need prayers finding a church (political triggers inside)

[Florian7051]

I’ve prayed and not gotten any type of sign or even a feeling on this. I don’t feel love from the church right now. Last Sunday I was told it was my Christian duty to vote Democrat, or I wasn’t honoring Christ (this was a sermon, not a private conversation). I’m a Republican, my cue to leave and never return to that church. I am not the bigot that the extreme left thinks I am. I love and am let down by people in the same breath. I vote Republican because I believe in Capitalism, not because I believe it honors Christ (nor do I think it dishonors him). Don’t get me wrong, I see the need for social safety nets. I am a 100% disabled veteran and if it wasn’t for my Comp & Pen I wouldn’t be able to feed my family, but there is a difference between social safety nets and handouts to everyone (this is Sloth). I have deployed to areas where Communism has destroyed society; it is not self-sustaining. Anyway, I think from a societal perspective the Republican party is better for the economy than the Democratic party. I don’t 100% agree with the Republican party on everything either. Things like Union labor is beneficial not just for maintaining fair wages, but also for protecting the integrity of the trade. Anyway, I digress, my point is I have opinions, and they are mine, and I’m allowed to have them. When politics are brought up Democrats label me as a bigot. I understand why, but I’m not. I see the countless social media posts by Right Wing Christians drunk on pride, beckoning for a war with the Democratic Party, and justifying their anger because they’re “defending their Christian values”, no love in their hearts. I have a daughter who is in the LGBTQ community. While I don’t understand and don’t agree with her lifestyle, I love her. I love her every day. I’m not enabling her lifestyle; I just love her unconditionally. Since when are sinners not allowed in the church? I have sexual sins. I’ve watched porn. I started dating my wife when she was married. She was abandoned and separated but her husband was still alive. I had relations with her prior to marriage. I got her pregnant while she was still married to her ex-husband, I’ve sodomized her, and she isn’t the only woman I’ve had pre-marital relations with. Because my wife was divorced, I didn’t even get married by a Clergyman, but then I was called by God. I repented. Her ex-husband had since passed away, so my wife and I renewed our vows in front of God, and we pray he honors this marriage. I just don’t understand. I love all people. Before God called to me, I found forgiveness in my heart for someone that murdered an ex-girlfriend of mine, and this was before the teachings of the gospel. I joined the Marine Corps to help people. I joined the fire department to help people. My politics have nothing to do with hate. Left extremists hate the right and think we’re all extremists who tote around our AR15s and long for a war with them and want to control the masses through oppression. Right extremists hate the left and think they’re all a violent bunch of radical rebels who want to destabilize the current economic system and take their rights away. And amid all this is the church. Everyone has taken a side. Isn’t there any churches that don’t meddle in politics and just help people find Christ? My wife and I were baptized Protestant so we can’t even receive the sacraments in the Catholic Church. Other denominations are very politically polarized right or left, which I’m not interested in. I don’t believe in predesignation nor do I think the Bible supports it, so there’s that. Other denominations condemn actions that aren’t even supported in the Bible and keep you chained to guilt and fear. Some denominations don’t even notice each other in the pews it’s like being a ghost; others are so cultish you’re not allowed to do anything outside of the church. Tell me, how are you going to help people find Christ without going out into the world. I am always prepared to go down to hell to get someone. I don’t care if it’s a drug house, a strip club, a rave, a casino; when my phone rings and someone needs help, I will go anywhere to get them; it’s in these moments that you sew the seeds of freedom. They may not be ready to love that day, but that seed will grow if someone is willing to put it there and nurture it. I have prayed for a church that loves all. That invites all sinners to come listen. That doesn’t require a membership, that doesn’t make me feel guilty about whatever doctrine they’ve added on to the Bible to make me feel trapped, that doesn’t view someone as hopeless because they see the world differently, that aren’t indifferent about their members or opposite, make you feel guilty or talk poorly of you if you have friends outside of the church. Don’t get me wrong, Jesus is my center, my rock, my everything, but the church is not Christ. Does this place exist on earth, or do I need to wait for the afterlife to find it? I’ve been praying that something leads me to the right church, but I feel more lost now than when I started looking at the beginning of the week. I guess if there’s room in your heart and time in your prayers tonight, I could use some help having my heart reach the heavens. Please lord lead me where I need to be, where you want me to be, this I pray.

