how did finding faith change you or your life?

[huntfishlive]

I'm not happy with what is going on in my life right know and need to find something or someone to help me. I was baptised lutheren but not a church goer. I need a change in my life to help me through the thick and thin, the ups and down, to help me be the person I want to be (want to be like). I thought that I was a very carrying and giving persons but with what I just went through I doubt myself very much.
I was curious on when you (anybody) found god (religon) how did it change you?, do you feel like you have a purpose in life?, did you feel better as a person? Is your life seem better?
I have a couple of friends that I'll be talking with but would like any and everyones opinion.
So my one big question is how did God (religon) change your life.

Thanks for reading (and responding)
Bob

[eddiejohn4]

I have always had faith.:) After my wife passed last November I find I need it more then ever.

[SHANK]

Since I started attending a progressive church, got involved in a growth group and read "The Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren, my life has never been better.

I've never had a personal relationship with Christ until now and it's incredible. It's like finding a treasure or discovering a secret. You want to share it with everybody.

My advice would be to pick up The Purpose Driven Life and start reading. The rest will happen naturally...

Good luck!

[Flash]

I am not a church goer (at least regularly). About 15 years ago I was just empty. I was searching (and had been for some time) for a fullness or completeness or some kind of purpose for going through all the crap that life dishes out. Studied philosophy in college, tried tarnscendental meditation, did the pot and drinking route, plus a fair bit of hedonism. I just wanted some purpose, some TRUTH, to settle into my life. Started a bible research (self directed) and asked a bunch of questions to people who I pretty much knew were alot more "religious" than me. I had a fellow worker give me a paperback NIV (New International Version) bible and I started reading it. I got pretty involved in a couple of fundemental churches (Church of Christ) and attended some bible studies with Baptists along with some non-denominationals. After about 3 years I learned what I wanted to know and feel very comfortable discussiing scripture with anyone. The local Jehovah's Witnesses stop by every 6-8 weeks or so to visit and drop off literature. My library contains a vast range of accumulated study and reference material (including a Strongs Concordance, A Catholic Jeruselum Bible including the apocrapha, a Mormon Bible, A Jehovah's Witness Bible, A King James Bible, a NIV red letter edition, a Harmony of the Gospels, plus many many books and tapes including jewish/christian author Joesph Good. I also have the Gospel of Thomas and the Gospel of Mary plus many many articles on the Dead Sea Scrolls).

My mother was a pertty devout Catholic and I have attended Mass a couple of times since she passed away (once on the anniversary of her death) and I'll likely continue that in subsequent years.

I am very comfortable with the Christian faith, believe that too much is made on the manmade distinctions between denominations, and feel that too much time is spent arguing over matters that Christ himself would caution against. However man is afterall man.

My absolute favorite taeching from scripture is: Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened. Ask and you will receive.

It is absolutely clear to me that this is a truism - from God himself.

Enjoy your search. The process is a fulfilling one. BTW - I still enjoy "beverages", probably cuss too much, and likely do not lead an exemplary life. However, I now know my God and his Son.

[Tunedown]

I recommend prayer. Here are some principles of prayer I found


Prayer can do anything God can do ... and since God can do anything, prayer is omnipotent

All our failures are prayer failures
Nothing of eternal importance is ever accomplished apart from prayer
What a man is ... he is alone on his knees before God and no more
James 4:2 "we have not because we ask not"

[Mickey Finn]

For myself, I feel that I better understand my place in the universe. Or life if thats how you consider things. Neither myself or my life, are anything like perfect. But, I'm not lost or afraid.

Good luck!

[Ferg]

Neither myself or my life, are anything like perfect. But, I'm not lost or afraid.



Wow Mickey - that is just an awesome quote - because for me, with Christ that applies to me as well. I know that as long has I have the Lord I'll never be lost or afraid.

Really really sums it up for me.


Thanks -

ferg....
and I might steal it from time to time too :) With credit of course.

[michigandeerslayer]

I know that as long has I have the Lord I'll never be lost or afraid.



Ferg awesome quote

Can I use that for my sig?

[BackStrap]

When I became a Christian, that is, when I understood my human, flesh-driven condition, and asked God's forgiveness and dedicated my life to His glory...my life completely changed. Anyone who has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ will change 100%. Instead of living life for personal gain and self improvement, you begin to live for Christ...for the glory of God.

The purpose driven life is a great book, but the wrong place to begin (in my opinion). The only source of unblemished truth is the Bible...the Word of God. Begin by reading the gospel of John. It may seem like a lot of reading, but you cannot come to saving and life-changing truth without understanding the gospel (the good news of what God did for us through His son Jesus Christ).

PM me if you'd like more information. If you don't have a Bible and are interested, let me know.

[Ferg]

Ferg awesome quote

Can I use that for my sig?

Feel free - I stole part if it from Mickey :)

ferg....