Just Need Help Getting Started

[BohemianMare]

Well...I honestly feel like this forum could be a great place for fellowship, so I'm turning to this community to help me get started in the right direction.

I was born and raised Catholic and I feel even when I was doubting I was still Catholic at heart, but there was alot of doubting. At one point I started going through the process of conversion to Judaism and for almost five years I practiced Wicca on and off. In fact, I was going to dedicate myself to it on Halloween of 2005, but the most amazing thing happened: I had a horrible anxiety attack and just flipped out. After much crying I finally calmed down enough to clear my Pagan junk out of my room and prayed alot that day.

I honestly feel like that day I was reborn, but I seem to still having stumbling blocks. I haven't managed to read the Bible cover to cover like I wanted to and I haven't made it to church yet. (I have Tourette's Syndrome, and while it doesn't hardly show at all now as an adult, I still don't like large crowds) I'm on this forum, but I don't really participate. Each time I try to get there, something seems to be holding me back and it's rather frusterating.

Sometimes I also get frusterated with the faith itself and I get scared as heck sometimes about turning my life over to the Lord. I don't know why, it just scares me, but at the same time I've done better with my problems since Halloween. Remarkably better, actually. So I know this is what's right...but why doesn't it seem to work as well as I want it to?

Any suggestions? I want to stay on the path, but I was scared last night when I dreamed again of a Goddess and this time of year nature is so beautiful it's tempting to think that way sometimes. Is it always going to be like this or will it get better? I hope so, because despite these issues, I'm happier then I've been in a long time!

Mare

 

[_CJ_]

My advice is really never ever lean on your understanding. Prayer does miracles, end of my wisdom.

 

[starelda]

I honestly feel like that day I was reborn, but I seem to still having stumbling blocks. I haven't managed to read the Bible cover to cover like I wanted to and I haven't made it to church yet. (I have Tourette's Syndrome, and while it doesn't hardly show at all now as an adult, I still don't like large crowds) I'm on this forum, but I don't really participate. Each time I try to get there, something seems to be holding me back and it's rather frusterating.

Hello BohemianMare
Don't worry about not having read the bible cover to cover yet. I came back to God two years ago and there's still some parts I haven't read...don't worry about it, just keep reading and you'll get there with time. As for church, maybe you could look into some of the churches in your area and see if there's any smallish ones...if not I'm sure whichever church you attend they will be understanding. Sometimes we just have to push aside our fears and go find out for ourselves...I suffered with social anxiety (it's not so bad now) and it took me several months to get myself to attend church. So just keep trying

Sometimes I also get frusterated with the faith itself and I get scared as heck sometimes about turning my life over to the Lord. I don't know why, it just scares me, but at the same time I've done better with my problems since Halloween. Remarkably better, actually. So I know this is what's right...but why doesn't it seem to work as well as I want it to?

Yes, paganism to Christianity is quite a change...and change can be scary. Though I wonder what you mean by "it doesn't seem to work as well as I want it to?". Being a Christian doesn't put a stop to lifes problems, but it does mean that we have a God by our side which will help us through them and help us grow.

Any suggestions? I want to stay on the path, but I was scared last night when I dreamed again of a Goddess and this time of year nature is so beautiful it's tempting to think that way sometimes. Is it always going to be like this or will it get better? I hope so, because despite these issues, I'm happier then I've been in a long time!

Mare

Yeah, I came to Christianity from paganism too and I know what you mean about nature being tempting. However, whilst we must worship the creator and not the creation that doesn't mean we can't enjoy the creation. You can still enjoy nature and you can still admire it's beauty.

 

[Dondi]

Concentrate on loving the Lord your God and loving your neighbor as yourself. Obey God's commandments in love to Him (John 14:21), and He will make Himself known to you and manifest His Spirit to you.

I know it may seem a strange thing to fall into the arms of God, but trusting in God is a learning experience, but is very fulfilling.

"I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." - John 10:10

"If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you." - John 15:10-12

 

[bolo1122]

The struggles in your life has only said one thing, and that is you aren't sure of yourself just yet. Temptations comes whether your saved or not but the challenge is to be true to your stance. You've made the decision to follow Christ, but agreed with another posted "not working) is something I need more info on. Remember, becoming a believer is to become apart of those with the incorruptible seed. That which God place in you and you become a new creature. That seed you can't teach how to grow, you must nurture it.

You true struggle is your failure to be connected with someone to help you understand your new life (coming from paganism) in Christ. While we may be able to respond to you on a webpage, The words of wisdom and God's love is wht you need to hear with your own ears.

One thing that is true by nature of the human body, is when the demand is higher than the barricade, the barricade falls. You may have the barricade between you and churches, but how bad do you really want it? You stop participating in Paganism, but how much did you really in your heart confess, and seek God's will in your life, that is what needs to be increase. Then you can say that "Nothing will separate you ffrom the love of God"


How bad do you really want it?? Then Fight the Fight!!!

 

[bolo1122]

The struggles in your life has only said one thing, and that is you aren't sure of yourself just yet. Temptations comes whether your saved or not but the challenge is to be true to your stance. You've made the decision to follow Christ, but agreed with another posted "not working) is something I need more info on. Remember, becoming a believer is to become apart of those with the incorruptible seed. That which God place in you and you become a new creature. That seed you can't teach how to grow, you must nurture it.

