I'm a Christian now, I think

[SarahsKnight]

I don't intend to sign up for gang mentality, like "Christians are good, rest are bad" etc. if that's what you mean?

Not specifically, but yes, that is at least one aspect of what I meant. ^-^ Gang mentality of "us vs. them" never did help get the good Gospel message of Christ across non-believer ears very well.

 

[Hoghead1]

Thanks @SarahsKnight

I don't intend to sign up for gang mentality, like "Christians are good, rest are bad" etc. if that's what you mean? I know that "Christianity" can mean dozens of different things, it's an umbrella term for variety of different religions, rather than a single religion.

From my point of view, I'm not really starting a new path, rather I keep practicing what I have practiced for years, with updated emphasis. I don't remember how much we've talked in the past, but Jesus and Trinity God have always played some role in my spirituality. With some recent changes, it's now making more sense for me to define my spirituality in Christian context than it did in previous years. Or something like that.

I apologize if I sound cryptic, that's not my intention. It's just that for wierdos like me, religion is not as simple thing as it is for normal people

Yu are not "weird" at all. You are correct in assessment of Christianity. It was never a monolithic religion, just one way. Christianity was always a rich plurality of diverse approaches which often conflicted, actually got into bitter fights. There really no early church (singular). Rather, there were any number of competing sects, many of which had different gospels. We don't know how many gospels there were, but estimates run as high as 40. The Emperor Julian once complained that Christians fought among themselves like wild animals. Unfortunately, too many Christian today have trouble appreciating the rich plurality of Christendom.

 

[Swan7]

Yu are not "weird" at all. You are correct in assessment of Christianity. It was never a monolithic religion, just one way. Christianity was always a rich plurality of diverse approaches which often conflicted, actually got into bitter fights. There really no early church (singular). Rather, there were any number of competing sects, many of which had different gospels. We don't know how many gospels there were, but estimates run as high as 40. The Emperor Julian once complained that Christians fought among themselves like wild animals. Unfortunately, too many Christian today have trouble appreciating the rich plurality of Christendom.

Sorry, but this is the Singles area.

 

[Deidre32]

OH Wow really?! The end to all boredom and all problems?

Oh wow, really? where did I say that?

 

[GQ Chris]

That's great to read. Your life will be such a wonderfully amazing adventure with Jesus at the helm of it.

Oh wow, really? where did I say that?

You seemed to imply that in what you said, no?

 

[Deidre32]

You seemed to imply that in what you said, no?

No, I didn't. Kind of strange that you are adding something to my post that I never posted, and debating me over it. lol

 

[GQ Chris]

No, I didn't. Kind of strange that you are adding something to my post that I never posted, and debating me over it. lol

I would say it gives people the wrong impression with what you said, and if you didn't mean it, then you should clarify your comments. Things don't automatically become peaches and cream when one becomes a Christian. If one starts truly walking with the Lord, their life gets more difficult, not less.

 

[Deidre32]

I would say it gives people the wrong impression with what you said, and if you didn't mean it, then you should clarify your comments. Things don't automatically become peaches and cream when one becomes a Christian. If one starts truly walking with the Lord, their life gets more difficult, not less.

And I never said it would be peaches and cream. It's an amazing adventure. That's what I posted. Not easier. I was an atheist, and my life didn't have peace. But, upon returning to Christianity, my life has peace. It's not peaches and cream, but I have peace no matter what is going on in my life. That is what Christ brings to a person's life. At least to my life.

 

[chuck77]

It sounded like she was encouraging him.

 

[Owlette]

Hey

I guess I'm some sort of Christian now. That's where I have landed during last half a year or so. I guess my religious identity crisis is somewhat over now, ending up to an anticlimactic crash landing back to the square one.

After practicing Pagan stuff for couple of years, it just turned out I didn't have it in me to become a full-time Pagan. Altho I want to say that I do still love the Pagan community and I wouldn't say one bad word about the people I met in there. It's just not my thing for life, I guess.

Since my religiousness has for years been a mixture of Christianity and Paganism, the disappearance of the Pagan side of my religiousness has effectively left me a Christian, without much effort or any kind of formal conversion. It's just the sole thing that is left there right now. It's a good bet that with all the Pagan and whatever random spiritual influences I have picked along the way, I will make one unorthodox Christian, but I can't think what else to call myself anymore, other than a Christian. I wouldn't call what's happened to me a conversion tho, rather "re-identification" or something like that.

TL;DR - I wanted to become a Pagan but failed, so now it looks like I'm stuck with Christianity.

This was a pretty lame testimony, no?

Last year, I left this place for reasons related to me not being a Christian, but since that has now changed, I believe I now have a passable excuse for coming back here...

Welcome back!! It's good to see you.

 

[Rhamiel]

glad to see you back buddy

 

[Jack of Spades]

Thx, @Owlette and @Rhamiel, it's nice to see you guys too!

I would say it gives people the wrong impression with what you said, and if you didn't mean it, then you should clarify your comments. Things don't automatically become peaches and cream when one becomes a Christian. If one starts truly walking with the Lord, their life gets more difficult, not less.

I don't think @Deidre32 was outlining a dogmatic statement there? Looked to me like she was just seeing a glass half full and I appreciate what she said.

I'm not that new to the God-business, so no need to worry about me getting wrong impressions about super easy living over something like that. I promise to be very unhappy and suffer a lot in the future!

 

[Goodbook]

Praise the Lord!

Have you asked for the gift? Don't throw it away this time. Jesus makes all things new, and that's good you are casting all your cares upon Him. No Worries.

We must take up our cross and follow Him.
Start reading the Bible and keep going about our Father's business, and you'll be right.
I don't know what you mean about being unhappy...because Jesus brings us joy. Even in the midst of our suffering. Nobody has asked that you be unhappy. That's not christian, and I don't know anyone who was genuinely born again to be miserable.

Also don't make a promise you can't keep. Let your yes be yes and your no be no.

I do expect complete honesty from you though, no hiding and joking around this time, pretending you are something you not. But we'll see what God does. paganism? meh. its not that great eh! lol. Mr Pagan never did a thing for me.

 

[ReesePiece23]

You seemed to imply that in what you said, no?

No, she's just sweet and endearing, and looks on the bright side.

I'm just a miserable cantankerous old man in a young body.

So don't ever listen to me boyo. I'm whisky sodden, foul mouthed, and very grumpy. I very rarely say anything without using the F word, or without insulting legions of women.

 

[Optimax]

A person cannot be "some sort of Christian".

They are either a Christian or they are not a Christian.

A Christian is a person who has been born again/from above/saved.

The ONLY way to be born again/from above/saved is Rom 10:9.

Doing what Rom 10:9 says from the innermost being is what makes a person a Christian.

 

[Swan7]

A person cannot be "some sort of Christian".

They are either a Christian or they are not a Christian.

A Christian is a person who has been born again/from above/saved.

The ONLY way to be born again/from above/saved is Rom 10:9.

Doing what Rom 10:9 says from the innermost being is what makes a person a Christian.

Just a kind reminder that this is the Singles forum

 

[Jack of Spades]

A person cannot be "some sort of Christian".

A Person cannot be married and post in Singles!

1 - 1 Mate.

 

[Swan7]

It's ok, already let that member know.

 

[ReesePiece23]

In threads like these, I think that rule should be waived a little bit. I don't mind if they make a good point, or contribute to the thread on-topic.

Just a thought.

 

[Swan7]

In threads like these, I think that rule should be waived a little bit. I don't mind if they make a good point, or contribute to the thread on-topic.

Just a thought.

Yep, I agree But they can't keep coming back to post either. One post I let slide.