[Gospel singer]

From an early age, I always wondered why I was born. Was in church when I was 16 and 17 yrs old.. was searching but never seemed to find anything. - Left there, went out and did exactly whatever I wanted to do in life for 13 years. Through life's circumstances, and in desperation, ,I wound up on the floor and prayed to Jesus. I said "I've made a royal mess of my life, and if you can make anything good out of my life - I give my life to you". And, as I found out, HE took me at my word, and began to make himself real to me. At 69 today (my birthday), I would say it's been an incredible and marvelous journey - an adventure everyday. Finding that relationship was like walking through a portal of the supernatural - and I found it was the KEY. …. so simple, after all. In that 13 years, I delved into everything you can think of, always looking and looking and never finding. … reading books that always would lay out all the questions, but in the end, had no answers ! - so frustrating. I found out that being religious is a dead-end. Being religious was just something to soothe my conscience, made me feel better about myself that 'Oh, I went to church today'… but, you could really sum it up to be a zero. That's like, for years, cutting the grass of somebody that is really famous, and never, ever meeting them.- a real zero. Because, I really was NOT ACQUAINTED with Him. I had to make that KEY connection, and then everything changed. I was now on the inside circle of the ONE that counted.

[asianthree]

I was raised in a multi religious home. Mother was southern baptist, but also Native American . Father was catholic, off the boat German family. I then dated and attended temple just to round out my life. Most spiritual came from the native side. I am up at sunrise for salutations, to be at peace for the upcoming day. Believe everything happens for a reason, that you can not worry about things you can not change, and when it's your time there is no changing it

[justjim]

Jesus often answered a question with another question. Am I as spiritual a Christian as I ought to be? The answer is no. Most Christians fall into this category. We are all sinners--even following accepting Salvation thru the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

John 3:16. "For God so loved the world that he gave his Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life ." This verse is Christianity in a nutshell.

Don't be confused---it's really simple. John 3:16 says it all. Most of us are not true "Bible Scholars". We accept By faith. That said, read the scriptures and learn.

[lamplighter]

Originally Posted by onslowe

Maybe religion is a turn-off to some because through the ages it's definitely where the sinners have been. Ugh. Christ - as I have decided He is - is cool. He really didn't mean all the things He said, and he certainly didn't hang round with sinners. No way. And I really don't believe He said (I can pick and choose…after all it's MOI) to the Apostles "I will be with you until the end of time." Nah, sounds too much like He was favoring religion! No way.

He was not really a Teacher, because that might involve doctrine, believing and discipline. He was cool, and was only spiritual like me. I'm a good person, I like sunsets and trees and I don't go for submission or surrender. I don't hurt anyone and that is all God wants. Doesn't want worship - dull. Doesn't want praise - egotistical. Doesn't want us to think of Him. It's all about us and our self created little world.

I don't think Christians don't agree with Christ's teachings, only what man has added to them or how they are twisted. His teachings are about heart for if it is not in your heart, it's all ego and hot air.

[elbear]

Originally Posted by LI SNOWBIRD

Alas, I am not. But I just read a book that is spiritual. It does not try to "Justify the ways of God to man" as Milton did in "Paradise Lost", but rather tells a charming story of personal loss and questioning God's relevance and place in one's life.
I will only say that The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit become flesh to help a man come to grips with loss and with his relationship with them.
The book is "The Shack" by William Paul Young.
It was an interesting read-- but I'm still not spiritual though I am Christian-- I would recommend it

after reading your post, I downloaded the book to my kindle and just finished reading. It was emotionally difficult in the beginning chapter..but found it a powerful book to read. Thanks.