well i don't really know how to put this so i'll start from the beginning...I as brought up to go to church every Sunday with my mum(my dad's a complete athiest), then when I reacher about 8 years old I stopped going, I don't remember if this was something I initiated or if it was my mum...but after that we rarely went to church on a Sunday, and I've not done since. I went to secondary school eventually and when i was 13 my friend invited me to go on a Christian camp with her. A lot of the stuff scared me that first year but I went back a second year and although it scared me again, it made more sense, the third year I was having a bad week(why is not that important) but I really felt comforted while i was there. After that I got too old to go on that camp and started going on another one. The first year I really felt out of place, the people there were much more serious Christians than at the previous camp. Last year I was going through a hard time, two of my friends had depression and I was selfharming quite a lot at the time, but i really felt God speaking to me through the talks and everything felt so relevant to my life. The leaders were really encouraging me to find a church but I just guess I never got around to it. From last year to this year I've been to church with my friend a few times but it's really not been often and I'm not sure if I totally like her church. I lost two relatives in 3 months last summer and that hit me hard. At the time I didn't feel like I'd turned my back on God for taking people I loved from me, but I never really had a chance to grieve, I just got on with everything. This year on camp someone pointed out that I'd known them for 6 years...and that shocked me. I've been thinking about becoming a Christian for 6 years but thinking about it seriously for the past 3. However this year I've never felt so far from God or anything and I just feel like I've hit a dead end. My parents just shrug off suggestions of me going to church now so I don't know what to do. I go off to uni in September so I'm hoping to find a church and go regularly but until then what can I do so I don't feel so distanced? I don't know what to do =S
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it feels like i've hit a dead end...
- Thread starter SilhouetteGirl
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Dear sister the fact that you are even thinking about all of this and coming onto the boards is Gods way of drawing you close to Him. We dont seek God on our own, period. (I can give you scriptures if you like)
Romans 3-11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
WHen we seek God it is really Gods grace that pulls us to Him.
John 6-44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
When coming to God you need to remember one thing, feelings are twisted by satan, he'll make you feel unsaved,unloved,unwanted, that God is far away, list goes on. Do not listen to feelings, I know about this and has gotten me into trouble big time.
Sometimes, in my experiances God will let the enemy make us feel Hes far away but just to draw us even closer to Him.
Fellowshiping is very important and going to church and stuff is great, but in the begining really focus everything on youre relationship with Him..Im not saying dont go to church,camp or fellowship but dont stress yourself out on where to go.
Just remember youre very precious to God. He loves you more than you can ever imagine and remember He will never leave you!! (the enemy will try to make you think that at all costs, youre now a threat to him)
Hebrews 13:5 . . . God has said, Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.
1 Samuel 12:22 For the sake of his great name the LORD will not reject his people, because the LORD was pleased to make you his own
John 6:37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. . . . 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day.
Keep the faith and never lose hope. PM me if you ever want to talk
with Love,
Jay
Romans 3-11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
WHen we seek God it is really Gods grace that pulls us to Him.
John 6-44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
When coming to God you need to remember one thing, feelings are twisted by satan, he'll make you feel unsaved,unloved,unwanted, that God is far away, list goes on. Do not listen to feelings, I know about this and has gotten me into trouble big time.
Sometimes, in my experiances God will let the enemy make us feel Hes far away but just to draw us even closer to Him.
Fellowshiping is very important and going to church and stuff is great, but in the begining really focus everything on youre relationship with Him..Im not saying dont go to church,camp or fellowship but dont stress yourself out on where to go.
Just remember youre very precious to God. He loves you more than you can ever imagine and remember He will never leave you!! (the enemy will try to make you think that at all costs, youre now a threat to him)
Hebrews 13:5 . . . God has said, Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.
1 Samuel 12:22 For the sake of his great name the LORD will not reject his people, because the LORD was pleased to make you his own
John 6:37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. . . . 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day.
Keep the faith and never lose hope. PM me if you ever want to talk
with Love, Jay
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Hi, The feeling that you have that you are far from God is not something I can help with so much; as would need to know more about the situation.
