Hello all,
Just wanted to say a quick Hi, I have a tendency to waffle so I will try to keep this short and please tell me if I say or get anything wrong. We all have a past mix of good and bad memories/choices so for now I will tell you all where I am at and I pray God has led me here for a reason:)
From being a child I was baptized a catholic.Later after many years of falling away from God and negative reactions/views in the church I found myself searching for God and asking Jesus in my life. I now go to a small Christian church near by. I have pretty much started again with reading my bible and studying and usually I am found studying topics most if not all days. On a side note im 36 years old, farther of 2 girls 8 and 11 and married. For most of my married life although I believed in God and Jesus but that was as far as it went. My life got screwed up a bit along the way and thats when I knew I had to do something, I wont go into detail but I remember saying "Lord you have to take over because I keep making a right mess of it!" (my life)
For some reason after this all I saw was sin everywhere and how I was doing so much wrong and since I have been on an up and down rollercoaster with God never really finding rest for any long period. Im a bit of a thinker or worrier i`m afraid. I have been worried about my kids, my wife, myself. Then I start reading about how i`m the man and I should be telling my family whats what, getting them to church, keeping the sabbath, paying tithes, spreading the word so God will not be ashamed of me and my family wont go to hell!! maybe some of you can relate to some of these points?
you see my wife didnt really think about God or maybe even believe so for a long time I pressured her a bit! well ok a lot and long story short we nearly split up. I would read scripture like:
For I have come to turn
'a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—
36a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.
I pushed my wife away and got into a kind of legal side of being a christian. I also worried constantly about spreading the good news. I am not much of a talker and I hate talking in public about anything, I tend to clam up forget everything and get all tongue tide. I felt pressured to spread the news with workers, friends, family. I fill my facebook with posts of salvation and such like in an effort to try to spread the news another way. I kept reading:
"Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels".
After some time I have learnt to slow down and let God take control. I talk about my faith a lot to my wife and she herself chooses to believe in God and Jesus as her saviour and only way. However I do get frustrated as she doesnt want to go to church as she doesnt like big groups but equally she doesnt seem interested about learning or reading the bible but I have learnt I cannot push someone into anything. My girls both believe and come to church with me although again not every week, I dont like to push them as me and the wife have different views I dont want to see them turn away because ive tried to hammer it into them, I think it would be different if I had done this from birth or when me and the wife met but every situation is different and i`m just trying to work it all out. God willing the girls so far take it all in and in general are good kids.
At some point I started worrying heavily about family/friends about them going to hell. I got to the point where I started having anxiety and panic attacks and even chest pains. I blamed it on work. I just thought it doesnt make sense God wants us to forgive each other but then he will toast so many in Hell at some point!!!
So here I am today, I go to church most Sundays( can I be honest I have tried a few and I cant say yet I enjoy it but I feel its something I must do and try to work on it) my kids come most times too. I try my best to teach my family the way to we should live and choices we should make and in general love God and love everyone else. I sin everyday but pray God will send the spirit to guide me and help me as well as my family. We are a long way from being "holy" but I just cant change it all in a day like a light switch. For me I can make more changes and hope my family see the change for them I just hope in time they too will make better choices and come closer to God. I would like to be the lamp that shines but I think at times I stress far too much! We only just downsized house last year to clear our debt and slowly we are getting there. I am trying to improve my career side too, I am hopeful one day I can help my family and friends out financially as well as my time ect. At one point if I was to give my tithe to the church (which again worries me what they do with it) it would have left me with £10 a week spare for my family!!! this caused me great stress and to some point still does. I dont want to be rich but I believe I have to be a steward of my money so I made a plan which is starting to work. But I also have to think about our basic needs. In the past I felt guilty for having a family holiday and have not had a proper holiday for years just camping trips ect for a few days not even a week.
Finally (sorry long first post)
I have found this site and read the "tithe" section and the "hell" section. I agree with the tithe section as I have done a lot on this study wise and feel we will give in proportion of what we have and when we have it. This at the minute isnt a lot but will soon get better. I would like to use extra money to help others/christians/poor/homeless if possible. I do still find it hard to give the church any large amount as I worry if it actually goes anywhere to do good.
With the hell thing at first I though it was wishful thinking but after reading the article there is a lot of proof of a universal salvation and it does give me a lot of relief to say the least. I still need to learn/read/study/pray/repeat. I think I do now believe in a universal salvation I dont understand why certain Christians would say you are lost/not saved if you are or if you are a catholic and so on. Maybe I need to learn more. I believe in Jesus Christ and that he is my saviour and by his death and Resurrection I will live. I hope im saved I still struggle sometimes believing if I am. I always seem to find a way to condemn myself.
I pray over time you will all help me on my journey for the truth.
many thanks for taking the time to read my post, sorry to it was so long!! :Peace2:
Welcome and God bless, Truthseeker! May this forum be a blessing to you!
