Settling in to Christianity, as it were

[ShelleyMaxwell]

Hello friends!

Just a quick first post for me here, to vent some thoughts I'm having.

Having been "raised Catholic" (i.e. grumpy agnostic), a passive pagan for eight years after that (AMAZINGLY lonely, shallow, and unfulfilling I assure you), and only officially returned to Jesus in the past few weeks, I'm lacking direction.

I don't yet feel the drive to go to church (I do have a specific one in mind near me, though. A Unitarian Universalist one that sounds LOVELY), partly through fear that I'll "change my mind again" and partly because...well, I confess myself to be a smidge lazy. Which of course, I know, is a terribad excuse.

It doesn't help that most of my friends and family are atheists/agnostics/pagan, so my head is filled with "Christianity is nonsense" and "hahah people who believe in Jesus are fools", so I have to de-brainwash myself. Ironic, really.

I suppose what I'm asking is whether anyone has suggestions of steps to take from here, and how to feel more secure in my choice and settle in to it. I currently own an NRSV bible and am waiting on a book from Christianbooks about "Disciplines of a Godly Woman" which is sadly on backorder.

Let ze discussing begin!

 

[Stickz]

Peace be unto you

Shelley, you are going to get a lot of good advice here. I suggest that you spend time here, in Talk Jesus: talking with people, asking questions, reading posts, spend some time in the Live Chat .... I also suggest that you open your Bible to the Gospel of Matthew and begin reading. Think about what you read. And just like any other relationship, communication is important. Pray. And be patient.

Matthew 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

Matthew 7:8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Welcome to the Body of Christ.

If I can be of any further assistance, let me know.

 

[agua]

G'day Shelly,

It's very important to fellowship often with other believers to receive support and encouragement. Read the scriptures and pray daily because, like stickz said, communicating and exercising your faith is very important and is necessary for our relationship with Jesus to flourish.

I would look for a different church besides the Unitarian though. God is loving but also just.

Welcome to TJ,

God bless.

 

[David777]

Hello ShelleyMaxwell.

A Christian is someone who believes in Jesus Christ.

Getting to know whom Jesus Christ is of primary importance.

Concentrate on the Gospels, especially Luke.

The Gospel of Luke is the easiest to read and understand.

Get to know Jesus, He will make contact with you.

"knock and the door to eternal life will be opened"

"Seek and you will find Jesus"

Church selection is probably the most difficult decision.

If you persevere in your search you will be blessed
beyond what you could imagine.

 

[brakelite]

Hi, and welcome back to the Kingdom....

...and to Talk Jesus forums. Cannot add much to what has already been said, would like however to reinforce Aguas point...give the universalists a miss. Universalism is a most dangerous deception and is a distortion of the character of God, and a distortion of scripture.
Bests advice I can give when seeking a church is to pray, and be open to the Holy Spirit wherever He leads.
God bless.

 

[RJ]

Hello friends!

Just a quick first post for me here, to vent some thoughts I'm having.

Having been "raised Catholic" (i.e. grumpy agnostic), a passive pagan for eight years after that (AMAZINGLY lonely, shallow, and unfulfilling I assure you), and only officially returned to Jesus in the past few weeks, I'm lacking direction.

I don't yet feel the drive to go to church (I do have a specific one in mind near me, though. A Unitarian Universalist one that sounds LOVELY), partly through fear that I'll "change my mind again" and partly because...well, I confess myself to be a smidge lazy. Which of course, I know, is a terribad excuse.

It doesn't help that most of my friends and family are atheists/agnostics/pagan, so my head is filled with "Christianity is nonsense" and "hahah people who believe in Jesus are fools", so I have to de-brainwash myself. Ironic, really.

I suppose what I'm asking is whether anyone has suggestions of steps to take from here, and how to feel more secure in my choice and settle in to it. I currently own an NRSV bible and am waiting on a book from Christianbooks about "Disciplines of a Godly Woman" which is sadly on backorder.

Let ze discussing begin!

Hi Shelly!

Just like everyone else here at TJ, I have a nose and along with that I have an opinion. Many of our opinions on different subjects vary greatly but, the common denominator is that Jesus is Lord and Savior.

So, in the spirit of an opinion, here is mine:


QUOTE=ShelleyMaxwell;186013]Hello friends!

Just a quick first post for me here, to vent some thoughts I'm having.

Having been "raised Catholic" (i.e. grumpy agnostic), a passive pagan for eight years after that (AMAZINGLY lonely, shallow, and unfulfilling I assure you), and only officially returned to Jesus in the past few weeks, I'm lacking direction. You can always seek help from from anyone of us but, your direction, of any real substance, must be sought from and recieved from the Holy Spirit.

I don't yet feel the drive to go to church (I do have a specific one in mind near me, though. Church is very important but, there are 3 things that are of greater impotance: You, the Bible and the Holy Spirit..or...You, God's word to grow your faith and the Holy Spirit to sort it all out! A Unitarian Universalist one that sounds LOVELY) You have to be careful here and, this is a matter of what you ultimately believe....basically, Universalists believe, that in the end, there is no hell and everyone is saved, including Satin. Most of of us believe that the Bible defines am Eternal Hell and separation from God., partly through fear that I'll "change my mind again" and partly because...well, I confess myself to be a smidge lazy. Which of course, I know, is a terribad excuse.

It doesn't help that most of my friends and family are atheists/agnostics/pagan, so my head is filled with "Christianity is nonsense" and "hahah people who believe in Jesus are fools", so I have to de-brainwash myself. Ironic, really. God calls for us to be with like minded Christians, so be careful who you choose as friends but prepare yourself to teach the gospel and help others, especially family, keeping in mind that ours is not to change minds, ours is to talk of truth.

I suppose what I'm asking is whether anyone has suggestions of steps to take from here, and how to feel more secure in my choice and settle in to it. Again, You, the Holy Spirit and read, read, read the Bible! I currently own an NRSV bible and am waiting on a book from Christianbooks about "Disciplines of a Godly Woman" which is sadly on backorder.

Let ze discussing begin
Here is one key to practice:

Jesus says: " I am the vine and you are the branches, If you remain in me and I in you , you will bear much fruit, apart from me you can do nothing".

An important thing here to understand: It is the fruit (works) of him which is in us that we bear and none of our own!


God Bless and welcome to TJ!

 

[ShelleyMaxwell]

As it turns out the church I'm looking at ISN'T Unitarian Universalist! Go figure. It's a member of "The United Church of Canada" which is apparently VERY different, but sounds quite nice. More reading to do, in either scenario. =)

Also, thank you all for the wonderful replies. ^_^

 

[Strypes]

My advice would be to get to know God's voice by reading the bible.

There is a parable Jesus told about seeds. (Matthew 13)

I would study that parable and decide what kind of seed you want to be.

 

[ShelleyMaxwell]

Went to Church for the first time in a year today. This United church was LOVELY. Will be going back next week, and we'll see if I even join the choir. A wonderful and accepting environment.

 

[RJ]

Went to Church for the first time in a year today. This United church was LOVELY. Will be going back next week, and we'll see if I even join the choir. A wonderful and accepting environment.

Wonderful for you!

This is, at a minimum, what a good church should be: loving and accepting!

Praise God!