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J.S. Park: Hospital Chaplain, Skeptical Christian

From Devout Atheist to Skeptical Pastor: A Blog For Busted-Up, Beat-Down People (Like Me)

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Day: March 7, 2017

Birthday.

Celebrating birthday by the beach in Florida.
— J.S.

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Posted on March 7, 2017March 11, 2017 by JS ParkPosted in Life1 Comment

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Throwback: These are screenshots from a couple years ago. It seems like everything happened at once. Looking back, I was never, ever alone. I’m thankful for so many of you who prayed for me, encouraged me, and sent kind words. Your prayers sustained me. I’m overwhelmed by how much each of you have cared and continue to pour out kindness. Please let me know how I can pray for you too. Much love to you, friends. Thank you. A million times thank you. #prayers #encouragement #thankyou #throwback #prayerrequest #mentalhealth #notalone #grateful #godbless #wholesome #loveyall

You are loved. You might have heard that a million times, but it's no less true. You do have a Creator. He is with you. He is bigger than your situation and closer than your deepest hurt. He's not mad. He is cheering for you and rooting for you this very second. He's okay about all the things before. He sent His Son for that very reason. You can put down the blade. You can throw away the pills. You can quit replaying those regrets in your head. You can quit the inner-loop of self-condemnation. You can forget your ex. You can walk away from the things and people that destroy you. You can resolve your conflicts right now. You can sign up to volunteer at that shelter. You can have the courage to stand up for justice in the street, in your office, in your home. You can forgive your parents. You can forgive your children. You can draw boundaries and say no. You can go back to church. You don't have to sit in the back. You don't have to prove your worth to the people you've let down. You don't have to live up to everyone else's vision for your life. You're finally, finally free. You are loved. I am loved. As much as I love you, dear friend, He loves you infinitely more. Believe it. Walk in it. Walk with Him. God is in the business of breathing life into hurting places. This is what He does, even for the least likely like you and me. #typewritertherapy #encouragement #faith #inspiration #typography #lettering #youareloved #grace #love #truth #motivation #jesus #compassion #connection #praise #christian #life #progress #recovery #typewriter #hope #believe

When I was about seven years old, my family owned a dojo and one of our students Jeanie was a model. She was a tall beautiful blonde lady who was practically family, and she invited all of us to her very first Beauty Pageant. Somehow I ended up in the hall where the ladies prepared for the walkway. There were tons of mirrors and harsh lights and impossible clothing and a low-hanging fog from all the hairspray. I was too young to understand these things, but a part of me wanted to tell these ladies that they didn't have to do this. They didn't need to compete against each other. Trophies for everyone—why not? My family and I sat in the front row. We cheered when Jeanie took the stage. But—she didn't really look like the Jeanie that I knew. I was used to seeing her in class, shouting loudly and kicking the bag and throwing men over her shoulder. I had nothing against Beauty Pageants, but this wasn't our friend. Three older men in suits were judging all the contestants with scores down to the decimal. I was a kid with no power, no voice, but I wanted to rip those scorecards out of their hands and shred their fancy neckties. Jeanie didn't win. She got a Runner-Up prize. She had to smile the whole time while three other ladies got these huge medals and scholarships. In the hallway again, Jeanie was crying her eyes out. Mascara made valleys in her face. Someone told her, "Runner-up is not bad." I couldn't wrap my head around the fact that someone had to make such a statement. The one clear thing I remember that night is walking up to my friend as she wept in her chair, and we were face-to-face, and I whispered in her ear, "Jeanie … they were wrong. They were dead-wrong." I think she broke a smile through those dark runny tears. I never forgot it. I know I have failed plenty at lifting others up. I haven’t always used my voice for good. But I want to. I want the bravery of my seven year old self. I want the courage of a child to speak truth and beauty. And I want you to know that numbers are not you. #typewritertherapy #encouragement #inspiration #beauty #faith #story #typography #lettering #motivation #bodyimage #mentalhealth #truth #grace #love

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Spoken Word: Friday / Saturday / Sunday - Death, Doubt, and Deliverance
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Do the Abused Need to Forgive Their Abuser? About Boundaries for the Traumatized - J.S. Park
From Atheism to Faith: Discovering the Hidden Story of Humanity - J.S. Park

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Featured on Editors’ Top Picks of Wordpress, March 10th 2017

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