So... Which Christianity am I supposed to pick?

[AcornThornpicker]

Ahoj!

To put it succinctly, I'm a Pagan with doubts; for all the trivial pleasures I can achieve, I can't find anything meaningful besides my Faith.

I feel as if I've traded away any measure of true happiness in secular life, and any ability to truly love someone - the deepest love I can feel is for Her, and everything else for all the lovely girls I know only ever comes out... hallow, always, for one reason or another. And any emotional wound inflicted fails to heal, and seems to remain open for months, years... It's all very ironic for a Goddess of Love...

I was brought up Catholic, and I'm considering returning... But there are plenty of loose threads and quirks that are stopping me.

First, which form of Christianity am I supposed to go to? It matters, yes? Catholicism seems obvious, but would I be better off in another denomination?

And secondly, how can I reconcile Her existence? Goddess or not, She exists - I do not doubt that in the least. Is she then just a stray demon keeping me from finding God and true happiness? Why does she expend so much energy to let me enjoy so many simple pleasures, then, knowing that eventually I wouldn't be content without the deeper joys of life?

Because of Her, I have ridiculous luck [to the point where I receive comments] in trivial things, like catching buses perfectly on time, having the desired weather when I'm traveling [depending upon mood], and unnatural luck with dice or any game of chance [she refuses to let me gamble, mind you - all I can ever win is what I put in, or a few dollars on the side].

I can predict the near future with cards or runes, something I'm loathe to give up. But, I've read the New Testament and most of the Old Testament, and I guess that has to go?

But the largest block holding me back in uncertainty... I know YHWH God is there, in some form or another, but I never found a way to... feel his presence. Whereas communication with my Goddess and God is effortless, and I can always sense their comforting presence. I suppose I'm worried to give up what I know to work for a mystery...

To sum it up neatly, I'm worried, confused, but frightened to leave my source of stability in life. Any suggestions and help would be much appreciated!

Blessed be,
-K.T.

 

[drich0150]

All Jesus Christ Religions have the potential for you to establish a personal relationship with him and maintain that relationship with a little extra effort on your part.. That said, these very same religions are all fatally flawed in that they can become a competing factor in your heart, for the love and devotion is supposed to be reserved only for God. That is when we begin to worship the religion and it's founders and their teachings as demi God's themselves, this all can turn into a form of Idolatry very Quickly.
Some religions are more adept than others to lean away from God, and have you focus on religion.. While other churches are no respecters of man, but rather of the "church experience" and the act, or the product that comes from the act of worship itself.. And in these churches you can be expected to sell your integrity and an honest desire to know God just to fit in with all of the others.. Or you're expected to "Learn" or experience what are supposed to be gifts.

Up set yet? Well fear not! It's like I said earlier, all Jesus Christ CENTERED Churches have the POTENTIAL for you to start, and Maintain a Relationship with God.. I look at the (churches) like a dating service.. They may partner you up with a perfect match (Soul Mate) but it is up to you to Ask, Seek, and knock your way into your Mate's heart. When it's all said and done, if you did get married with some one perfectly suited for you, then the problem lies with you.. It has nothing to do with the dating service.

If you seek God/Jesus with all of your heart, mind, Strength, and spirit. God will make sure that you will find what it is you seek. This is a promise from Him, to us!

 

[JohnDB]

OK...God isn't male or female...He doesn't have a gender. We ascribe Maleness to God because of an ancient tradition and grammar rules of etiquette.

Then the next thing is test everything...
See what it is that logic dictates...remember that this is a God that we are speaking of...Omnicience and Omnipotent and Sovereign...

Then let your good sense take you somewhere that you can feel comfortable. Study on your own...

The Jesus I worship, freed me from my fears and wants controlling me...and as a result I now live life fuller and more completely than most can imagine.

 

[Alive4Evermore]

Do you consider yourself to be a good person Acorn?

