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In need of guidance - 11/6/2008 4:28:26 PM
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rcairns84
Posts: 1
Joined: 11/6/2008
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Hi everyone. I wanted to introduce myself. My name is Ricky and I'm currently 23 (almost 24).
Both my parents are Christians and I was raised in a Christian household. When I turned 18 I stopped attending church and I haven't prayed since then.
Seeing how unpredictable life can be sometimes has left me really scared, about the present, the past, and most of all the future. Especially life after death.
I own a bible, but it's such a daunting book that I don't really know where to start. Now a lot of the messages I recall basically from being in church for 18 years of my life but a lot of those were spent wishing I was somewhere else and I only half absorbed them.
I'm scared to approach my parents on it, afraid to go back into a church, at least until I feel I'm mentally and spiritually able to do so. Which is why I joined this forum, as a way in which I can try and grow and learn.
I'm open to all suggestions. Thank you.
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RE: In need of guidance - 11/6/2008 5:59:52 PM
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kmangel
Posts: 443
Joined: 4/12/2005
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If my son came to me and told me what you have said here, I would be on top of the world! I myself only came to faith at 43, so I am the last person in the world to criticize either of my sons for not going to church or not understanding about God and Jesus. I long for my sons to begin to have an interest in getting to know and love God. Please, hang on to your desire. Don't let it slip through your fingers. Perhaps your parents would be like me and would be thrilled, too.
In the meantime, open up a Bible to the New Testament and begin reading the first four gospels. Many people begin with the Gospel of John. When I was a new Christian, that's what I did. It amazed me what I found in those gospels. I hope you will be amazed, too. You can begin with saying a prayer to God that He help you as you read.
Blessings to you as you begin this new adventure!
_____________________________
Heaven goes by favor. If it went by merit, you would stay out and your dog would go in.
--Mark Twain
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RE: In need of guidance - 11/6/2008 6:00:36 PM
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jn1010lf
Posts: 351
Joined: 4/20/2005
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Hello rcairns84
First, you need to know in you heart that God will always take you back. He never left you as His love endures forever. You left Him.
Now in your defense, let me say that you're not the only one that has strayed from God. I don't know what went on during your time of straying. You may have actually been seeking in your heart to make sure you belived the things you heard and were taught. Again, God has no qualms about giving you time to sort out who He is and who you are.
Have you considered a private return, at least to start with? How about taking your Bible and start with Matthew and go through John. Then start back again. Let the Holy Spirit speak to you and show you truth. Don't try to drum up faith, it never works.
In reference to a Bible, I hope you have a modern translation such as a New International Verson or a New Living Translation. I'm not saying you have to toss the King James if you have one. But I much prefer getting the message of God as easily as possible.
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RE: In need of guidance - 11/6/2008 6:06:23 PM
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MrFribbles
Posts: 1884
Joined: 1/29/2007
From: Hawaii, but I've moved around since then
Status: online
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I can understand being uncomfortable about going back to church, but I want to say this - if you try attending a church, and it makes you feel unwelcome, or somehow not good enough to be there, then you need to find another church. Any church that doesn't welcome newcomers in love isn't doing its job.
A huge, huge part of Christianity isn't just head knowledge - it's community. Being part of a family. I encourage you to find a local church that makes you feel like you're part of their family, because that's how it's supposed to be. It'll be never be perfect, of course. None of us are. But it'll be a step in the right direction.
_____________________________
You're a door without a key,
A field without a fence.
You've made a holy fool of me,
And I've thanked you ever since.
- Aaron Weiss
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RE: In need of guidance - 11/6/2008 7:13:27 PM
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LCannon
Posts: 1227
Joined: 2/22/2007
From: Lebanon, OR
Status: offline
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Well, I(and I'm sure your parents would be too)would be thrilled to asked! Assuming you've appropriated Jesus' sacrifice/Victory(ABC's of Faith: AcceptJohn 1:11,12, BelieveRomans 3:22,23, ConfessRomans 10:8-10)
Try this:
1. Choose a book(Ephesians or Galatians have six chapters).
2. Select quiet place with minimal distraction and interruptions at the same.
3. Commit yourself for only week, read aloud a chapter a day with the emphasis being, obedience.
4. Rest a day(Sunday?), commit for another week the same book, aloud again, a chapter a day with the emphasis being, unity with the church, local and universal, community and family.
5. Rest a day(Sunday?), commit for another week the same book and since you've read the same book twice try memorizing some key or special verses to you.
_____________________________
"It may be that when the angels go about their task of praising God they play
only Bach. I am sure, however, that when they are together en famille they
play Mozart and then too our dear Lord listens with special pleasure."(Karl Barth)
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RE: In need of guidance - 11/7/2008 7:54:52 AM
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timf
Posts: 462
Joined: 10/20/2006
Status: offline
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I recall basically from being in church for 18 years of my life but a lot of those were spent wishing I was somewhere else and I only half absorbed them.
