New And Adrift

[New2Christ]

I've been hunting for a site that I could ask questions and get help, I hope that this is it.
I have a strange religious background, and only recently started reading the Bible and trying to understand it. I went to a Southern Baptist Church with friends when I was younger and was very involved, puppeteer, clown troop, youth groups, it had a lot of things for the small town I grew up in. But on the night that I was saved, my mother was furious and forbid me to go back. I was very hurt. I meandered through life with that part of me missing. I realized a few years ago that spirituality was what was missing in my life, but didn't do anything about it till recently. I am a little scared and not sure why.
I want my two girls to grow up with a church family, and I want Christ back in my life.
But I never really studied the Bible much when I was going to church, and I don't really know what I am to do. I feel rather lost. Where do I go from here? I'm embarrassed to ask, I feel like I should know, but I don't.
I think we have finally found a church we are going to go to. Last Sunday at the end of the sermon when the pastor asked for those who felt the need to come forward, I felt like I should. But fear held me back. I want to call the pastor and meet one on one with him, but don't know if that is an okay thing to do, or if he would be to busy... I'm just kinda lost and have a hard time asking these questions to people I know. I know I should, but I freeze up when I try.

Okay, I know that was really long, but I would really like some guidance. My MIL got me a study Bible for Christmas and I've been trying to just read the new testament and the study stuff that goes with it. I read Bible stories and a Toddler Bible to my girls every day as well.

If this is not the right place to go, please let me know if there is a place I can go to for help.

Thanks for reading my ramblings:embarasse

 

[Boanerges]

Your story is a very familiar one to me. My parents kept me out of church after I first met the Lord. Don't worry, He has a plan and was not in the least surprised.
Give your new Pastor's office a call and schedule an apointment, I am sure he (or a designated Pastor from his staff) will be glad to help.
I am very pleased you are finding your way back into church. It is a place were we plug in and grow, learn the Word and fellowship with like minded believers. In other words a great place to grow in Christ.
Many blessings in Jesus wonderful Name,
brother Larry.

 

[wendy03]

Hi new2christ!
golly you sound exactly like me back in april of 2008!
not that I am a scholar by anyones stretch of the imagination, but i am so much more informed and closer to the Lord now than I have ever been and I am so happpy that I came to my senses when I did!
For starters, I know how you feel when you say fear keeps you from going forward on Sundays. I was the same. So I pulled up my big girl pants, and I called my preacher and told him I needed to talk to him. We made an appointment and off I went! You need to do the same. He will either tell you that he is busy , he will tell you that he will meet you, or he will tell you of someone that you can go to. I really doubt you will be turned away. And even if you are, then there is a sign that you need a new church. But I am most certain that wont be the case.
Now- you are doing good by starting off in the NT of the bible. I am still reading in the gospels but have started recently going back to the OT. It has been nearly a year for me and everyone moves at their own pace. Thats how it has to be if you want to understand and get to know the Lord. It is a slow process- one that is not suddenly accomplished overnight. It takes time and a lot of prayer but the Lord already knows your heart and knows you want Him. So pray- He will not leave you hanging. I am unsure of the exact scripture, but one in the bible says that he will not leave us as orphans. Ask for wisdom and guidance and listen and watch for it. Come here often and ask as many questions as you need to ask. Most anyone here can and will offer help and prayer. Also, there is a lot of spirited conversation in the chat room as well.
I pray that you have found this helpful and I pray you will continue to seek the Lord. Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you as well.
Much love to you,
Wendy

 

[New2Christ]

Wendy and Larry, thank you so much. It is very nice to know I am not alone in how I am feeling. I've talked my DH into us going to church tomorrow night to see how the Wed. service is, and if it is good I will call the pastor to see if I can get an appt. to see him.

My MIL and FIL have been very helpful, but I feel very awkward going to them for help. My FIL even created a family blog and suggested we do an online Bible study together (they are in another state). I'd kinda like to, but I also want to read the Bible at my own pace. I feel weird asking them questions, but I guess I should do as Wendy did, put on my 'big girl pants' :wink: and just do it.

I did get a little bit of closure on what my mother did when I was saved when I was a kid. I was talking to my Dad today and he was shocked when I told him, and said that he did not know that my Mom had done that, he thought that I had just decided to stop going to church.

Thanks again for the advice and the greeting

 

[SpiritLedEd]

I want my two girls to grow up with a church family, and I want Christ back in my life.

Welcome to TalkJesus, New2Christ. You've come to a good site. Helping people develop a relationship with Jesus is a big part of what we're about. I'm going to move your thread to the Counseling forum to make room in the Welcome Area for other newcomers.