 

[salida]

First, I would ask myself, Are you a good person? www.livingwaters.com/good/ Have you kept all of the Commandments 100% of the time? One man did this and his name is Jesus. Nobody else can because mankind has fallen. Thus, Jesus is the mediator between God and man. Also, what religion or christian religion? For a start I would read, The Evidence That Demands A Verdict by Josh McDowell (evidence that would stand up in court without a shadow of a doubt) and The Case For Christ by Lee Strobel(a former athiest). The Bible could have only be written by God because of its many interesting characteristics. One that stand out is that it has hundreds of very detailed prophesies that has come true and more are being fulfilled.

Biblical Evidence (Scratching the Surface Only)

Internal Evidences
Prophesies that are confirmed within Bible

- Life of Christ
The Tribe of Judah, Gen 49:10 - Luke 3:23-28
(Genesis was written 4004 BC to 1689 BC)
(Luke's time period is 60-70 AD)

Royal Line of David, Jer 23:5 -Matt 1:1
(Jeremiah 760 to 698 BC)/(Matthew 60-70 AD)

Born of a Virgin, Isaiah 7:14/Matt 1:18-23
(Isaiah 760 to 698 BC)/(60-70 AD)

**I can list at least 20 more of these.
-Rise of Empires
In the book of Daniel, Chapter 2 - four kingdoms are described in the interpretation of the dream of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon: Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greek - Daniel 8:21, 10:20) and a fourth great kingdom to follow - part iron and clay - which is the Roman Empire - during this empire Christ came and the church was established - Daniel 2:44.

-Historical Accuracy
The Bible is loaded with historical statements concerning events hundreds of years ago, yet has not been proven incorrect on any.
(Bible compared to other ancient documents):
New Testament - starts at 25 years - between original and first surviving copies
Homer - starts at 500 years
Demosthenes - at 1400 years
Plato - at 1200 years
Caesar - at 1000 years

Number of Manuscript Copies
New Testament - 5,686
Homer - 643
Demosthenes - 200
Plato - 7
Caesar - 10

Consistency
Written by at least 40 men over a period of time exceeding 1400 years, and has no internal inconsistencies.

Claim of Inspiration
It claims to be spoken by God, 2 Tim 3:16-17). No other religious book makes such claims.

External Evidences
(Prophesies Outside the Bible)
These cities were prophesied to be destroyed and never be built again.
Nineveh - Nahum 1:10, 3:7,15, Zephaniah 2:13-14
Babylon - Isaiah 13:1-22)
Tyre (Ezekiel 26:1-28)

Bible before Science
He hangs the earth on nothing - Job 26:7
(Job was written at least 1000 years ago - some scholars think it could be even 3000 years ago)
Note: Man only knew this for 350 years
Earth is a sphere, Isaiah 40:22
Air has weight, Job 28:25
Gravity - Job 26:7, Job 38:31-33
Winds blow in cyclones, Eccl 1:6

Documents that Prove Bible is True
Gilgamesh Epic, The Sumerian King List, Mari Tablets, Babylonian Chronicles

Archealogoical Finds
Excavations of Ur, Location of Zoar, Ziggurats and the foundation of Tower of Babel

 

[ephraimanesti]

To sum it up neatly, I'm worried, confused, but frightened to leave my source of stability in life. Any suggestions and help would be much appreciated!

MY BROTHER,

There is only ONE "source of stability in life"--our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ. Everthing else is shifting sand--as perhaps you have already discovered.

Our Lord states the case in point clearly, "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.

"But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."(Matthew 7:24--27)

Sooooooo . . . in essence you are seeking a relationship with Jesus Christs rather than a "church." Churches are means to an end--the relationship--not an end in themselves, so i would suggest you pray--REALLY, REALLY, HARD--that God would guide you to where you will gain maximum support and guidance in developing a close and loving relationship with your Savior. i was guided to Eastern Orthodoxy, others are guided to Catholicism, still others to one of the Protestant or non-denominational Churches. (Ultimately, of course, the REAL Church is the Body of Christ, which transcends all categories and classifications.)

So leave it in the Lord's hands--He will put you where He wants you and, of course, that is ALWAYS the ideal place to be! Just be sure you are praying and that your mind is open to the Holy Spirit's guidance. God will do the rest.