But as you don't particularly care for the church you've been visiting, perhaps you can suggest to your friend (if she's open) if maybe together she would join you in helping you find a place you might like. And if you find a place; she doesn't have to go there; but just to help you find a place; perhaps she'd be willing to.
I know I liked to be familiar with the different churches in my town; as would know then who would feel comfortable at which church.
If you can think of the kind of church you most like, it might help in the search.
Or, you can go to a bible study at the church; one that meets at someone's home; or a small one at church; where the group is say less than 12 or so.
It's thru small groups that we generally make friends, and particularly at bible studies, prayer meetings, etc. I never prayed outloud at prayer meetings but 12 or so went out of a church of 400 or so; and no one made me feel funny that I wouldn't pray outloud. I was comfortable there, but it was the bible study and always has been in my life where I meet people.
God will never leave you or forsake you. He loves you very much. You can talk to God as you know; just say anything on your heart to God; such as share how you never grieved the loss of your loved ones who passed; and just talk to Jesus about it. That's prayer. Can pray while driving, taking a bath; anywhere any time at all.
Be very open and honest with God and have no fear. If you feel far away from God, say that to God.
A way to feel close to God is actually more of a feeling good about oneself; one's choices at least with me; is listen to sermons online; listen to Christian music; sing to God if you know any songs; or can make them up. Reading the bible; can do a verse or a few verses or a chapter.
Then think about those verses. I would recommend reading of Jesus moreso; as to get solidly grounded in Jesus, and that would be in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
Read those books thru; if you can here and there; a little every day.. there are bibles which are more story form; I don't know what they are called today; perhaps living bibles; and they are more story form which helps to read them through.
So, reading; talking to Jesus; music (K-Love) is about everywhere, and is online a radio station.. there is GodTube which probably has good stuff; though I've not yet gotten there; and immerse yourself in Jesus; in the bible; in song; as I said, can make up your own songs.
Reading the bible our minds are changed on things; and occurs slowly or abruptly; but it's called renewing our minds.
If the friend you now have doens't feel comfortable to go around looking for churches; then perhaps another person would. I myself; always went alone and visited churches; but not all people like to do things alone.
At college check into the Christian community; there will be something there; I know years past Campus Crusade was one well known that was at most colleges. I don't know about them today.
But can check on the net; and see what's there and if uni is where you live now; can mabye call and get connected that way ahead of time.
Or can email one of the Christian organizations which a university has and say you're interested in meetnig Christians..and normally it's woman to woman and man to man.
Not to worry about your parents not being concerned about things; as you're at an age now; where you will be making the decisions on your life; and have been but now it's even more different.
But reading; singing; meeting like minded people, sharing how you feel; but only with someone you trust; so when you meet Christians; you first get a feel if feel can trust them with your feelings and then can share when you do, knowing you're not being judged in any way, and that what you say is in confidence.
Please feel free to send me a private message any time.
Sorry for the long book here.
take care,
blessings,
tapero
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A
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The problem is you are going to church out of habit, not because your heart says: I want to walk that way that leads back to God.
The question is , what do you want?
If someone hands you a million dollars and says: do you want it? And you gladly accept it , well with that kind of convincement you should choose for God. But do you just accept the million dollars? You should first investigate if it isn't drugs money, or that the money was stolen. You equally should investigate the bible because you have never read it.
My advice is this: buy yourself a bible and read it prayfully. Read it from start to end , and then think to yourself: is this what i want? , once you know what christianity represents and can offer you, you can accept or reject this offer, this so you can choose or reject God volentarily. Think in more black and white context instead of hanging in the moment, that won't get you anywhere, you need to look for ways to progress in your life lady. The moment you hit a dead end, the only thing you can do is turn your car around and head back to the highway of life.
You know, you aren't looking for God, you are looking for comfort and relief of the pain and stress in your daily life from losing your loved ones. And because your making your heart a murder hole and can't process the loss of your loved ones in a proper way you start inflicting self harm.
My dear you need a counceller that can give you mental help ,that is certain. And you might choose for God in your life after you processed the loss of your loved ones.
