BUMP UP

this is a great group, nice people & I encourage new members to get involved ! there's a lot to be gained reading this discussion board

would anyone like to share a little?

I joined this group recently. I used to go to church for many years while growing up. I stopped going for a while and when I came back, every time I showed up, they always asked me why I came and such. That made me feel like oh I'm not allowed to come back. So it's kinda difficult and I'm sorry if I'm not close to God or whatsoever. I just don't tolerate how people view me when it comes between me and God. It's not my fault I didn't go that much. I do believe in God, but I don't practice my faith. Just thought I'd put my input out here somewhere

I dont think that it was right that the people said that to you Rosykitten. I am glad that you shared some of your story. Welcome to the group!!! God loves you! You are very welcome here and I will encourage you to share your thoughts and feelings anytime. :)

Personally I have to read the bible and stay in communion(prayer) with the Lord daily, if not then my life crashes and I can no longer function. Its the Lords strength that sustains me.

Welcome rosykitten.

I totally agree with Kathilee. Reading the bible and praying daily does so much more for me than only attending church service.

Thanks so much. I am having a hard time to read the bible and I can't do it by myself. I don't even have a relationship with God either, that's why I don't pray. I guess I shouldn't mention that, but I'm just being honest here. Please don't let me stop you, I enjoy reading posts in here, I hope that is okay

Hello Rosykitten, I suggest you get a study bible. It has commentary and articles that explain things. I have a Full Life Study Bible written in NIV (New International Version). I have tried to read New King James versions and they don't make sense to me. The study bible was given to me as a gift and I love it. Just read one or two chapters a day. I heard a pastor on the radio yesterday suggest reading the same chapter over several times before moving on. As far as praying, just say what is on your heart. It's really just talking to God. God wants a relationship with each of us. If you have a friend, you talk to that friend right? Yes, He knows what is on your mind and heart but still, the effort to talk to him whether out loud or silently is important. Don’t feel like your prayer and worship has to look like someone else’s.

Here is some basic information about the Bible.

The bible consist of two parts; the New Testament and the Old Testament

The central interest of the New Testament is the life, death and resurrection of the person of Jesus Christ. It consists of twenty-seven individual “books” written in Greek almost two thousand years ago. When you read some of them, you may think to yourself “this is not a book.” That is because some are a collection of letters. For instance; Corinthians consists of letters Paul wrote to the church in Corinth. The Corinthian congregation was embroiled in a variety of problems as its members were pulled between the demands of their newly acquired faith and the cultural values surrounding them. Other New Testament books are letters. I won’t go into all that right now because I’m trying to keep this short and simple. The New Testament also gives details about Jesus Christ and his teachings. There are three books or “gospels according to” that seem identical and are called synoptic gospels. They are Matthew, Mark and Luke and each one written with a different audience in mind. Matthew for the Jews, Mark possibly for Romans, and Luke was possibly written as a book to be passed among Gentiles because when he speaks of Jewish customs he gives explanations to help readers understand their meaning.

The Old Testament consists of :
Pentateuch 5 books written by Moses (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy)
Historical books 12 books
Poetic books 5 books (Psalms, Job, Proverbs, Song of Solomon)
Prophetic books 17 books of the major and minor prophets