A BOND-SLAVE/FRIEND/BROTHER OF OUR LORD/GOD/SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST,
ephraim

 

[jellybean99]

The Gospels are 4 witnesses pointing their fingers at a star (Jesus Christ). When you see the "star," you won't need the fingers anymore.

 

[AcornThornpicker]

MY BROTHER,

[...]
Sooooooo . . . in essence you are seeking a relationship with Jesus Christs rather than a "church." Churches are means to an end--the relationship--not an end in themselves, so i would suggest you pray--REALLY, REALLY, HARD--that God would guide you to where you will gain maximum support and guidance in developing a close and loving relationship with your Savior. i was guided to Eastern Orthodoxy, others are guided to Catholicism, still others to one of the Protestant or non-denominational Churches. (Ultimately, of course, the REAL Church is the Body of Christ, which transcends all categories and classifications.)
[...]
A BOND-SLAVE/FRIEND/BROTHER OF OUR LORD/GOD/SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST,
ephraim

Thank you very much; you've given me the exact answer about which I was curious! I shall begin anew my prayers tonight! ^-^

Blessed be!
-K.T.

 

[chilehed]

Ahoj!

To put it succinctly, I'm a Pagan with doubts; for all the trivial pleasures I can achieve, I can't find anything meaningful besides my Faith...

I was brought up Catholic, and I'm considering returning... But there are plenty of loose threads and quirks that are stopping me...Blessed be,
-K.T.

I was brought up non-Catholic, fell away and ended up in about the same place you are. Returned to the faith, and found that there was still something missing...

I ended up becoming a Catholic after a long period of prayerful examination of the faith. Now nothing's missing at all - I'm finally at peace.

 

[JEBofChristTheLord]

K.T., I admire your approach. I too desired to feel the presence of YHVH for many long years, and had none. Then I was told that if I asked YHVH to cause me, by act of God, to feel His presence, He would do so. So I asked. And He did.

J.E.B.

 

[aiki]

First, which form of Christianity am I supposed to go to? It matters, yes? Catholicism seems obvious, but would I be better off in another denomination?

Form of Christianity? There is only one Christ; be like him.

Some denominations, as drich has pointed out, involve things in their traditions and worship which obscure or distract from Christ. Such denominations I would avoid.

And secondly, how can I reconcile Her existence? Goddess or not, She exists - I do not doubt that in the least. Is she then just a stray demon keeping me from finding God and true happiness? Why does she expend so much energy to let me enjoy so many simple pleasures, then, knowing that eventually I wouldn't be content without the deeper joys of life?

I think you've pretty much hit the nail on head. Often, people go their whole lives content with the "simple pleasures" and then end up in Hell. Your destruction is always the end goal of any demon. If that may be accomplished by way of simple pleasures, its no skin off a demon's nose. I suspect God is intervening in what is going on with you. Very likely it is He who is making you dissatisfied with your present state.

I can predict the near future with cards or runes, something I'm loathe to give up. But, I've read the New Testament and most of the Old Testament, and I guess that has to go?

Yup. Make no mistake, though, God will give you what is far, far better: Himself.

But the largest block holding me back in uncertainty... I know YHWH God is there, in some form or another, but I never found a way to... feel his presence. Whereas communication with my Goddess and God is effortless, and I can always sense their comforting presence. I suppose I'm worried to give up what I know to work for a mystery...

God will make Himself real to you, but likely not in the way you expect. He's like that, I'm afraid. Quite unpredictable in certain respects. God is as real to me as my wife, or my mother, or father. I talk with Him every day many times a day.

To sum it up neatly, I'm worried, confused, but frightened to leave my source of stability in life. Any suggestions and help would be much appreciated!

I'd ask God to peel off the mask of your pagan goddess. Ask Him to let you see what you are truly worshipping. Even more, I would ask God to invade your life and take you captive. You really have to want this, though. If you don't, ask God to change your heart, to give you a deep desire for Him. He'll do it.

Peace to you.