this is kind of a difficult subject for me, but it keeps nagging at me... well, maybe i should give some background info. before i explain where i'm at right now. i've never been a big church-goer, but was always pretty "spiritual" growing up. i always believed in god and prayed a lot, even though nobody really "told me to"... anyway, i've gone through stages of feeling close to god and then feeling very distant from him... wanting to be near him, but not sure what to believe as far as (can't think of the word i'm looking for...) religious scripture, i guess. lots of guilt because of christian teaching saying i have to believe in jesus as the son of god with all my heart mind and soul. anyway, about a year and half-two years ago i became totally engulfed in christianity. i was going to bible studies several times a week and doing lots and lots of reading and discussion of the bible and other christian books... i learned a lot, and a lot of what i found that was taught by others just didn't seem right to me... in my spirituality i go a lot on feelings.. which is why i'm now back to talking to God, trying to figure out, from him, what i need to do. i was close to empty spiritually for a while, since last may actually, not knowing what to do with myself. anyway, i feel like He's calling me back to him, in a way.. and i need that, badly, but i'm a little scared. okay very. almost like faling in love. the fear of opening your heart and your life to something that may be false. :/ i'm not sure what i'm asking here.. for support maybe. opinions of other spiritual people. i'm not sure where else to go. i know what ppl at my old church will say, and i have a lot of different views and interpretations of the bible than they do, thoughts on the world and history and culture... i've studied other religions and i see some truth in a lot of them... should i just go with my own beliefs and not rely on religion at all anymore? (without ditching my spirituality) hmmm, sorry, long post. just felt like i needed to tell somebody where i was at right now.... perhaps this was the wrong forum, but i hope i can get some objective opinions. thanks
I went through that... Here's a thing: Don't go by your feelings, because Satan can influence them.If you believe in Jesus as your Lord and Savior, and obey him, -you're saved. Also, what kind of Church do you go toß
... i used to go to First Baptist Church. a southern baptist church in west texas... i was thinking of looking for a more liberal-minded one, but first baptist has by far the largest college group and bible studies. *shrug* smaller would probably be better though...
If he is calling you back, then that is the answer to your question, my dear. If you feel the conviction in your heart, then you know where you belong. I cannot comment on the Baptist church because I disagree with some of their teachings, but I shall keep you in my prayers.
Are you not going there because you think it's boring? Well, besides that, my advice is that you rather not go to a liberal one, it'll take you further away from the word.
id say follow your heart, as campy as that sounds, mainly cause i dont give satan the credit most people do... look at me, i did my own thing for almost a ear and heck, the only holy book ive ever completed was The Gita, but look where i am i dunno, just do what is right to you
Please don't join a conservative church. The fewer people we have trying to run everyone else's lives, the better.
Lily, you have been given two different views, each one is justified on arbitrary views. If you are so confused, why are you asking people? Pardon me here, but if you love God then what stops you from just asking him for guidance, simple as that, I think all of us (believers in God) could agree on that one.
i'm not sure what i'm asking here.. for support maybe. opinions of other spiritual people. i'm not sure where else to go. i know what ppl at my old church will say, and i have a lot of different views and interpretations of the bible than they do, thoughts on the world and history and culture... i've studied other religions and i see some truth in a lot of them... should i just go with my own beliefs and not rely on religion at all anymore? (without ditching my spirituality) Pray for guidance is a good suggestion. Also, following your heart. And my view is that your final words are a great idea. No church is required to be spiritual, and I feel that all faiths have wisdom to offer, so I do not want to join any one particular one and thereby dismiss the rest. They are all valuable, imho. I know you will be just fine no matter what you choose.
Trust your intuition. If you believe in God, that's your conduit to Him. The only real advice I can give you is that you shouldn't listen to people who want to tell you that you need to take everything in the Bible both literally and for granted. You were made as an individual and it is up to you to find your own path.
Don't fear opening up your heart and life to Christ TigerLily. Christ will guide you in your life and show you what he wants you to do with it. And if you seek his kingdom and commandments first he will bless you with absolute happiness and all the things he knows you need. Believe me he is not false, Christ is in fact the son of the ONLY living God that exists. Your right in praying and reading the bible too. As that way Christ will lead you better than any church with people who have different views to you on different areas of the bible. (although it is good to have support from other fellow christians) That nagging feeling that your getting sounds to me like Christ and his Holy Spirit calling you back to him and his love. Don't give up on Christianity Tigerlily. Remember what Christ says in the bible that even if we forsake him he will not forsake us. Because he chose to love us first by dying on the cross for our sins. Warlock
DOnt worry it is normal to be like this i was several years back i was very confused about christianity! i attended church and went to bible study liek you did! but god isnt interested in church attendance he is into you! im not saying that god doesnt want people to go to church what i am saying is that he doesnt just want people to have the mentality of just going to church as tradition or routine! it sounds tome that you ahve learnt alot about god but you ahve not really opened up to know god! i had laot of people let me down in life,they still do but i can tell you with all my heart that god will never let you down! god will never abandon you! dont try christianity! dont try church dont even try god! make the desision to let him in. he wil never force himslef onto you will never force a freindship becsaue thaqt isnt love he jsut waits for you and calls you! its not religion that saves us,only jesus!