Imagine yourself being locked up in a room, what helps better Cutting and crying or a key to get out? You need to find the key that unclocks the door of your problems. And need to start working on the root of your problems instead of being in a state of limbo. You have a lot of work to do on yourself and making the choices that bring you happyness, and being decisive in the things that you do.
There are only three directions in life, down where death lies, stay where you are and go in circles, or up where an improved life lies ahead, the first 2 are worthless and lead to nowhere, this is important because it means you can set the course of your life, to the only direction that is valuable ,namely upwards towards into progress. It doesn't matter from there on wether you win or lose in life, you simply keep on following the positive course, that way you can ALWAYS be confident no matter what happens, because you know that going for gold in your life is the only right way to live.
If change was just a thought, then anyone could do it. But reality is that you can't just sit around feeling miserable for yourself and the situation you are in while being punched in the face by the reality of life. Those thoughts of change, can't become real if you just sit around feeling sorry for yourself, if you want to change then why would you stay in a state of paralyzation? If that happens it means you do not want to change, you are simply waiting for the world and people to change around you as you see fit, therefore
Without walking, there's no way to move forward, you'll just end up waiting.
Then in the end i hope you can choose for God volentarily with your heart. God bless you.
The question is , what do you want?
If someone hands you a million dollars and says: do you want it? And you gladly accept it , well with that kind of convincement you should choose for God. But do you just accept the million dollars? You should first investigate if it isn't drugs money, or that the money was stolen. You equally should investigate the bible because you have never read it.
My advice is this: buy yourself a bible and read it prayfully. Read it from start to end , and then think to yourself: is this what i want? , once you know what christianity represents and can offer you, you can accept or reject this offer, this so you can choose or reject God volentarily. Think in more black and white context instead of hanging in the moment, that won't get you anywhere, you need to look for ways to progress in your life lady. The moment you hit a dead end, the only thing you can do is turn your car around and head back to the highway of life.
You know, you aren't looking for God, you are looking for comfort and relief of the pain and stress in your daily life from losing your loved ones. And because your making your heart a murder hole and can't process the loss of your loved ones in a proper way you start inflicting self harm.
My dear you need a counceller that can give you mental help ,that is certain. And you might choose for God in your life after you processed the loss of your loved ones.
Imagine yourself being locked up in a room, what helps better Cutting and crying or a key to get out? You need to find the key that unclocks the door of your problems. And need to start working on the root of your problems instead of being in a state of limbo. You have a lot of work to do on yourself and making the choices that bring you happyness, and being decisive in the things that you do.
There are only three directions in life, down where death lies, stay where you are and go in circles, or up where an improved life lies ahead, the first 2 are worthless and lead to nowhere, this is important because it means you can set the course of your life, to the only direction that is valuable ,namely upwards towards into progress. It doesn't matter from there on wether you win or lose in life, you simply keep on following the positive course, that way you can ALWAYS be confident no matter what happens, because you know that going for gold in your life is the only right way to live.
If change was just a thought, then anyone could do it. But reality is that you can't just sit around feeling miserable for yourself and the situation you are in while being punched in the face by the reality of life. Those thoughts of change, can't become real if you just sit around feeling sorry for yourself, if you want to change then why would you stay in a state of paralyzation? If that happens it means you do not want to change, you are simply waiting for the world and people to change around you as you see fit, therefore
Without walking, there's no way to move forward, you'll just end up waiting.
Then in the end i hope you can choose for God volentarily with your heart. God bless you.
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Going to church isn't suppose to be a "going through the motion" event. Its a deep love for God through the Holy Spirit. Have you asked the Holy Spirit into your heart? It gives christians the power to live a christian life - thus, a natural desire to want to go to church and worship God. So, it becomes the desire of the heart to do this and not a "going through the motion" ordeal. This spiritual desire becomes as natural as physically eating. The difference is you get spiritually feed at church and are drawn to this like a magnet. In addition, its not always about "feelings" either. Its like saying I don't feel like going to work and working 40 hours a week but I must or I will physically starve. Sometimes we go to church occasionally not feeling like going but after you go you always feel spiritually better. The goal is to stay focused on what God wants you to do for your life and your church friends are a secondary reason to go.