 

[bèlla]

I’m sorry you feel unloved and hope the Lord leads you to a community where your needs are met and you’re able to honor Him in return. I don’t know what’s happening with christian culture in our country nor am I inclined to be in the company of believers with extreme opinions. Whether they’re on the right or left their ideologies are toxic and unloving.

This is a challenging time for fellowship. I’ve found a modicum of normalcy among entrepreneurs I’ve known a few years and if it weren’t for them my interactions would be limited. We’ve settled on the quakers for the most part. I don’t agree with everything of course. But they’re as close as I‘ll get to the mennonites without the practices that raise concerns.

I listen to someone online that I discovered in my teens. He passed away a few years ago in a plane crash. But his teachings are sound and rooted in the kingdom and he left a legacy of materials to draw from. I’ve accepted the necessity of getting what I need from different sources. Quakers excel at fellowship and have a calming presence sorely needed today.

I recommend fasting one day per week as you wrestle with this. You may find solace in the divine office too. The morning or evening one is best and the scriptures will nourish your spirit. To aid your heart listen to the bible and have it playing in the background when you rest. If you don’t have it on audio soakstream is a nice alternative. God bless.

~bella

 

[Richard T]

I’ve prayed and not gotten any type of sign or even a feeling on this. I don’t feel love from the church right now. Last Sunday I was told it was my Christian duty to vote Democrat, or I wasn’t honoring Christ (this was a sermon, not a private conversation). I’m a Republican, my cue to leave and never return to that church. I am not the bigot that the extreme left thinks I am. I love and am let down by people in the same breath. I vote Republican because I believe in Capitalism, not because I believe it honors Christ (nor do I think it dishonors him). Don’t get me wrong, I see the need for social safety nets. I am a 100% disabled veteran and if it wasn’t for my Comp & Pen I wouldn’t be able to feed my family, but there is a difference between social safety nets and handouts to everyone (this is Sloth). I have deployed to areas where Communism has destroyed society; it is not self-sustaining. Anyway, I think from a societal perspective the Republican party is better for the economy than the Democratic party. I don’t 100% agree with the Republican party on everything either. Things like Union labor is beneficial not just for maintaining fair wages, but also for protecting the integrity of the trade. Anyway, I digress, my point is I have opinions, and they are mine, and I’m allowed to have them. When politics are brought up Democrats label me as a bigot. I understand why, but I’m not. I see the countless social media posts by Right Wing Christians drunk on pride, beckoning for a war with the Democratic Party, and justifying their anger because they’re “defending their Christian values”, no love in their hearts. I have a daughter who is in the LGBTQ community. While I don’t understand and don’t agree with her lifestyle, I love her. I love her every day. I’m not enabling her lifestyle; I just love her unconditionally. Since when are sinners not allowed in the church? I have sexual sins. I’ve watched porn. I started dating my wife when she was married. She was abandoned and separated but her husband was still alive. I had relations with her prior to marriage. I got her pregnant while she was still married to her ex-husband, I’ve sodomized her, and she isn’t the only woman I’ve had pre-marital relations with. Because my wife was divorced, I didn’t even get married by a Clergyman, but then I was called by God. I repented. Her ex-husband had since passed away, so my wife and I renewed our vows in front of God, and we pray he honors this marriage. I just don’t understand. I love all people. Before God called to me, I found forgiveness in my heart for someone that murdered an ex-girlfriend of mine, and this was before the teachings of the gospel. I joined the Marine Corps to help people. I joined the fire department to help people. My politics have nothing to do with hate. Left extremists hate the right and think we’re all extremists who tote around our AR15s and long for a war with them and want to control the masses through oppression. Right extremists hate the left and think they’re all a violent bunch of radical rebels who want to destabilize the current economic system and take their rights away. And amid all this is the church. Everyone has taken a side. Isn’t there any churches that don’t meddle in politics and just help people find Christ? My wife and I were baptized Protestant so we can’t even receive the sacraments in the Catholic Church. Other denominations are very politically polarized right or left, which I’m not interested in. I don’t believe in predesignation nor do I think the Bible supports it, so there’s that. Other denominations condemn actions that aren’t even supported in the Bible and keep you chained to guilt and fear. Some denominations don’t even notice each other in the pews it’s like being a ghost; others are so cultish you’re not allowed to do anything outside of the church. Tell me, how are you going to help people find Christ without going out into the world. I am always prepared to go down to hell to get someone. I don’t care if it’s a drug house, a strip club, a rave, a casino; when my phone rings and someone needs help, I will go anywhere to get them; it’s in these moments that you sew the seeds of freedom. They may not be ready to love that day, but that seed will grow if someone is willing to put it there and nurture it. I have prayed for a church that loves all. That invites all sinners to come listen. That doesn’t require a membership, that doesn’t make me feel guilty about whatever doctrine they’ve added on to the Bible to make me feel trapped, that doesn’t view someone as hopeless because they see the world differently, that aren’t indifferent about their members or opposite, make you feel guilty or talk poorly of you if you have friends outside of the church. Don’t get me wrong, Jesus is my center, my rock, my everything, but the church is not Christ. Does this place exist on earth, or do I need to wait for the afterlife to find it? I’ve been praying that something leads me to the right church, but I feel more lost now than when I started looking at the beginning of the week. I guess if there’s room in your heart and time in your prayers tonight, I could use some help having my heart reach the heavens. Please lord lead me where I need to be, where you want me to be, this I pray.

