fellowship

[Andrias_Yochanan]

Hello. I came to faith in Jesus Christ five years ago, already as a ‘mature’ adult and with a correspondingly worldly and chaotic past.
Since then, I have repeatedly found it difficult to find genuine spiritual fellowship and honest connection. I believe in the authority of Scripture and want to follow Jesus earnestly, but at the same time I often don’t really fit in anywhere, socially or personally.
What I’m actually missing isn’t “the perfect church” at all, but perhaps simply one or two brothers in the faith with whom honest, regular exchange is possible. Without religious masks, without pious roles, but openly, humanly and truthfully.
About faith, loneliness, struggles, everyday life, the past, discipleship and life in general.
I’m writing this because I can hardly imagine that I’m the only one in this situation.
Thank you for your prayers and of course feel free to connect.

 

[Bingo]

No more, no less.

 

[Proclaimer7]

Hello. I came to faith in Jesus Christ five years ago, already as a ‘mature’ adult and with a correspondingly worldly and chaotic past.
Since then, I have repeatedly found it difficult to find genuine spiritual fellowship and honest connection. I believe in the authority of Scripture and want to follow Jesus earnestly, but at the same time I often don’t really fit in anywhere, socially or personally.
What I’m actually missing isn’t “the perfect church” at all, but perhaps simply one or two brothers in the faith with whom honest, regular exchange is possible. Without religious masks, without pious roles, but openly, humanly and truthfully.
About faith, loneliness, struggles, everyday life, the past, discipleship and life in general.
I’m writing this because I can hardly imagine that I’m the only one in this situation.
Thank you for your prayers and of course feel free to connect.

I hear ya... I understand... But you are not unique and you are not alone... Unfortunately it seems people can't simply email one another here unless they pay a fee or upgrade... but you can visit me and email me through my youtube page anytime... God Bless... https://www.youtube.com/@brianprendergast6263

 

[Mem]

When Christians ought to offer themselves to you as peer, too often the professor will offer themselves to you as superior (under a pretense of friendship). You know.
The true friend is as rare find as a true brother. But they do exist, God made sure of that. God bless.

 

[rewriter]

Hello. I came to faith in Jesus Christ five years ago, already as a ‘mature’ adult and with a correspondingly worldly and chaotic past.
Since then, I have repeatedly found it difficult to find genuine spiritual fellowship and honest connection. I believe in the authority of Scripture and want to follow Jesus earnestly, but at the same time I often don’t really fit in anywhere, socially or personally.
What I’m actually missing isn’t “the perfect church” at all, but perhaps simply one or two brothers in the faith with whom honest, regular exchange is possible. Without religious masks, without pious roles, but openly, humanly and truthfully.
About faith, loneliness, struggles, everyday life, the past, discipleship and life in general.
I’m writing this because I can hardly imagine that I’m the only one in this situation.
Thank you for your prayers and of course feel free to connect.

You express a common problem. Most people find it far easier to preach to others than to admit that they themselves have the same doubts and insecurities.

 

[Tall_Timbers]

Welcome, Andrias_Yochanan!

Since then, I have repeatedly found it difficult to find genuine spiritual fellowship and honest connection. I believe in the authority of Scripture and want to follow Jesus earnestly, but at the same time I often don’t really fit in anywhere, socially or personally.

I don't know what neck of the woods you're from, but in the USA a lot of churches are packed with "Christians" practicing a religion without having found Christ. They're good at being religious and that's about it. That you don't fit in is a healthy sign that you're seeking Truth.

 

[Magenta]

I came to faith in Jesus Christ five years ago, already as a ‘mature’ adult and with a correspondingly worldly and chaotic past.

I was almost fifty at the time of my conversion in 2004, and like you, was raised in the RCC, which I quit as a teen (16).

There is a lot in my past best just left there, and other people, places, and things that do recur
periodically, those things which shaped me as a person, which I had little to no control over.

A lot of it came up for me also after I started putting old poetry to music late last year, which
does seem inevitable. Then I turned to writing devotional testimonial modern praise and worship.

Sometimes talking about the past is helpful, but I also hold to the idea that it does not matter so much
where we have been as it does where we are going, and Scripture exhorts us to look forward and to Him.

Then again I have been in and around recovery rooms for almost forty years at this point, and that has also been helpful.
Remembering where we came from and how much God has delivered us from is helpful in assisting others to find their way, also.

But it also seems true that there are things I may never understand, and i have to accept and make peace with that also.

Do you have a church family?

