I dont excactly know why but I have a real hard time believing in God. I know there is something out there more powerful than us but I'm not sure what it is. I was brought up catholic, and my parents made us go to church and do all the things(cofession,confirmation,etc.) but they never went with us. The older kids brought the younger kids,so that put a damper on my beliefs.Then with the priest molestings and all. I was sexually abused by my dad and to this day will not forgive or forget, so I feel for the victims of the church. And just the fact of children getting sick and dieing and thinking what God would do that to young children.Also I'm not to sure I believe all the stuff in the bible has really happened,why not have these things happen now so we can see them too. But on the other hand I belive Bruce is in heaven. I become very confused. Anyway my point to this journal is I feel like I'm missing out on something. My life can be very depressing with Bruce gone and not liking my job and knowing that I have to work there because I'm the only one left to pay the bills. My friends and family that believe say they will pray for me that things get easier. And I listen to people here saying God helps them get through this . I feel like I want to turn to God and really dont know how to do it. I have felt for 46 yrs that he was someone that people just made up to make them selves feel better but now I'm not sure. I wonder if I turn to God will he show me how to be happy again and how to cope better with my everyday life. My sister believes very strongly and says she survived her cancer because of her faith. I used to think that was hogwash. Then why didnt everyone survive . But with so many feeling better with God maybe there is something to this. Can someone give me advice on what I should do. I want to pray but am afraid God will think I'm a hipocrite, I'm not sure how to except him in my life and not be angry that he allows kids to be sick and nature to cause such death and devastation. Please help me try to figure this out. What kind of church would I go to if I dont want to go back Catholic. I dont want to offend anyone but I cant get passed the molestings as I have been there myself. Thanks to all of you here for being such good friends.
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I know how it feels to have to work when you don\'t want to. I recently had to go back to work after 7 years of staying home even though I wish I ddn\'t have to.
I am a devout Catholic and know how it is to feel discourage about the church when you hear of all these things happening, like molesting and stuff. Not to pick on other religion\'s but this same things happens in others to.
The only thing I can say is what I was brought up to beleive and still belive with my whole heart.
\"He who believes in the Son [Jesus] has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him\" (John 3:36 nasb).
One of the most vital changes that grieving can produce in you is spiritual growth. It is possible to grow more in a year of grieving than in several years of life with few difficulties or problems.
One extremely effective way to pray is to use words from the Bible. Make Colossians 1:9-12 a personal prayer by replacing the pronouns with \"I\" and \"me\" as you pray:
\"[I] have not stopped praying . . . and asking God to fill [me] with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And [I] pray this in order that [I] may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that [I] may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified [me] to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.\" Amen.
Big Hugs going your way ....Stella
It is so simple to have faith and be saved..You ask God to forgive you of your sins and you know what he does..You ask him to come into your life and guide you ..know what..he will..Faith is simple..you choose to believe even though you can not see...I tell people that aren\'t sure all the time..OK say I am wrong and there is No God or Jesus.If I am wrong I have lost nothing...if you are wrong you have lost everything....As for a church..visit around at different churches..God will show you where to go..There will always be fakes at church also..for every real christian there is a fake..but don\'t let that stop you..For God has not given you a spirit of fear, but of power,love and a sound mind...
I am so sorry I cannot help you, The reason being is that I am not sure either. Somedays I will think like you that how can God if he is around us, not stop all this suffering going on. The next minute I am asking him to just watch over my kids and granchildren. I am confused along with you. I am going to hang here with you and try and figure this out with everyones feelings and beliefs. I want to believe that Jim has gone to heaven but when I think of everyone just being up there in heaven, I am not sure. Oh boy, I have really confused myself now and sorry if I have confused you more. Love, Alice
Honey, I was raised Catholic too, and for the past ten years have gradually become more faith based through Christianianity, Spiritual belief, and inner
feelings that tell me yes, every day, that our God exists. Just talk to him as you would talk to your own father; and then listen - try to pray if you can.
The simplest of prayers; I love you God. Look around you at all the amazing things in our world and realize that a higher power has to be behind every creation we see - Good luck, and God bless.
Thanks to all of you for the advice. I\'m going to try some positive thinking and hope if I start looking at life with a more positive attitude everything else will fall into place.
I too was raised a Catholic and was forced to communion and such also. I have since become a Baptist and have a closer relationship with the Lord. He will never turn you away. Pray that you find the way back to Him. Love from Ginny
Prayer is simply talking to God just as you would to me. God tells us in the Bible thathe alrealy knows our hearts, and our deepest thoughts. We can hid nothing from god. He just wishes us to use our own free will, and come to him any way we are. Our church can be a building, ot a quite place in the forrest where our God\'s handiwork is so awsome to see. . Find your answers in God\'s wors, not is somwthing someone tells you is true. God\'s word though sometimes confusing really tells us all we need to know. My Mama saiD \"Just get your Bible, and turn to the New Testament first! Read the words that are written in red (Jesus\'s words.\" and then you will be on your way to learning everything you ned to Know.\" My Mama is 83 and she helped me through the deaths of 2 of my sons.(These were here only 2 grandsons, and she only has 1 grandchild left.) The church is the way for some to the Lord. and prayer. But The bible says Jesus is the way the truth and the lite I think the bible will help you . There is a little book Called \"Footprints\" it has scripture ans is about healing and grief of many kinds, I liked it also. > I love yo, and I care that you find the aanswers and comfort that you seek. I will try to help if I can. You email me grndmudder@aol.com any time. I will answere as soon as i read it. I am slow on the emails as I have not been well physically. My mentally is always IFFY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know that God hs helped me. He has stilled some of the muck that was rororing round and around in my hear. That has helped me to sleep some. With no pills. I love you sweetie, If I can help in any way let me know. If you want to heart my life stoy it is ugly and funny and all the emotions you could ever imagine. I loved my 2 sons more than I loved my life, and it nearly killed me to have them die. They were the 2 things that many times saved me from doing terrible things to myself. Remember there are peoprle that care. ME Peggy
Thinking of you Lori, I have been up and down with asking for help and guidance from above. I\'ve found a couple meditation books that have been helpful when I\'ve been really down. \"Finding Your Way After Your Spouse Dies\" by Marta Felber and \"Healing After Loss: Daily Meditations for Working Through Grief\" by Martha Whitmore Hickman. When I\'ve missed a couple of days only because guess what, I forget :). I got them on Amazon and you can check out some of the text there. Love ya, Cindy