Jump to content
  • Welcome to the TransPulse Forums!

    We offer a safe, inclusive community for transgender and gender non-conforming folks, as well as their loved ones, to find support and information.  Join today!

Renewing Faith?


Guest Cowboy

Recommended Posts

So, my faith has been on my mind a lot. When my parents were together we went to church every sunday and wednesday, and were very active our church community. always doing something with the church - youth camps, softball, cookouts, etc.

Since life has basically fallen apart, i havent been to church in years, and havent really been the best Christian. I know you dont have to step foot in a church to serve the lord, but im just saying i havent been the kind of Christian i know i should be, i havent reflected my inner faith very well (if that makes sense. forgive me yall im bad with words) I mean, ive gotten saved, been baptized, but have lost sight of my faith.

lately i have been thinking about trying to get back on track with the Lord. I was always told, that when something like that keeps eating at you, it's Jesus's way of asking you to let him in, or something along those lines. So ive been thinkin of how i could sorta renew my faith. im not an overly religious person. i just dont like to be that kinda person. i dont know.. i guess im just not the "advertising: type. with anything really.

but i would like to start reading a daily passage or two, and maybe find a church sermon i can watch or listen to online on sundays (if they have those?)

theres a church like 5-7 minutes away (if i walk) i can attend, but im not sure they even have sermons anymore because there is rarely cars there. maybe they do, im not sure.

anyway. does anyone have ideas for things i can do to be a 'better' Christian? or possibly help me find a daily scripture reading plan? any help would be highly appreciated. its been on my mind for a couple weeks, and i think God let my life fall apart to remind me that i need to do better.

Link to comment
  • Root Admin

If you want Jesus to come back into your heart, all you have to do is ask him. It's as simple as that. You can say it out loud or silently. It doesn't matter. He will hear you and come.

This site is a good daily reading.

http://odb.org/

MaryEllen

Link to comment
Guest Katrina Reann

Cowboy,

It seems when our life is falling a part we want to try and blame someone and usually that someone is God. We wonder why He allowed this or that in our lives. And when we don't get an answer or the answer we are looking for we get angry and walk away from Him. But Gods knows that we often can not comprehend why He allows certain things to happen in our lives or simply would not agree with why He allowed this or that. But the great thing about God is that He understands and just because we may have strayed a little or lived the way we feel we should have it doesn't mean God wasn't with us. His promise to each of us is that He will never leave us or forsake us. When we do finally come to our senses and realize God was not the one to blame and that we need Him in our lives, He is right there by your side and in our hearts where He has always been. His arms are still open wide and He just waiting for us like the prodigal son to welcome us home. And if we will truly look back the wayward path we just took we can see how He was there even when we tried to push Him away. God gave me a poem many years ago that kind of tells this story and it has gotten me through some very rough patches in my life. Maybe it will help you too. So here it is:

TENDER LOVING CARE

Though the clouds do come,

the sun still shines.

And though the rain does fall,

it is only for a short time.

When the rain does cease,

the ground is well nourished.

And when the clouds move on,

the sun does flourish.

Likewise, when times are troubled,

remember I am still there!

Through all the trials and tests,

and even the valley of despair.

Be like the ground after a rain,

receive what I show you, hear what I say.

Learn what I am teaching you,

when things look gloomy and gray.

When those hardships have passed,

you will see I was there!

And you will see how I nourished you,

with tender loving care.....(GOD)

I think the book Psalms is a good place to start for you or anyone who is trying to reconnect with God. Because the psalmists write about so many different things they are feeling or have gone through. And they are very encouraging. What I like to do is read one or two chapters everyday or every other day. But I think the main key is is reopening that communication with God and that is prayer. Just sit down and talk to him like He is your best friend, because He is. When we treat a friend poorly we apologize for it and try not to make the same mistake again. So apologize to Him and start living the way YOU feel He wants YOU to live. If you aren't living the way He wants you to He'll bring conviction to your heart. Many people will try to tell you how to live your life and say this is right or that is wrong. Sometimes you have to put their opinions aside because their can be a lot of judgmental direction in what they say. Just keep your eyes on God and keep your fingers out of your ears so you can hear God. And He will lead you down the path He wants you to go. And always remember no matter how hard things may get God is always with you!!! Hope this helps....Huggsss...Katrina

Link to comment
Guest Dakota.P

First off, renewing your faith can be a really exciting time. Now, how to do it? I find the best way to become more Christ like is to learn more about how Jesus lived. And the best source for that is the Gospels. Personally my favorite is Luke, but John is really good too. I would also suggest praying. It does not have to be complicated, just talk to God about how life is going. He is your friend, loves you, and wants to hear from you. If you are looking for sermons with sound theology, my church posts them on our website. If you are interested just let me know and I can send you a link. 

