Scared of other christians

[cherokeehippie]

Marmaladegirl22 --I didn't see the other thread you were referring to, I assume it was on the topic of animals going to heaven, I know BIG TIME what you mean about having to deal with other christians who abuse, stern, etc. It makes me mad! I came out of an abusive church some yrs ago. Don't let them get to you. Focus on JEsus and His Love! I beleive very much that there will be animals in Heaven!! Just last year, I ran over a little kitten in my drive way--it was an accident and I was so torn up and crying, and ran over to my neighbor's to help me. I couldn't bear to look at the dead kitten! I let her remove the body for me. Anyway, she bummed me out when,(she was a baptist), said that there was no need to be all torn up about it and that it didn't have a soul.
A few yrs ago, a girl I met told me about how her little brother died. He was very much attached to a little puppy that they had just gotten for him before he died. Well, the week after he died, the puppy died. She had often wondered if the Lord took that puppy so that the puppy would be with her brother in Heaven.
Annie Oakley(who was a christian--from quaker background) believed she would see her dog in Heaven! I read that in one of my books about her.

 

[FireOfGod]

Not sure if you want to be one anymore? Honey... Remember that you're not a Christian for other people, you're a Christian for Jesus. You're a Christian because it's the Truth, and you love Jesus.

I've known a lot of cold Christians like this. But there will be those kinds of people around. Don't let them get to you. Just be glad that you're not one of them.

 

[PorcelainHeart]

Thanks, I'm just having a problem with the whole christian thing. I used to be a christian but people called me stupid for my beliefs and all kinds of stuff. I felt so horrible that I was judged like that. I basically cried all night because of one woman. Plus, I feel bad because of my learning disablity I can't understand the bible good, some of the words are too big and the text is way too small. I'm very poor and my mom is wiccan and probley wouldn't buy me one. I really don't know anything about religion, I grew up in a athiest and wiccan home. The only religion I got was the Hell and GOD'S revenge. All I remember about church and private school is being yelled at and saying I'll go to hell for all my sins, if I don't repent. I was also taught that GOD is jealous and everything I do, I need to repent. After that I was Agonstic for awhile then took on christianity again until i saw so many mean christians, I got my feelings hurt by them. But now I know I can be a christian, the only one who has a right to judge me is GOD. Some people even go as far as saying I'm leading a path towards satan and that I need all the prayer I get. I don't even do much evil at all, I try to be as sweet as I can.

 

[snoochface]

If you need a Bible you can read and understand, you can download free (and excellent) Bible software at http://www.e-sword.net - and you can get a ton of commentaries and dictionaries too. It comes with the King James Version, and you can download for free the New King James Version, and versions that have dictionary references to help you better understand the meaning of a word. The commentaries can be very helpful in understanding what certain passages mean. And you can make the text as big as you want because you'll be reading on your computer. I think you might find it helpful, and it's absolutely free.

 

[wis]

Dear Mamaladegirl22

First of all, every christian is not perfect. We all still have secret sins in our lives, even some of us appeared to be Godly. The day we are saved is the day God starts to transform us to have characteristics like him. My christian friends hurt me many times by his/her words. However, I think maybe it was my perception that trick me to hate my brothers and sisters in christ. In that time I cried, however, I can forgave them with God's help. The process of forgiving made me feel God's love and His presence. Please see christain as an imperfect person who still in the process of transformation and God have not finished His work in us yet. There is not good-christain and bad-christian in my opinion. There is only the young christian (who needs a lot of God's work in his life) and the adult christian (who grows up in some level but still needs God's work since they stil have some kink of sin esp, erogance) I think God is working that He wants you to know how He forgives you when you forgive others. You will know that God forgives you when you hurt Him with your behavior eventhough His heart is hurt. He always says "I forgive"

The only one who has the right to judge you is God, I totally agree with you. And I think that the only one who has the right to judge other people is God too, not ourselves.

Second, Don't worry that you don't understand all the christian words. The most important thing is that GOD LOVES YOU, AND YOU LOVE GOD. Many christian have lots of knowledge about bible,but they don't have God peace in their heart. God's peace is that you have faith and hope in God and know that God will help you and be with you always even in the midst of heaviest troubles. This is the strength from God. You still need to learn God's words, don't worry.. God and christain brothers, sisters will teach you the meaning of words. Slow but stable and truely growing is much better.

You can see who is godly christian by their changing lives. Many times God transforms a murderer into a caring person. See what God has done in christians' lives and you will know Him much better. I also have problem with my temper, however, I can see that God is working in me. I'm not totally a sweet and caring person. but from other mouth, I become better. That's the way I know that this is only God who works in me and changes me.

In Thailand, there was a tsumami last year. Many of people died. I also doubt why God let this happened. My sister in christ said that we live in the imperfect world. Some diasters came from human. We made the world hot and we made the climate bad. there are consequences. Some diasters are not come from human, it's just the earth cure itself. If it don't cure ifself, there will be the worse diaster. What is important after diaster is that we see lots of help and love from many christian in Thailand. Though we are unable to help them to have good condition as they had before tsunami, we help each other anyway.


God does not only saved us from eternal death after we died,but he also help us in our lives in this world too. I have found God as an answer of my life. He is the only one who can comfort me in my bad time. He gives me new perceptive of life which free me from heavy worry. He teach me to love others although they will definitely don't love me back. I'm still have bad habits and can not love other perfectly. However, I still have hope in God.

