Confused about my direction.

[MatthewR]

I hope you can shed some light on my confusion.
Over the past few years I have developed an interest in religion, which was very out of character for me as I never really thought about it before in my life.
Anyway, recently I 'became a Christian' by saying the prayer at the bottom of this page
http://www.christianforums.com/thegospel
The thing is, I'm not sure whether that is enough. It really does seem a bit too simple to me.
I wasn't expecting my life to change overnight and I don't feel any different.
I think I should go to church. But which church?
I see many denominations divided over certain issues. I see U-turns, contradictions and I just don't know which group to trust and/or believe.
The thing is, when I look at the RCC with it's history and tradition, with its respectful Mass, it's beautiful art and music, the Catechism (although I haven't read it all, nor do I understand all of what I've read) and so on, I feel 'comfortable'. Also, the RCC doesn't seem to change it's position many issues, which I think is a good thing.
I just don't know if this 'comfortable' feeling is simply an emotional reaction or maybe God gently calling me.
I don't know if this makes sense to anyone. But if it does, please feel free to comment.

 

[NDIrish]

I hope you can shed some light on my confusion.
Over the past few years I have developed an interest in religion, which was very out of character for me as I never really thought about it before in my life.
Anyway, recently I 'became a Christian' by saying the prayer at the bottom of this page
http://www.christianforums.com/thegospel
The thing is, I'm not sure whether that is enough. It really does seem a bit too simple to me.
I wasn't expecting my life to change overnight and I don't feel any different.
I think I should go to church. But which church?
I see many denominations divided over certain issues. I see U-turns, contradictions and I just don't know which group to trust and/or believe.
The thing is, when I look at the RCC with it's history and tradition, with its respectful Mass, it's beautiful art and music, the Catechism (although I haven't read it all, nor do I understand all of what I've read) and so on, I feel 'comfortable'. Also, the RCC doesn't seem to change it's position many issues, which I think is a good thing.
I just don't know if this 'comfortable' feeling is simply an emotional reaction or maybe God gently calling me.
I don't know if this makes sense to anyone. But if it does, please feel free to comment.

I think it's God calling you.

 

[Rhamiel]

were you baptised?

 

[Rhamiel]

God set up the sacrament of baptism to allow people to become part of the his church, another thing is that God just does not zap away who you are, through His grace you can become more like Him, this is something we can never do on our own, but it is rarely an over night kind of thing, although that does happen too.
I really respect what you like about the Catholic Church, we move slow but that’s because we put a lot of thought into stuff and do not like to change.

 

[LostFound1986]

That's a fantastic and encouraging post; I know precisely what you mean.

 

[MatthewR]

were you baptised?

No I've not been baptised.

 

[Foundthelight]

I hope you can shed some light on my confusion.
Over the past few years I have developed an interest in religion, which was very out of character for me as I never really thought about it before in my life.
Anyway, recently I 'became a Christian' by saying the prayer at the bottom of this page
http://www.christianforums.com/thegospel
The thing is, I'm not sure whether that is enough. It really does seem a bit too simple to me.
I wasn't expecting my life to change overnight and I don't feel any different.
I think I should go to church. But which church?
I see many denominations divided over certain issues. I see U-turns, contradictions and I just don't know which group to trust and/or believe.
The thing is, when I look at the RCC with it's history and tradition, with its respectful Mass, it's beautiful art and music, the Catechism (although I haven't read it all, nor do I understand all of what I've read) and so on, I feel 'comfortable'. Also, the RCC doesn't seem to change it's position many issues, which I think is a good thing.
I just don't know if this 'comfortable' feeling is simply an emotional reaction or maybe God gently calling me.
I don't know if this makes sense to anyone. But if it does, please feel free to comment.

Welcome Matthew!

I too am dealing with what you have stated so well. I was an Elder in the PC-USA, watching it disintegrate into error. I am finding an unshakable Truth in the Catholic faith. Welcome home!