Oh, don't get caught up in "religion", that is something people made up. God does not want you to have "religion", He wants a relationship with you. 

~D

Link to comment

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Who's Online   5 Members, 0 Anonymous, 105 Guests (See full list)

    • violet r
    • April Marie
    • Pip
    • Birdie
    • Abigail Genevieve
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      80.6k
    • Total Posts
      767.9k
  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      12,013
    • Most Online
      8,356

    Quillian
    Newest Member
    Quillian
    Joined
  • Today's Birthdays

    1. 777fleetleader777
      777fleetleader777
      (21 years old)
    2. ArinHallm3
      ArinHallm3
      (18 years old)
    3. ITakMyTime
      ITakMyTime
      (70 years old)
    4. Jess31
      Jess31
      (40 years old)
    5. Natalie71645
      Natalie71645
      (39 years old)
  • Posts

    • April Marie
      What an amazing life you've shared with your wife. I can understand the trepidation you had at telling her at that point in your relationship but it certainly saved all of the guilt, the questioning and the secrecy that would have filled your lives had you not.   I'm on the other end of the spectrum having denied and buried my truth for decades and fast approaching 50 years of marriage when the dysphoria and depression finally came to critical mass and I unloaded it all on a New Year's Day morning. As you might imagine, it led to a lot of questions, of questioning everything, of anger and hurt on my wife's part. Guilt, embarrassment, fear...and anything else you can imagine on my part.   Thankfully, our love for each other has always been the foundation of our relationship and, ultimately, we both agreed that staying together was what we both wanted. It was a tough year but, now into the 2d since my coming out, we've hit our stride and are exploring this new norm in our life.   I do so love your blog.
    • Adrianna Danielle
      Will be at my place
    • Vidanjali
      Congratulations on your new family member!
    • Abigail Genevieve
      I thought I would try my version of this. Changes in bold.   I am Transgender.  Sometimes it is remote, sometimes close. Sometimes I am euphoric, sometimes depressed. It is something I cannot get away from and cannot welcome enough. I see some things both ways that neither men as men see or women as women see.  I can be gentle and compassionate and hard as nails. I was born with male genitals but a female heart   I have my heart.  Whatever it is. When I look at a female, I wish I looked like her  Depends on the woman.  When I look at a male, I wish I did not look like him   Ditto. I envy female movements, softness, behaviors, appearances, fashion...EVERYTHING Female Depends. Sometimes I get angry at them because women spend time and energy in ways men don't.  It is not necessarily bad.  I could do without the gossip. Not all women gossip.  Excessive focus on fashion is something I find annoying. And expensive. I tolerate all things male out of social obligation...not because I feel like a man or because it makes me happy....but because that's what I was forced to believe was my only choice....beginning in early childhood. Sometimes it is helpful to put on the Iron Man suit and act accordingly.  But I have seen some tough women. When I look at myself in the mirror in only bra and panties...I can see my nude female body...and it makes me smile and feel amazing and warm inside....yet sad because that is not my reality. I could go either way, mostly. Really.  In tests in the last two years technicians have gone really quiet when they see how little body and leg hair I have.  I looked at myself this morning.  Remove a few clues and a girl is standing there. When I look at myself in the mirror in only boxers...I can see my nude male body and it saddens me deeply and makes me feel sick and depressed...and at times...even ashamed....Because this IS my reality. At this point I am not going to do that. In the mood I am in I might break the mirror. My true gender does not influence my sexual interests or preferences...or change who I am....in any form or fashion. Gender identity is in no way connected to anything sexually related on any level.  Not sure I want to make that statement so categorically. Life as a male leaves me with a feeling that something is off...that something is missing...that something is not as it should have been.   Well put. The idea of having to continue living as a male...as someone I am not...for the rest of my life...even if its only part time...causes great sadness and anxiety within myself. I've got priorities beyond this that this must fit into. The idea of living as the girl I am and always have been on a full time basis...regardless of where I am, what I am doing or who I am around...brings me great joy, happiness and a sense of peace within myself.  Would be neat. Looking like and living as a girl makes me smile.   Would be neat.  There are downsides.  Looking like and living as a guy makes me sad.   I have had lots of practice accepting this. I am Transgender....I am a girl
    • Ashley0616
    • Ashley0616
      Good listener, respect them, and show sympathy/empathy, even just being there
    • Ashley0616
      Getting dog today he's potty trained
    • Sally Stone
