Posted by cav on June 27, 2005 at 04:01:43:
In Reply to: The All In One Comment posted by Xavier on June 26, 2005 at 10:45:46:
Hey, I've seen you around over the years and maybe even talked a little, but I don't really know you. Still I was impressed by your post. It showed a simple honesty that I can always connect with. Anyway, you said you don't know where to go from here, but don't worry about that. You don't have to know where to go, if you're willing and looking to God you'll end up there in spite of yourself.
But there's a thing you might be interested in regarding your Bible study question. It's popular in evangelical churches but it runs far deeper and older. It's called discipleship, maybe you've heard of it. It's a simple process where someone who has made the same simple realization as you, can learn from an experienced and older Christian how to be a good Christian. For all the flack I may get from that statement, I think it is essential to build strong roots in our faith. So my advice is to check out such a program. Sometimes they are small group Bible studies or sometimes one on one kind of things. If you're interested in finding a good discipleship thing, email me at this address and I'll connect you with someone I know who has been doing that kind of thing for years and can help you get what you're looking for.
And you don't have to be a new Christian to do it, anyone can. It's just about teaching from the Bible how to find answers when you doubt. Where to find the verses that back up what your heart told you was right. And how to study the Bible on your own. Even how to balance your spiritual life. It's not anyone's system, it's just right out of the Bible. It would take years of work on your own to find what can be taught quickly by a mentor.
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: This is my all in one comment.
: Over the years I have been ignorant and lacking as a friend. I have not called when I said I was going to and been lacking as a friend. I want to make ammends to that, and talk to people more. I am penly sorry Terry and Bill for having wasted your time. I understand that it is a precious commodity and yours need not be wasted waiting for me.
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: I went to the John Reuben concert a few nights ago and if any of you know me, you know I can talk and talk and when I start with my questions who knows when you will get out of there, just ask Kat. Anyway there was a local rapper who got up for the open mic, Mr. Reuben did, he was my height and he rapped really well. His name was Saloman. I walked up and just started talking to him, he went into much more depth than I was prepared for and was reminiscent of how PS can rip it to the core.
: So again if you know me, imagine that face I get when PS makes a smart joke. Everyone in the room gets it, and I take it litrally. Anyway this Saloman guy talked to me for nearly 2 hours after the concert and something clicked. " I got it ".
: Not like a light switch just more of a "gradual wow" it was like all the things I have been learning for the last few years just made more sense. The killer thing was there was no altar call at the show, and I so had Rebuen pegged as the "altar call" guy. The whole night blew me away.
: I have walked down the altar isle a few times over the years, though have never gotten it. I talked with PS about a year or so ago, in the back of the little church about, people actually hearing God. I had wondered if I was just "off" for not hearing God in my life. PS always has a way of just helping a person understand.
: Well when Saloman was talking to me, I saw that conversation with PS in my mind. Then the whole
: faith statement made sense. I have made this simple choice of salvation so much more difficult than it has to be.
: Stepping back it is interesting to see that I do not need to "hear" God as an audible voice to understand his will in my life, I feel weird still, like I do not know where to go from here.
: Like Data in Star Trek when he gets his emotion chip, he finally gets humor and he is on overload.
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: Does anyone here ever do bible studies anymore, I need to fellowship and get my head close to god ?
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: Hey do you guys have anyone that I can pray for, I use to have this problem that I talked about how I never knew how to pray for more than a few seconds, not having all the big words. Now I just say simple prayers to God for as many people as I can think of.
: - Big Tim