By the way, Christ never left you. He's always been there ever since you went forward as a child. He just knew that your growth as a believer was going to be delayed until the time was right.

Spirit Led Ed (SLE)

 

[New2Christ]

We ended up not going to church on Wed. b/c my 11 mo old got sick. She is doing much better now. I had been rather disappointed that I could not go and tried to get my DH to take our 2 yr old (she has been talking non-stop about going to church to play with her friends), but he had a very bad day at work and didn't want to.
But we are going to Sunday School today. The girls and I may stay for service, but DH has a prior engagement he has to get home by 11 for.
The pastor actually called and talked to me last night. I got up the nerve and when he asked if I had any questions, asked if I could make an appointment to speak with him. He said I could come by any time, that he is usually at the church, but if I wanted I could call to make sure he was there first. I kinda wish for an appt, so I don't lose my nerve, but I also kinda think that this is God's way of nudging me to be a little braver than I am.
So wish me luck today!

 

[wendy03]

Hi New2Christ.
I pray that you will continue on forward. Go to the church to meet with your pastor! You will be glad that you did!
I pray you are blessed and that you will look to the Lord to fill you with courage and desire to seek after Him continually.
Much love,
Wendy

 

[Trishann]

Don't be afraid sweety God is tugging at your heart because of his love for you. I hope you will make an appointment to talk with someone and that you will start reading the Bible. You don't have to start reading alot at once, but start reading couple of scriptures. His Word will talk with you.

Your sister in Christ, Trish

 

[Gracealone]

By the way, Christ never left you. He's always been there ever since you went forward as a child. He just knew that your growth as a believer was going to be delayed until the time was right.

Many of us can relate to your story, I know I can.

I was 13 when I came home one day and my Mom was gone.
In months of confusion, and rejection, I turned my back on God, thinking it was him.
Ten years later, while in Germany, he made himself known to me again.
He knew the right time, and the right place, he never lost track of me.
He reminded me that my experience with him,as a child, was real, and I needed to come back to him, so I did, and God has restored the years the locust had eaten.
I know he will do the same for you, trust him .
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.
He never forces himself on anyone, he's a Gentleman that way, but as you seek his face, he will take your hand, and lead you home.

The journey is worth the time spent, for the destination is life eternal with our Lord.
Committing you now to the Lord who knows your every thought, and cares for your every need.....He is just a thought away......Pray

 

[Trishann]

What a wonderful testimony Gracealone. May God Bless you and encourage New2Christ.

Your sister in Christ, Trish

 

[New2Christ]

Thank you all for the encouragement.
We went to Sunday School today, and I was rather pleased that it was a smallish group. It was actually two groups together, and the Pastor was standing in for a sick teacher. I really liked the class. But I felt kinda awkward. While we were turning to the pages in the Bible, I had no idea where the chapter was that we were looking for. I mean, I knew it was in the New Testament, but that was about it. I felt like I was the only one there who really didn't know very much about the Bible.

I talked (finally) to my DH tonight about it. I feel awkward talking to him about it too. I don't know why, I just do. I feel like I should know more, but I really don't.

At any rate, I really enjoyed going today, I wished we had more time to sit and chat with the people in class afterward, but DH had to get home to do an online thing. I'll be calling the Pastor tomorrow to see about a good time to meet with him.

I've also been reading the Bible. I had started out in the OT, but had tons of questions and didn't have anyone but DH to help answer. So he suggested I start in the NT. I'm really glad my MIL got me the Study Bible for Christmas, if I have a question or am confused I can just look in the notes, and sometimes it answers my question. I'm saving up my other questions for later. :wink:

Thanks again for your encouragement, it really means a lot to me.

 

[Trishann]

New2Christ I think everyone at one time or another feel awkward about this issue. This may help you, you can get these little tabs to tape on each page of the Bible at the begiining of each book. Ok I don't think I am explaining it right.

For example: Gensis, Exodus and so on, you put a tab at the beginning of each book. Hope this may help you.


Glad to hear you were able to go to church and it is a good ideal to start in the New Testament.

Your sister in Christ, Trish

 

[New2Christ]

That is a great idea, thanks! I chickened out on calling the Pastor today... but am going to put a reminder by the phone so that I will do it tomorrow.
It is amazing that even as a SAHM there is still so much to do it can be overwhelming!

 

[lizabe]

Dear New2Christ
I am happy to know your on your way back to Jesus. Thank you Jesus!
One thing that I do all the time as a christian of almost 30years is to talk with God throughout the day. You can make a particular prayer and study time but talking to God regularly does bring lots of answers to your seeking.