Can some christians help me out here?

Question

I was raised catholic and went to catholic school my whole life. It never made sense to me regarding the sacraments and going to confession and I stopped going to church. Then I went to a born-again christian church for a couple of years and went to bible study and prayer meetings and I was happy and fulfilled. Then I started to feel inadequate and like I did not measure up to the other people and they started getting on my nerves. I took in a friend of my teenage son who was homeless after his mom was murdered and the pastor called me and said I had to kick him out as it gave the appearance of evil as I was single and this teenager was living with me even though my son lived with me too. After that I never went back to church. Now I am remarried but not to a believer and we have a 10 month old baby. I'm depressed a lot and thinking about getting back to a good church. How do i get and stay with the program?

Also, I am obsessed with Silvia Browne and John Edwards and all this paranormal stuff. I read books and watch it on t.v. and Silvia says there is no hell and she talks to people on the other side and this all seems very real to me. Also, I do not believe in the rapture. Please Help. Need guidance.

Answer 1

Wow. I'm with you 100% on this one.

I also believe there is no hell. It's simply a way to get people to fear something to believe in another thing. And like praying for your favorite baseball team.. what the flip? People.. I tell ya.

And the entire Bible.. I believe .. written by a few people in a small area on this entire earth inside this entire universe. It's a book of short stories. The flood? It was a simple river, not the entire earth as most make it to be. And Adam and Eve's sons must have slept with Eve herself, it's okay to kill people as punishment, and oh jeeze.., where does it end? It's all myth. There's absolutely no proof or fact behind any of it at all.. whatsoever!

MOST Churches are nothing but evil cults building their faith upon fears - at least that's what I've seen.

How do you get and stick with what program? It sounds like you're confused just like me. There's no reason to go back to what you once had unless you believe in it. It's that freaking fear and guilt they beat into you. But it sounds like you're asking for help from Christians only.. so I guess I'd better be on my way. Sorry to hear that you want to close out other options by only listening to one source.

But if i were a Christian, I'd personally suggest that you go to one of those non-denominational churches and see where that leads you. It's sounds like that would be what would make you happiest in life.

Wish you the best :)

P.S. If people tell you to pray to God. Question them. How do they know His name? It was never spoken, it's an unheard of name. The word God itself is incorrect - at least according to the scriptures.

Answer 2

Well, in the Catholic Church, you would not be allowed to take the sacraments because you were not married in the church. You would probably have to get an annulment through the diocese where you live.

Fortunately, we live in grace and what the Catholic Church fails to tell you is, Jesus Christ is more powerful than the Vatican, the Pope, the Bishops and the Priests. Jesus Christ is your savior, not the men of the Catholic Church.

I would suggest that you and your husband go as a unit, just as you are joined, and talk to the pastor near you. I have to agree with the pastor who told you that the two teenagers living with you without the supervisioin of another male. He was only trying to protect you in case the teenager made allegations or someone else who didn't know the situation made allegations.

Please visit a church. If you were saved in that Bible church, then once you are saved, there is nothing that will pluck you from His hand. You are still a child of God, although you are in a sinful state. We've all gone through those times!!! You're not alone!!!!!

I have faith that your spirit is grieving--the Holy Spirit grieves when the one who is saved is separated from God by their own choice. I pray you can find joy and peace with you family in a home church family.

Answer 3

O.K., let's do a baseline.

You say that you went to a "born-again christian church for a couple of years and went to bible study and prayer meetings and I was happy and fulfilled". What you did not say is whether or not you entered into a relationship with Jesus, got "saved". Yes? No? There is nothing more important than this.

I can't comment on the teenage boy business; you left out, I think, a big chunk of the story.

If your desire is to "get right with God", go here: http://www.standontherock.org/grace.html

Read it, think about it, do the right thing. Going to a "church" is a good start but it's only a lead in to the real deal, Jesus.

Mat 11:28 "Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Mat 11:29 All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves.
Mat 11:30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

Answer 4

Your pastor was being a jerk if he said such things. Care less about pleasing people and more about pleasing God. It isn't his, nor anyone else's right to judge you. You know what you do, God knows what you do, please those two before you worry about pleasing others.

As far as sylvia brown goes, she's cooky. You've got an inclination and firm belief and knowledge that there is a spiritual aspect of reality, and she's delivering it to you, just in the wrong way. Kinda like the first temptation of Christ, he was told that if he was really the son of God, he should turn that rock into bread... He was tempted to meet an actual need, but in the wrong way. Don't fall for sylvia's crap, it's a trap!

To try to stay with the program, always remember that the church isn't the building, it's the people. Some of the most passionate and positive Christians I met have abandoned the church because of the hypocrisy that lies within. It's hard to find a good church. For my advice on sticking with it, I'd say read your bible on your own frequently, pray and ask for the ability to stick with it, and if you want to find a good church, I'd say check out your non-denominational Bible churches.

Definitly saying a prayer for you hon

Answer 5

I'm not christian, i'm wiccan, so you can stop readin this here if you want.

All i can tell you is to believe in what YOU believe. If you believe in the 'supernatural' stuff the you shouldn't just go back to church and say you don't. But don't let that pastor's...rudeness change your beliefs either. If you believe in the christian ways and ideas (ignoring what that pastor did) then continue on believing. Maybe you should explore some religions and see what fits for you. There is such a thing as a Christian-Wiccan. Don't ask me how, but there is.

Basically it's all up to you to decide. though there'll be people telling you to go back to christianity because it is the 'only true religion' and people saying that you shouldn't believe in any higher power, and even me telling you to explore other religions, it's ONLY about what you want. If YOU want to go back to church, then do it. if YOU want to try something else then go for it.


Thats the best advice i can give--though it's probably not what you're looking for. Hope it helped


~WhatsHerName~

Answer 6

So, you gave up your faith because of what other sinners in the church said to you? That doesn't seem right to me. You have to understand that we are all sinners; we all make mistakes and sometimes they are huge mistakes.
We don't go to church because of what we get out of it. We are called to worship because it glorifies God. It is the reason we are here.
Check out the book "The purpose filled Life" I think it will help you alot - even if you don't find a church right away.
The other thing, you really should stay away from the paranormal stuff. Some of that stuff is legit. But it may be legitimately messing with Satan's minions. Not something you want to do.

Answer 7

why not try and get plugged into a nondenominational church or a bible church. i personally prefer these two denominations, but any of the others such as Methodist, baptist and so forth are also great. before you join find out their doctrine and standards. what do they believe, are you challenged to become a stronger person in Christ, and do you feel the holy spirit's presence? I suggest that you get rid of everything in your life that has to do with the paranormal. the bible specifically states that it is all from Satan!! you can not serve both witch craft (which is anything paranormal such as fortune tellers and mediums) and Christ. also, their will be a rapture, weather you believe it or not, but that is not the determining factor of where you spend your eternity. there is a heaven and there is a hell. i'll be praying for you and your family. also i suggest that you read The Unexpected Journey by Thom S. Rainer and also pick up a bible and read it!!! John is a great place to start. because of your interests i also suggest that you read Revelation and Leviticus.
God bless!!!

Answer 8

First of all find you a Bible believing Church were the Word of God is Preached ask Jesus into your heart and Life. Read Romans 10:9-13 KJV. Then forget about Silvia Brown and all these others that are out there making money off of people like you. (No punt intended) Silvia Brown does not have any power but that which satan gives her. And yes satan can gave you power to do his work. Thank God for someone that will take a young boy off the street and care for him, as for the pastor that told you different, tell him he needs to search his heart and see why it is so cold. Next get your family in church with you and tell your wife about Jesus and how He died for her. Dedicate that baby to the Lord and watch your life turn around for the good. Last hold on tight because after you do all this satan will be mad, but God will bless you like you have never been blessed before God Bless you and I and my husband will be praying for you

Answer 9

There are options in the middle of these two denominations. While I respect the Catholic Church, I disagree with much of its theology and practice. And the other church you were involved with sounds pretty legalistic and narrow. I would suggest you look for something like the Christian Church Disciples of Christ, United Church of Christ, or other mainstream, more liberal denominations.
I hope you can find a church that emphasizes the love and grace of God. Feel free to email me or contact me if you have more questions.

Answer 10

Go back to your roots, the Catholic Church, but this time learn what it means to be a Catholic. Find a bookstore that carries books from Tan Publishers in Rockford, IL. and learn your Catholic Faith. Talk to someone with the RCI (Rite of Christian Initiation) program at your local Catholic Church.

It will be hard because your spouse is a non-believer and you are probably not married 'by the Church.' But this advise is the only Truth I can offer you. My own 'Faith search' took 5 years, but I never left the Catholic Church.

Whatever you decide to do, Baptize your baby as soon as possible. Stay away from 'feel good, religions of convenience,' they make you feel good at first but in the end leave you cold.

Finally, refrain from studying the paranormal until you are well grounded in your Christian Faith. Please.

Best of luck,

H