In Christ,

Willis

 

[HisKid1973]

That is so cool..Welcome my brother in Christ...Do you have access to a bible? If not let me know by a pm at the top of you screen....Your next step is to find a church body and get water/spirit baptized as by Jesus 's example in starting your growth process.. You have just started a new chapter in your life..If you have a bible you can start getting to know your faith..Start with one of the gospels like Luke or Matthew..Do you realize the angels of heaven rejoiced when you repented and committed your life to Christ.. I am just a Christian but not a Catholic so these guys will let you know more about their particular faith..Again, welcome to the body of Christ..Kim

 

[kimber1]

matthew, that's how i felt when i considered converting. i was Baptist at the time but when i read and studied about teh Catholic faith it was just "right" God bless you in your search.

 

[MatthewR]

That is so cool..Welcome my brother in Christ...Do you have access to a bible? If not let me know by a pm at the top of you screen....Your next step is to find a church body and get water/spirit baptized as by Jesus 's example in starting your growth process.. You have just started a new chapter in your life..If you have a bible you can start getting to know your faith..Start with one of the gospels like Luke or Matthew..Do you realize the angels of heaven rejoiced when you repented and committed your life to Christ.. I am just a Christian but not a Catholic so these guys will let you know more about their particular faith..Again, welcome to the body of Christ..Kim

I do have a Bible. I've read the NT and some of the OT.
I've read some of the Gospels a few times.
Actually, I listen to an audio Bible when i'm trying to get to sleep (although I don't want to imply that the Bible sends me to sleep!).
I like what you said about the angels. I hadn't thought about them.

 

[BAFRIEND]

God is pulling you. Do the best you can. You will be fine.

 

[HisKid1973]

I don't mind falling asleep listening to His word..No better thing to have God's promises on your mind to sleep
on..Blessings in Christ...Kim

Luke 15:10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

 

[WarriorAngel]

I hope you can shed some light on my confusion.
Over the past few years I have developed an interest in religion, which was very out of character for me as I never really thought about it before in my life.
Anyway, recently I 'became a Christian' by saying the prayer at the bottom of this page
http://www.christianforums.com/thegospel
The thing is, I'm not sure whether that is enough. It really does seem a bit too simple to me.
I wasn't expecting my life to change overnight and I don't feel any different.
I think I should go to church. But which church?
I see many denominations divided over certain issues. I see U-turns, contradictions and I just don't know which group to trust and/or believe.
The thing is, when I look at the RCC with it's history and tradition, with its respectful Mass, it's beautiful art and music, the Catechism (although I haven't read it all, nor do I understand all of what I've read) and so on, I feel 'comfortable'. Also, the RCC doesn't seem to change it's position many issues, which I think is a good thing.
I just don't know if this 'comfortable' feeling is simply an emotional reaction or maybe God gently calling me.
I don't know if this makes sense to anyone. But if it does, please feel free to comment.

Feeling comfortable means you are 'AT HOME'.

 

[Globalnomad]

Peace be with you, friend.

If you are already reading the Bible, you will know, I think, what are the immediate things to do:

- pray (takes getting used to!)
- live as a Christian (not easy!)
- learn more about the Faith.

And as soon as you are ready:

- get baptized.

Baptism is important and urgent, but still, don't rush it. In particular, don't go to whatever community will make things easiest for you. We teach that only through "Baptism with water and the Holy Spirit" (it's in the Gospels) can you be saved, but as soon as God sees your intention to do it, you are OK. So

- take your time, learn, pray. This is the most important thing you will ever do in your life: invest time and thought in it, don' t expect it to be always easy - there are not only angels out there, there is the devil who will try to put you off - but if you put your trust in God and you do not fear, then the devil will not be able to harm you. Just don't expect your path to be always smooth.

- Stay with us if you like, ask questions, argue, have fun with us - a hearty welcome!


P.S. a lot of people recommend the book "Catholicism for dummies" (no offence meant - just humour!) - I have never read it, but it is supposed to be a good first step. What do you think, everyone? My personal favourite is C.S. Lewis's "Mere Christianity", but it is on a very British-intellectual level, it may not be everyone's favourite approach.

