i am starting to feel really bad about my sins. I also want to rekindle my bond with god. I try to make it to church as much as possible but it is just not enough for me. How can i strengthen my relationship with god.
2007-07-19 18:37:08 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Joey... your question is REALLY a very good question which is very complex, yet easy at the same time.
First off... the fact that you WANT to do good... to be a better person and to develop a stronger relationship with God, shows that you are actually further along on the spiritual path than you think!!! You see... as you get closer and closer to God, we begin to see our own imperfections more clearly. Standing next to perfection (God), of course we seem to be dark and dim. Imagine sitting in a completely dark room and your eyes are open and all you can see is BLACK. Then, someone walks in the room, flips on the light switch... what happens??? You are BLINDED by the LIGHT!!! So... As you get closer and closer to God (the LIGHT), of course you "seem" to be more and more of a "sinner." Jesus said, "Even Moses was a Sinner"... yes... we are all sinners. But if you look back at all your progress over the years and how important all of this is to you, you will begin to see that you have come a long way!
The fact that you want to be good... you're beginning to "crave" goodness (God), you are actually "Listening" to God better which is a form of prayer.
So... as you Listen more to God and what He asks of you in your personal life, He will show you what areas He wants you to purify. Your "sins" will be revealed and it is your job to cooperate with "Grace."
Here's the thing though... Your "sins" have already been "redeemed"... they have been "purchased" by God so your focus should be on GOD and what He wants for You in your life.
Where to start???
"Jesus... what is the Greatest Commandment?"... "To LOVE GOD.... and the second is like it... To LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF."
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!!
Start with LOVE... see where in your thoughts, actions and words that you are not "loving." Jesus also said to "feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty etc."... how are you giving of yourself to others? Are you caught up in your own world of selfishness, or are you generous with your LOVE and give to those who are in need???
I was raised Catholic, went to 16 years of Catholic school (Catholic college), I have a degree in Theology and I was a monk for 2 years. I have a website which might might be of interest to you with lots of free video & audio podcasts and articles that will help you develop your Spiritual life and relationship with God. You can also call me if you want for free... my number is on my site, so I can help answer your questions. My website is at: http://www.meetyouranges.com
I want to stress one thing again... your question shows how much you ARE on the path of LOVE!!!! God is smiling because He sees that you want to do His will and you're actually taking ACTION by coming here to get help!!!
: )
Paul
2007-07-19 19:05:56 · answer #1 · answered by Tall Paul 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You're already becoming a better Catholic- acknowledging the fact that you're a sinner, but want to improve your relationship with God. You're already finished with the first step.
Yes- go to confession. Not only is it good for your relationship, but it's a psychological benefit.
Pray to God, and ask mother Mary, and all of the saints to pray for you too. Remember: the Saints are like are older brothers thus can really help us!
Live out your faith. Volunteer. Again, pray. Read and STUDY the bible. Keep going to mass, don't give up. Your actions reflect your beliefs.
Most importantly- just try building your relationship with God. Ask him what He wants you to do. This is probably one of the hardest things, many of us are still on that path. Just trust Him. He's perfect and He loves you so much.
You are blessed to be in Christ's Church and your humility to avow yourself as a sinner already makes you a better Catholic.
I hope I helped.
Don't give up and don't forget that He is always there.
God bless :)
2007-07-20 02:01:43 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
First you must understand church will not improve your relationship with God if your not saved. Second you do not go to haven for being at church or doing any good work. It is good thought that you have convictions about sin, What you must do to have a relationship with God is to be saved, Which my Friend is a very easy thing to do, First you must pray to God and admit that he is Lord, He sent his sun Jesus Christ to Die for your sins, and that you seek forgiveness and turn from your sins toward Christ. If your prayed the sinners prayer and really ment it, you are saved and you are gurenteed to enter into heaven and not go to hell. What you must do now is go out and find an good church, and tell someone you have been saved, so that they may help you grow and have fellowship with other believers, and have a place of worship.
2007-07-20 01:47:11 · answer #3 · answered by manly_laprechaun 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The same way you rekindle any relationship--spend time! How do you spend time with God? You love people because Jesus says whatever you do to "the least of them" you do to him. So have fun doing something for others. Also, you could read his love letter to you (the Bible), pray, priase him for all you have--maybe start with things in nature--, and you could actually LISTEN and not talk during prayer for awhile. Entering a church building does not magically get you "closer" to God. When you enter a garage, do you come out a car?
2007-07-20 01:49:52 · answer #4 · answered by Weberly 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
sweetie, what you have is called guilt, you probably allready know that. but let me tell you that your relationship with god will never grow by just going to church, just putting time into god isnt they way to have a personal relationship with him.
pray, pray constantly, have your every thought be a conversation with him. love him like you have loved no other. have a queit time with him reading your bible each day
pray hard and he will hear you. having a relationship with God is a RELATIONSHIP, in a relationship you dont just visit someone for however long a mass is and wiss them out of your life make jesus your best friend.
and dont worry your sins are forgivin, brother. all you have to do is confess them and change your ways.
" as far as the east is from the west is how far i have removed your transgressions from you"
- so sorry totally forgot the refrence
2007-07-20 01:53:11 · answer #5 · answered by surfer girly 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
put it this way not more of a catholic but more of a Christian. there is more than just one Christian religion.. there are many different branches of Christianity. Non-denominational (which is me), Presbyterian, Pentecostal, Baptist, etc. It doesnt really matter what branch of Christianity you are in. If you excepted God as your Lord and Savior then your going to Heaven. But to answer your question now that I cleared that up. Pray, Read the Bible, Go to church, hang around with Christian people who will help you out. Since you feel bad about your sins its God calling you to him. Hope this helped.
2007-07-20 01:50:54 · answer #6 · answered by brittany lynn 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Go to church as much as you can....go to confessinon.
You can try not to sin. Help out your church..you know volunteer your time or donate or something. Pry in the morning and at night. when u wake up and before you go to sleep. Thank god for everything that you have.
2007-07-20 01:43:02 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
becoming more of a catholic won't help -certainly not! You need to accept Jesus Christ in your life and believe inHim as the Only Saviour. He died for your sins on Calvary's cross and has redeemed you from God's wrath. You need to accept this free gift by giving your life to Him and by living as God Word instructs.
Only Jesus can redeem you from sin - no church, man or thing can do that. He is the only Way to God.
I pray that you do this real soon!
2007-07-20 01:42:26 · answer #8 · answered by godshandmaiden 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Why would you want to have a relation with a fiction? Stop worrying about god or sin, and just be the best person you can. That is all that anyone can ask of you -- and it is enough.
2007-07-20 01:42:28 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Open the bible at the gospel of Mark, written for a Roman audience, then read the book of Romans.
God will guide you through his word.
2007-07-20 01:41:24 · answer #10 · answered by TEK 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