Finally, once I cried because I was judge by other christian, but God tells me by His word from one book like " Don't worry of others, No one can move you away from my heart. Keep your eyes on me and you will be free"

I will pray for you that you will truely find God in your life. May He send you a sister in christ to guide you and teach you bible. May God lead you to the church that can nurture you.

Bless
Wis

 

[PorcelainHeart]

Thank you, you made me feel better.

 

[LivingInHisLove]

Just sending you hugs and letting you know I am praying for you!

 

[PorcelainHeart]

Thank you, thank you. It's nice to meet some sweet christians!

 

[symphonyb]

I don't take anything anyone says to me on the forums/net to heart.Unless they are face to face with me,their words for me(if markedly harsh) go in one ear and out the other.
To sit and let someone argue with you over your heartfelt beliefs(esp the animal one) is allowing them their day in the sun.I like animals alot more than people--especially wedding consultants.

 

[ShatteredLife]

I"m scared of other christians too... especially pastors and counselors and people like that. "Leaders" scare me. My advice is... AVOID THEM LIKE THE PLAGUE!

 

[Sketcher]

I"m scared of other christians too... especially pastors and counselors and people like that. "Leaders" scare me. My advice is... AVOID THEM LIKE THE PLAGUE!

Why do they scare you?

 

[PorcelainHeart]

I'm scared of other christians, because most of the ones I met were cruel, judgemental and selfish. Some of them even said I'm evil because my beliefs were different then theirs.

 

[yellowmongoose]

Remember that a lot of non-christians are cruel, selfish and judgemental as well. However, Christians should definatly not be but they are because they are sinful too (as has been mentioned several times). They definatly have no right to call you evil!! That's just not on at all ! Only God has that right, as He is perfect etc and only He knows your true Heart for Him. I dunno if these will help but here's some verses that may be useful to think about when someone judges you again:


Matthew 7:1-2;
1"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Romans 2:1-4;
1You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. 2Now we know that God's judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. 3So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgment? 4Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?

What I mean by think about I mean think along the lines of "They will be judged by God using the same standard" or you could show them the passage. (Just don't want you to think that I'm applying the passages to you and calling you judgemental. I'M NOT.) If you need help then you can give me a shout.

 

[blessedhusband]

I keep saying this, christians should memorize I Corinthians13 but not only get it in their mind but in their heart as well! Then put it into practice!

 

[discernomatic]

Hi Marmalade22,

I agree with wis, this is all between you and God. There are too many judgmental Christians out there who have no sense of God's love and mercy that we are to show others in our daily relationships.

I encourage you to try and find a few mature Christian friends, people you can trust, they don't have to drag you to a church if you don't want to go. They should be able to sympathize with you and understand where you are. They should not be overbearing or manipulative, but sensitive and loving. Try and learn Scripture with them, and don't be afraid to ask questions and express doubts. Don't accept what they say without thoroughly examining Scripture and praying about it. Use your head as well as your heart. If you are discerning, and seek the truth honestly and earnestly, I don't think that you can go wrong ultimately.

I would love to help you directly, but VR has its disadvantages. May God bless you and protect you on your journey toward him sweetie.

discernomatic

 

[If Not For Grace]

M---:

disc.: is really on point:

find a few mature Christian friends

Just because someone walked down the aisle 10 years ago does not mean they have 10 years of maturity under their belt. Like all children we learn at an individual pace, because of all the diversity attached with religion today we also come around at very diverse angles.

It is about PROGRESS. Also do not forget that anytime you are walking God's path, there will be opposition. 1) The people who say "oh, no, that's wrong"
2) The people who say "oh, no, you can't" 3) The people who say "oh, no, that's crazy". These are always there. Just smile as if you know something they don't (cause it is likely you do) and go on.

The enemy will also make you doubt from within if possible. All the great ones (Moses, Joseph, Peter, Paul, etc) struggled with what God wanted or was out to accomplish. There are good people out there--Seek and You SHALL find (pun intended). PM me anytime you are feeling discouraged, I'm usually good for a laugh or two. LOVE D.

 

[discernomatic]

Marmalade,

I thought I PMed you the address of a site that may help, but may have gotten confused. Am trying again....

discernomatic

 

[PorcelainHeart]

hmmm, I got it, thank you very much.

 

[If Not For Grace]

M:

You know, now that you mention it, I have heard several people express the same type feelings you describe, it is a sad testament to Christ, that some of us behave this way or project this image. After reflection you have given me pause to make sure that I try harder not to be a stumbling block myself. THANKS.

My hubby shed a tear over a cat once and I too thought it was silly to cry over what I thought was a useless (this cat was hateful) critter. It was not really that I changed my opinion, but I should have been more compassionate and comforting due to his loss.

Just this am I caught myself being all huffy and making gestures this morning in traffic and felt all self-righteous and a bunch of silly stuff that when I thought about it I KNEW was not very Christian. This seems small, but how much more self righteous can pious dogmatic people be when (we) are assured we are "right".

I have heard it said that one can be "right" or one can have peace. Today I choose Peace. Thanks again, for bringing something to the forefront that can affect someone in a positive way--see out of the bad comes something good.

 

[PorcelainHeart]

Well, I was told on here by someone I have no right to call myself a christian because I don't believe the bible is 100% true. I also seen christians tear people apart and it's really sad. This one girl was showing a christian story she was going to write and people would just diss it. I think that is very cruel. I feel we need to be more loving, especially if we are christians. I believe love and kindness is very important I'm told I'm wrong to think that because it's not bibical.


thanks for the advice.