CHRISTIAN

• By amt52
• Reply 3452791
• October 12, 2012 at 11:51 am
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I was raised Catholic, and stopped going to church at about age 20. Would go occasionally with my mother out of respect for her. I have always known that God is there (and here). I consider myself born again, and know that through His mercy and grace, I will be in heaven when I check out of earth. My faith is strong; however, I do not attend church on a regular basis. In fact, I rarely go outside my home-just for dr appts, tests, procedures. I pray every day and read my Bible. And I do my humanly best to stay out of evil trappings. I believe that when a real crisis arises in life, most people turn to God. Even as people AGE they turn to God. As it says in 23rd Psalm, ....He MAKETH me to lie down.... Inevitably, when we are proud and "in control", something will happen to remind us of His love for us, and our need for Him.

• By Kailua86 (Inactive)
• Reply 3452871
• October 12, 2012 at 12:24 pm
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Alan,
This is a good site for us who have one of the most "un" condition. Its un-cool, un-comfortable, un-sexy, and a few others. Anyway I am sure you get the point. Faith is a powerful thingIts great that people of all ages and traditions come together from all over the world to sit and talk ostomies.
Gives a new meaning for "3 bags full" And when you better half askes you "How was your day? " you can honestly say "Shi##Y" and that doesnt mean you had a bad day any more.
So the good Lord gives us strength and the ability to laugh at ourselves.

Kailua

• By alan41241
• Reply 3452872
• October 12, 2012 at 12:24 pm
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Very well stated, Amt. I appreciate your input. Not all of us find solice in a church building. Some of us find it in prayer or Bible reading or both.
Blessings,
Alan

• By alan41241
• Reply 3452879
• October 12, 2012 at 12:26 pm
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Thank you, Kailua. How true your comments are.
Blessings,
Alan

• By Idahoeagle
• Reply 3452950
• October 12, 2012 at 12:54 pm
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Alan, what a good topic,
I was raised LDS, Mormon. I too went to church out of respect to my parents, although they were not devoted LDS. My father called himself a Jack Mormon, but I enjoyed the Family Atmosphere about the religion. i will say that they are very much into Family. It is a good environment to be raised into, although I didn't like the religion, as a whole, that thought they were, and probably still do, the only TRUE RELIGION. whatever that means. !!! As far as I'm concerned there is no true religion. Just personal preference. That's me.
GOD created all of us and He Doesn't Make Mistakes. At least I don't think so.
I've seen a lot of "DO AS I SAY, NOT AS I DO", stuff. That is just, SO WRONG.

I was never so close to GOD as I was while tending the campgrounds in the mountains of the Santa Fe National Forest and the Targhee National Forest. For ten years I was a hermit and only seeing the campers who came to camp, at least on a regular basis.
There were weeks that I would be totally alone on the mountain with just my cat. She was my companion The only one I really wanted Outside of my relationship with GOD, which was very powerful then.
My Partner had died and I had totally lost myself.
It took that time of ten years and someone special to walk into my life and give me a reason to be a companion again and join the rat race of the world and the human race. There were times that I wished I was anything else but part of the human race.
There's a lot of emotion that I can't put into words. GOD is the reason I got through this medical ordeal and that is the one thing I Do Know. He has his reasons, that I hope one day to know. Right now all I can know is my trust in HIM. AND I DO.
Religion is different things to different people, but spirituality is just what it is. Believing in a Higher Being and Power.
From all I've been through in my life, I can't help but KNOW I've been helped along the way.
GOD is the one we turn to as we age and go through all this. Most of us do anyway.
Blessings to all. May we all find peace and happiness.
Michael

• By alan41241
• Reply 3453055
• October 12, 2012 at 1:41 pm
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Beautifully stated, Michael. We are all different. I agree that sometimes religion gets in the way of a true walk with God. I believe when we are standing at the throne of God He's going to have two questions. "Did you know My Son? What did you do about it?"
Blessings,
Alan

• By Chriswife
• Reply 3453093
• October 12, 2012 at 1:52 pm
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I am very spiritual and pray and also read my bible but I do not go to church. Someof it is because of what I went though as a child, but more recently it is becuase of things I have seen with some people that go to church and then on the other 6 days act very un-church like (if that is a word, I think you know what i mean!). I believe the power of prayer does great things and pray for people every day to ask The Lord to help the with their trials. I believe it is imortant to treat people well, even when we feel like they have done us wrong, and that can be done within or outside of the confines of a "church". I may go back to church one day, I am just not ready yet. I love reading about all of the prayers, etc on this site, it helps alot!!!

Kerri

• By alan41241
• Reply 3453220
• October 12, 2012 at 2:50 pm
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Thanks so much Kerri for your input. I really appreciate your taking the time to post.
I, too, believe in the power of prayer. And reading the Bible reinforces our beliefs.
I go to church because I want the companionship of other Christians who believe as I do. I was blessed enough to find the perfect church for me. I hope one day you will, too.
Blessings,
Alan

• By Mare5785
• Reply 3453447
• October 12, 2012 at 4:35 pm
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Great post Alan! Thank you!
I was raised protestant.. and still belong to the First Congregational Church.. although I don't get there as often as I wish to. When I work.. my schedule is Friday/Saturday/Sunday.. 6 am to 6 pm... so Sunday service is out.. : ( I have tried to look for churches who might hold a mid week service.. late Saturday or Sunday evening service.. but have not found one.
I carry my faith in my heart and soul... 24/7.
I would not be here today if it were not for Gods love.. I have surpassed the odds and was told many times that I would "not make it"! An enigma... so to say... but.. those who spoke those words... were not in control... He was.. and had very different plans for me!!!

I'm a firm beliver in that, if you want to make God laugh.. Tell Him that you are in control!!!
I have a stone tile by my bed that says.. "Good morning. This is GOD speaking. I will be handling ALL your problems today. I will not need your help.. so.. Have a Good Day!!!" I wish I had bought a case of them to hand out to friends.. but I have not seen them again, since I found it, years ago.

Many times throughout the day.. I will find myself thinking of friends... both locally.. long distance..and my Inspire friends.. and I will stop to say a few prayers and ask God to watch over you all.. Prayers do heal.... I have seen it happen..

Prayers and blessings..
Mare

• By alan41241
• Reply 3453642
• October 12, 2012 at 6:20 pm
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Thank you, Mare. I, too, believe prayers heal. I have seen it also. There have been times when there was nothing for me to do but cry and pray for help because I knew I couldn't do it alone. And every time He came through. I have some wonderful memories about how prayer works.
Blessings,
Alan

• By Joe-R (Inactive)
• Reply 3453667
• October 12, 2012 at 6:32 pm
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Hello sweet Brother in the Lord Jesus Christ,

You are 'doubly' Blessed for sure!!

A great Born Again Church you attend and wonderful
Christian people on Inspire that you have touched and
are touching with the Loving Hand of Jesus!

My family and I 'long' for real Christian fellowship where
we live! It is very hard now a days to find Born Again Believers
to come together in a 'home' and have sweet communion
[Acts 2:46,47] talking about the things, yeah, the
'Deep things of God! ' [1Cor. 2:10]

I do believe we have found a good and balanced non-denomintaional
church finally! LOL! I hope my family and I find the same people you
have mentioned above in your Discussion post in this church!

Alan, you've been reading posts on Inspire for 7 months
and I just started my 7th. month of colostomy recovery!
Praise the Lord! :^)

God Bless,
Joe-R <><

• By tjane
• Reply 3453671
• October 12, 2012 at 6:34 pm
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I believe I am a Christian but do not go to church often. Had a few bad experiences with people who say they were Christian but ther actions did not seam very christian to me. I believe in God and the power of prayer. There was once experiece I had while in the hospital many years ago. I was having a realy hard time and the clergyman of the hospital came to my room to pray, It was the first time I can say I really experience the hand of God. After that prayer I felt such a peace come over me and I finaly relaxed and was able to sleep and heal. All my anxiety was gone. Never told anybody about this you are the first. I dont believe you have to be a church goer to be Christian I feel it is the way you live your life and care and pray for others. Mare I love your tile you told us about. Hope everyone has a good day. xox terri

