:00 PM

So true John, churches were created by man and we know man is a sinner. Doing good and helping others when you can, also making sure you lead an honest life. Tom

John Read
Date: 2/11/2025 6:54:00 AM

Hi Tom, I read somewhere that it's religion that gives God a bad name, I believe that God is love that will do for me, have a lovely day God bless.

Daniel Henry Rodgers

Date: 2/10/2025 6:58:00 AM

Hello John, no truer words then that. Yes we need to be faithful, good behavior and ultimately believe Jesus is our Lord and Savior. Excellent! Winter Blessings, My Friend, Daniel

John Read
Date: 2/11/2025 6:50:00 AM

Hi Daniel, what you say is true, we must never lose faith, God bless you.

Victor Buhagiar

Date: 2/10/2025 3:30:00 AM

My faith tells me that I should try to go often to Mass, but also to pray and do good. All are necessary.

John Read
Date: 2/11/2025 6:48:00 AM

Hi Victor, doing good is the most important thing, that is what we will be judge on, have a lovely day dear friend.

Ink Empress

Date: 2/10/2025 3:10:00 AM

Dear John, this is so true and so wise, how we live and how we treat others and what we do everyday, counts , prayers come in different forms and going to the church, mosque, temple doesnt guarantee highest place in paradise. Always live mindfully. Pleasure reading this wise powerful poem so well delivered. Sending you light always

John Read
Date: 2/11/2025 6:44:00 AM

Dear Ink, I believe it's how we live our lives that determines what happens to us in the end, if you follow what religion teaches you, that no matter what bad things you've done in your life,as long has you pray for forgiveness all is forgiven is a joke. Xx

Michael Tor

Date: 2/9/2025 11:18:00 PM

John going to Church is not the answer to going to heaven. Hitler went to church. It is by our faith in Christ and his death and resurrection and him dying for our sins that who soever believes in him will have salvation. We must follow the Bibles direction in loving others and obeying Gods commandments to show proof of our beliefs and repenting of our sins daily if we have sinned. When Jesus speaks of the Church it isn't the building itself it is the people that make up the church. Thanks for

John Read
Date: 2/11/2025 6:37:00 AM

Hi Michael, my church is my home love is my religion, I believe in everything you say God bless you.

Michael Tor
Date: 2/9/2025 11:19:00 PM

sharing. The good deeds we do on earth will be rewarded with crowns in heaven...

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 2/9/2025 10:33:00 PM

This is so true. I love your poems. Simple yet profound at the same time

John Read
Date: 2/11/2025 7:14:00 AM

Thank you Andrea just about sums me up. xx

Gershon Wolf

Date: 2/9/2025 9:14:00 PM

There you go. Sage advice, John. This poem is a real pearl of wisdom. Thanks, Gershon

John Read
Date: 2/11/2025 6:35:00 AM

Thank you brother Gershon God bless you.

Miranda Hawley

Date: 2/9/2025 6:06:00 PM

I wish more Christians would realize this.

John Read
Date: 2/11/2025 6:34:00 AM

Hi Miranda, I believe they do most churches in the UK are empty now days. xx

Oliver Mckeithan

Date: 2/9/2025 11:58:00 AM

Well said John. Jesus had multiple clashes with the Pharisees over religion vs true belief.

John Read
Date: 2/11/2025 6:33:00 AM

True Oliver, I believe in love and God above that is all I need.

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 2/9/2025 11:04:00 AM

- Absolutely agree... (the churches are empty... only people at, Christmas, Easter, baptisms, confirmations, weddings or funerals here) - hugs

John Read
Date: 2/11/2025 6:31:00 AM

Hi Anne, I believe in love and God above but religions not for me. xx

Tom Woody

Date: 2/9/2025 10:28:00 AM

I haven't gone to "church" in over 45 years. Never looked back. Faith in action is everything

John Read
Date: 2/11/2025 6:28:00 AM

Hi Tom, I used too to go to church in my childhood years, until the vicar was arrested for child abuse.