How much does your faith help you?
 

I hope I don't offend anyone here. I never usually bring up money, sex or religion with anyone I know, let alone perfect strangers.
BUT, I'm toying with the idea of going to church on sunday.
I used to go in my youth but fell out of the habit. and that's what it was- a habit.
Perhaps I need to look from a different perspective and seek something more.
I wish I had a stronger faith. But I know it's not something you can just buy off a supermarket shelf.
Where does it start? Does your faith grow as you search for your answers? Or should I have the faith before I go to church? What does your faith do for you?
I'm not expecting a revelation if I go... just comfort. Is there comfort to be had? Should I just go and see? Am I just kidding myself?

I depend on my faith to get me through just about everything. It's been tested more times than I care to remember but looking back I can clearly see just how much it's taken me through difficult times.

I don't "go" anywhere for church anymore. But I've always believed that you don't have to be sitting in a pew in a building to worship.

Going to church does provide fellowship with others and a chance to make new friends. There's also a few really good church programs on television that I enjoy watching.

If you do decide to go on Sunday I hope you enjoy it. :)

Absolutely go, PF, at the very least, if you don't, you'll never, ever know how it might have improved things.

I depend 110% on my faith, it is literally the only thing that keeps me from going over a dangerous edge.

I've been an atheist since I was about 10 years old (raised a Roman Catholic) so I dont really have a faith. (I believe in science)

That said tho, I'm not one of those atheists who want to take all the 10 Commandment monuments out of the parks, and I dont want to take "in God We Trust..." off the dollar bill, and I think that if people want to organize a prayer in a public school or a government building, that's ok too. (it's not "freedom FROM religion, it's freedom OF religion...)

People's religions are a special thing. Everyone has a right to believe in what/who they want (well, I draw the line at devil worshippers who like to sacrifice babies...)

I'm all for encouraging people to go to church/temple and think it's great when people have something to believe in. Even if I dont. I think anything that helps people get thru the everyday yuck of having MS is always a good thing.

I dont think faith is a thing that has to "get stronger" as you go along. It's a part of the person, it's just there. How it's expressed (bible thumpers who go to church everyday, all the way to "I only go on the big holidays like Xmas and Easter..." is sometimes confused with strength of faith.

From watching the differences between my parents (dad's Roman Catholic, mom is Methodist, and she was raised by a Methodist preacher) I think faith is a learning experience. It changes. It changes depending on what's going on in your life. I noticed my dad, when he got sick, started to carry a rosary in his pocket, and went to confession. He also let a priest give him the Sacrament of the Sick when he had to have a procedure to see what his heart was doing.

I dont think his faith got any stronger, I think he's more aware of it tho.

My mom tho, for her, church is something she's kind of "meh" about. She'll go if she wants to, but doesnt seem to see going to church as a requirement of her faith. That might have something to do with being a preacher's daughter.

Faith is fluid, and changes as you go along.

Did I ever tell you that, Kelly/Kitty and I are twins..:D

It's all that we (Jim and I) rely on to get us through the day. :hug:

We watch Joel Osteen every Sunday on TV.

My faith, COMBINED with attitude and experience, has gotten me through every obstacle so far. There were a couple of times that were touch and go though :eek:, I must admit.

I am not religious at all, and don't relate to the "interpretations" that come out of many of the man-made institutions. I did attend church for many years though, so I got what I needed out of that before I decided to go out on my own. :D

I follow my heart, and fortunately GOD is in it. :)

Cherie

my faith has led me out of some dark places.

I also go to church for a social outlet. There are many worthy projects to get involved in, and roll up your sleeves for. it feels so good to be able to give back.

I hope you go! :cool:

Go you have nothing to lose and possibly lots to gain.If not then at least you found out more about your feelings. I believe in my faith and trust me the good lord has helped me so much in life although most people would say I had a crappy life. It may not make sense but if we try something new and don't find what we seek at least we took the chance. Hugs and many blessings.

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

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.

:hug:

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. :D

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 :hug:

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!

Sorry to hear that part of the sermon turned you off. :( Hope you can take away with you the parts that were good. Believe me, I'm a sermon pick-a-parter myself ;)

I know I haven't been to church in years, mainly because I don't want to do the "church-hopping" (as my dad puts it) to find one that I'm comfortable in. But it's something I've been toying with myself recently, mainly for the fellowship. I'm non-denominational, so have many to choose from for my first go.

I grew up in a Christian home. Turned away from my faith for a few years after college by being wiccan for a little while. Slowly came back to my original faith. Glad I did because I find strength through my faith in God, even more so since my DX. But this time away from church, reading my bible and other inspirational books, has been good for me. But feel the tug to get back to a church.

I am picking a new church myself. During the last several years we have watched our little community church crumble and make one bad decision after another. We keep hoping they will turn that corner, but they dont seem to be headed for that turn signal. We have reached our limit, and have chosen to shop for a new church. its a hard decision to do that, but we are willing to try. I hear there is a nice baptist church not too far from here, I think I will give it a try.

My faith and strength will follow me no matter which building I chose to use it in.

But in all fairness you were at a church service and their beliefs often do discount evolution theories. There are a few scientists in my family and they absolutely do 'dis' religious theories at casual gatherings. Not at a conference of course because thats work but a church service isn't really comparable to a professional atmosphere, imo. Lol, kind of ironic that I'm the one defending religion. :wink:

Definitely try a Quaker gathering. They are laid back and what I love about Quakers is that women have always been powerful.

I find much comfort in going to church. It is such a good jump start for my heart and soul to make it through another week.

I hope you find the comfort you are looking for. :hug: