Stress Center Peer Support

Thx for your response GreenGirl! You made me feel great too, your words are very kind! I'm just really glad that I could help you, and that we all could be there for you. I really think you'll connect with the mystics, you seem like you're quite intelligent from what you've been writing, so I'm sure they will resonate with you. Some of them were very much connected with nature, or at least would write about it at times, and I too really enjoy being outdoors. I'm in love with snowboarding, and a big part of it is the experience you get when you're up in the mountains out in nature, it's very transcendent. May God bless you on your way, and keep in touch

I too was raised Catholic and love many aspects of it. I married a Southern Baptist two years ago and began going to church with him b/c the Catholic church was 40 minutes away. I hated it and couldn't stand to sit through the service. I didn't belong. It was unfamiliar. I was miserable.

I tried to commit suicide on Oct 29 and woke up in ICU. I was so disappointed. I gave up and said to God that if He wanted to keep me on earth, He had to show me the way. That was my turning point. I've always had a strong faith, but the depression and anxiety convinced me that God wasn't there for me, and I truly missed Catholicism.

One thing protestant churches have is that moment of salvation when they pray the sinner's prayer and are saved. We really don't have that as Catholics. We are confirmed, but it's when they tell us it's time whether we understand it or are ready. I was confirmed in high school because that's when you do it. I didn't have a clue really. I was a dumb teenager. I've turned to God over the years, but usually when I was in bad times. It wasn't on a daily basis.

I talked to a preacher who went through scripture with me and showed me God's plan of salvation. I was saved on Nov 14 and was baptized in my husband's church this past Sunday. My Catholic family is thrilled for me. On my road in the last few months I have picked up a bible and begun to read. I have several books on faith and dealing with hard times. Today I have a yearning for more. It's a new wonderful addiction.

Check out a couple of websites: Joyce Meyers and Joel Olsteen are two good ones. They both have daily devotionals and both have wonderful books out. I highly recommend them both. Go talk to a priest or preacher. They will be thrilled to help you. Go to a search engine and search for scriptures for depresssion or uplifting scriptures. Try this website: <A HREF="http://counseling4christians.com/Script ... ession.htm" TARGET=_blank>http://counseling4christians.com/Script ... ion.htm</A>

The more you read and search, the more you will crave. Read the following over and over until you feel it and believe it with all your heart:

"Jesus loves you so much that He died to save you from your sin, guilt and all of sin’s consequences. He rose from the dead and is the only way to God, the Father. One heartfelt decision to accept Jesus’ sacrifice for your sin will cause you to become God’s child."

Pray this prayer aloud and mean it with all of your heart:

"Father, I come to you just as I am. There is nothing I can do to earn salvation. I cannot work my way into a right relationship with You. The Bible says that we are saved by grace through faith as a gift from You. I acknowledge that I have sinned against You and others. I ask You to forgive me and wash me clean with the precious, life-giving blood of Jesus Christ, Your Son. I believe that He died for me—He took my sin upon Himself when He died on the cross. I believe that He was raised from the dead, giving me power over the enemy. Jesus, I ask You to come live inside of me. I don't understand everything about being a Christian, but I invite You into my life to help me learn daily how to live. Thank You, Father, for Your gift of restoration and eternal life. I am so grateful for Your love and mercy. In Jesus' name, Amen."

The Bible promises that when you sincerely speak a prayer like the one you’ve just prayed, you will experience a new life in Christ.

If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.
—Romans 10:9,10 (NLT)

Check out these other foundational scriptures:
John 3:16 | Ephesians 2:8,9 | 1 Corinthians 15:3,4 | 1 John 1:9; 4:14-16; 5:1, 12,13.

If I can help in any other way or if you have other questions, please private message or email me at redwhiteblue@juno.com

You're in my prayers. God bless. Beverly

bevhembree,

I was brought to tears when I read your post.
Iam so thankful that you lived and that you are now sharing your experience. You are showing the true power of God! I agree with the two websites you mentioned! I also would like to add Beth Moore. She has wonderful books. She has a true heart for Jesus along with the other two you mentioned. Joyce Meyers is one of my favorites! I just love when I read all these posts because everyone was so loving. A lot of times as soon as religion is mentioned....a war of words begins. I could feel that Jesus was involved in all these postings because it was gentle and kind.
We do all come to Jesus in our own time. All we have to do is ask Him to show us the way. Talk to Him like He is your friend, lay it all out there....He already knows your heart anyway. I just find such comort in knowing that He has such wonderful, amazing plans for us.
Thank you all for showing the love of God, so many people read these post and it is refreshing to see
"religion" shared in such a loving true way!

God Bless,
Ivy

hello Greengirl-

I too was "born" Catholic, then went to a Methodist church as a child and teen and then onto a Baptist church in college and then on into the mainstream evangelical churches.

I have a been with the Lord for most of my life and know that for the most part that faith in feelings can steer you wrong. Our trust is solely in God's goodness and His love for us.

Faith is like that gentle knowing that you have when you are out there in nature, biking, hiking, at a quiet stream or on a mountain top... you just know He is there with you. You don't have to jump, scream, cry, run around the church, or clap your hands... your experience with the Lord is totally separate from your reaction to His touch. These various responses are merely some of the numerous ways and experiences that you can have with the Lord.

Give the Lord time, trust solely in Him not just in a reaction.... {I use to do the same thing when I would go from a season where I would sense the Lord's presence through crying and then it would stop... I just would tell myself "my faith is in the Lord, not in tears; He is with me, He is always with and for me; He is pleased with me; I don't have to perform for others to see my tangible relationship that I have with the Lord."

I hope this helps.

Hi Greengirl,
I also wanted to share with you that I became a Christian about 8 years ago. I was searching for religion (the holy sprirt was working in me) and attending several churched on my own. I was then lead to my husband. I grew up going to Church but i never got it becasue I had so many questions, it seemed to easy (like I needed to do something to receive God's grace) and I needed to see it! I never really read the bible for several years once I was baptised as a Christian either. I felt I didnt deserve what everyone was feeling and talking about. Faith is a personal jounrey that I feel takes years to develop. But this may not be the case for everyone. It was for me. I go to Church weekly and am in a weekly bible study. My husbands family are very invloved in the Church. When I first became a Christian I thought that i had to be perfect. Black or white but this is impossiable! We are all sinners. I am not and i never will be perfect and you know what I know that God loves me just the same. I guess for words of encouragment seek out churchs. As a Christian I feel (and I think a lot of people feel their beleif is the right way) that God will work in your heart and you will know. It may not be overwhelming feeling that you may first experience. However, I do feel that the Holy Sprirt is working in you. That is why you are questioning things. I used get depressed when i thought of God's love for me. It left me with a heavy heart too. Why would he love me the way he does. I don't deserve it. But then I think that he loves me more then anything in the world...more then i love my own child...and that to me seems impossiable...I feel peace. What helped me was I joined several bible studies and I attended womens conferences. Bible studies are great becasue you can ask a million quesitons and not be judged but you can be guided to find the right answers. I just wanted to share with you that i never got "that feeling". But i do experiance feelings and thoughts that i know only God knows i need to feel or hear. I would try to pray too...just say what you want...he is your friend and you can tell him anything. I think some people replying that they want you to beleive in Jesus becasue it is just an wonderful and powerful love and once you understand that part you want everyone to understand too. Becasue as a Christian you are suppose to love everyone. Bless you.

hi greengirl,
i liked your post and thought that i would share a few things with you. i was raised in CHURCH by my grandmother when i was real young. i went every wed night and sat night youth night and SUNDAY moring and SUNDAY night. i even went to youth camp, bible school and, camp meeting. then after i cam home from vietnam i ran form GOD until a few years ago..i was going through a divorce,had skin cancer, had panic and anxiety and agrophobia so bad i could not even drive or go out and eat without geting sick..
i had tried to serve GOD when i was still married but it seemed like my ex did not want any part of it..i quit drinking and running around and smoking and cussing then she said that i thought that i was better then anyone else..i did not understan dwhat she meant so i just quit..
its so long a story that i could write a book which i am doing..it wil take a long time to finish but i wanted to tell you that GOD brought you to the forum and here you will get the help and support and prayers from all of us..i can not say what CHURCH is better then the other..GOD will in time lead you to the right one..it took us several to find what and where we needed to be..
i am now remarried and its going on 3 years..we go to CHURCH together and ,PRAY together and read our BIBLES . i try and treat others as i would like to be treated.i know that you have come a long way and still have a long way to go..in time you will know GODS WILL IN YOUR LIFE.he said to be still and know his will..know that you are in our thoughts and prayers always and you will find the skills and tools you need to go on your journey where ever it takes you..read my profile when you have time..take care and keep up your search...in the end you will find it and be happy in what ever you do..let this be your year to shine...GOD BLESS..
DON
P.S.sometime i would like th share what GOD hs done in our lives and how he has healed us and brought us to where we are now..you can do that as well...thanks for listening and hang on it won't be long till you feel free and can do as you want to in your journey..

Hi all!
I believe many folks have a basic misunderstanding--God doesn't want "religious" people. He wants people who have a personal relationship with Him through His Son, Jesus Christ.
Read the Gospel of John for a brief but clear explanation on how this works.
The main thrust is that we must accept that we don't meet God's standards on our own, and that once we accept Jesus' death and resurrection, He covers our "sins" so God only sees Him, not us. We are then part of God's family.
Dave

Hey Greengirl,

A really good book to check out is "How to be a Cristian without being religious" You can get it on Amazon really cheap.

Have a great day,
P5

I have found religion divides and personal spiritually unites.It must be real in my personal life between Jesus and myself before any Church will work for me.

I am thinking of visiting with the Quakers next....