Help?

[marianservant]

Okay, a long and personal story, so the faint of heart...might wanna leave this thread lol.

I was born into a family of Free-Will Baptists, who never went to church and didn't discuss God or Religion. For some odd reason, because I was never introduced to religion, at age seven I became obsessed with religion and started on a path of study quite wild for a young person, and it kept going till I decided that Catholicism was my calling. I told my parents, who I thought wouldn't care because they weren't religious, but then it shocked me to find out that they said an emphatic NO! And denied that Catholicism was even Christianity, so I went inot despair, and therefor I couldn't go to Mass or even own a rosary.

When I gave up for fighting I told mom that I would start trying protestant churches, I like the local UMC, so I was baptised and joined. I loved the fellowship but I still longed ot be Catholic so I left the UMC and gave up on Church. My parents eeing i had given up on church finally relented and I was allowed to become catholic, which I did with much joy. It has been a year and I have even been confirmed, but now I am very upset...I had a MASSIVE car accident this april, and still cannot walk on my own. In this time, i attend church when I can, but I cant a lot so I pray and read the bible more than I ever have!!! So then I start to have doubts in my faith...the more I pray the mroe I want true fellowship, open worship and an end to my legalistic leanings. It makes me want to run back to the UMC, however I cannot do that, for a few reasons...

When I was denied Catholicims by my parents I became very very lost and reada many different religious books and holy books and believed in each one, being foolosh and gullible, and os people at school told me I changed my religion like my socks. So then when I did become catholic I became "torquemada of the high school" I was crazed catholic lol and told every one it was the only path and that I would never denounce it and even told a ton of people I was going to be a priest!!! So now I have found that there is no way I could face my peers and leave the RCC....but I feel like God is calling me elsewhere...then their is another cog in the machine...

After reading and praying I believe in reformed theology...calvinism...DUN DUN DUN!!! (cheesy dramatic music)....which is the enemy of the RCC and the exact oppoiste of wesleyanism!!! SO what do I do...a thir church? I could never live that down here! What to do?

 

[abednego]

Why dont you just do what God tells us all to do! He wrote down what each and everyone of us are you to do. He gave us a road map, and if you want to get to heaven you must follow that road map! There are more church members in the history of our world yet fewer christians. Be a christian live for God. Obey his word! You should do what the bible tells you to do! Dont get all caught up in all these denominations!

 

[ItsGr82BSaved]

Marianservant,

God bless you for your spiritual quest. It is obvious that you are a seeker of God and His will in your life. And I will include you in my prayers for God to Help lead you where HE needs you to be.

I challenge you to focus more on God and not which denomination or orthodoxy. Read the epistles of Paul. They will help you open up so God can direct you.

Although personally, I do not agree with or practice many of the doctrines the RCCor Calvinists adhere to, I do praise God that He has called my brothers to His service for His glory. Although this may be hard to comprehend or accept, but since your parents havent been actively involved in church or spiritual matters, you won't be able to count on them for guidance. I am sure they love you and want the best for you, but because of your physical situation, they will not be open to taking your spiritual walk as seriously as your physical walk. STAY STRONG in your faith and seek guidance from God. His will is the way to follow and Jesus' example with lighten the correct path for you.

Once again, brother, focus your needs on God and He will provid an answer for you.

In His service

SK

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 - And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

 

[greenonion]

I agree with the above comments. Focus on your relationship with Jesus Christ, forget about denominations. My story is sooooo similar to yours! I joined the Catholic church when I was 13, then left it, then went back, then back to Methodism, then to a non-denom, ect.... I think that all was a trap! I was focusing on institutions of man, not on God. A church is a very small part of being a Christian. It's good to have fellowship but it's not everything. I turned church into my "god" and it has done me a lot of harm. I was obsessed with labels and finding a church that fit my beliefs. In the process my focus was on buildings and dogma, not a living God who is greater than all that.

Focus on the Lord. Pray, read scripture, work on your relationship with Him and the rest falls into place.

 

[Diane_Windsor]

Go where God calls you, and don't worry about what other people think.

DIANE

 

[Tumnus]

I think you have to get over the denominationalism stuff. The best way for me was to consider two things. First, other Christians who, by the way, happen to not be Wesleyan. For starters, G.K. Chesterton (Catholic), J.R.R. Tolkien (Catholic), C.S. Lewis (Anglican), Dietrich Bonhoeffer (Lutheran), Peter Kreeft (Catholic, professor of philosophy, and, get this, an expert on C.S. Lewis), Hannah Whitall Smith (I think Quaker -- according to one Nazarene preacher, wrote the best book ever on practical sanctification), Sadhu Sundar Singh (Indian Christian mystic), John Stott (Episcopalean), A.W. Tozer (admittedly Methodist roots, but really CMA), and the list goes on.

Second, I think the best book I ever read on the topic is Mere Christianity by Lewis. What you discover is that all of the churches that hold to the old Christian creeds have their share of Christians. Don't let the buildings, the personalities, or personal prejudices interfere. If you are a young Christian, you need to find a church where you can be nourished. At one time my wife and I attended a Conservative Baptist church because we were in desparate need of Christian fellowship and growth. For some reason, married, college-aged young people were ignored by many of the churches in the area -- except for Grace Baptist. Also, I think it's important to find ways to serve. If you are a more mature Christian, it's possible that you are being led to an area of ministry.

Regards,
Kevin

 

[catlover]

Go where God calls you, and don't worry about what other people think.

 

[JCrawf]

Well, being that I did grow up Methodist, I can understand where you are coming from. Regarding Catholicism, if it is something you really would like to stay in, then speaking with a spiritual director might help.

Also, consider Scott Hahn, who himself was a Calvinist before becoming Catholic. He is one of the best on Covenant theology.

Pax Tecum,

John

 

[Filia Mariae]

Marianservant,

I'll be praying for a peaceful resolution of your situation. Feel free to PM me anytime.