I've made the decision to find religion....Now What??

This coming from the guy that started the drunk thread, but here goes...

Most importantly it's necessary to realize that regardless of your station, salvation is a very personal matter. Often times we tend to gauge our relationship with God based on how we feel at any particular moment. The cold hard truth is, most of the times we probably "feel" unworthy or "feel" like sinners. So in that context, our emotions are fleeting at best when trying to ascertain where we stand with God. Most of the times we fall away because we heed our feelings too often.

Church and church involvement are unquestionably, in my opinion, a big part of your relationship with God. But it's just that - a part, not the sum total. So yes, find a solid church, however you define solid. And don't have any wild expectations about the church, the pastor, or yourself for that matter. Because you're bound to walk away frustrated and disappointed again. There's plenty of scriptures found in the New Testament about adding to your faith little by little, here and there, but nothing all in one shot. Read a little Galations, Timothy I & II, and Philippians.

Oh, and don't worry too much about Jesus freaks and all of that stuff. People are people, man. You're smart enough to know when someone's trying to control you and when their heart is in the right place. Do what you do and make this about you and God, not you and those around you.

Thanks alot everybody. I guess the biggest thing i was worrying about was becoming one of the "freaks"...that everybody knows about.

Like there was this family we used to know, that all wore handmade clothes and everything...and they drove those 15 passenger vans and homeschooled (there is nothing wrong with homeschooling, IMO), and I didn't want me or my eventual family to go down that road....because i'm pretty sure no person was ever like "Ok...today i'm going to be become an extremist".

The last place i visited people started speaking gibberish and one woman laid down and flopped like she was having a seizure....it scared my wife really bad and there was a guy running around hitting people on the top of the head and i swear if he would have hit either of us i would have laid him out right there...

So last sunday i went back to my regular church and it just felt different for some reason...maybe i am headed in the right direction...thanks for everyone who wrote back

I'd leave religion alone. My ex-girlfriend found Jesus. Now she'll not sleep with me anymore. If I ever see that ole Gebus, I'm going to have a word or two with him.

Yeah dude, just follow your heart. Sounds like that's what you're doing.

I was just thinking how faith is much like making a good pot of coffee. Everyday you have to wake up and make a fresh pot. But what's more important the coffee grounds, the pot, or the electricity and heat required to brew it? I'm just saying...

Got me thinking, good thread though.

I guess most of my problem is maybe being afraid to take the next step, but knowing that i should. You know what i mean? Like the 1st church that I ever reguarly attended was full of extremists, they bordered on being cultists, and it had me being scared that i would end up that way if i stayed a "committed" christian. Because the whole time they were saying how their way was right and everything...and the place was just full of weirdos...seriously.

My wife is the exact opposite. She attended the same church growing up, belonged to the different groups and such, and came from a normal family, that bordered on over-religious, but not to the point where you could see how weird and stuff they were. I guess i was just afraid that if i "gave it my all" i would get consumed and end up like one of those weirdos. The church i reguarly attend is her church and i know it is making her sad and upset that i can't get enjoyment out of it like she does. And i really really want to.....I want my relationship with God to still equate to a normal life. All i've seen is the extreme end of it. I want to have a relationship with God and live a good Christian Life, but i dont want to be weird or be an extremist...does anybody get what i'm saying??

Hopefully i can meet some good Christian men that aren't weirdos and i can have like a mentor or role model/type figure. Because in my short life i've only ever equated "church people", to being extreme and weird.

Don't just consider Christianity...at the very lease try to learn about other religions.

Don't just consider Christianity...at the very lease try to learn about other religions.

I'm sorry if my title confused you. I changed it to try and make it easier to understand.

I believe in God, Jesus Christ...I always have. I believe what he has done for me and other sinners, and I want to live a Christian lifestyle that honors him....BUT i am afraid that i will end up like all of the cultists/weirdos/freaks that i have mentioned in page 1 of the thread.

I can't figure out when someone says if you don't find God you won't go to heaven. So if I live a good life all the way around but don't find God I'm going to hell? That makes alot of sense.

I guess most of my problem is maybe being afraid to take the next step, but knowing that i should. You know what i mean? Like the 1st church that I ever reguarly attended was full of extremists, they bordered on being cultists, and it had me being scared that i would end up that way if i stayed a "committed" christian. Because the whole time they were saying how their way was right and everything...and the place was just full of weirdos...seriously.

My wife is the exact opposite. She attended the same church growing up, belonged to the different groups and such, and came from a normal family, that bordered on over-religious, but not to the point where you could see how weird and stuff they were. I guess i was just afraid that if i "gave it my all" i would get consumed and end up like one of those weirdos. The church i reguarly attend is her church and i know it is making her sad and upset that i can't get enjoyment out of it like she does. And i really really want to.....I want my relationship with God to still equate to a normal life. All i've seen is the extreme end of it. I want to have a relationship with God and live a good Christian Life, but i dont want to be weird or be an extremist...does anybody get what i'm saying??

Hopefully i can meet some good Christian men that aren't weirdos and i can have like a mentor or role model/type figure. Because in my short life i've only ever equated "church people", to being extreme and weird.

I find it interesting that you've had a negative experience, but you're still willing to give it a shot. That's pretty darn important if you ask me.

Someone mentioned seeking out a bible study group. That might be a good place begin. The idea of finding the right church can be overwhelming, because you want to get it right and commit to it. Maybe you should approach this similar to job searching. Ask the right questions. What's important to you in a church. By the way, you should probably pray about this too. I'm not offering up any solutions or methods in that area, but church is just as much a spiritually based entity as it is a building and the people that assemble there. Prayer might be a good place to start.

I'm sorry if my title confused you. I changed it to try and make it easier to understand.

I believe in God, Jesus Christ...I always have. I believe what he has done for me and other sinners, and I want to live a Christian lifestyle that honors him....BUT i am afraid that i will end up like all of the cultists/weirdos/freaks that i have mentioned in page 1 of the thread.

Men's Fraternity (http://www.mensfraternity.com/find.aspx)

This isn't a church per se, but is a course for men. The page lets you look up churches that use it, and from my limited experience, they are pretty normal churches with men asking the same questions you are.