NWR: Religion and faith questions

I have a book that really helps "reinspire" me when I'm feeling a little jaded. It's called "Story" but I can't remember who the author is, and it's at my house and I'm at my parent's now. I'll let you know when I get home.

I totally agree with Brian. I would start attending "new believer" classes as well that address this. I think that you will find that the people there are experiencing and dealing with the same issues. Every church has the classes, and you should be able to jump in at any time. They give you a good foundation and help to answer questions like these, and continue to grow your relationship with God. Hope that helps!

I understand how you feel. I got distant in college, but when I graduated I was ready to get back into the word. It is all a personal thing and you should not feel scared. I would try the book, "1 month to live", by Kerry and Chris Shook. It might help you put some things in your life together. It might just help you see that relationship that you have been wanting. I would also recommend starting by listening to some music. All I listen to now a days is Christian music... Here are some artist's; Third Day, Mercyme, 10th Ave. North, Francesca Battaselli, Addison Road, and much more! Music always makes me feel good. A relationship with the Lord is so much better than any other relationship you will ever have. I always know he is there for me. I pray all day long, listen to his music and read at night. It is like anyother relationship though... you have to work on it! Best of luck... God Bless!

Just curious, what is your reasoning for falling away from catholicism?

C.S Lewis is a fantastic Christian author with a wide range of writings that apply to nearly all situations. I recommend Mere Christianity for a solid grasp on the knowledge part of it. I also recommend the book Redeeming Love, by Francine Rivers, for an understanding of just how awesome the love of God is. Beyond that, though, read the Bible. Other writers can have wonderful things to say, but His love is written in Hosea, His power in Job, His calling for us in Matthew.

Don't worry about your prayers. Make it a habit to converse with God - tell Him about your life and ask His advice as you would your father (assuming you have a good relationship). He is always close and just waiting for you to come to Him. Please feel free to contact me under this name or under my other one (Brittani L) if you want to know anything at all. The love of Jesus is my favorite topic and there is nothing so wonderful as knowing it for yourself.

I SOOOOO recommend Mere Christianity.

It helps explain the logic and reason why I believe in Jesus as my savior and Lord.

I'd love to talk to you more about it, give me a call or email me:

brian@bigboatproductions.... if you would feel more comfortable talking to Sarah about it instead, that would be possible too.

If you like where you've recently started to go - I, too, would recommend you do what some of the others have suggested and talk to your pastor. I'm sure you'll find answers to your questions.

Im a Methodist and have had my fair shares of struggles. I pray alot and at times it feels as though God's not there or hes not listening. But in reality he listens to every word you say. He may not make himself known in some situations because he wants to see how you will deal with things, but of course if you get in trouble hes there to help. I agree with Ryan S C.S Lewis is an amazing author. Another author I was just recently introduced to is Phillip Yancy. Two of his books are "Where is God when it hurts?" and "Dissapointment with God." both amazing I would recommend them to anyone. At times it is hard to keep a strong relationship but thats where trust comes in. Trusting in the fact that God's always watching over you and protecting. He loves you even when you do things he doesnt approve of He still loves you. If you want to talk more on this subject you can shoot me and email though here. I'm willing to talk and answer any questions you might have. Take care.

I read a book called "What God Wants" by Neale Donald Walsh. It's very controversial but it was great for me to read. I'm not Christian, even though I was raised Presbyterian. I converted to Islam several years ago, although now I just consider myself spiritual. We have been going to a Presbyterian church because we want to give FH's kids some type of religion as a base, and they can make their own decisions when they're older. I LOVE our minister at the church and I love the members there. I feel "at home." If you like where you've been going, and feel comfortable talking to the minister, I would. When I was going through my religious issues several years ago, I discussed them with the minister I grew up with at church.

Just start. There are plenty of churches out there that are non-denominational. Start there and work your way to something that fits your worship style. I know that here in MN we save allot of money on the marriage license when you take marriage counseling. Great opportunity to explore your faith, experience this dynamic as an adult, and grow it as a couple. Most churches, I know, charge a minimal fee $40 (cover the cost of the online profile). Just sit down some Saturday night and map out a plan – most churches change their hours during the summer so it may be better to check their websites for summer hours – pick two or three churches and attend. Once you find something you like inquire about marriage counseling. I am sure you will find many non-denominational churches could care less what denomination you were raised or profess. They are all about giving you an opportunity to experience the body of Christ.