      Think positively, Ashley.  I have no doubt you'll find your king or queen at some point.   Hugs,   Sally
    • Abigail Genevieve
      Bob had the night off from teaching kara-tay and they planned to spend a lot of it at Cabaret.   Once in, Taylor waited for her man to park and looked around.  There was a sign "Mary, Paul and Peter LIVE tonight" and, sure enough, three microphones were standing in the open area.  A new hostess came up to her. "Are you alone?" "Oh, no.  He's coming." Taylor was led to a table. Bob was there in a minute and managed to get in there and seat her.  She smiled. "The act will be along in a few minutes. And Congratulations! I am SO EXCITED!!" Taylor responded to his look. "I got promoted." "To what?" "Head of Marketing." "You're kidding." "Nope.  It seems the Board finally woke up to the fact that the China cash cow may come to an end and they need to do something. Did you know that the VPs on up all get over a million dollars in compensation without really doing anything?" "No." "I am supposed to figure out how to re-energize over thirty acres of factory that have laid idle for forty years or more." "Why don't they do it?" She whispered,"the head of production is the son of the previous head of production. He has never produced anything."  She explained that everything was made in China and exported back to the US and sold under different brand names. "How am I going to find someone?" He smiled. "Congratulations. Sounds like a problem.  Hey, today we were talking about problems at our Philly plant.  One, it was built before World War 2. Second the city and state are tightening regulations and the tax structure is adverse.  Third, we get protestors every day, some of whom break into the factory.  People are talking about relocating." "We are forty miles from an interstate." "That is a plus.  Makes it harder for protestors to find us if we moved here." "You are really thinking that?" "I am, right now. I can't speak for the company.  I know there is a rail line." "Spur, actually, with several sidings.  The buildings are in good shape." "Do you have about five acres we could look at? How about if I take some pictures and send them off?" "Great.  And protestors would not be tolerated in Millville.  The factory area once upon a time was the main employer and people are very protective." Two weeks later she was in Philadelphia with Gibson and a few others.  The deal was signed and by end of summer ten acres, with an option on another ten, were being upgraded and equipment was coming in by rail. Not five, but ten.  She got a $20,000 bonus out of the blue.  The company was flush with Chinese cash that they didn't know what to do with. She was developing plans. But back to dinner.  "Did I tell you what they are paying me?" "No." She told him. "That is more than I am making." "You don't sound happy." "It takes some getting used to.  You are Management and Croesus combined." "Yeah. Is this a problem?" "No.  As I said, it takes some getting used to."  The musicians arrived and were introduced: three local teenagers in Peter Paul and Mary clothing and wigs like it was the 60s.  They began singing. "They are good," she said. "They are lip-synching." "They are good at lip-synching." They listened for a while. "Work is going to be intense for a while." "I'll bet." "I won't be able to talk to you about some of it." "I bet." They had a good evening.   The high point for Bob was that she let him put his hand on hers.  The high point for her was Bob did not seem threatened by her now being Management and making more than he did with a Masters. She didn't tell him she was likely to be in on the distribution of money the Chinese sent every year to keep them fat and happy.  But she had to finish up that report, so the evening ended early.  He drove her home, checked her apartment for people and again walked away hearing her lock the door three times.  She didn't say it, but he knew she was going to have a long talk with her therapist as well.   Her therapist was a night owl.  
    • Ashley0616
      envy: painful or resentful awareness of an advantage enjoyed by another joined with a desire to possess the same advantage obsolete : MALICE : an object of envious notice or feeling
    • MaeBe
      I sit back and think, am I this person? I definitely argue, but with the willingness to alter my opinion if I find that my information is lacking. So, no? I also don't go pointing fingers in faces like a crazed person, usually I am the one to argue with that kind of person; typically because they can't see past emotion and have little concern for actual facts. Sometimes it's sport that I do this (ENTP, baby!), but usually it comes from a place of trying to inform and shift opinion--or at least get them to actually obtain facts or get their facts from objective sources.
    • Ashley0616
    • Ashley0616
    • Ashley0616
    • MaeBe
      How exciting! Have a glorious evening!
  • Upcoming Events

Contact TransPulse

TransPulse can be contacted in the following ways:

Email: Click Here.

To report an error on this page.

Legal

Your use of this site is subject to the following rules and policies, whether you have read them or not.

Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
DMCA Policy
Community Rules

Hosting

Upstream hosting for TransPulse provided by QnEZ.

Sponsorship

Special consideration for TransPulse is kindly provided by The Breast Form Store.
×
×
  • Create New...