Go Pud. You have nothing to lose and perhaps much to gain. Like medication, if you don't like it, try another.

It may start as a place to socialize, and then it may go to something else, if you let it. Friends, and love, are great to have, even those you can't see.

Thanks guys.
I'm all for coincidences (don't get me started) but I've just read three great books by three different authors that I wouldn't normally have touched and all the leading characters went to some church service and found a degree of peace. Not just a quick walk in but a major part of the story (one bio, two fiction).

Can faith be found or do you wait for it to come to you?

I think finding/aquiring faith is a journey. I grew up in a Christian home so 'having 'faith was never an issue with me. I always knew that God was there and would always take care of me. It may not be in the condition that I thought I should be in but He would take care of me. Going through adversity makes me stronger because of my faith. My DH became a Christian when he was 40 and finding faith has been a very difficult process for him. I don't know if he will ever complete that journey. I just know when he comes to the end of his road that God will be there with open arms.

I depend on my faith every day! it has gotten me through the last year when I didn't think I could make it!

I wouldn't know how to be without my faith. Still it doesn't keep me from stumbling... I'm only human. I leave the big stuff to God to see to. I pray, I read the Bible and I try to do what the Lord taught us. Do I always get it right... nope. BUT I know He forgives me... that is where I find my comfort. Going to church is just the window dressing on my faith.

Pud, if you know that He am God, you have it. Just build on it.

Pud, definitely try it since you are curious!


I'm more in line with Erin. Personally I don't depend on faith in God but I do believe in karma, being respectful and doing the right thing just because its the right thing.

As for faith for now at least I'm kind of bitter. It just seems that there is so much suffering and pain in this world. I'm sorry but I just can't accept it. Fortunately DH's faith is strong despite all the obstacles that keep getting tossed our way.

The idea of a group of like minded people hanging out together is attractive to me so I might change my mind at some point. In event I'm thinking I might be able to sneak into heaven, if there is one, on DH's coat tails.

Pud : Faith is the strength that has been keeping me going
all of these 24 yrs. with ms.

It is what held me up when my dear husband passed 3yrs. ago

It is what is keeping me strong right now, because I am having a bad
time with the ms now. That is why I have not been visiting NT as often
as I usually do.

You seem to be searching now for something that will give you
strength to hold on in this black hour. Go to church, give it a try, don't
give up at first, because you didn't seem to get anything out of it.

Keep trying. Faith comes to all of us in different ways.

Jappy

Well I went to a Salt service and came away pleased with myself for trying it.
It started well, I was welcomed and lots of people chatted and smiled at me and offered a seat next to them so I wasn't alone. I declined graciously.
There was a kinda 30 minute group karaoke thing with a rock band which was nice but there was lots of swaying and waving of arms which made me very dizzy and unsettled.
I chose to sit near the older generation thinking that they wouldn't be on their feet as much as the main group- that was a smart move on my part. I got away with sitting for the whole thing.
After much praise be to the lord and amens, the rockers departed and the pastor started his fresh and uplifting sermon about eternity.
I enjoyed it up to a point.
Almost at the end, he began a story... He described being angry and slamming the pantry door with a bang. All the food fell from the shelves inside, flour, sugar, spices, etc
He opened the door to a mound of ingredients on the floor and as he cleaned away, he saw a loaf of bread in the middle. All ready, made and baked and ready to eat.

Did we believe his story, he asked? No! was the reply.

And yet the scientists of the world would have us believe that one big bang created the world.

This was the dissapointing part for me. All our beliefs should be valid whether they agree with each other or not. I saw his analogy as a disrespectful attack on the whole darwin evolution theory.
Never would I expect to be at a science conference and have them 'dis' religion as a whole load of foolishness.
Each to their own and I know religion is not a buffet where you take some and leave some but it didn't sit well with me.

Maybe I'll try a Quaker meeting next time.

Good for you, Pud! I'm glad you went, now I hope you'll draw on the parts you connected with, and consider how the rest of the message gave you pause to seriously examine your belief system.

That's a great start and I suspect this experience will stay with you for awhile. That's really what it's all about, if you ask me, challenging your beliefs and giving you a reason to prioritize them.

Go again!