A post by DJ made me think to ask this question.
She commented about religion being our instruction book for life.

I thought it might be interesting to learn how we came to our faith.

Since I'm the curious one I'll go first and I'll make is as brief as possible.

I was raised in a Catholic family with a mom who stayed home, a dad who worked and put all five of his lovely children through Catholic elementary and high school.

I went to mass every Sunday and Holy Day and had religion classes every single day I was in school.

Though I was confirmed, I really didn't get *IT* the way I do now.

I mean I guess it was an inherited faith that I had due to my parents instruction in the home and what I received at school.

IT wasn't until I was in my twenties and going through infertility, hubbies Diabetes interfering with finishing his boards, and on top of that, our dear friend commit suicide all in the same summer.

Time to grow up. DOn't always get what you want. I thought I was in control here. Life was spinning.

At the time we were unchurched. We phoned and met with a family minister friend and he explained that we needed to ground ourselves in Christ, that we weren't in control <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="images/icons/shocked.gif" /> . and that life isn't always what we want but a life lived in Christ would give us the grace and strength needed. We were all ears. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

So, we prayed with him, found a church we liked (happened to be right across the street from our home) and have never turned back.

By the grace of God (though through some rough situations)we found our way back and discovered our own faith and remain ever grateful. Now I know this faith I own is real.

Anyone else want to share? Good or bad experiences?

you can write volumes about this, but to keep it brief....

Raised in the United Church - baptized at 12, confirmed, married in it, had both children baptized in it. Taught Sunday School for a year, was on church council - attended at least once a month. Began dropping off once I had kids - harder to get there, no meaning in the service, no answers to questions I was having etc.

Lost full time job in 1996, began going through crisis of faith - started exploring. Tried Buddhism, read a lot of New Age stuff, developed an interest in Wicca (have a close friend very "into" this stuff so she was major influence on me I guess)- went to some weird "retreats"....

Fast forward to 2000. Youngest son attending Anglican church with my parents - has a play on Palm Sunday and asks Mom to go. I haven't been inside a church for some time. Cried through the service. Felt confused - something lacking in my life. The New Age stuff was not doing it for me. Took an Alpha course, started attending the Anglican church - gradually at first.

Last Dec. I was confirmed Anglican. I attend pretty much every Sunday now, do the church newsletter, am on the Altar guild - and I love it. My faith deepens and grows daily and I am blessed to have a wonderful church and mature Christians around me who are helping me on this walk. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

Garrie, you can't leave us hanging like that! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" />

I think I've always had faith in God. Who Jesus was and how He fit into the picture was a mystery for a time, and the function of the church had me stumped for a while, but those things are pretty well in place now.

Anyway, I grew up in a nonbelieving home. My family felt that as long as you weren't that perennial ax murderer you were probably okay.

I married at 19 and hubby and I came to faith about the same time. We have helped start churches in the midwest and northwest. We are not clergy, just people called to help.

The reason I am a Christian is more than any other book, the Bible describes real people. I know a person is ignorant of its contents when they say, "The Bible is full of stories about goody-goodies." My first reply is for them to name three. It's rare I get an answer. The Word addresses behavior I see on a daily basis and is painfully honest in describing me. But it also gives answers. Most of them involve me getting off my high horse and becoming a servant, or removing the log from my eye before before I go digging for the splinters of others. *sigh*

Sometimes I don't like what I am forced to acknowledge is the truth, but I want the truth. I'm rather stuck. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

Sue

[QUOTE]Originally posted by chuchularue:
[QB]I think I've always had faith in God. Who Jesus was and how He fit into the picture was a mystery for a time, and the function of the church had me stumped for a while, but those things are pretty well in place now.

Sue, you just figured something out for me. Your words sorted out the qay I was raised and my beliefs too. I knew God as a kid, but not the love of Jesus.

Also, I'm still sorting out the church government and deciding if I like it. I'm a Presbyterian.

Your comment about the Bible being a story for goody goodies. I'm reading the Purpose Driven Life and just this morning read about the following people:

Jacob-insecure
Moses-stuttered
JOseph-abused
Samson-codependent
Jeremiah-depressed
Abraham-old
David-affairs and family problems
Elijah-suicidal
Peter-hot tempered
Martha-worrier
Samaritan woman-many failed marriages
Zacchaeus-unpopular
Thomas-doubted
Paul-poor health

Rick Warren (author) was pointing this out in his book to show that God uses everybody...no excuses. Yes, even me!

I heard a minister say:
"Churches are not a museum for saints, they are hospitals for sinners"
I think that says it all. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" />
Thanks for sharing!

Church government is one of the few things that really separate us as believers. I personally feel that the biblical model is an elder-led church. No monthly meetings, no one-man-one-vote sort of thing. But, I also think that if a person feels there is more accountability, they should support that church model. The bottomline for me is: Is the leadership of the church submitted to the authority God, accountable to trustworthy people in the congregation and are they commited to taking care of the "sheep?"

I am a little radical in that I believe most systems, even those of human creation, will work if we are submited to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and "working out our own salvation with fear and trmebling." Grace covers a mutitude of sins and goes a long way to making the brethern a lot more loveable.

Take care--Sue

For me, Being a Christian is not a religion, it is a relationship. I am a child of God. I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that he gave his life so that I could live. I will have an eternal life with God not separated from God. I spend time with the Lord daily through prayer and Bible study. I believe the Bible is the inspired word of God.

So its a relationship. Its what gives me a basis for my living each day. Christ was a servant more than anything and I try to pattern my life after His awesome example.

He keeps me on my knees and humble. He gives me joy amidst the hard things in life.

So there you have it.

Ladies, I am so enjoying your observations and sharings on faith and religion. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />
thanks so much

While the relationship between the individual and Jesus Christ is the main concern in Christianity, the institution of the Church is vital to the believer's life as well.

To me, most of my interaction with others is chosen by me, but when it comes to church, I am at the mercy of God. Whoever walks through that door is now a part of my "immediate" family. On a spiritual level all Believers are brothers and sisters in the Lord, but since we are not in personal contact those relationships are not ones that challenge me. My church family presents me with people and situations with which I would not normally involve myself. And for that I am grateful.

I know that many have been deeply hurt by people in the Church. Some of my deepest wounds have been inflicted by other Believers, but some of my greatest insights into myself and this Christian walk have come because I became acquainted with someone who wasn't quite my "type."

For me I can't separate my personal walk and my involvement with other believers in the authority and the structure of the Church.

Take care--Sue

Hi everyone
I've been time-poor and not able to join in the discussions til now but i have been following this one. I agree that the church can sometimes get in the way of our faith - I feel a bit disconnected from the church at the moment for various reasons. Here is a song lyric that describes my faith journey - I don't tell many people this but I have quite a stong memory of my first "God" experience as a pre-schooler...

I was just a child
But I know you called my name
I was just a child when into my life you came
You saved me from the evil one and gave me strength to live
I was just a child
I became your child
I am still your child
I love you still.

The years have passed
Change is part of my life
I am mother, sister, daughter, wife
But one thing doesn't change
Still I hear you
Calling out my name
Making me your own

I was just a child
But I know you called my name
I was just a child when into my life you came
You saved me from the evil one and gave me strength to live
I was just a child
I became your child
I am still your child
I love you still.

It's a strange, cold world
People come and they go
But if there's one thing left in this world that I know
It's the sound of your voice,
Still and quiet
Like sunshine on the ground
Warming my heart

I was just a child
But I know you called my name
I was just a child when into my life you came
You saved me from the evil one and gave me strength to live
I was just a child
I became your child
I am still your child
I love you still.