 

[Rhamiel]

The thing about Jesus, about becoming a Christian, it might not be easy, it might not be "good" for your friends or family or for your job. People might say all kinds of things about you.
But you will know peace.
I can not stress enough the peace of Christ, it fills you when you are happy or sad or whatever. Bad stuff will still happen, you will still freak out, loose your tempor, whatever from time to but you will always have this peace inside of you.
Part of it is from knowing God loves you, not thinking He loves you or belief that God loves you. KNOWING that He loves you. It touches every part of your life, every day. That is just part of it, I can not explain the rest of it.

 

[a_ntv]

I hope you can shed some light on my confusion.
Over the past few years I have developed an interest in religion, which was very out of character for me as I never really thought about it before in my life.
Anyway, recently I 'became a Christian' by saying the prayer at the bottom of this page
http://www.christianforums.com/thegospel
The thing is, I'm not sure whether that is enough. It really does seem a bit too simple to me.
I wasn't expecting my life to change overnight and I don't feel any different.
I think I should go to church. But which church?
I see many denominations divided over certain issues. I see U-turns, contradictions and I just don't know which group to trust and/or believe.
The thing is, when I look at the RCC with it's history and tradition, with its respectful Mass, it's beautiful art and music, the Catechism (although I haven't read it all, nor do I understand all of what I've read) and so on, I feel 'comfortable'. Also, the RCC doesn't seem to change it's position many issues, which I think is a good thing.
I just don't know if this 'comfortable' feeling is simply an emotional reaction or maybe God gently calling me.
I don't know if this makes sense to anyone. But if it does, please feel free to comment.

You have been invited to the follow the path that lead to God.

It is a path that lead you, day after day, to be always more Christ-like

The first step is the 'acceptance', than there is the baptism, and the persinal prayer. the sacraments, the charity...

I hope that you will go on this step...and remind...you are not alone to walk towards Him

 

[Carrye]

For being confused, you sound very clear. What's funny is that that paradox is often characteristic of the Lord's work, word. At least that has been true for me - that peaceful clarity that we humanly mistake as confusion. It seems too simple, and yet too irrational. It is too simple - God in His essence.

 

[stray bullet]

I do believe God gently guides us, I believe He guided me into the Catholic Church, so I know the feeling.

Feel free to ask questions

 

[_beloved_]

Feeling comfortable means you are 'AT HOME'.

That is a good way to put it.

I will tell you about me Matthew, I am a re-vert (baptized in the church as a babe then left then came back). It is only with the Catholic faith that I have a peace, a secure feeling that what I believe is the truth. And it is not because I was in the Catholic Church as a youngster because as a child I never was taught anything or even went to Mass.
I struggled for a long time with "truth" and what "denomination" is right.
The Catholic Faith is the only, well the only way to peace for me, without it I am lost, I live for self no matter how much I want not too, I am comfortable as a child of God.

Just wanted to tell you my life experience with the Church.

 

[IgnatiusOfAntioch]

I hope you can shed some light on my confusion.
recently I 'became a Christian' by saying the prayer at the bottom of this page
http://www.christianforums.com/thegospel.

Welcome Matthew. I would ask your friends where they found that prayer. It's not in the bible. Also, it does not say anywhere in the bible that you say that prayer to be saved. What Jesus said in Mark 16:16 is "He who believes and is baptized will be saved". Likewise in
Acts 2:38 "And Peter said to them, "Repent, and bebaptized . . . .for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." and
Acts 22:16 "And now why do you wait? Rise and bebaptized, and wash away your sins, calling on his name.'"


This is what Scripture says, it is what the Apostles taught and this is what the Church has taught from the time of the Apostles down to this very day. You may want to go talk to the priest at your local parish if you're ready to take the next step. Pray and ask Him for guidance and He will supply it amply.

God bless and watch over you always.


Yours in Christ