Advice

[chrisleeds]

Hey, Im not sure if i should post it here , but anwyay here goes, I've had family problems lately with my Dad going into hospital and so on majorly ill, and i thought i would go into a cathedral for like, only the 4th time ive ever stepped foot in one in my life, and i felt something like a connection and i said a little prayer to a saint and things are looking up with my dad and all. In the prayer i said if you improve things i would turn to christianity, long story short against all odds the doctor said things are looking up after that and now i want to keep going .

But what next for me now , do i just keep going and thats it ? I only just believed in God before and that was it, i was never a christian. Could anyone please give me any advice as to what i should do next?

 

[razeontherock]

Well since you mentioned praying to a Saint, we can pretty much guarantee 2 things:

1) it was either a Roman Catholic Cathedral or an Eastern Orthodox Church;

2) you really don't know what they teach.


So I suggest finding out what they teach, as only 1 way of embracing the Lord Himself!
Congrats on your Dad's turn-around ...

 

[Christos Anesti]

Praying and reading the Bible are always a good idea. Talking to the bishop or one of the priests at the cathedral would probably be a good idea too.

 

[razeontherock]

Hmmm, every one of that last poster's posts is in that same language, which I'm guessing must be Arabic ...

 

[salida]

Additional thoughts:

The denomination test:
http://www.selectsmart.com/FREE/select.php?client=christiandenom

Take one day at a time and get some inspirational friends that love God by their actions. Read the bible and pray daily. Get involved in church where your heart leads you. Its a life long lifestyle and you will know God more and more. True faith is demonstrated by actions than then the feelings will come. Feelings alone are like a roller coaster. Feel free to email me if have questions.

Also, keep yourself separated from vulgar movies and t.v. Remember with a computer its garbage in and garbage out-same with a human.

 

[salida]

Wow, someone gave me a million blessings!!!

 

[Lukaris]

Read the New Testament (NT) Gospels first & foremost. A quick way into what the faith is all about can begin in the Old Testament (OT) book of Deuteronomy 5 (the 10 commandments) & 6 (the command to love God). Jesus Christ the Lord completes this command with the understanding to love God and one's neighbor (see Mark 12:28-34 & Matthew 22:36-40). From here read the sermon on the mount (Matthew 5, 6, & 7). In the sermon on the mount, the Lord teaches about the Beatitudes (Matthw. 5:1-12), humility & charity (Matthw 6:1-4), prayer (Matthw 6:5-15), fasting in humility & discreetness (Matthw 6:16-18). Do not consider fasting until the time you may decide to be Christian & find good pastoral guidance since this tenet is often not focused on.

To know Jesus Christ is God you can read the Gospel of John 1 focus on the first 5 verses. To receive Jesus Christ as savior you can go to Romans (NT) 10:1-13 & focus on vs. 9-13. The ongoing virtues of living in the faith are found in 1st Corinthians 13 summed up in vs. 13.

Do non Christians need Christ? Yes. Will Christ judge those who were non Christians (& Christians too) in mercy but also in justice? Yes, see Romans 2:11-16, Romans 9:14-18, Matthew 25:31-46 & remember the Beatitudes. We will continue to have the good & bad in our lives & must depend on Jesus Christ (see John 16:33).

There is a website called Biblegateway where the above verses can be read. You may also want to look up 2 basic creeds: the Apostles creed and the Nicene creed. Keep praying for others, I give thanks to God that your prayer for a loved one was answered, and hope you can find a church or fellowship that conveys a God we must fear but also loves all and can give good Biblical guidance (there is much bad info out there & the Bible is not easy to approach in some areas but is the word of God). God bless.

 

[Emmy]

Dear chrisleeds. When Jesus was asked what is the first Commandment? He answered: " Love God with all your heart, with all you soul, and with all your mind. The second is like it: love your neighbour as yourself." Your neighbour is all you know and all you meet, whether they are friends or enemies. To show your love is to treat everybody as you would like to treated, with kindness, help when needed, friendly advice when asked, and rather forgiveness than anger. God will see your efforts to be loving, and approve, He will bless you, chris. Jesus also told us: " if you love me you will follow my Commandments." Jesus also told us to Repent, to exchange our selfish and unloving character for being kind, rather than getting angry and becoming unkind. That is a good start, and you will find that Jesus gives you His Love and Joy to share with others. You ask God in prayer to help you, and God willgive you His Holy Spirit to be loving and kind. Also thank God to have helped your Dad, and keep asking and thanking Him to lead you. I say this with love, chris. Greetings from Emmy, sister in Christ.