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serman005

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Hey, everybody, serman here. New guy. I have been looking for a place like this for awhile. I hope it works out. Lifelong Christian guy in my 50s now, retired. Been dealing with a quite severe mental illness for a long time and it has really taken a huge toll on me. But you know what? When it's bad, when it is just totally out of control and no med will work and I'm sure I'm about to die, I still have God. And I always know that. So very grateful for Him!!

Anyway, will have to learn my way around the site. I do have a few issues I need some help with and looking forward to trying to figure out where best to do all that. One of those is that I have some kind of fear I don't really understand of "organized" Christianity. It comes from multiple places and past experiences, My mom, who hated anything to do with any church of any kind, too, Anyway, I really think it would be good for me to be able to go to church again, but I am scared. So, maybe can get some help with all that possibly.

For fun, I write, both novels and a little bit of nonfiction. Just finished writing a book about a long and scary hospitalization I had. Think I may have found a publisher, so that's good. I am also a big cyclist.

Hello to everyone and Happy Easter to all!!!!!!!!!
 
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faroukfarouk

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serman005 said:
Hey, everybody, serman here. New guy. I have been looking for a place like this for awhile. I hope it works out. Lifelong Christian guy in my 50s now, retired. Been dealing with a quite severe mental illness for a long time and it has really taken a huge toll on me. But you know what? When it's bad, when it is just totally out of control and no med will work and I'm sure I'm about to die, I still have God. And I always know that. So very grateful for Him!!

Anyway, will have to learn my way around the site. I do have a few issues I need some help with and looking forward to trying to figure out where best to do all that. One of those is that I have some kind of fear I don't really understand of "organized" Christianity. It comes from multiple places and past experiences, My mom, who hated anything to do with any church of any kind, too, Anyway, I really think it would be good for me to be able to go to church again, but I am scared. So, maybe can get some help with all that possibly.

For fun, I write, both novels and a little bit of nonfiction. Just finished writing a book about a long and scary hospitalization I had. Think I may have found a publisher, so that's good. I am also a big cyclist.

Hello to everyone and Happy Easter to all!!!!!!!!!
Click to expand...
Hi, Sir; good to see you.

At times of distancing, really good to read the Scriptures; John's Gospel makes for wonderful reading; chapter about the new birth; and John 3.16 is an excellent summary of the Gospel.
 
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Hi there serman,
I am pretty new here myself.
I suffered a breakdown nearly twenty years ago. I used to go to church regularly. Then I saw the truth that God is the saviour of ALL mankind, especially of believers, but each in his own order. I can't go to church anymore and hear that God will damn most people. But that is my feeling. I feel closer to God in my park than anywhere else. Don't feel forced to do anything you don't want to. God loves you as you are. Our Gods' love is sooo unconditional. I wanted to write a book about my breakdown but never feel like writing it. Well done with having a publisher. Take care
Nancy2
 
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serman005

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Albion said:
Hello, Serman. We have a couple of forums that may be just right for you when it comes to those questions. See "Christian Advice" and "Looking for a Church" in the list of forums.
Click to expand...
Oh, great--thanks a million, Albion! I'll def check it out.
 
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Hey Serman, welcome aboard.
Check out that "Looking for a Church" forum, I bet you'd get great advice there. But do look. Do try and find a place. There are better Biblical justifications for this idea than what I'm about to use, but I do believe that participating in a Church (or just a few fellow Jesus followers) is an integral part of following Christ. Jesus said that His followers will be known by how they love each other. There's no better place to put that in to practice than a Church.
As you search, my advice is to try places out and keep searching until you find one that fits. Like picking a family Dr or therapist. And another tidbit is to try and curb your expectations about how the church goers behave. Churches are for sinners after-all.;)
God speed bro.
 
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Good Evening Serman...
Welcome to the Chat/Forum thing. Still trying to figure things out here too!

Emotional and Mental distress is very hard to deal with, I can really relate to that a lot. I am seeing some Christian Counselor myself right now - (well he is kind to help me over the phone) and he taught me our first session this one scripture - He asked me what Scripture came before "You will know the truth and the truth will set you free." John 8:32. I didn't remember and he said - that is pretty common. But the Scripture John 8:31+32 says 'Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, "If you abide in my Word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." '
He went on to explain - that the bible is a map - and ALL scripture is beneficial for correction, teaching, reproof and sanctification. But SOME scriptures aren't helpful when you are trying to get to a certain place. Like a Map - If you have a map to the Roads in California, but you are in Illinois, then that won't help. :) Same with the Bible. Doing a study on the Kings of Israel would probably not be helpful if you were trying to recover your trust in God and to heal from a Mental disorder.

But there are scriptures that can lead you to feel more confident, less afraid and to feel secure in God's hand. So to be IN the word is to know the Truth. (And Truth is a Person, isn't it? Jesus?) and so Vic has been helping me through the bible with scriptures that will give me strength to face the giants I am constantly fighting (Or better i haven't been fighting at all - now at least I feel like I can face them...)

