in WA and in need of some local back

[HonorB]

Crises of faith, back-sliding, being fondly indulged by my extremely open-minded but not Christian friends...
I need to get back to having some more regular contact with more folks who are faithful followers of Jesus; I'm having a real hard time listening to God (every time I feel Him around I do this thing in my heart that feels too much like I'm ducking behind a wall on the playground) but at the same time still have a real hard time being comfortable in "regular" circumstances". Which means that I end up drinking too much or flirting too hard or laughing at things that aren't funny or...
This sounds like my life is a mire and that's not really true but I am keenly aware of the diminishment in my strength, self-respect and ability to love since I've lost touch with some of my old friends.
I am a Christian. I am not a ____- I don't know what to call them. I will not give up homosexual friends or become more submissive to men or punish anyone for essentially human behavior. I just want to give that heads' up because I wouldn't want to mislead.
I want to talk about things and not just allude to sex or other potentially negative/ exploitative behavior.
Hopefully this makes ANY sense.

 

[angelpie545]

Just because you are a Christian does NOT mean you have to give up homosexual friends or become submissive to men-not at ALL. I am a Christian and I do have gay/bisexual friends, and you know what? It's fine. I do not agree with their lifestyles and do not practice it, but I am not going to judge them as people. That is between them and God, not them and I. I would encourage you to bring your concerns to the Lord, just open to Him and ask Him what He would have you do. The most important part of being a Christian is simply opening to Him and enjoying Christ, not trying to be something in yourself. Let Him transform you; we should not do this in ourselves. Jesus wined and dined with the sinners because they were in need of Him; don't feel as if being friends with someone who has a less than righteous lifestyle will have you fall out of favor with God. God will always love you, just open to Him. That's where it all begins.

 

[HonorB]

Yea, I wasn't going to give anyone up. Out of the question. However, being a Christian woman looking for more Christian friends I feel that it's important that I acknowledge that there are those who are more fundamentalist, etc. than I.
I just know that my life would be improved (and perhaps I could improve someone's life) by more faithful people and fewer skeptics.
Of course, judging by the one response I got here and that it was instructive... Perhaps this isn't the way.

 

[Bananna]

I figure I'm pretty hard nosed and fundamentalist...I agree though that one does have to let others relate to God on their own terms. Not my job to condone or condem a behavior.However, I'm curious what you mean by "friends" I mean I don't stop showing christian love and concern because I know someone is a sinner. We all miss the Mark in some manner.Seeking to spend a majority of time with those who are seeking God's face and seeking to be like Jesus is the best way to help reshape goals in your life. Sometimes it may seem like you are pushing your friends away, because we have time limitations. For health goals, I may be around a crowd of people I don't agree with spiritually, economically or morally, but we are getting together to work toward a common goal on health etc.So if I get your drift... I applaud you for setting a goal of friendships in the area spiritually you may want to improve in...May you be blessed.I'm in Washington.bananna

 

[Shamash Of Yeshua]

Greetings HonorB,

I can tell you by my own experiences in life that if you aren't living a life dedicated to the Father and Yeshua then the road is very hard. I dont' have many friends, especially since I deleted all the few friends I had here 3 years ago when I left. Now I am back and I can say I feel more lonely then I did then and am on the verge of just giving up again. Those that used to talk with me most everytime I've seen them on YIM just dont' talk with me any more, like I'm a leper. First off I dont' feel like I belong since I feel disconnected. Worry about if I trampled the Blood of Yeshua, but I can't say I was walking a straight line since I accepted Him in my life around 16.
How many times I have thought of just dying. Granted I dont' want to kill myself, but at times it sure feels too dang close. Bitterness sets in and then what? Death? Is that all that is left for those who have wandered and put their friends out when things aren't in agreement.
See I came to the conclusion that Yeshua isn't The Father back 3 years ago. And that sure opened up a can of worms in a place where most here were brought up to believe that Yeshua and The Father are one and the same. Yes, they are Echad(ONE) which we can also be Echad as well. Read the book man is all I can say now.

I hope and pray that the Father in Yeshua's Name brings strengthening to you and HIS Light so shines in you that your friends see HIM in YOU. In this world if you grew up in it and not in a believing home or even in one, that it is a hard road to travel alone. But I can say you can end up being thrown to and fro by every wind and doctrine unless you really dig deep and pray for answers. HE won't leave you unless you leave HIM, well scripture says otherwise, that he will never leave you and he will finish what he started in you. I sure hope so because I'm on my last leg. The last straw happened when I was assaulted in the house I live in. Boy I wanted to Kill him so bad. How wicked and evil that was and I HATE IT. I Hate this world and what it does to ppl. The unbelieving are hard to live with and they mock.
I guess it is all me. That is how I have grown up, with a chip on my stupid shoulder of Pride of self, yet at the same time I haven't liked myself in such a long time I hate to say I have lost feeling for anyone, even those who have been here, well my one friend who is a believer who lives about 20 miles away sure hasn't talked to me in a long time either. Reckon that is on me since all I've called him for is a shoulder to whine on. Then I think "WHO CARES!!!" and give up. I am a giver upper. I quit. How pathetic. I have gifts and I have hidden them because I feel I am not worthy for anything.
I am ALONE and that is sad. That is all. There is a lot of pain here and ppl just have their own problems and dont' want to hear others, especially mine that are so heart breaking I just want to die.

I have hung with those who believe in GOD but I have had differences in mind that I dont' agree fully. So that little bit makes me feel I am alone, even surrounded by many ppl. Especially here in CF MJ forum.

A place that is supposed to be accepting and I felt rejected when I said I dont' believe Yeshua IS GOD THE FATHER. Nice to meet you.