Hi,

Yes I understand that totally. Everyone does interpret what they read in a different way. It is funny that you mention the different versions of the Bible, as I ordered a KJV Bible yesterday to compare with the one I already have. As for this thread, I was just asking for advice - especially with what happened at my local Church. I never expected that type of welcome, or that type of service that happened there so I was wondering if there was anyone who had. I thank you all for sharing your opinions with me as I begin my journey. God Bless You all, but I do know it is my own journey, and I am enjoying knowing Him more and more. I hope to be able to help others who are seeking in the future, and pass on what I learn now.

Thank you all again,

Stephen

Hi everyone,

I kinda agree with Broken. You see I have worked as a DJ for the past 4 years, and a record single, not an album coste me between £5-£9, which is about $9-$15. Now, as you can see, that is a lot of money. For example to put together a 2 hour set you probably need 25 records so you can imagine the cost of keeping up-to-date. I download music, but only if I have it, or I want to try it out before I spend so much money on it. And yes, I have spent more since I started downloading. But the real conundrum for you is this:

Is it wrong to DJ in a nightclub as a Christian, watching people sin in front of you and do nothing about it? Is it wrong to DJ on the sabbath - even if you play Gospel-influenced music? (by the way I haven't played anywhere since I started readingthe Bible, but I'm not sure if I should again or not)

Hello again,

I know Petro, but I wasn't aware that this would be the situation until I got there. Also, my knowledge of the Bible is weak, so I wasn't aware until now this would be such a bad thing. There is a minister visiting this week so I will ask him about any local Churches that he can recommend to me. Also, the version of the Bible I have as advised in the bookshop is the 'CEV (Contemproary English Version)'. Would you say this is not a good starting point? I think I should buy The KJV also...

Thanking you all for your help,

Stephen

Hi,

Thanks for your words of encouragement. After having gone to Chruch today, and thinking about what that man said to me, I am not that bothered now, and will go next week without remembering what he sais to me. This is because I realise that the thing he said that upset me the most just makes no sense at all! This is because of what I read in the Gospel of John (thanks for starting me there, Petros)

The man impled that I'd leave the Church just as I left the Army! How can you compare God with a job? How can you leave Him who is with you always? How can you leave the His house, when He lives in your heart! Absolute nonsense. The Bible makes so much sense, I wish I knew about it all earlier, it makes understanding things so much easier. I thank God that He wants me to read the Bible, and learn about Him. Really guys, I wish I could tell you all how I feel right now - like I'm putting the final pieces in the jigsaw, and it feels good! I thank Him again for what he is showing me, through His teachings, and through those who help me.

Thank you all,

Stephen

Hi guys,

You all are very kind for helping me. I thought I should tell you about my visit to Church today as it was the first time I went on my own.

Firstly, there are two Churches in my locality, one called St. Bernards, and the other one that I went to today (that I can't remember the name of). My uncle told me that I should not go to St. Bernards, as there was no minister working there, so I went to te other one. There was no minister at this one I went to either! So, the service was taken by a lay preacher. She welcomed me wamrly to the Church.

The congregation was made mainly of old women, maybe 20 of them, 3 women, and 2 old men (one was the organist) and me.

After the service one of the old men came up to me and started asking me lots of questions about my background. The man asked me because I had quit other things in my life, for whatever reason (the Army, University), would I now quit the Church? And so I had to explain my reasons. He then asked me if my family went to Church. I said "No, but my girlfriend's family are all 7th Day Adventists", which he didn't like. We talked about their view on what the Sabbath is Saturday for them, and his words were "well they are right about the calendar changing, but wrong about a lot of other things!" The other thing that he said was that as the Church had no minister "this Church couldn't help me" at the stage I was at, as a seeker, so I should go on the Alpha Course to learn the basics, but I was "free to worship with them", with the undertone being that I was trying to join their club - not God's club.

Now, this Church has arranged to have a clean-up day, where the people who use this Church will clean it next Saturday, and I am going to help. I am also not going to be put off from going again every Sunday to worship Him. However, I also don't know why this man seemed to be trying to put me off going there with his questions.

From your experiences,what would you guys feel? I am glad I went to Church and spoke to God and took my first step of going alone to Church. However, I can't see why this man would be like this, do you think it is just because I'm young? I mean I admit I've quit a lot of things - I have been hopping from one job to the next, never happy, but I did not know Him then, and I can tell you I feel so much better in myself than I can remember. How can this man upset by implying I might quit on Jesus, after I know what He has done for me, and is showing me through the Bible the life that will make me happy?

Thank you again everyone.
I thanked Him for your messages to me, as I know that it is Him that makes you want to help me.

Stephen

Hello everyone,

Thank you again for your advice. I finished reading the Gospel of John today as my recommended starting point, and it helped me a lot. I find that it is helping clear my mind of uncertainty, about what Jesus did, and what He means to me. Tomorrow, I am going to my local Church for the first time, confident in the new belief that has came into me in the past few days. I know I will also enjoy it as I enjoyed reading the Gospel of John, as I am finding that learning about Jesus is enjoyable, as well as important me. Thank you all again, and I thank God in my prayers for the help you have given me.

Stephen.

Hello again,

Fewarechosen7F, I don't mean to sound stupid, but I don't understand what you are saying to me. I have not been baptised yet. Is that what you're asking me? It is something that has been bothering me for a while, and I know I need to be baptised soon. Or are you saying something else?

Thank you all for your kind words and welcoming me as part of your community. I feel much more at ease this morning, having spoken to Him before I went to sleep last night and this morning when I woke up. Your messages have helped me a lot also to talk to Him more comfortably. I thank Him for your messages, and calming my heart. Once again,

Thank you, this means everything to me,

Stephen

Thank you for your words.

It is 1 in the morning here, and I can't sleep for thinking about it. I have been reading about God to clear my mind, but it becomes apparent to to me now what I must do.

I think you summed it up for me. God seems new to me, but I realise I could have spoken to Him whenever I wanted. Just reading about the subject cannot ease my mind. I was waiting for a reply to this e-mail to maybe encourage me to do what I should have already done. I must speak to Him today, I will do so before I sleep. Thank you again, your words help a lot. I know it will be hard for me as I am not familiar with the Bible, but I will start with the Gospel of John as you mention. Thank You,

Stephen

Hi everyone.

Firstly I'd like to say hello to you all.

At the moment I'm quite troubled. For along time I have been searching for what it meant to believe in God, and what it meant to be a Christian. I recently bought a Bible and have started to read lots of things elsewhere also about Christianity. I also had a meeting yesterday with a devout Christian and afterwards we prayed.

Now I am a young man, But I'm not that young (23), and when I got upstairs after speaking with her about God and the Bible, I cried because my heart felt warm and good for talking about God, but I also felt shame for living in ignorance so long, as I have not yet been Christened or Baptised (it was my parents decision that I choose my own path)

So, anyway I know that I know nothing about God and the Bible, and I feel I can't defend myself against those who would call me a Bible-Basher, or others who say that the Bible has been manipulated by man over the years and that the path I have chosen is the wrong one. Is this doubt something I should expect to feel, as someone just starting on this path?

I'm so confused as to what to do, but even thogh I'm sure I am heading in the right direction, what can I do with my limited knowledge to repel the words of these people?

Thanks