What do I do?

[weekak]

I'm new to the whole christian religion and to be honest I dont feel like I'm doing it right. I want to change. I need to change but I dont know how to change my ways. I swear, I'm critical of people and ocassionally I drink to excess then feel guilty afterwards and think that maybe christianity just isnt for me. But I want to believe.

Although since giving my life up to God I realise that nothing in this world really matters. I have been living my life all wrong and wasted so much time partying and drinking and spending money on material things that are all pointless in the end. I appreciate this world more than I ever have in my 24 years of life and I'm excited about life. I see the beauty in everything, of the love between partners, between friends, between parents and their children. I see the beuty in a simple joke, a laugh, a smile and the glint in an eye. I see the beauty of the world in all seasons and its magical and its my belief that that I finally see these things and I take notice now. I believe that God has a special plan for my life. There have been many many periods in my life where I could have gone down the wrong path but somehow that didnt happen. I've watched as many of my friends and family have either become junkies, alcoholics or dead but I have been saved.

Perhaps I need to stop thinking too much about what I should do to please god and just go with the flow and trust in God. Perhaps I need to stop and listen to what he's telling me and how I feel deep in my heart. Perhaps I need to learn more about the story of christ before I call myself a christian.

I dont know God yet and maybe its takes a while but I do want to get to know him. Although one of my aunts is a christian none of my immediate familiy believe in God and maybe that is part of the problem too. I cant talk to them about Jesus and my belief and if I do they mock me and laugh as if it is a big joke and this making me feel a little embarrassed to tell anyone else in my family.

Any advice.

 

[suaso]

My advice is to find someone in your real life that you can discuss these things with on a deep and honest level. The disadvantage and the advantage of the internet is annonymity. It is easier to say some things online, because really, no one knows who you are. Yet, since no one knows you you are, you can soon feel isolated and alienated from the neccessity of community that generally comes with being a Christian. You need to make contacts with people - other Christians - in your actual reality so that you may have help and guidence on a real, personal level. It is important to have someone to look up to as an example of good Christian living, a mentor if you will. It is important to be around other Christians to see how they deal with the same difficulties which you also deal with. We Catholics sometimes have what we call a 'spiritual director.' This person is an objective observer whom we can meet with on a regular basis and we basically just tell this person what's going on in our life, and they can see the patterns we live in and offer good suggestions on how improve our spiritual lives. Sort of like a guidence counselor or even a sort of psychaitrist, only the empashis is on God at all times.

Either way, this forum is great for general questions and what not, but real, true fellowship must be experienced in a living community of human beings you can interact with personally. I know Christianity is on a sharp decline in the UK, but there are still many churchs with pastors, ministers, or priests (not sure what faith background you are coming from/going to) that would probably be more than ecstatic to help someone who, for a change, actually wants to be Christian and live a good Christian life!

God be with you!

 

[Jenesis]

I'm in the same situation. I just posted a thread in the prayers section! I have no advice but when I pray for myself tonight I will also pray for you too. It's such a horrible feeling!

 

[phil36]

Jenesis, weekak, Just the very fact you are asking is good, you want to learn more or you feel you are not a good christian, well none of us probably are. suaso is right, find yourselves a good bible believing church (if your not already in one) and ask the Pastor or Minister for advice even just members of the church who you know are born again christians and they will be or should be delighted to help you. Forums are good for discussing things as suaso pointed out, but it will never ever replace true relational fellowship with each other. Jenesis your getting there already, stay in prayer and Gods word. Pray for each other and you can bet the 2 of you will be in my prayers and I am sure suaso will be praying for you too.

God bless (fellow family members in Jesus)

phil

 

[heyitsme]

Weekak, Jenesis, you are both by your own confession very young in the faith and that is where you are at this point. You have much to look foward to and to do in the power of the spirit and i am very happy to call you FAMILY! One verse that comes to mind is :Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all These Thing will be added unto you! Hold fast to the profession of your faith(Sometimes feels like walking with your eyes closed) but it is much like Love in the simplest form which is a choice and not a feeling, because feelings come and go....but by choosing Christ you have entered into a Covenant Relationship in which if we live by faith God will always Honor Your Covenant between You and Jesus! He has done what we simply couldn't do on the Cross, which is what he meant when he said It Is Finished! Read Jeremiah 29 vs 11.......Looking foward to Amazing Testimonies coming from you both!
Greg

 

[heyitsme]

Sorry....there is something I meant to do before posting the last Thread! I speek Blessing over your lives...Your children and your childrens, children and to the Generation that Christ is raising up in and through you Both! You are the Chosen, Called and Blessed!
Greg