You true struggle is your failure to be connected with someone to help you understand your new life (coming from paganism) in Christ. While we may be able to respond to you on a webpage, The words of wisdom and God's love is wht you need to hear with your own ears.

One thing that is true by nature of the human body, is when the demand is higher than the barricade, the barricade falls. You may have the barricade between you and churches, but how bad do you really want it? You stop participating in Paganism, but how much did you really in your heart confess, and seek God's will in your life, that is what needs to be increase. Then you can say that "Nothing will separate you ffrom the love of God"


How bad do you really want it?? Then Fight the Fight!!!

 

[BohemianMare]

Well, by "not working" I meant having those little quibbles of doubt about matters of faith. It's the part in me that gets angry about people needing to be saved to go to Heaven no matter how good they are, stuff like that. And not questioning every single little thing.

Honestly, most of my close friends are either not religious, not Christian or Catholics who only go to Mass three times a year. I've known very religious people before, but currently my friends are a very ecclectic bunch of people, lol. So there's not really anyone to fellowship with outside of a church. Currently I've been hanging out with a couple guys who are Scientologists, and my best friend is a Witch, so when religion comes up, Christianity doesn't get alot of lip service and obviously they are not going to want to read the Bible with me or anything. Which is fine, they go to God their own ways. But I do pray the rosary with my mother at least a couple times a month, and that always leaves me with a feeling peace.

And at this point I'm rambling, lol. Just praying alot, trying to figure out everything. I wish I could say that Christianity is the only way, but I probably will never get there, to be honest. Hopefully that doesn't matter so long as *I* follow Christ. And that's what I'm trying to, trying to get in touch with my inner Jesus freak, like most of you here seem so comfortable an natural in doing.

Hope that makes sense, usually I write very well, but I just feel garbled at this moment, lol. Thanks for reading this far! I have been reading the Bible since my last post and just praying lots for guidance in understanding it. So far, so good.

Thank you again everyone!

Mare

 

[Sketcher]

Do you really believe that Jesus is Lord and have you asked Him to take your sin away? Do you trust in what He did by dying and rising again that you have life now? Have you asked God for the Holy Spirit?

I'm asking because if you haven't connected with God on that personal level by doing those things this whole Christianity thing isn't going to last. But if you have and He lives in you, He has given you a strength that will make you strong enough to fully seperate from your old life forever.

 

[millerrod]

Welcome to the forum!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Can you define Love????
many cant and yet they say they Love God, they Love Christ, they Love there neighbor, we must first discover and know Love before we can Love, the Bible defines Love in one spot and one spot only [ no room for error ] in 1Cor13:4-7 defines Love by 12 manners-characteristics- fruits of Love learn these seal them in your heart and mind and apply them in all you do and say, the Bible states God is Love, we must know Love to know God, and to walk with God we must walk in his Way and that Way is Love, Christ being an example of Love.

 

[Dondi]

Welcome to the forum!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Can you define Love????
many cant and yet they say they Love God, they Love Christ, they Love there neighbor, we must first discover and know Love before we can Love, the Bible defines Love in one spot and one spot only [ no room for error ] in 1Cor13:4-7 defines Love by 12 manners-characteristics- fruits of Love learn these seal them in your heart and mind and apply them in all you do and say, the Bible states God is Love, we must know Love to know God, and to walk with God we must walk in his Way and that Way is Love, Christ being an example of Love.

John 14:21 - This is how we love God, and how the love of God will be manifest to us.

 

[millerrod]

John 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them [ Love God and Love your neighbor ] he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and i will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

AGAIN we must know Love to Love, the manners of the characteristics of, the fruit of, the meaning of Love it can not just be a word throwed out , the Bible states God is Love, Gods Way is Love we must be able to reconize and know Love to be able to keep Gods commandments [ LOVE God and LOVE your neighbor ] according to John 14:21 if we know Love, and apply that Love, and Love God and our neighbor then God will manifest himself within us [Holy Spirit] Thank you for pointing out John14:21 as further proof that we must Know Love.

 

[BohemianMare]

Well, I've done alot of praying and meditation over the weekend and I feel much stronger now. I guess it was kinda like a spiritual spa trip because I feel so much more on the ball and just over all happier now.

Thank you everyone for the advice you gave me.

Mare

 

[Dondi]

John 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them [ Love God and Love your neighbor ] he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and i will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

AGAIN we must know Love to Love, the manners of the characteristics of, the fruit of, the meaning of Love it can not just be a word throwed out , the Bible states God is Love, Gods Way is Love we must be able to reconize and know Love to be able to keep Gods commandments [ LOVE God and LOVE your neighbor ] according to John 14:21 if we know Love, and apply that Love, and Love God and our neighbor then God will manifest himself within us [Holy Spirit] Thank you for pointing out John14:21 as further proof that we must Know Love.

Yes, it appears to be a reciprocal matter, doesn't it? When we love God and neighbor, we will see the love of God in us. That gives us strenghth again to love others, and so on.

Of course, it starts by God loving us first, thank God: "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. - I John 4:10

 

[chilehed]

Since you were raised Catholic, why not visit us over at One Bread, One Body?