 

[Andrias_Yochanan]

Thank you, Magenta - and all the others who are interested.
I'm in Germany and finding anyone who would say they are believers or Christians is like finding a unicorn. I would say, other then in the US it's not even a topic any more. People might "belong" to it (literally, it's in the passport), because they have been baptized Lutheran or Catholic, the "state religions", but other then baptisms, confirmations, weddings or funerals they are never in a church. But these numbers are drastically decreasing, too. People are leaving.
To me that's not surprising, because the churches have nothing alternative to offer as the world. When I was born again and looked I was shocked. "What the **** happened?" And I think exactly that. Hell happened. And continues to happen until our Lord returns.
I would say, I have a church family. But they are, where I come from. For German distances and my purse way too far away. It's a days trip to just get there.
Maybe that's good, so I can't find faults and have to leave the congregation...
I started joining their online service now.
I'm mostly fine, but sometimes it just hits. I'm very alone and my personality did that, so it's not easy to just say "Well, now I change it." And I'm not interested in just social things or superficial stuff.

I thought about living alone in the Rocky Mountains with a bear when I was a child, or monastic life, but even hermits have other monks and services and fellowship.

 

[Proclaimer7]

Thank you, Magenta - and all the others who are interested.
I'm in Germany and finding anyone who would say they are believers or Christians is like finding a unicorn. I would say, other then in the US it's not even a topic any more. People might "belong" to it (literally, it's in the passport), because they have been baptized Lutheran or Catholic, the "state religions", but other then baptisms, confirmations, weddings or funerals they are never in a church. But these numbers are drastically decreasing, too. People are leaving.
To me that's not surprising, because the churches have nothing alternative to offer as the world. When I was born again and looked I was shocked. "What the **** happened?" And I think exactly that. Hell happened. And continues to happen until our Lord returns.
I would say, I have a church family. But they are, where I come from. For German distances and my purse way too far away. It's a days trip to just get there.
Maybe that's good, so I can't find faults and have to leave the congregation...
I started joining their online service now.
I'm mostly fine, but sometimes it just hits. I'm very alone and my personality did that, so it's not easy to just say "Well, now I change it." And I'm not interested in just social things or superficial stuff.

I thought about living alone in the Rocky Mountains with a bear when I was a child, or monastic life, but even hermits have other monks and services and fellowship.

Andrias...Please hear me now... We are all accountable to the Lord...And yet He remains for ever faithful and the God of all Comfort. Please commit to reading the Word of God (KJV ) Everyday! The Lord knows what you need. He knows what we all need. I am praying that you find a "House Church" which is a domestic gathering of true born again believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. That is what believers do all over the world. Please keep in mind also that the church is a remnant of true believers. Don't let the counterfeit reprobates of christendom discourage you. We are on a journey as pilgrim sojourners. Lord Bless you today.

 

[Hui1]

Thank you, Magenta - and all the others who are interested.
I'm in Germany and finding anyone who would say they are believers or Christians is like finding a unicorn. I would say, other then in the US it's not even a topic any more. People might "belong" to it (literally, it's in the passport), because they have been baptized Lutheran or Catholic, the "state religions", but other then baptisms, confirmations, weddings or funerals they are never in a church. But these numbers are drastically decreasing, too. People are leaving.
To me that's not surprising, because the churches have nothing alternative to offer as the world. When I was born again and looked I was shocked. "What the **** happened?" And I think exactly that. Hell happened. And continues to happen until our Lord returns.
I would say, I have a church family. But they are, where I come from. For German distances and my purse way too far away. It's a days trip to just get there.
Maybe that's good, so I can't find faults and have to leave the congregation...
I started joining their online service now.
I'm mostly fine, but sometimes it just hits. I'm very alone and my personality did that, so it's not easy to just say "Well, now I change it." And I'm not interested in just social things or superficial stuff.

I thought about living alone in the Rocky Mountains with a bear when I was a child, or monastic life, but even hermits have other monks and services and fellowship.

God bless

 

[faithlife]

Hi Andrias_Yochanan Nice to see you again! Sorry to hear about your isolation but God can open doors and have Christian friends find you there. I imagine you've checked all local churches for group activities and/or volunteer work. There's many Christian groups on FB and YT also. I pray the Lord directs your path to real Christian friends & contacts, IJNA God bless you and your endeavors

 

[andy700700]

Matthew 12:46-50
New International Version
46 While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. 47 Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.”
48 He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 49 Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

Matthew 22:37-40
New International Version
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Matthew 5:15
New International Version
15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.

Matthew 7:13-14
New International Version
13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.