Never baptised

[Aysha]

My family are not church goers. Although they have all been baptised catholic. Yet not a really religious family. I use to get in alot of trouble as a teenager and I use to get sent to my dads house because of it. I had met my teenage best friend at 13. Her family is roman catholic and I remember her mom making her go to mass every sun and lent and stuff around easter. So I would go with her because we were inseperable.

Now this is where it gets weird. I would get hot flashes alot during mass and feel like I was gonna pass out. I even had a dream one night where I was dreaming a dream and all of a sudden the dream cut to me standing in front of that church all alone and I hear a voice say " Don't you ever pray again." Then that was it.
Yea sounds crazy. But I will never forget that. I can still see it clear as day.

But after awhile of going with her I noticed my actions were changing for the better and I was more compassionate toward other people . Example ...The girl in school everyone use to pick on..I started sticking up for her. I stopped getting in trouble in school and I went from failing a grade from being suspended the last 2 mos of school because of fighting to being on the honor roll. This happened gradually really without me relizing it until later in life when I thought back on it.
I go to treatment next week. I really dont' know too much about religion but I know I believe in God. I would like to even start going to church again. But I am not baptised.
I think it would be another way to help in the recovery process after treatment.

Any advice?

[best]

I would suggest that you ask in prayer...Lord, guide me to a church that teaches from Your word (the bible) and follows the truth found within.
Buy a bible and start to read. Before reading ask in prayer...Help me understand what You want me to gain from these pages.

No matter what church the Lord guides you to... if they are teaching from the bible, a talk with the priest or pastor will tell you... age doesn't matter...you can be baptisted right now if so wanted.

You can also find the bible on line.
bible.com is one such place. They have many versions of the bible available there. I happen to like the NIV version myself...easier reading over some of the others.
Pray, read and follow as the Lord guides.
You will do well.

[gimmeid]

I had serious troubles in church before and continuing a while after sobriety, to the point I could think it would be for the best of others for me not to go. Sitting close to people it was like almost they could read my mind. Hot flashes, brain almost twisting in my head, sick emotions, almost like dt's.

My fumbling efforts in working the twelve steps, especially getting a lot of junk 'out' to another person, definitely with God's help, cleared a lot of these things up.

It wasn't till I approached a Christian counselor over some difficulties that the subject of baptism was raised, and whether it was required or not. At another meeting, after he gave me some Bible verses to read, I brought it up and informed him I decided to be baptized, and all theology aside, I would simply follow Christ's example. It was half an hour before the service, and we went to the pump room, poked around and got the water running, the hot water was out, he told me the beginning of a song would signal me to come up, I sat down for the service as folks started coming in.
I feel God literally laid his hand on me going up there. My heart was almost ripping a hole through my chest, sweating, the whole nine yards, I feared I would literally be physically incapable of walking up there and going through it. I prayed for peace, asked, and walked up there as calm as I have ever been in my life. Facing the congregation, identifying myself as a sinner in need of Christ, publicly accepting Him into my life, however saved I had always considered myself.
I could have never imagined the sense of fellowship I now have with fellow Christians, my difficulty now is that about any church is a good enough place to go, just to be around the people. Sometimes I even hear the preaching, when it is inspired. I also enjoy the same fellowship in AA, among fellow Christians, simply transcending all the 'stuff' that would define worldly dealings with people, and somewhat with those who I sense are 'seeking'.
There are things you will have to learn to put on a meathook in your mind and leave be, until it fits into place, if ever, but
NEVER
stop praying.

[Aysha]

Also my impression of really religious people are they are very judgemental. I am skeptical to let it be known the real reason for wanting to go. You know the old cliche. the church lady. Gossip and judgement. I dont need to be judged. I need a path to salvation and a piece of mind.

[gimmeid]

God will provide.

[best]

Originally Posted by chiynita

Also my impression of really religious people are they are very judgemental. I am skeptical to let it be known the real reason for wanting to go. You know the old cliche. the church lady. Gossip and judgement. I dont need to be judged. I need a path to salvation and a piece of mind.

I was sharing once about something that I thought needed be shared with an older and wiser person in the church. I was looking for answers and was told on the spot... we don't gossip here.
By her being an example and a mentor, I found growth.
I see that as a big part of what we should bring with us into a group for fellowship. Be an example. If others are being judgemental, I would rather not listen to them and will become an example that shows them a better way.
If you find a group that is very judgemental... you may do well to seek another group. I can be part of the problem or strive to help with a solution but only God can change a heart.