Dear God, I thank you for this brother. I pray you help him find a church where there is the love and power of God operating. I pray that he sees himself as you see him. That he is free from condemnation. That he who is forgiven much loves much and that love will permeate his being. I pray you strengthen his family, bring his daughter to Christ and bring more joy into his life. In Jesus name. God bless you brother, I'm biased but perhaps consider attending a church like the Assembly of God? Or even a Southern baptist church seems unlikely to preach much politics, especially from the left. Some charismatic churches too are great, as long as they are not focused too much on money, or have weird end time views. Regardless of the denomination, I pray you light up and will now your place in God. It is a good place too.
Jer 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

 

[chevyontheriver]

I’ve prayed and not gotten any type of sign or even a feeling on this. I don’t feel love from the church right now. Last Sunday I was told it was my Christian duty to vote Democrat, or I wasn’t honoring Christ (this was a sermon, not a private conversation). I’m a Republican, my cue to leave and never return to that church. I am not the bigot that the extreme left thinks I am. I love and am let down by people in the same breath. I vote Republican because I believe in Capitalism, not because I believe it honors Christ (nor do I think it dishonors him). Don’t get me wrong, I see the need for social safety nets. I am a 100% disabled veteran and if it wasn’t for my Comp & Pen I wouldn’t be able to feed my family, but there is a difference between social safety nets and handouts to everyone (this is Sloth). I have deployed to areas where Communism has destroyed society; it is not self-sustaining. Anyway, I think from a societal perspective the Republican party is better for the economy than the Democratic party. I don’t 100% agree with the Republican party on everything either. Things like Union labor is beneficial not just for maintaining fair wages, but also for protecting the integrity of the trade. Anyway, I digress, my point is I have opinions, and they are mine, and I’m allowed to have them. When politics are brought up Democrats label me as a bigot. I understand why, but I’m not. I see the countless social media posts by Right Wing Christians drunk on pride, beckoning for a war with the Democratic Party, and justifying their anger because they’re “defending their Christian values”, no love in their hearts. I have a daughter who is in the LGBTQ community. While I don’t understand and don’t agree with her lifestyle, I love her. I love her every day. I’m not enabling her lifestyle; I just love her unconditionally. Since when are sinners not allowed in the church? I have sexual sins. I’ve watched porn. I started dating my wife when she was married. She was abandoned and separated but her husband was still alive. I had relations with her prior to marriage. I got her pregnant while she was still married to her ex-husband, I’ve sodomized her, and she isn’t the only woman I’ve had pre-marital relations with. Because my wife was divorced, I didn’t even get married by a Clergyman, but then I was called by God. I repented. Her ex-husband had since passed away, so my wife and I renewed our vows in front of God, and we pray he honors this marriage. I just don’t understand. I love all people. Before God called to me, I found forgiveness in my heart for someone that murdered an ex-girlfriend of mine, and this was before the teachings of the gospel. I joined the Marine Corps to help people. I joined the fire department to help people. My politics have nothing to do with hate. Left extremists hate the right and think we’re all extremists who tote around our AR15s and long for a war with them and want to control the masses through oppression. Right extremists hate the left and think they’re all a violent bunch of radical rebels who want to destabilize the current economic system and take their rights away. And amid all this is the church. Everyone has taken a side. Isn’t there any churches that don’t meddle in politics and just help people find Christ? My wife and I were baptized Protestant so we can’t even receive the sacraments in the Catholic Church. Other denominations are very politically polarized right or left, which I’m not interested in. I don’t believe in predesignation nor do I think the Bible supports it, so there’s that. Other denominations condemn actions that aren’t even supported in the Bible and keep you chained to guilt and fear. Some denominations don’t even notice each other in the pews it’s like being a ghost; others are so cultish you’re not allowed to do anything outside of the church. Tell me, how are you going to help people find Christ without going out into the world. I am always prepared to go down to hell to get someone. I don’t care if it’s a drug house, a strip club, a rave, a casino; when my phone rings and someone needs help, I will go anywhere to get them; it’s in these moments that you sew the seeds of freedom. They may not be ready to love that day, but that seed will grow if someone is willing to put it there and nurture it. I have prayed for a church that loves all. That invites all sinners to come listen. That doesn’t require a membership, that doesn’t make me feel guilty about whatever doctrine they’ve added on to the Bible to make me feel trapped, that doesn’t view someone as hopeless because they see the world differently, that aren’t indifferent about their members or opposite, make you feel guilty or talk poorly of you if you have friends outside of the church. Don’t get me wrong, Jesus is my center, my rock, my everything, but the church is not Christ. Does this place exist on earth, or do I need to wait for the afterlife to find it? I’ve been praying that something leads me to the right church, but I feel more lost now than when I started looking at the beginning of the week. I guess if there’s room in your heart and time in your prayers tonight, I could use some help having my heart reach the heavens. Please lord lead me where I need to be, where you want me to be, this I pray.

I get the idea that you want to be Catholic. I am Catholic and have never been told from the pulpit that I had to vote Democrat or vote Republican. They HAVE raised issues, like abortion, but have never become partisan. There are partisan Catholics on the right and left but we are free to prudentially make up our own minds. I was a Democrat way back, then a Republican for many years, and now follow the American Solidarity Party. I have never felt pressure from clergy in that regard. There are, though, some Catholics that say you can't really be Catholic and a Democrat. I almost agree. The official Church position is non-partisan.

You mentioned that you were baptized Protestant and can't receive Catholic sacraments. As you may know, you can receive a blessing at communion time by getting in line with your arms crossed. A deacon or priest (those are the ones who can actually do the blessings) will then bless you. This is not nothing. You can also have a priest or deacon bless your home. You can talk to a priest and even have a spiritual director. Confession is for Catholics, but you can talk about anything, including turning from sin and committing to do better. Your Protestant baptism is already recognized as a valid and real baptism. I think your marriage would also be recognized, at least now that the prior husband is dead. To receive communion or any other sacrament involves actually being Catholic. But you can become one. It's not that hard. Most Protestant issues with the Catholic Church are based on Protestant misunderstandings anyway. I know you mentioned not liking membership, but as a Catholic it is less a trap as an internal decision recognized by the community. I don't feel that it traps me or ever has.