• By Mare5785
• Reply 3453804
• October 12, 2012 at 7:42 pm
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Thank you Terri.. I love it too! : )
In the mornings.. I begin my day: "Lord, I ask that you please go above me to watch over me, beside me to befriend me, within me for unconditional spirtuality, love, & compassion, behind me for strength and to catch me an carry me when I fall (cause Lord, I know when I've fallen and there were only your footprints).. and in front of me to guide me today an forever more." Then I give thanks for the many blessings He has bestowed upon me.... and begin asking for prayers for others.

There can be many hypocrites in church. I remember that my Mom stopped going because of that.. Our church broadcasted the service on the local radio station so Mom would stay home and listen to it while sipping on her coffee. Dad and I would go.. then by the time we got home.. mom had dinner ready and we'd discuss the service. She always stressed, the we did not have to sit in the pew to be a good christian. She read the bible several times a day. While in grade school, she was actually one of the Sunday school teachers.

Joe.. happy that you have found a church!! They are blessed to have you and Danise with them! I pray that all is going well for you and your neighbors! : ) hugs..

• By alan41241
• Reply 3453885
• October 12, 2012 at 8:24 pm
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Thanks Joe, Terri, and Mare. So much to say.
Let me say, as far as church is concerned, it's not a mausoleum for saints, it's a hospital for sinners. I have been in churches like the ones described here. How sad that people can destroy good churches with hatred and bigotry. I also believe one can be a Christian without attending church. But I believe one can become a better Christian at the right church.
Thanks, guys for answering my post.
Blessings,
Alan

• By Dan53 (Inactive)
• Reply 3454025
• October 12, 2012 at 9:34 pm
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Well I wpuld say that I'm somewhat of a Biblical Christian. If that means "born again", well that's what I am. I believe very strongly that God has given me "new" life, a one nobody can ever take away. I believe that God still preforms miracles secondly. When I had to have my emergency iliostomy, the surgeon came right out and told me, if I didn't have the surgury I would surely die, if I had the surgery I probably wouldn't survive the night. When I came out of surgery the surgeon told my wife I would be on a ventilator for a minimum of 18 hrs and they would still not guarentee my survival beyond hour by hour. I was off the ventilator in less than 3 hrs., I went home within 5 days. I have had a lot of people comment that I must be really strong. I have to correct them and let them know, this was not something I did, this was all God and the surgeon's work. I was just along for the ride. God bless all of you.

• By alan41241
• Reply 3454187
• October 12, 2012 at 11:09 pm
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Wonderful story, Dan. I'm sure it was God who saved your life and I'm glad you found Inspire.
Blessings,
Alan

• By JRo12
• Reply 3454402
• October 13, 2012 at 2:12 am
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Hello Everyone,

This is a tough question for me to respond to with many emotions. This is harder for me to talk about than talking about my ostomy or surgeries. It is because this is a big deal. The most biggest deal there is out there.