Let the Lord guide you to where you need be.

[TryingisDying]

Pray....He will lead you were you need to be...I'm Catholic and love it...I know it is not for everyone...But ask him

[Brownie]

Dear Chiynita - You are getting some good advice - God is already guiding you - as Best says - pray, study, ASK QUESTIONS, talk to someone and God will guide you. I believe Baptism is a choice when you have a understanding of just what it is all about.

[IO Storm]

Great advice.

The Bible says that if you seek you will find.

Just as you desire recovery so much, it seems you have a

hunger for God.

It also says that "a bruised reed He will not break, and a

smoking flax He will not quench".

This means, Chiy, that whatever amount of desire you

have to know God may seem small, like a plant that is

bent in the wind, or has been bruised and stepped on by

man, but God covers it with His hand and will protect it

from harm and cause it to grow.

Your desire for faith may seem so inadequate as an ember

of fire that is slowly burning out, but God will place his

hand over it and protect it; He will take that desire and

will fan it to a flame of faith.

He cares that much.

About you.


Just ask.

Love,

IO

[frosti]

Not all Churchs believe in baptism. When I cleaned up I came to a Church that had helped me out in the past. I saw things that I liked there and I stayed. I like the idea of a congregation that isn't afraid to deal with the people most don't want to be around. We don't baptise or take communion, but we try to do the things Jesus wants us to do. I wasn't raised in a Christian home, and all the times I had tryed church before, when trying to clean up, all I saw was religion. The church I attend now just cared for me and encouraged me to stay clean and read a bit of the bible through daily devotionals and smallgroup studies. Eventually I found Christ and found the faith to change my life. I read an artical in a magazine a few days ago that said the difference between religious people and Christians is faith. Just like not everyone you meet in a meeting room is staying clean, not everyone you see at church is already a Christian. I hope you find a church family like I did. Jesus will love you and forgive if you ask Him, and you can find Him any where you need Him if you seek Him.

[best]

Originally Posted by frosti

We don't baptise or take communion, but we try to do the things Jesus wants us to do.

May want to read what Jesus did and asks of us in the bible then.
A deep bible study of what the Last Supper was...really opened my eyes to what our commitment to the Lord means and more so... What His commitment towards us and for us means.

Matthew 3:13
[ The Baptism of Jesus ] ... Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be baptized by him.

Matthew 28
The Great Commission
...
19"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,

Matthew 26

26While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body."

27Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you.

[IO Storm]

I firmly believe in baptism for a believer because Jesus went to John the

Baptist in obedience to be baptized himself. John didn't feel himself

worthy and said "Oh, No, Master, I am not worthy to even tie your

shoelaces". But Jesus himself wanted to be obedient in this. I believe if

being obedient to the Father in baptism was that important for Christ,

then it was more important for me.

Another thing. I accepted Jesus into my heart when I was seven and

was baptized.

When I became a teen ager I did a lot of rotten things , became sexually

active at an early age, conceived my first daughter, and then married at

16. I returned to church a year later and disscussed with my pastor

about my desire to be rebaptized. He found a verse for me that was

about a man who was instructed to "do his first works over again", but

said he felt it was a personal choice. I was baptized that evening and it

had a whole new meaning. I may do so again with a pastor's counsel,

as I am hungry to go back to church.



Love,

IO

[Aysha]

When I use to go to church with my best friend as I stated in my first post. I received without being baptised or confessing. I was a teenager then. She said who cares as long as you are here. I was so compelled to be a part of it I couldnt help myself. But I know thats not how your suppose to do it. Is that bad?

[IO Storm]

No no no no Chynita.

Never let a word from my mouth discourage you, little lamb.

You're friend was right. You see, I was raised in the church

from birth every Sunday (morning and night) Wednesday

(night) I went with my mom to Women's Prayer Thursday

morning until I started school.....Your desire to go was

actually what I wanted to have. I was afraid to go. I was

afraid of God because of some erroneous teachings or my

mother would not or could not answer questions I had

about some spooky things that frightened me.

So, we need not put the cart before the horse. I believe

you will go to meetings in your treatment this week. I also

believe God is working in your life already. Someone gave

me good advice once, "Go with the flow". Why not just

wait and see what the week will bring you? I think it will

be something good....


Love,


IO

[gettingbetter]

Pray to Him for guidence and help and then just hang on for the ride. When I now have a need, he fills it. I am just learning how to pray after 44 years on this beautiful planet he made for us. Watch for the signs He gives us as to the answers of our prayers. There are no coincidences when it comes to God. You will know when you have found where you need to be.

[Grasshopper]

Hi,you say that you would like to even start going to church again,but that you are not baptised.I ditto Best.Once you have been guided by the Lord,in what church to go to,,its then that you can be baptised in that church.

[best]

Originally Posted by chiynita

I was so compelled to be a part of it I couldnt help myself. But I know thats not how your suppose to do it. Is that bad?

I know a pastor who is very well known in our denomination and he was over 10 years as a pastor before he was baptised. No one ever asked him and he never thought it was important. Ordained, 4 years of school, grew up in the church, his own father was a preacher. He still looks at baptisim the same today as he did back those 30 years or so ago... Just another oportunity to tell others how he feels about the Lord.
I never seen the importance of baptisim and we can look at the thief on the cross that was saved... they didn't take him down for a baptisim, he went straight to paradise.
What I found in my own life once I became baptised... I found a quickening/awaking in my spirit that wasn't there before. It is only by my personal experience that I say we all should be baptised.
People would take a ritual bathing/dunk so to wash the outside before they would enter the temple for worship. John called people to a baptisim of repentance... A washing of the heart and the ritual of the water is an outward sign that we show others of what we are seeking in our heart.

[cmc]

Hi,

I was so compelled to be a part of it I couldnt help myself. But I know thats not how your suppose to do it. Is that bad?

No it's wonderful! It's how the Lord chose for you to find Him.
I'll just add my 2 cents here. I accepted Jesus as my Savior when I was 12 at a home group meeting and did not have an established 'church' for over 7 years. We met in homes and rented storefronts. I was baptised in someone's swimming pool by a fellow teenager who was not a licensed minister... a good friend who was one of the leaders of this small group of teenagers. Our 'elders' were ages 19-22!
Later on once that group evolved into an established church I was baptized again at a church picnic...in a lake. This baptism was very meaningful to me since I was then an adult- it was referred to as a "Jordan Baptism" and is strictly symbolic. This experience was very meaningful to me.

There are no set rules about the times and methods of baptism- some have used bathwater and some may be sprinkled.
I prefer to follow Jesus' example but it's what is in a person's heart that counts. For some baptism means little more than joining a particular church.

You have got some excellent replies to your post and I would agree that you should keep reading the bible and keep praying. You will know when the time is right for you to be baptized- it should be something that YOU decide you are ready for. Jesus did instruct us to do this and He has our best interest at heart.... so why wait?

Just like we receive 'suggestions' in the rooms of 12 step programs, this is a suggestion/instruction from the Lord Himself. He does not command one to be baptized in order to receive salvation, so that leaves the entire decision between you and the Lord. I've never met a person who was sorry they were baptized.

[IO Storm]

Originally Posted by frosti

Not all Churchs believe in baptism. When I cleaned up I came to a Church that had helped me out in the past. I saw things that I liked there and I stayed. I like the idea of a congregation that isn't afraid to deal with the people most don't want to be around. We don't baptise or take communion, but we try to do the things Jesus wants us to do. I wasn't raised in a Christian home, and all the times I had tryed church before, when trying to clean up, all I saw was religion. The church I attend now just cared for me and encouraged me to stay clean and read a bit of the bible through daily devotionals and smallgroup studies. Eventually I found Christ and found the faith to change my life. I read an artical in a magazine a few days ago that said the difference between religious people and Christians is faith. Just like not everyone you meet in a meeting room is staying clean, not everyone you see at church is already a Christian. I hope you find a church family like I did. Jesus will love you and forgive if you ask Him, and you can find Him any where you need Him if you seek Him.

This post reminds me of the time the Lord looked down

over the hill and saw 5,000 hungry ,tired souls waiting to

be filled with his words of wisdom. And yet, He fed them

them with his own Hand.

What a lesson in how He does things "fist things first" in

bringing us to a personal awareness of him, supplying our

needs, and then goes from there....He meets us at our

point of need.

There is a song..

He saw beyond my faults and saw my need.

Beautiful.


Love,

IO

[Aysha]

Thank you all.
I hate to say that I dont' think I have ever really even cracked a bible and really tried to understand what it is I was hearing or reading.
The last time I understood was as a child with My First Book Of Bible Stories.
Which I have to this day.
I have ordered one recently.
I just remember how much I changed without even relizing it when I went with my friend as a kid.
I mean really big change without even trying. It just happened.
I went from being really bad in school..fighting..getting suspended and failing. To all of a sudden I am on honor roll. Not even a detention. Sticking up for the kids everyone picked on. How many kids do that? But I didn't care. I felt bad for them. It felt good that maybe they didnt have to go home crying their eyes out because nobody liked them and they had no friends. Never doing anything to anyone. Only trying to be invisible so noone would notice them. So what they didn't have the clothes and things like that. I was a little popular in school. So I felt I could get kids to back off a little and nobody ever questioned me on it. They just left them alone when I was around.

I just remember I liked being that way. I have lost alot of my compassion for anything and anyone else. I am not who I use to be. I still have it in me. But so many years being a hard ass from being in the streets makes it hard to be that person all the time.

I need to get through treatment. I go Thurs. Thank goodness. I have never felt the motivation and determination to change like this...EVER. It ususally is just a phase for me all the other times I thoght I was ready. If this was me before. I would have stopped coming here and lost interest after the first day.

Theres something about this board and something inside me that I can't even explain. I don't care really. I just know it feels amazing and I hope this is my last time dusting myself off.

[IO Storm]

Okay, Chiy.

Slow down, I believe the Lord has got a hold of you. I need

to slow down (lots and lots). I am a perfectionist and am

restraining myself from fixing that typo in my prior post.

But , my conscience makes me give credit to that quote I

used earlier....I was cooking dinner and was too lazy to

look it up. The song reminds me of how Jesus went into

the bars and the houses of ill repute to find the lost and

became their friend, and then they saw him for who he

was, after he touched their hearts....


HE LOOKED BEYOND MY FAULTS
Tune: Oh Danny Boy

Amazing grace will always be my song of praise
For it was grace that brought me liberty.
I can not know just why He came to love me so;
He looked beyond my faults and saw my needs.

I shall forever lift mine eyes to Calvary
To view the cross where Jesus died for me.
How marvelous that grace that caught my falling soul;
He looked beyond my faults and saw my needs.

I shall forever lift mine eyes to Calvary
To view the cross where Jesus died for me.
How marvelous that grace that caught my falling soul;
He looked beyond my faults and saw my needs.

He looked beyond my faults and saw my needs.


Words & Music by Dottie Rambo
Sung by John Starnes

[best]

Originally Posted by chiynita

Theres something about this board and something inside me that I can't even explain. I don't care really. I just know it feels amazing and I hope this is my last time dusting myself off.

God's love filling your heart. Jesus walking right beside you and holding your hand. The Holy Spirit as your guide.

You will not need to dust off ever again...just hold tight to the Lord's hand.
It is said...stick around, don't leave before the miracle happens.
It is happening.

[Aysha]

You all are going to think I am nuts.
I just woke up from a nightmare.
I was so moved by all your posts last night.
So I kinda prayed for the first time in a long time.
This is the nuts part.
Even when I was a young kid.
When I prayed...I would have nightmares.
So I stopped.
Just like in my first post when I said where I started going to church with my friend and I had that dream where I was just standing in frot of the church and heard a voice say dont ever pray again. and that was it.
While I was reading the posts I kinda prayed to myself.
I dreamt of my sister dead and bloody and my father trying to tie her on a cross.
It wasn't my sister at first it was a girl I pushed down a stair well. But as the dream prgressed it was my sister and she was bloody under a sheet. My father was trying to tie her on a cross.
I use to have nightmares almost everytime I prayed when I was a little kid.

What is that???
It is crazy. Now I don't want to go back to sleep.
I hope you guys don't think I am going crazy. I just don't understand it.

[Grasshopper]

Nope i dont think youre nuts.Not at all.I can relate,to a point.Never had nightmares,but once i started my spitual journey,my life seemed to be more difficult.My thoughts were,um,,i dont know cant really put it into words,really.A mixture of awful to obsured,lol.But i did give it up,praying for a while,and came back to prayer and God stronger than ever.I can do all things through Jesus Christ.And i got through whatever that phase was,that i was in years ago.My mind through His Grace,became clearer,my heart,softer,He changed me...I look back onto this today and i believe that satin was testing me.Doesnt matter what happens,as long as im close to God,and HIS WORD,i will be ok.Though i walk through the valley of darkeness,i will fear no evil,for God is with me.
This is my own personal experience here.Take what you want and leave the rest.
Pray and ask God to reveal to you what He wants you to know.Ask in prayers,please God,help me,get through this.And i will pray with you too.
God Bless,