Not A Very Good Christian?

[Boidae21]

I think it would be good for you to return, and having you there may draw other young people.

I don't know how young or old you are, but it is very common for young people to be skeptical of religion, even to fall away from their faith. But, some of us (most?) remember the faith of our youth and come back to the church later in life. Our faith is tested, then becomes stronger. For me, it was when I married and we had children. If I were you, I wouldn't worry at all about your situation, but, stay receptive to God's grace. Study, share your worship with others, and He will guide you.

I'm 41 years old.

I'm not sure that having me there would draw other people my age in. I am not a very outgoing person myself. Never have been. Probably why I don't have any friends here in Florida except for one and she lives over an hour away and I only know her because we dated back in 1998.

 

[Rollo Tamasi]

I'm 41 years old.

I'm not sure that having me there would draw other people my age in. I am not a very outgoing person myself. Never have been. Probably why I don't have any friends here in Florida except for one and she lives over an hour away and I only know her because we dated back in 1998.

Lots of people from Florida on the forum.
I'm from Inverness.
How about you?

 

[Mike S]

I'm 41 years old.

I'm not sure that having me there would draw other people my age in. I am not a very outgoing person myself. Never have been. Probably why I don't have any friends here in Florida except for one and she lives over an hour away and I only know her because we dated back in 1998.

I understand.

Maybe you can just quietly attend services for awhile, and be ready to respond when others invite you to be part of things. I find that just being in the worship service helps to center me, to help me remember that we are called to "act justly. love mercy, and walk humbly with our God." Accepting Christ really means allowing Him to change us.

 

[turnorburn]

When you feel drawn to a church have you tried putting a fleece before the Lord?

*edit: read this chapter in which Gideon puts a fleece before the Lord. It doesn't necessarily need be a fleece, just something between you and him, that only the two of you know about, you'll find an answer and at the same time it will bring you closer to the Lord..

Judges 6

http://av1611.com/kjbp/kjv-bible-text/Jg-6.html

 

[Rollo Tamasi]

Fear is a terrible thing.
Only Jesus can take it away from you.

 

[tim-from-pa]

Lots of people from Florida on the forum.
I'm from Inverness.
How about you?

I'm from PA, but my parents live in Citrus Springs and I visit them twice yearly. If you're from Inverness, have a meal for me from Sonny's. I like their food.

 

[Rollo Tamasi]

I'm from PA, but my parents live in Citrus Springs and I visit them twice yearly. If you're from Inverness, have a meal for me from Sonny's. I like their food.

Let me know when you're coming, I'll give you my number.

 

[Boidae21]

When you feel drawn to a church have you tried putting a fleece before the Lord?

*edit: read this chapter in which Gideon puts a fleece before the Lord. It doesn't necessarily need be a fleece, just something between you and him, that only the two of you know about, you'll find an answer and at the same time it will bring you closer to the Lord..

Judges 6

http://av1611.com/kjbp/kjv-bible-text/Jg-6.html

Is that in reference to asking for a sign from God?

 

[turnorburn]

Is that in reference to asking for a sign from God?

In a way but its more about getting closer to our saviour.. you see because if its for any other reason you'd be spinning your wheels..

P.S. He won't let you down..

 

[Boidae21]

In a way but its more about getting closer to our saviour.. you see because if its for any other reason you'd be spinning your wheels..

P.S. He won't let you down..

I guess I just don't see that as what Gideon was doing. He wanted a sign knowing he was going to win the Battle.

So I am having trouble seeing how it's about getting closer to our Savior.

 

[turnorburn]

I guess I just don't see that as what Gideon was doing. He wanted a sign knowing he was going to win the Battle.

So I am having trouble seeing how it's about getting closer to our Savior.

That's something i can't answer you'll have to go it on your own and find out, i fleeced him in 72 and the outcome was heavenly..

 

[turnorburn]

God want's the best for us question is do we want the best from God?

 

[Boidae21]

God want's the best for us question is do we want the best from God?

That is very much an issue for me.

All my life I have been let down by my nearest and dearest. I have a hard time trusting, especially trusting something that I cannot physically see or touch. Yes, I know we're to live by faith not site, but that in theory sounds good, but I still cannot trust something I cannot see or touch.

So once again I am at the point where I do not think that I was ever meant to be a Christian. I do not think I will ever trust that which I cannot see or touch., no matter how much a book or person touts God as being trustworthy.

 

[reba]

Boidae21 That was also true for Thomas..

 

[Rollo Tamasi]

That is very much an issue for me.

All my life I have been let down by my nearest and dearest. I have a hard time trusting, especially trusting something that I cannot physically see or touch. Yes, I know we're to live by faith not site, but that in theory sounds good, but I still cannot trust something I cannot see or touch.

So once again I am at the point where I do not think that I was ever meant to be a Christian. I do not think I will ever trust that which I cannot see or touch., no matter how much a book or person touts God as being trustworthy.

Start from the beginning.
What is it you can see and trust?
Anything?
Yourself?
Anyone?
Who?
What?
Tell us.
We have to start somewhere tangible.

 

[turnorburn]

You said: "trusting something that I cannot physically see or touch"

That tells me that you haven't been touched by Jesus yet..

P.S. And that's where the problem lies..

 

[Boidae21]

You said: "trusting something that I cannot physically see or touch"

That tells me that you haven't been touched by Jesus yet..

P.S. And that's where the problem lies..

Jesus can not physically touch me, nor I him. He hasn't been seen since John saw him on Patmos.

From here I will depart as it's going to get into "just believe" and all kinds of cliche stuff that I don't do well with. These things may have worked for others, but never for me.

Again, thanks for everyone's help, but this is something I will just have to figure out in time. Right now I am going to take a break from it and come back again after the New Year.

 

[tim-from-pa]

If I may interject here regarding "touching" vs physical or whatever, I see this conversation more of a disagreement on semantics rather than fundamental disagreements regarding the faith itself.

 

[ezra]

Pizza, I suspect that other Christians who doubt the the legitimacy of the Methodist Church have never experienced the real spirit of the "shouting Methodists." One of the newest members of our congregation is a retired Pentecostal minister. She says she became convinced that the Methodist church is where she belongs after hearing me preach a few times. She is a true Christian, a true friend, and a wonderful addition to our congregation.

‘The Methodists were preaching like thunder all about.
At length I went amongst them, to hear them groan and shout.
I thought they were distracted, such fools I’d never seen.
They’d stamp and clap and tremble, and wail and cry and scream.’

i was raised umc and they was very programmed pastor was a good man about as close to true calling as i would consider . all of my dad family are Methodist.
to be honest i have never heard evangelical preaching in the Methodist Church. i met my wife she attended a gen baptist Church of course i had quit going to the Methodist. became a full pledged heathen started going church with her. we got married some time later i got her out of Church. later on she started back i acquired some legal trouble with the law. .they held a revival i got saved.. then about 5 years later i was called to preach . my self i have a indifference with the U.M.C conference not the church . i like a good shouting spirit filled service

 

[ezra]

Jesus can not physically touch me, nor I him. He hasn't been seen since John saw him on Patmos.

From here I will depart as it's going to get into "just believe" and all kinds of cliche stuff that I don't do well with. These things may have worked for others, but never for me.

Again, thanks for everyone's help, but this is something I will just have to figure out in time. Right now I am going to take a break from it and come back again after the New Year.

we had a good post going and you was positive not sure what your wanting as per touch .but we are to believe and have faith. some times it is us that the problem is with. we have to get out of the way and let Him do it. i been down this road... i see lots of encouragement in which you seem to reject . . i urge you to keep seeking ..