Just some thoughts.
I used to be on, what I call, my 'soapbox' all the time, about God. One of the reasons my daughter says that she doesn't believe in God, at 27 years old, is because of that, I surmise. :soap:
This is where I have arrived, at this point of my life. It is okay to talk about God, to pray with your children, to teach them God's ways, as best we can, and so on, but the best 'advertisement' is a life well lived, and beyond a point of sharing one's beliefs, we should listen more and talk a bit less.
Over the years, I came to believe that worry is not of God. He tells us over and over again, in the Bible, not to worry and to trust Him. :beach:
My favorite Bible quote is this:
Proverbs 3:5 - 6
5Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. 6In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight....
So, if I am not mistaken, it sounds to me like we have come to similar places, in regards to our faith and sharing it. Ultimately, it is a journey of faith, trust, and love, that we are on, with God leading us.......hopefully. :welcome:
I think you will enjoy the Tent, as I refer to it.
Welcome!
D.
Quote from: Shev on January 03, 2016, 09:31:19 PM
Welcome and God bless, Truthseeker! May this forum be a blessing to you!
thank you so much and God bless to you i`m sure this sight will open up my mind and my eyes :Pray:
Quote from: Dandelion on January 03, 2016, 09:52:35 PM
Just some thoughts.
I used to be on, what I call, my 'soapbox' all the time, about God. One of the reasons my daughter says that she doesn't believe in God, at 27 years old, is because of that, I surmise. :soap:
This is where I have arrived, at this point of my life. It is okay to talk about God, to pray with your children, to teach them God's ways, as best we can, and so on, but the best 'advertisement' is a life well lived, and beyond a point of sharing one's beliefs, we should listen more and talk a bit less.
Over the years, I came to believe that worry is not of God. He tells us over and over again, in the Bible, not to worry and to trust Him. :beach:
My favorite Bible quote is this:
Proverbs 3:5 - 6
5Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. 6In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight....
So, if I am not mistaken, it sounds to me like we have come to similar places, in regards to our faith and sharing it. Ultimately, it is a journey of faith, trust, and love, that we are on, with God leading us.......hopefully. :welcome:
I think you will enjoy the Tent, as I refer to it.
Welcome!
you speak a lot of sense and truth. I feel I need to learn and trust in God so much more. thank you for the reply and I pray your daughter will believe again one day! There is so much to read on here but I am very grateful to have found "the tent!"
:cloud9: Welcome to our "Tent of meeting" here.....I know you will be blessed. This is a quiet forum without bashing, so feel free to ask any questions and I'm sure one of the board members will be able to guide you to the answer. Be blessed.... :dsunny:
Quote from: Cardinal on January 03, 2016, 10:48:20 PM
:cloud9: Welcome to our "Tent of meeting" here.....I know you will be blessed. This is a quiet forum without bashing, so feel free to ask any questions and I'm sure one of the board members will be able to guide you to the answer. Be blessed.... :dsun
thanks Cardinal much appreciated, looking forward to meeting people and making new discoveries
:welcome: :newb: Love and doing what is good...will draw them. legalistic nit-picking and condemnation they will shy away from.
My sheep hear my voice,and another they will not follow...who knew..that when we were in the legalistic church systems we were like
wolves in sheep clothing!!! :mshock: :Oops:...seems they had more sense then we did. They rejected the system I was in.but not me.
Can we do the same....and reject the system their in...and not them? These friends/family taught me more about Gods true nature
than that church system I was in..with its legalistic,man-made doctrines and self-righteousness,religious programs..proselytizing
service.
Welcome Truth seeker ,
Good to have you ... :goodpost:
Truth seeker, welcome!
I see a lot of similarities in your story and my own, hope you stick around and feel free to ask any question, the people I have "met" here at tentmaker are my spiritual family and my church and I love them all!
Some similarities in our stories:
Raised catholic
Now identify as christian
Prayed to Jesus for guidance and felt changed
Saw sin for what it was (and yup it's everywhere)
Fear of hell
I also have a spouse (my husband) who believes but isn't over zealous (will attend church and lives a moral life but doesnt often read the bible)
I also have two kids but they are 3 years and 9 months old)
I also had a brief period of cramming my beliefs down some loved ones throats and feeling like if I didn't I wasn't a good enough disciple
I also was gripped with fear and anxiety about myself and all of my friends, family and loved ones going to hell
That fear and anxiety caused a period when I was obsessed with finding out if hell is real and it brought me here and what a weigh lifted!!
Not trying to talk about myself it's just that I saw some ways I can relate to you and just trying to let you know you are not alone and it is confusing at first but God revealed his plan to you and it is beyond our wildest dreams and of course He is in charge and could only have the best possible outcome!
Now a lot of questions have an answer, like "how could a loving God send people to hell?" (He doesn't!)
Welcome and God bless!
Hi Truth seeker! God bless! And welcome to tentmaker forums! Your story sounds so very very familiar..