I was raised Catholic and never had a strong bond with God until my sophomore year in Highschool. I met a friend who went to an Assembly of God church. She invited me where I felt truly loved ad accepted. I was to be baptized thru this church and me and my father argued for weeks because the church was not Catholic. Finally one day my Father came up to me and said as long as you beleive and love in God that's all that matters to me. Shocked me but it was great. So I was baptized and happier then ever. I went to Christian camp where to this day has been the best experience of my life. My life was all about God for a long time thru the age of 23. Than bad things started happening and I lost touch. Here and there I would try to get this back but than more bad things would happen again and I would lose touch again. I love our God and his son Jesus Christ still to this day but have flipped flopped back and forth so much that I feel he may have given up. It does state in the bible that there comes a time where you become numb and that is when you no longer have a chance to be with the Lord, which saddens me. I was always told that you are given only so many chances and I think I may have used mine all up. The only other trouble I have is the hurt, pain, destruction and hate that goes on in this world that cannot be explained. It hurts my heart so very much, and I know they say it is our fault that this is all going on, but somewhere deep down I just wonder why God cannot intervine in some way or another, at least maybe with Children and the disabled. They say though that the Lord intervenes in his own way we just do not see it the way we should. So you see I have been on a rollercoaster with faith. I want to be back in a place I was in Highschool but just feel it may be too late. I still pray every night at least for others, just not to much for myself. I am going to sound a bit hard but I want to make sure you understand. All I wanted in life was never, money, beautiful things or a great house. What I wanted was to have a family of my own. I am 41 hardly near having a boyfriend much less a husband and children. Do not see that happening. I have more health problems that I can even count and the only family I have is torn apart. The friends that I do have are all marred with children and live far away. I have no-one which is why this site has become so important to me. However I am just waiting for God to step in somewhere, every night while praying for you all I ask for just some kind of sign that he has not given up on me and I don't see that sign. Please everyone don't take this the wrong way, or look at me differently I am only doing this because you never know what could happen when you bring yourself forth. I am always aware that things could be worse and I should feel lucky which I do but some things can be pretty tough. And know that I know I have caused most of my own problems, not him.
I love being in a Church. Any Church, It is just so peaceful and warm. I can tear up just walking into a church because the house of the Lord is all about love and acceptance and forgiveness. I am sure there is something that I am missig, just not sure what it is and hopefully it will not be to late before I do.,
I don't know if this is what you were looking to see Alan and if not I am sorry. But after writing this I think i will be reading Revelations before I go to sleep. Revelations always helps me feel so peacful.

I hope you all understand what I just revealed and do not look any different at me. I am working on this but may be losing time.

God Bless to you all though and love always - Janet

• By alan41241
• Reply 3454572
• October 13, 2012 at 7:39 am
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Janet,

Thanks for sharing your innermost feelings. I really appreciate it.

I have to say that it's never too late and your chances never end. God loves you and His love never changes. He doesn't love depending on what you do. He loves you because you exist. His love never fails, never gives up, never ends. He loved you before you were born. If you are not close to God, you moved, He didn't. He is knocking at the door to your heart and is waiting for you to let Him in. He will wait and still love up to your last breath. I don't know where in the Bible you believe you read that you only have so many chances but I have never read that.

If you truly miss what you had as a teenager, look for a church where you can feel that again. It's out there.

I will pray that you find that place where you can feel comfortable again.

Blessings,
Alan

• By Mare5785
• Reply 3454764
• October 13, 2012 at 9:23 am
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Janet..
Thank you for sharing and letting your deepest feelings and soul be revealed with us. To me.. that in itself is a healing step..and a step in the right direction to reconnect with God..

I totally agree with Alan and his response!! Once again, Alan.. your wisdom and words are glorious!! Thank you!!! We must all remember this, when we feel less deserving or feel our faith waivering!!

I think I will print this out Alan... Thank you!!
hugs n blessings,
mare

• By Idahoeagle
• Reply 3454792
• October 13, 2012 at 9:38 am
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Janet, What a touching story and life you have here.
Alan, I believe you are so right.
I truely do not believe that you have only so many chances, but that you have the chances and unconditional LOVE of GOD to live out your life and learn from what life can and has to offer.
I totally believe in the power of prayer as well. I pray for my health and well being as well as my families and you all here.
I pray Janet, that you get the help you need to overcome this and come to realize GOD STILL LOVES YOU. As he does all of us.
There has to be a church out there for you, but in the meantime just know and feel the love from GOD and your family on this board.
GOD is LOVE, more than anything else.
I, like you, longed for a family to share my life with. I knew I was to immature and did not make enough money to support a family.
Plus I had to be true to myself, and true to my GOD. I wasn't about to put a wife and child through where I felt my life was going.
In the End, I think I chose the right path. I can love all the children around me. There are days that I long for my own children, but I take comfort in knowing that GOD had a purpose for me in other ways.
So it Is what it Is.
I just know that GOD Doesn't make mistakes. He has HIS reasons for us all. We just have to have faith and look for them.
Hope this helps you, and just KNOW THAT YOU ARE STILL LOVED BY GOD.
Sincerely,
Michael