Continue on in prayer. That is a good foundation. God hears us. Do be discerning, as not all places are equal. Do continue to search out God's prompting in all of this. I will pray for you today.

 

[Florian7051]

I get the idea that you want to be Catholic. I am Catholic and have never been told from the pulpit that I had to vote Democrat or vote Republican. They HAVE raised issues, like abortion, but have never become partisan. There are partisan Catholics on the right and left but we are free to prudentially make up our own minds. I was a Democrat way back, then a Republican for many years, and now follow the American Solidarity Party. I have never felt pressure from clergy in that regard. There are, though, some Catholics that say you can't really be Catholic and a Democrat. I almost agree. The official Church position is non-partisan.

You mentioned that you were baptized Protestant and can't receive Catholic sacraments. As you may know, you can receive a blessing at communion time by getting in line with your arms crossed. A deacon or priest (those are the ones who can actually do the blessings) will then bless you. This is not nothing. You can also have a priest or deacon bless your home. You can talk to a priest and even have a spiritual director. Confession is for Catholics, but you can talk about anything, including turning from sin and committing to do better. Your Protestant baptism is already recognized as a valid and real baptism. I think your marriage would also be recognized, at least now that the prior husband is dead. To receive communion or any other sacrament involves actually being Catholic. But you can become one. It's not that hard. Most Protestant issues with the Catholic Church are based on Protestant misunderstandings anyway. I know you mentioned not liking membership, but as a Catholic it is less a trap as an internal decision recognized by the community. I don't feel that it traps me or ever has.

Continue on in prayer. That is a good foundation. God hears us. Do be discerning, as not all places are equal. Do continue to search out God's prompting in all of this. I will pray for you today.

So, a little backstory. I was baptized Lutheran but raised atheist. My wife was baptized Presbyterian but really wasn't active in the church. Outside of Easter, Christmas, Baptisms, and Weddings she was pretty much non-existent all together. When I heard God speak to me, I was in the Marine Corps. I took a Catholic prayer book and a rosary left out as gifts for any Marine getting ready to cross the berm into Iraq. I can't explain why, but it gave me comfort. I still have the rosary hanging on my headboard above my bed, and the prayer book in a hope chest. My Battalion chaplain was Catholic at the time, so that's what I know. I was welcome in mass but was told by my Chaplain that I couldn't take part in communion, confession, couldn't become the God Father to my friend's daughter, and my marriage wasn't recognized by the church since it was conducted by a Notary Republic. I was told I would need to be baptized as a Catholic and renew my vows in front of a Catholic Priest before I could join the church with my wife. While my wife wasn't active in the church, her grandmother was, and my wife told me she would become estranged from her family if she "did that to her grandmother". The family that threatened her were not active in the church either, but everyone loved and honored her grandmother; she was my wife's only living grandparent. With time my faith grew, when it became time for my kids to start school I enrolled them in Catholic school. This was a huge friction point for my wife's family. For a couple weeks they didn't even talk to us and then we were told if we were to ever baptize them Catholic, they would cut all ties. My kids were baptized Presbyterian.

 

[timf]

You might want to see if there is a small bible church in your city. You might find that people who spend more time studying the bible have less time for political bullying.

 

[Florian7051]

Later my wife and I were baptized and renewed our vows to a non-denominational Evangelical church, not Presbyterian, but not Catholic. This was not met with discontent from her family. I think this whole thing may have something to do with my wife's Northern Ireland heritage, but I can't be certain as that part of her family is the Paternal side, and the Presbyterian side is the Maternal side, so that may or may not be it idk. But her family lived there during the height of the IRA so I think that might have something to do with it.

 

[chevyontheriver]

So, a little backstory.

Thanks for the history.

I was baptized Lutheran but raised atheist.

That would be a valid baptism unless the minister of that baptism did so in some odd invalid way. Hopefully you have some sort of documentation of the baptism. Often the church involved will have a record. Perhaps you have no such document from the Lutherans?

My wife was baptized Presbyterian but really wasn't active in the church. Outside of Easter, Christmas, Baptisms, and Weddings she was pretty much non-existent all together.

Her baptism would also be considered valid. Maybe a record of it is also available. Often, if there is no documentation of a prior baptism one is given a 'conditional baptism', a just in case the original one wasn't valid kind of thing. My wife was baptized in a Lutheran church and that was accepted.

When I heard God speak to me, I was in the Marine Corps. I took a Catholic prayer book and a rosary left out as gifts for any Marine getting ready to cross the berm into Iraq. I can't explain why, but it gave me comfort. I still have the rosary hanging on my headboard above my bed, and the prayer book in a hope chest. My Battalion chaplain was Catholic at the time, so that's what I know.

Good that you heard God speak to you. And that through it all you still seek God's voice.

I was welcome in mass but was told by my Chaplain that I couldn't take part in communion, confession, couldn't become the God Father to my friend's daughter, and my marriage wasn't recognized by the church since it was conducted by a Notary Republic. I was told I would need to be baptized as a Catholic and renew my vows in front of a Catholic Priest before I could join the church with my wife.

Worse, they would probably ask you to take a multi-month class first. That's the actual norm, although not always required. The idea being that being Catholic is not a casual decision, and that you want to enter with your eyes wide open. That's a good thing though.

While my wife wasn't active in the church, her grandmother was, and my wife told me she would become estranged from her family if she "did that to her grandmother". The family that threatened her were not active in the church either, but everyone loved and honored her grandmother; she was my wife's only living grandparent. With time my faith grew, when it became time for my kids to start school I enrolled them in Catholic school. This was a huge friction point for my wife's family. For a couple weeks they didn't even talk to us and then we were told if we were to ever baptize them Catholic, they would cut all ties.

Sometimes these people are happier if people practice no faith whatsoever rather than being Catholic. Being Catholic is to them worse than being atheist I guess. It gets really old.

My wife became Catholic shortly before we were married. Her grandmother was 'shielded' from this information. So she gets into the church on the wedding day and she expresses on how beautiful the church is. And then it dawns on her that it might be a Catholic church. So exclaims that aunt Mable would turn over in her grave. And that was the extent of it. Your wife's family sounds more extreme.

My kids were baptized Presbyterian.

If they were baptized in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, using natural water, then they are baptized validly. The Catholic Church would accept that, presuming there is some documentation.

Hang in there. keep praying. Stay open to God calling you.

 

[chevyontheriver]

Later my wife and I were baptized and renewed our vows to a non-denominational Evangelical church, not Presbyterian, but not Catholic. This was not met with discontent from her family. I think this whole thing may have something to do with my wife's Northern Ireland heritage, but I can't be certain as that part of her family is the Paternal side, and the Presbyterian side is the Maternal side, so that may or may not be it idk. But her family lived there during the height of the IRA so I think that might have something to do with it.

C. S. Lewis had a bit too much Northern Ireland in his blood to ever become Catholic, even though his friend J. R. R. Tolkien pretty much had him convinced on everything but actually making the leap.