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I would like to believe that you are one of Christ's sheep in the making, only you seem to be trying to find the Shepherd in the sheep of that Shepherd rather than dealing directly with the Shepherd Himself. This Shepherd is in fact "in" all true sheep, or, believer's in Christ, but the only way you'll ever come to personally know such a divine Being is go directly to the top and this has always been true for anyone who has ever come to know Him. Being among christians doesn't really make you one yourself, but it does give you the advantage of the use of the appointed means by which you can become a christian, so I sure wouldn't stop attendance upon worship altogether. Only one must realize that the uniqueness of Christianity above other religions is that it requires a personal, intimate, mystical union with the very God whom they worship...Something not unlike marriage. "How then do you come to meet this Shepherd 'personally'? "
Start with PRAYER.
He is enthroned in the very highest of heavens, seated there at the right hand of His Father in glory, so in one sense you can't really ascend unto those heavens to find Him...But He can condescend in His limitless grace to find you and this will never be done without the single/hearted and penitant prayer of faith straight from your heart. Get anything and everything that could conceivably offend such a pure and holy God out of the way, (repentance,) and then simply start taking Him at his word in faith, believing in these and other promises as though they were all that really counted:
"And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13
"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30
Don't avoid association with the sheep now, but stop trying to find this invisible Being who inhabits eternity by hitchhiking, as it were, upon their own relationship with Him. Seek Him and Him alone here and you will soon find yourself amongst those sheep as a sheep yourself, in possession of the Holy Spirit of God, a child of the Father, a citizen of heaven and progressively being consumed with a boundless, effervescent spring of eternal hope of glory that will have you dancing upon your toes for joy. All of this probably won't come in an instant "right out of the blue", but if you will seek Him and Him alone in point of personal salvation, are willing to loose in order to gain, and with a determination to absolutely settle for nothing less than HIM personally, then the very powers of hell won't be able to stop you from such an unquenchable life.
You can do it! You and Him that is.
Start with PRAYER.
He is enthroned in the very highest of heavens, seated there at the right hand of His Father in glory, so in one sense you can't really ascend unto those heavens to find Him...But He can condescend in His limitless grace to find you and this will never be done without the single/hearted and penitant prayer of faith straight from your heart. Get anything and everything that could conceivably offend such a pure and holy God out of the way, (repentance,) and then simply start taking Him at his word in faith, believing in these and other promises as though they were all that really counted:
"And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13
"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30
Don't avoid association with the sheep now, but stop trying to find this invisible Being who inhabits eternity by hitchhiking, as it were, upon their own relationship with Him. Seek Him and Him alone here and you will soon find yourself amongst those sheep as a sheep yourself, in possession of the Holy Spirit of God, a child of the Father, a citizen of heaven and progressively being consumed with a boundless, effervescent spring of eternal hope of glory that will have you dancing upon your toes for joy. All of this probably won't come in an instant "right out of the blue", but if you will seek Him and Him alone in point of personal salvation, are willing to loose in order to gain, and with a determination to absolutely settle for nothing less than HIM personally, then the very powers of hell won't be able to stop you from such an unquenchable life.
You can do it! You and Him that is.
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RedTulipMom
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What you need is a relationship with Christ, once you have that you will WANT to go to church. So the first step is to reach out to God and surrender. Ask Jesus to come into your heart and live with you. Follow him! IF you don't make the first step the rest don't matter anyway. Once you have started a relationship with Christ and the Holy Spirit comes and lives with you your eyes will be opened and you will see things differently, you will then WANT to go to church, WANT to read your bible and pray, UNDERSTAND your bible, etc. Christianity isn't about being good, you really CAN't Be good without Christ living in you. You can't do it in your own strength, only in the strength of the Holy Spirit, whom only lives in Christians. Take the first step...ask Jesus to come live with you and guide you and be with you, repent of all your sins and ask forgiveness and then start following him and he WILL show you the way my friend! Praying for you..God bless you!
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