Hi

[brandon2323]

Hi I'm Brandon, I'm 23 and I guess I've been a Christian all my life except for like a 7 month period a year or so ago where I decided I would live like I didn't believe in God to see if things went badly for me as proof that my Christianish lifestyle was in fact helping me live a happy and relatively successful life etc.

Pretty much I'm here because I like talking with people on message boards and I've decided recently to try and devote myself fully to the things of God, so I figured I could channel all my message-board-posting energies towards some spiritually edifying discussions and stuff.

I don't know how active I'll be though, because I've never really been interested in the things of God, just kinda raised in the church and generally came to the conclusion that either God is real and I don't wanna go to hell, or God is not real and I really don't know what will happen after my time on earth has expired but everyone else who has ever died that I know of subsequently doesn't get to participate in life on this Earth anymore, so living a life of worldly pursuits is pretty pointless anyways.

I personally would not say that I "love" God or Jesus, because it seems like all the mess and confusion that exists in the universe was originated by Them, since everything including the universe itself was originated by Them, and I was involuntarily thrown into the middle of it by the combined will of Jesus and my parents I guess.  I say this with an apologetic and humble disposition though, since I'd hate for Him/Them to send me to hell and I do appreciate the dying on the cross stuff and I guess once I get off my lazy behind and break my worldly habits and get into the Bible and fellowship with Him more I'll realize that His love is infinite and wonderful and stuff and I'll understand the meaning of it all. (heh, I'm about 8 chapters into the purpose driven life So far I've been too lazy to continue though it was a really eye-opening experience so far )

So right now, pretty much I'm kind of re-evaluating everything in my life to try and let all of the things I do glorify God, and it's really only been about 4 weeks or so into it, so I'm still in the habit of basically living for my next violent magical samurai gunslinging soldier comic book/manga/movie/video game fix.  But my discipline is getting better every day and I'm beginning to think living a Christian life might not be so boring after all.  

[The Crusader]

Welcome aboard.

[nChrist]

Oklahoma Howdy to Brandon,

Brandon, your joy and fullness in Christ is up to you, not Christ. I sincerely hope you enjoy Christians Unite and rededicate your life to Jesus Christ. When you study HIS WORD, walk with THE SPIRIT, seek HIS WILL, and yield to HIS WILL, it is there that you begin to experience the real joy and fullness in Jesus Christ.

Love In Christ,
Tom

[MDean]

Hello, Brandon. I've only been a believer for about 9yrs. and I'm 33. Trust me, I'd rather have been raised in a church. I have a lot of work to do. I guess what I mean is a lot of catching up to do. I've been back sliding for a few months now. I had a bad deal go down over Thanksgiving, and I can't seem to get back on track. Maybe you and I can help eachother. Today is my first day on this message board, so I'm brand new to this. Hope to hear from you!
In His name,
Mike

[brandon2323]

Thanks for the welcome folks and the encouragement.

MDean, I have to admit that I was quite blessed to have the relatively church-saturated upbringing that I did.  It's made things a lot easier once I have come around to accepting the truth.  It would definitely be great if we could strengthen and support each other's faith.  Look forward to chatting with you around the boards!