 

[BobRyan]

I’ve prayed and not gotten any type of sign or even a feeling on this. I don’t feel love from the church right now. Last Sunday I was told it was my Christian duty to vote Democrat, or I wasn’t honoring Christ (this was a sermon, not a private conversation). I’m a Republican, my cue to leave and never return to that church. I am not the bigot that the extreme left thinks I am. I love and am let down by people in the same breath. I vote Republican because I believe in Capitalism, not because I believe it honors Christ (nor do I think it dishonors him). Don’t get me wrong, I see the need for social safety nets. I am a 100% disabled veteran and if it wasn’t for my Comp & Pen I wouldn’t be able to feed my family, but there is a difference between social safety nets and handouts to everyone (this is Sloth). I have deployed to areas where Communism has destroyed society; it is not self-sustaining. Anyway, I think from a societal perspective the Republican party is better for the economy than the Democratic party. I don’t 100% agree with the Republican party on everything either. Things like Union labor is beneficial not just for maintaining fair wages, but also for protecting the integrity of the trade. Anyway, I digress, my point is I have opinions, and they are mine, and I’m allowed to have them. When politics are brought up Democrats label me as a bigot. I understand why, but I’m not. I see the countless social media posts by Right Wing Christians drunk on pride, beckoning for a war with the Democratic Party, and justifying their anger because they’re “defending their Christian values”, no love in their hearts. I have a daughter who is in the LGBTQ community. While I don’t understand and don’t agree with her lifestyle, I love her. I love her every day. I’m not enabling her lifestyle; I just love her unconditionally. Since when are sinners not allowed in the church? I have sexual sins. I’ve watched porn. I started dating my wife when she was married. She was abandoned and separated but her husband was still alive. I had relations with her prior to marriage. I got her pregnant while she was still married to her ex-husband, I’ve sodomized her, and she isn’t the only woman I’ve had pre-marital relations with. Because my wife was divorced, I didn’t even get married by a Clergyman, but then I was called by God. I repented. Her ex-husband had since passed away, so my wife and I renewed our vows in front of God, and we pray he honors this marriage. I just don’t understand. I love all people. Before God called to me, I found forgiveness in my heart for someone that murdered an ex-girlfriend of mine, and this was before the teachings of the gospel. I joined the Marine Corps to help people. I joined the fire department to help people. My politics have nothing to do with hate. Left extremists hate the right and think we’re all extremists who tote around our AR15s and long for a war with them and want to control the masses through oppression. Right extremists hate the left and think they’re all a violent bunch of radical rebels who want to destabilize the current economic system and take their rights away. And amid all this is the church. Everyone has taken a side. Isn’t there any churches that don’t meddle in politics and just help people find Christ? My wife and I were baptized Protestant so we can’t even receive the sacraments in the Catholic Church. Other denominations are very politically polarized right or left, which I’m not interested in. I don’t believe in predesignation nor do I think the Bible supports it, so there’s that. Other denominations condemn actions that aren’t even supported in the Bible and keep you chained to guilt and fear. Some denominations don’t even notice each other in the pews it’s like being a ghost; others are so cultish you’re not allowed to do anything outside of the church. Tell me, how are you going to help people find Christ without going out into the world. I am always prepared to go down to hell to get someone. I don’t care if it’s a drug house, a strip club, a rave, a casino; when my phone rings and someone needs help, I will go anywhere to get them; it’s in these moments that you sew the seeds of freedom. They may not be ready to love that day, but that seed will grow if someone is willing to put it there and nurture it. I have prayed for a church that loves all. That invites all sinners to come listen. That doesn’t require a membership, that doesn’t make me feel guilty about whatever doctrine they’ve added on to the Bible to make me feel trapped, that doesn’t view someone as hopeless because they see the world differently, that aren’t indifferent about their members or opposite, make you feel guilty or talk poorly of you if you have friends outside of the church. Don’t get me wrong, Jesus is my center, my rock, my everything, but the church is not Christ. Does this place exist on earth, or do I need to wait for the afterlife to find it? I’ve been praying that something leads me to the right church, but I feel more lost now than when I started looking at the beginning of the week. I guess if there’s room in your heart and time in your prayers tonight, I could use some help having my heart reach the heavens. Please lord lead me where I need to be, where you want me to be, this I pray.

The denomination I belong to accepts people in all political parties and tries to stay out of politics in our religious meetings.

So we can say that murder is wrong, killing babies is wrong, being kind to our neighbor is right, knowing what a woman is is right but we do not name political parties .