It is still so hard - and it won't fix over night - I just came from crying in the shower for about 30 minutes lol - don't know why I always cry in the shower... Anyway...

Welcome here brother, sending friendly hugs and hope
 
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faroukfarouk

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Unapologetically_Wild said:
Good Evening Serman...
Welcome to the Chat/Forum thing. Still trying to figure things out here too!

Emotional and Mental distress is very hard to deal with, I can really relate to that a lot. I am seeing some Christian Counselor myself right now - (well he is kind to help me over the phone) and he taught me our first session this one scripture - He asked me what Scripture came before "You will know the truth and the truth will set you free." John 8:32. I didn't remember and he said - that is pretty common. But the Scripture John 8:31+32 says 'Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, "If you abide in my Word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." '
He went on to explain - that the bible is a map - and ALL scripture is beneficial for correction, teaching, reproof and sanctification. But SOME scriptures aren't helpful when you are trying to get to a certain place. Like a Map - If you have a map to the Roads in California, but you are in Illinois, then that won't help. :) Same with the Bible. Doing a study on the Kings of Israel would probably not be helpful if you were trying to recover your trust in God and to heal from a Mental disorder.

But there are scriptures that can lead you to feel more confident, less afraid and to feel secure in God's hand. So to be IN the word is to know the Truth. (And Truth is a Person, isn't it? Jesus?) and so Vic has been helping me through the bible with scriptures that will give me strength to face the giants I am constantly fighting (Or better i haven't been fighting at all - now at least I feel like I can face them...)

It is still so hard - and it won't fix over night - I just came from crying in the shower for about 30 minutes lol - don't know why I always cry in the shower... Anyway...

Welcome here brother, sending friendly hugs and hope
Click to expand...
Hi; I'm a tiny bit surprised that you say you have emotional, etc. problems; because from all you've said recently about the Scriptures you seem rather level-headed, if I may say so...
 
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faroukfarouk said:
Hi; I'm a tiny bit surprised that you say you have emotional, etc. problems; because from all you've said recently about the Scriptures you seem rather level-headed, if I may say so...
Click to expand...

SURPRISE!
 
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Unapologetically_Wild said:
Good Evening Serman...
Welcome to the Chat/Forum thing. Still trying to figure things out here too!

Emotional and Mental distress is very hard to deal with, I can really relate to that a lot. I am seeing some Christian Counselor myself right now - (well he is kind to help me over the phone) and he taught me our first session this one scripture - He asked me what Scripture came before "You will know the truth and the truth will set you free." John 8:32. I didn't remember and he said - that is pretty common. But the Scripture John 8:31+32 says 'Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, "If you abide in my Word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." '
He went on to explain - that the bible is a map - and ALL scripture is beneficial for correction, teaching, reproof and sanctification. But SOME scriptures aren't helpful when you are trying to get to a certain place. Like a Map - If you have a map to the Roads in California, but you are in Illinois, then that won't help. :) Same with the Bible. Doing a study on the Kings of Israel would probably not be helpful if you were trying to recover your trust in God and to heal from a Mental disorder.

But there are scriptures that can lead you to feel more confident, less afraid and to feel secure in God's hand. So to be IN the word is to know the Truth. (And Truth is a Person, isn't it? Jesus?) and so Vic has been helping me through the bible with scriptures that will give me strength to face the giants I am constantly fighting (Or better i haven't been fighting at all - now at least I feel like I can face them...)

It is still so hard - and it won't fix over night - I just came from crying in the shower for about 30 minutes lol - don't know why I always cry in the shower... Anyway...

Welcome here brother, sending friendly hugs and hope
Click to expand...
We all have our battles to fight and giants to defeat as Christians. The devil really doesn't like us. ^_^

I know someone here on the forums whom I became good friends with, who also was dealing with mental illness. Although God's been doing a mighty work in his life lately, and his life is slowly turning around for the better. It's very encouraging to witness. It does take time, but it is possible to overcome. :)
 
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@Anthony7
We all have our battles to fight and giants to defeat as Christians. The devil really doesn't like us. ^_^
>>>> Such a shame cuz' I thought I am pretty likable of a person - His loss... NO fr. He lost me xD Thank you LAWD!

I know someone here on the forums whom I became good friends with, who also was dealing with mental illness. Although God's been doing a mighty work in his life lately, and his life is slowly turning around for the better. It's very encouraging to witness. It does take time, but it is possible to overcome. :)
>>>> It has been rather hard - but the Valley of the Shadow of death - is the safest and best way to the Mountain Top. The Lord knows it and he is there to walk before me, he protects and he leads. So therefore it will be okay. If I could just stop panicking, laying down and flail my legs in tha air like I just don't care... then it would be much much faster... (Don't picture that) lol
Looking forward to get through this with Him and the help of my counselors ...
 
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