In the church today there can be quite a difference between knowing and following Jesus and various church activities. Many people drift away from church because it seems boring, irrelevant, or useless.
The Bible says that no one can come to Jesus unless the Father draws him. The stirring in your heart may be the Father calling you to return to Jesus.
You may want to be cautious. Churches can sometimes hinder your growth in the Lord. They can mean well but see in you "grist" for their "mill".
Consider an older wiser man that clearly shows the light and love of Jesus in his life and ask him to help you know Jesus as well as he does. You could call various nursing homes and ask if there are any residents that read their Bible everyday but get few visitors and if they would accept a visit from a stranger. You could discover just the person who could help you learn more about Jesus, as well as brighten someone's day.
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RE: In need of guidance - 11/7/2008 9:27:52 AM
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d4nnyb0y02
Posts: 318
Joined: 9/24/2008
Status: offline
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I did not begin to understand the Gospel until I read through the first five books of the Bible--the Pentateuch--Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.
Jesus is written all over God's Word, if we would just read the logos (written Word of God) w/ the eyes of faith. Pray that Jesus would reveal Himself to you, and then commit yourself to know the Word of God. Begin by reading the first five books of the Bible. Start small... and He'll take you higher. :)
_____________________________
OSAS is the Gospel.
(Gal 1:6;5:4) I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace
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RE: In need of guidance - 11/8/2008 3:38:49 PM
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bravjim
Posts: 395
Joined: 10/8/2008
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Well, there are a number of different strategies here, so I will add one more. Start with the gospel of John, then move to Paul's epistles. The gospels each has a different theme. Matthew is themed around Jesus as the coming King; Mark is themed around Jesus as the servant; Luke is themed around Jesus as a man; the book of John is themed around Jesus as the son of God, as God Himself as He abides in the Father, and the Father abides in Him. It is also themed around being born again in Spirit and in truth (see chapter 3) through faith in Christ. When we are born again, Jesus sends the Holy Spirit to aid us in becoming more Godly, or holy, which we cannot do without His assistance. It is the beginning of how to learn to live according to the Spirit by abiding in Jesus, and allowing Jesus (His Holy Spirit) to abide in us.
Follow this up with the book of Romans, which is the foundation of the theological basis for salvation, and justification, through grace by faith and faith alone. It is not our works that save us, because Jesus did everything necessary for us to be saved when He died on the cross, and did not leave anything undone so that we cannot mess it up by our own efforts. It explains how Abraham was justified by faith, not by works, and how that applies to us as well. Then you can move into Corinthians and the other epistles by Paul, who was the apostle to the gentiles (all who are not Jews), and therefore his epistles are written for Gentile believers.
I would also recommend a bible companion which can help you to find insights into different books of the bible as well as summaries of sections of the bible. I have one called Adventuring Through the Bible by Ray Stedman. It gives a lot of depth of each section as well as aids in understanding each book by looking at the author, who it was written to, what it is written about, why it was written, when it was written. Each of these things aids in understanding what the author is addressing, and gives insight as to how it is pertinent to us today. This can be an important aid especially in seeing how the Old Testament is fulfilled in Christ as you begin to read the old testament.
< Message edited by bravjim -- 11/8/2008 3:46:09 PM >
_____________________________
I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfilll the lust of the flesh.
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RE: In need of guidance - 11/8/2008 4:47:35 PM
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KnowJesus
Posts: 271
Joined: 7/21/2006
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: rcairns84
Hi everyone. I wanted to introduce myself. My name is Ricky and I'm currently 23 (almost 24).
Both my parents are Christians and I was raised in a Christian household. When I turned 18 I stopped attending church and I haven't prayed since then.
Seeing how unpredictable life can be sometimes has left me really scared, about the present, the past, and most of all the future. Especially life after death.
I own a bible, but it's such a daunting book that I don't really know where to start. Now a lot of the messages I recall basically from being in church for 18 years of my life but a lot of those were spent wishing I was somewhere else and I only half absorbed them.
I'm scared to approach my parents on it, afraid to go back into a church, at least until I feel I'm mentally and spiritually able to do so. Which is why I joined this forum, as a way in which I can try and grow and learn.
I'm open to all suggestions. Thank you.
Ricky...You said, you were raised in a Christian household. Being raised in one does not insure you will go to be with the Lord when you die. Do you know this?
You mentioned being mentally and spiritually able to return to church. How about speaking to God about this? There is no better time to return to prayer, communicating with him all your fears...and concerns of talking with your parents about this. Ya, know...You might be surprised just how much praying they've been doing for you. You bringing it up, could very well be an answer to their prayers
It's obvious to me, that Lord is tugging on your heart. He wants to reveal to you how Great a God He IS.
You asked about the Bible. It can seem overwhelming getting back into it, and where to begin again. But, that's ok, no sweat, really! I would suggest praying simply for God to speak through his words. The book of John was suggested. It's all about Jesus. A great place to start. His love is amazing!
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