Golly, I don't know how to explain this.

PleaseDoNotJudgeMe · Jun 24, 2013

I wouldn't necessarily categorize myself as a "new" Christian. Here is the short version of my journey so I won't drone on and on: I was raised Methodist, we didn't go to church regularly but we went enough that I was comfortable and happy and had good faith. I was not baptized. Then when I was 8 my mother got very sick while pregnant and my little sister died. My mother also almost died. My family was very angry and hurt at God so we turned away. I hadn't been to church since. I'm now 19 years old, working hard in college and I've recently felt a calling to let Christ back into my life. I have found an Episcopalian church that I love, and who loves me for me and accepts my lifestyle (I am gay). The only problem is when I'm not at church, I feel lonely and empty. I do not remember anything but the bare basics of Christianity, this is where I feel "new". I have my faith in Christ but I don't know what to do. I feel very lost and alone. I do not have any friends because I am incredibly shy, and my family is abusive. My only solace is my partner who goes to church with me but that us the only time we see one another because our 2 year relationship is a complete secret from both of our families because they will reject us.

So, if anyone could offer me any advice as to where I can start reading the Bible and feeling God's love... Please tell me. If you have any questions or want me to elaborate on anything, please feel free to ask. Please do not condone my homosexuality, it is something that I've wrestled with for a very long time and I have decided that I can be both gay and a Christian. Thank you for respecting my wishes and I look forward to your posts.

fm107 · Jun 24, 2013

I would suggest you start at the gospel of John.

Here is a verse from that gospel which tells us why that particular book was written:

John 20:31
But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

If you have any questions, your welcome to ask away.

If you don't own a Bible, there is a website called biblos.com where you can read it online for free.

PleaseDoNotJudgeMe · Jun 24, 2013

fm107 said:
I would suggest you start at the gospel of John.

Here is a verse from that gospel which tells us why that particular book was written:

John 20:31
But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

If you have any questions, your welcome to ask away.

If you don't own a Bible, there is a website called biblos.com where you can read it online for free.

Thank you so much for your reply, I will most definitely start there once I finish my homework and I will update you on how I feel afterward if you'd like. have a beautiful day.

Tigger45 · Jun 24, 2013

First of all welcome to CF! I think Whosoever Will, May Come - Liberal is a good place for you to get your feet wet here. CF doesn't allow the promortion of homosexuality but most of the posters at WWMC won't shun or berate you either.

fm107 · Jun 24, 2013

PleaseDoNotJudgeMe said:
Thank you so much for your reply, I will most definitely start there once I finish my homework and I will update you on how I feel afterward if you'd like. have a beautiful day.

No problem!

PleaseDoNotJudgeMe · Jun 24, 2013

Tigger45 said:
First of all welcome to CF! I think Whoever Will, May Come - Liberals is a good place for you to get your feet wet here. CF doesn't allow the promortion of homosexuality but most of the posters at WWMC won't shun or berate you either.

Thank you for being respectful of my wishes and directing me somewhere you think I would be comfortable getting into. I just posted there and hope to make a few friends. Thank you again and have a wonderful day!

Harry3142 · Jun 24, 2013

First, welcome to CF! Don't worry about whether you'll fit in or not; we have every facet of Christian represented here.

I recommend that you read The Gospel of St. Luke. I also recommend that you read The Cross of Christ, written by John R. W. Stott (I believe that he's Anglican himself). It's very down-to-earth in its description of Christianity, as well as being enjoyable to read.

PleaseDoNotJudgeMe · Jun 24, 2013

I wanted to put Episcopalian as my denomination but it wasn't listed . Thank you for the suggestions and I will make sure I update all of you who are replying on how I am feeling and what I have read/gone over. Thank you!

whit87 · Aug 10, 2013

Good luck

Peripatetic · Aug 11, 2013

Welcome! Even though I never stopped going to church and always "felt Christian", at one point I realized that I too barely knew more than the basics. I knew the stories in Genesis, Exodus, and the Gospels, but the rest of the Bible just didn't resonate with me at all.

One day I just decided to learn more. Two things really helped me in recent years: a study Bible (first the NIV and then ESV) and bible study podcasts. They provide context and some understanding of how the pieces fit together and connect back to the Old Testament. I still have a long way to go though, and I just think of it as a journey (a little bit at a time).

thesunisout · Aug 11, 2013

PleaseDoNotJudgeMe said:
I wouldn't necessarily categorize myself as a "new" Christian. Here is the short version of my journey so I won't drone on and on: I was raised Methodist, we didn't go to church regularly but we went enough that I was comfortable and happy and had good faith. I was not baptized. Then when I was 8 my mother got very sick while pregnant and my little sister died. My mother also almost died. My family was very angry and hurt at God so we turned away. I hadn't been to church since. I'm now 19 years old, working hard in college and I've recently felt a calling to let Christ back into my life. I have found an Episcopalian church that I love, and who loves me for me and accepts my lifestyle (I am gay). The only problem is when I'm not at church, I feel lonely and empty. I do not remember anything but the bare basics of Christianity, this is where I feel "new". I have my faith in Christ but I don't know what to do. I feel very lost and alone. I do not have any friends because I am incredibly shy, and my family is abusive. My only solace is my partner who goes to church with me but that us the only time we see one another because our 2 year relationship is a complete secret from both of our families because they will reject us.

So, if anyone could offer me any advice as to where I can start reading the Bible and feeling God's love... Please tell me. If you have any questions or want me to elaborate on anything, please feel free to ask. Please do not condone my homosexuality, it is something that I've wrestled with for a very long time and I have decided that I can be both gay and a Christian. Thank you for respecting my wishes and I look forward to your posts.

Here are some great resources to learn more about how to live the Christian life:

Life Resources | About

Pray and ask God to direct you in your bible study and to help you understand it. A good place to start would be the gospel of John, and then read the 3 other gospels when you're done. When you don't know what to do next, the first step is always to ask God to give you His counsel.

Trust His word and stand on the promises. Believe what you read and not just read what you believe. When you start to believe what the bible says about God, you will experience His love in a deeper way. You need to know Him better which is why your faith is just getting you through the week to church. Ask Him to fill you with His Spirit. I will pray for you. God bless.

parsley · Sep 1, 2013

The only problem is when I'm not at church, I feel lonely and empty. I do not remember anything but the bare basics of Christianity, this is where I feel "new".

Are there any prayer groups in your church? It can feel so much better when people are praying for each other.

There are times when I desperately need to go to services at least twice in a week, so I seek out a mid-week service, or other meeting -- even if it's not at the same church. I can't explain what the desperation is, but life is tough and there are a lot of invisible battles to face. Fellowship and God's Word can shift us back into focus.

When we take on church activity, a portion of our lives become that activity -- so it transforms who we are and what we do, in a sense. Life becomes more positive.

parsley · Sep 1, 2013

The only problem is when I'm not at church, I feel lonely and empty. I do not remember anything but the bare basics of Christianity, this is where I feel "new".

Are there any prayer groups in your church? It can feel so much better when people are praying for each other.

There are times when I desperately need to go to services at least twice in a week, so I seek out a mid-week service, or other meeting -- even if it's not at the same church. I can't explain what the desperation is, but life is tough and there are a lot of invisible battles to face. Fellowship and God's Word can shift us back into focus.

When we take on church activity, a portion of our lives become that activity -- so it transforms who we are and what we do, in a sense. Life becomes more positive.

This is especially true when abusive people consume too much time in one's life -- the abuse becomes how we see our life. So replacing that with a supportive and positive activity is going to pull you out of that rut, to some extent.

Golly, I don't know how to explain this.

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