He is athiest and I am agnostic. Agnostic's point of view is that we cannot prove that a god exists, nor can we disprove it. He believes there is no god, wheras I have no beliefs at all. I do not believe either way because I demand evidence either way, and we have none. This means we are slightly different and we disagree on a few things, but we never ever make it an item of contention. We use it to create conversation and attain more wisdom and we always learn from each other.

We're doing a marriage prep class through the church that we just started attending--the thing is, it's Baptist and I'm not sure that we're that extreme. But I can't find another church in the area that is "calling" to me. All the non-denominational ones just don't really appeal to me. And believe it or not, this is the church that called me back to church. I don't know... There are a lot of things that I don't agree with when it comes to religion but I want a relationship with God. FH isn't as on board as I am... he really doesn't agree with a lot of things religion. He wants to go to church, but I don't think that he is necessarily as ready to have a relationship with God. And, here in GA the marriage license price is lowered with the marriage prep class completion certificate--so that's a good thing.

I've been thinking about attending the classes but I am kind of a loner type person and big social events like that where I may be called out on, make me extremely nervous.

I left the Catholic church mainly because my mom stopped going to church and I stopped going as well because I was young. But I don't agree with the Catholic church teachings now that I am older--I think that they are too strict and do not leave room for your own interpretation of the bible. Also, my mom would not be accepted back into the Catholic church because she is divorced--but she got divorced because my father was emotionally and mentally abusive and was using drugs and he was starting to get physically abusive. He was also cheating on her. I know that she could get it annulled, but I also don't like the teachings. I'm not 100% sure how I feel about the Baptist church either though--because it's almost like the other extreme. And it doesn't help that when I told my mom and gramma that I was attending a Baptist church that they were both like, "oh" and you could tell that they disapproved. And it doesn't help that FH isn't on board with it that much either.

Redeeming Love is one of my favorite books since high school and I just got a book Mere Christianity for my FH;s birthday :-) Heavnsnt, can you handle being married to a man who has no interest in church or religion? That is something you and him really need to discuss about, is religion before marriage. I refused to marry a non Christian and my FH is a active Christian, I am very lucky to have him. I wish you luck

He wants to go to church, but he doesn't want to tithe or anything along those lines. He's also very, very skeptical. I went through a phase where I thought that I was agnostic as well, but I feel like now I have a place in my life for this relationship. I know it doesn't make a whole lot of sense and I wish that I could explain it better, but it's just where I am in my life...

When a person have a relationship with God and the spouse don't, it can become a mess :-(

I don't know if I technically believe that, but I could see where you are coming from. It's just something we haven't really discussed yet and I haven't told him how I feel about it. I didn't mean for it to turn into bashing my FH about him not being ready--because I think he is. He's just still skeptical. I don't know... we'll see. We're going to church and I think I'll suggest the new members classes and see how that goes and talk to him about my views and everything. I don't think it's a deal breaker for me. At all.

But you are going to be marrying him. You need to discuss it with him soon. I hope he will be interested so you guys can share same faith together :-)

You guys have to do what works for YOU. There's no reason you can't start your relationship with God right now. You don't have to go to church to talk to God. FH isn't a "people person" like I am and gets uncomfortable when the members of the church we've been going to talk to him. LOL. He's trying, though! Look online at the denominations and their various belief systems, check out local churches website. I think Laura gave some great advice-just sit down and map some places you want to check out. We checked out a Methodist church and it just didn't suit us. We like more traditional songs and not the guitar-playing sing-songy songs. Not that there's anything wrong with that form of worship, it's just not us. I'm definitely more spiritual than FH, but we're both believers that just as we are a couple, we're still individuals and we respect each other's personal and religious beliefs.

I don't think there's anything wrong with your FH not wanting to tithe yet. (cont'd)

Jenn is correct that you guys should check out a few places. I am so picky about a church, it took me a year to find what I wanted lol.