Where do I begin with reclaiming my faith?

[gerbilwoman]

Hi,

Former Roman Catholic who lost faith and is looking to reseek a relationship with Jesus. Where should I begin? I'd join a church but I have a severe sound sensitivity so unless there is no music I don't think it will work for me. I guess I should try to watch mass on television so I can control the volume. So I guess I am hoping to find Christian community here instead. Any other suggestions?

 

[ldonjohn]

Girbilgiri,
Just saw your post. I don't know much about the Catholic Church, so I'm not sure how to advise you. I will tell you how I found a relationship with Jesus after I spent several years looking & searching for the truth about God, the bible, and Jesus.

I grew up attending a Baptist church, and when I became a young adult I did not know if I even believed God was real. When I was 13 years old we were having a revival meeting at our church, and I was told to say a prayer “in Jesus name” to be saved. I was baptized the next Sunday. Several years later I seriously doubted that I knew what I was doing at that time in my life.

As a young adult I began searching for answers about becoming a Christian. I found several books about the matter written by some well known Christian authors, and read them several times. Also, I read salvation tracts, and listened to preachers on the radio & TV. (This was before the internet was available to the public; back in the early 70's). I was confused about all that I had been taught in church, and did not know what “believing” really meant. I could not find anything in all those books/tracts, and listening to preaching that convinced me that God was real, that the bible was true, or that Jesus is who the bible says he is. I wanted to believe in Jesus, but I did not know how to believe. I thought I would never know if God or Jesus were real, and I thought I would never find the truth about the matter. I was convinced that I was destined to live my life never knowing where I would spend eternity when my life ended. My life was completely miserable & consumed with fear.

After many years of living in uncertainty & fear I just gave up on myself, and out of a sense of desperation decided that I would ask the God who I wasn't sure existed, if he would help me find the truth about him & about believing in Jesus. I said a simple prayer asking God to show me the truth, and then I did something I had never done except in church. I got a bible, our big family bible, and opened it to the Book of John, the Gospel of John. As I started reading I realized that God was showing me the very truth I had been looking for all those miserable years. By the time I read through chapter 6 the Holy Spirit showed me everything I needed to know & understand so that I could really “believe.” I was a blind man who suddenly could see. I was spiritually blind to the truth of scripture until I turned to God & His Word to find my answer. The Holy Spirit literally “turned on the light” for me and “I got it.”

The Gospel of John tells us about Jesus. It tells us who He is, about what He did, and about what He will do for anyone who comes to Him for forgiveness of sin and for a new life in Him. I found Jesus that night, and He changed me forever. He gave me assurance that He has already taken care of my sin problem when He died on the cross & shed His blood there. I saw that he took my sins to the cross with Him, paid the penalty for me, and I bare them no more. He said “it is finished,” and He said that anyone who comes to Him for forgiveness of sin He will not turn away. I was convinced that He is real, and that He will do what He says He will do. The moment the Holy Spirit convinced me that it's all true was the moment I became a real “believer.” The moment I became a “believer” was the moment I found myself calling out to Him to thank Him for dying on the cross & shedding His blood there to pay my sin debt that I could not pay. Immediately the fear was gone, and replaced with a complete assurance that my eternity is secure in Him. That was about 40 years ago, and today I still have the peace I found that day. It is a peace that is impossible for anyone to understand until he/she has found it.

Sorry, it took me so long to say that I recommend that you read the Gospel of John. I don't know what your relationship is with Jesus, but I can tell you that you will find Him within the pages of the Gospel of John.

John

 

[John Davidson]

Sound sensitivity is not a good excuse for not going to church. Many churches have small groups and bible studies you can attend where there is no sound system used.

 

[1watchman]

One can have faith at home if a church gathering does not work well for one. God saves and blesses souls everywhere. It is a personal thing. Write me if you wish to talk further.

Re-claiming faith is not the solution for faith and blessings, but receiving the Lord Jesus into one's heart as Savior and Lord of your life. One who is devoted to Him and walking and talking with Him will be sealed by the indwelling Holy Spirit of God (read John 14 and note verses 22-23 ---speaking of the Trinity). That is fundamental to Christian faith; then one needs to read their Bible daily and pray (communion with the Lord).

There are three aspects of Christianity that we need to know: Redemption Way, Church Truth, Spiritual Life. This is all found in the New Testament, and then one can read the Old Testament to see creation, the Creator-God, and God's dealing with mankind down through the ages ---all pointing forward to salvation for Israel and Gentiles in Christ by the Cross for salvation and eternal promise. Look up always!

 

[hedrick]

Do you have a problem with a congregation singing hymns, or just with amplified music such as rock? Have you considered the kind of ear plugs that are recommended for people at concerts?

 

[Four Angels Standing]

Hi,

Former Roman Catholic who lost faith and is looking to reseek a relationship with Jesus. Where should I begin? I'd join a church but I have a severe sound sensitivity so unless there is no music I don't think it will work for me. I guess I should try to watch mass on television so I can control the volume. So I guess I am hoping to find Christian community here instead. Any other suggestions?

That you are now a former says that your heart led you out of the door and now it seeks entry into God's truth.
I'd agree with the advice to read the Book of John first. Linked Here. You can change the version you prefer in the right hand window there.

I too am sensitive to high volume anything. From music to audio speech. This link gives you a Google result for many resources you might peruse before you decide to enter into a church. You can also call the church you may want to attend and make inquiries as to their services. Music, choir schedules. You can also share with the pastor your concerns due to your sensitivity and they can very often give you advice.

Are there any Protestant denominations you've looked into or are considering for yourself? There are forum boards here that may help you if so. They are for members of those listed denominations and you can find community and advice there too.

God Bless your journey.

 

[insurchoftruth]

Throughout all the centuries, there have been always true believers, who kept the Word of God
in its originality, because they appreciated it, and also feared God.
God cares enough for his Word, to make sure that it is kept in its originality.
The moral law, the ten commandments, are coded on the heart of every man, his conscience.
They must be created, from somebody who is moral.
In all of creation, we see expressed a thought, wisdom and purpose, which shows, that there is
somebody who thinks – God.
The Bible is a historical book, with recorded historical events.
If Jesus is the Word, how can the Bible not be true?


John 1:1-3, Jeremiah 1:12, Isaiah 55:10,11, Acts – 5:38, 39, 1 Peter 1:23-25, 1 Corinthians
15:5, 6, 30, 31, Matthew 5:18, 24:35, Psalm 119:89, Psalm 138:2, Romans 1:19, 20, 2:14,
15, Luke 1:1-4, 2:1-3, 16:17, Revelation 22:18,19, Psalm 9:9,12,18, Matthew 2:6, 4:24,25,
7:16-20, 9:26,35, 11:20-23, 12:33, 12:40-42, 19:4-6, Luke 6:43, 44, Ezra 1:4, Hebrews
2:3,4, Acts 2:22, 14:3, 16:26-30, Mark 16:17, 20, John 2:11,23, 3:2, 4:48, 6:2, 10:25, 38,
11:45, 14:11, 20:30,31, Luke 10:13, 11:30-32,51, 12:1