I never believed in a hell, tho I did think perhaps annihilation for a short while, wondering if it was a matter of wheat and tares, but that pretty much leads to hitler and the like! Oiye! So I figured that wasn't logical! What with bearing some very bad fruit!
Finding others who do not believe in hell, etc. has been so strengthening and awesome!
I found a LOT of freedom and what a great relief, when I realized I have one rule and law, to - love God.
Welcome! And may God bless you here at tentmaker! :smile:
Quote from: GodIsLove on January 04, 2016, 03:15:54 AM
Truth seeker, welcome!
I see a lot of similarities in your story and my own, hope you stick around and feel free to ask any question, the people I have "met" here at tentmaker are my spiritual family and my church and I love them all!
Some similarities in our stories:
Raised catholic
Now identify as christian
Prayed to Jesus for guidance and felt changed
Saw sin for what it was (and yup it's everywhere)
Fear of hell
I also have a spouse (my husband) who believes but isn't over zealous (will attend church and lives a moral life but doesnt often read the bible)
I also have two kids but they are 3 years and 9 months old)
I also had a brief period of cramming my beliefs down some loved ones throats and feeling like if I didn't I wasn't a good enough disciple
I also was gripped with fear and anxiety about myself and all of my friends, family and loved ones going to hell
That fear and anxiety caused a period when I was obsessed with finding out if hell is real and it brought me here and what a weigh lifted!!
Not trying to talk about myself it's just that I saw some ways I can relate to you and just trying to let you know you are not alone and it is confusing at first but God revealed his plan to you and it is beyond our wildest dreams and of course He is in charge and could only have the best possible outcome!
Now a lot of questions have an answer, like "how could a loving God send people to hell?" (He doesn't!)
Welcome and God bless!
Wow thank you so much for this, although I wish no hurt to anyone its good to know i`m not the only one going or been through this, I still feel I am some what brain washed and need to keep going over all these key facts and scripture on universal salvation, I feel maybe God has shown me this forum to help me greatly! :dsunny:
MAY GOD Bless you with More of Him ... the very substance of faith and all those precious things hoped for in the Spirit of a loving God full of Light and Life , though His Son Jesus Christ , that though Him and for Him and BY HIM are all things made NEW !!! :HeartThrob:
Quote from: marie glen on January 04, 2016, 05:08:05 AM
Hi Truth seeker! God bless! And welcome to tentmaker forums! Your story sounds so very very familiar..
I never believed in a hell, tho I did think perhaps annihilation for a short while, wondering if it was a matter of wheat and tares, but that pretty much leads to hitler and the like! Oiye! So I figured that wasn't logical! What with bearing some very bad fruit!
Finding others who do not believe in hell, etc. has been so strengthening and awesome!
I found a LOT of freedom and what a great relief, when I realized I have one rule and law, to - love God.
Its True, its good to be able to talk about "Hell" openly and discover the evidence against it.
Welcome! And may God bless you here at tentmaker! :smile:
Quote from: rosered on January 04, 2016, 07:26:56 PM
MAY GOD Bless you with More of Him ... the very substance of faith and all those precious things hoped for in the Spirit of a loving God full of Light and Life , though His Son Jesus Christ , that though Him and for Him and BY HIM are all things made NEW !!! :HeartThrob:
Thank you so much! I am starting to find new peace recently with all I have recently discovered!!
Welcome Truth seeker :dsunny:
I was also raised Catholic and then went to various church types. It was a long journey but I finally was convinced by the Spirit of God he planned a salvation of all. Feel free to share with this group and no question is too stupid to ask because you won't get beat up around here. We might differ in some of our opinions but conversations are pretty much on the friendly side as we each share our beliefs-views-revelation. It's an ongoing learning process for all. :HeartThrob: :HeartThrob: :HeartThrob:
Quote from: He1MyHeart on January 05, 2016, 02:35:52 AM
Welcome Truth seeker :dsunny:
I was also raised Catholic and then went to various church types. It was a long journey but I finally was convinced by the Spirit of God he planned a salvation of all. Feel free to share with this group and no question is too stupid to ask because you won't get beat up around here. We might differ in some of our opinions but conversations are pretty much on the friendly side as we each share our beliefs-views-revelation. It's an ongoing learning process for all. :HeartThrob: :HeartThrob: :HeartThrob:
Thank you for your reply I have had a lot of support on here for my first post. Looking forward to checking all the info out :thumbsup:
WELCOME!
:dsunny: thank you Lazarus short. :banana:
Welcome to the Tent Truth Seeker. As many have said before, each of us are at different stages of our faith but our Lord is mighty and is always there to guide us throughout the good times and the bad times. I hope this forum will be a blessing to you as it was for me. We are all here to support each other in our journey of faith.
:thumbsup:
this site has already been a blessing. Thank you and God bless to you too. :HeartThrob: