How did you find God?

[rosie]

Did you always know? Did you have a spiritual experience?

[NewHope10]

Hey Rosie...this is a good question.

My Mom has been a Christian since I was around 4 years old - and my Dad became a Christian when I was around 8 years old (he is a recovering alcoholic/prescription drug addict clean and sober for something like 37 years). That being said...I still had to find God on my own.

It wasn't easy. I didn't make it easy. I was very rebelious. I had my children at 17 and 18 years of age. Had my hand at drugs and alcohol. Had to deal with my own s*xual behaviour for many years.

I felt like I was always searching. Searching for love. Searching for something or someone to fill the emptiness in my heart. No matter what I did or what I had...I felt alone. Lost. Nothing and nobody could fill the void.

Always thinking "Is this it? Is this what life is about? There has got to be something more".

Then one day I was watching a Touched By An Angel episode. Oh...I had watched this show many times and cryed every single time. But - this one episode gripped my heart and the song that was sung filled my soul. At first I would sing the song over and over again...crying each time because I felt so sad. I didn't feel the joy that was supposed to be attached to the lyrics (I've posted the lyrics below). Until the day I prayed to God for forgiveness...for Jesus to come into my heart. It was a heartfelt prayer and I prayed it with all my might...from the depths of my being.

And I cannot really explain it. I felt "whole". The void in my heart and soul was filled. Finally...after all those years of emptiness.

Then...when I sang that song...I had tears - but they were tears of joy - because I "felt" the lyrics.

Now...I've been back and forth...in and out of my faith. But every time coming back to God and his love for me. People will fail me...but God will NEVER fail me. He is my rock. My shelter in the storm. He is the great "I AM"...never changing...always faithful. Merciful and full of Grace. No matter who hurts me here on earth...I know that God will never hurt me. He's the One I turn to to give me comfort and peace.

And do you know what? He does.

Much like recovery...my relationship with God has to be daily. I have to seek him constantly...or I will once again lose my way.

Sorry this is so long...but it is something I am VERY passionate about!

Testify to Love lyrics:

All the colors of the rainbow
All the voices of the wind
Every dream that reaches out
That reaches out to find where love begins
Every word of every story
Every star in every sky
Every corner of creation lives to testify

For as long as I shall live
I will testify to love
I'll be a witness in the silences
when words are not enough
With every breath I take
I will give thanks to God above
For as long as I shall live
I will testify to love

From the mountains to the valleys
From the rivers to the sea
Every hand that reaches out
Every hand that reaches out to offer peace
Every simple act of mercy
Every step to kingdom come
All the hope in every heart will speak
what love has done

For as long as I shall live
I will testify to love
I'll be a witness in the silences
when words are not enough
With every breath I take
I will give thanks to God above
For as long as I shall live
I will testify to love

[Charly22]

Did you always know? Did you have a spiritual experience?

I credit my mother with teaching me and opening my eyes to god's grace. Because she inspired me from a very early age, I was always open to hear others, and was always willing to learn, and always kept my heart open for god to guide me. She taught me to never judge a book by its cover. She taught me unconditional love. She prepared the way for me to learn more and more. And to be open minded. She never forced it down my throat, she chose her opportunities wisely.

For these reasons...I have learned a whole lot about ALL religions....and am able to consider myself a very spiritual person. And thank my mom and god!!!

[JenMac]

Awesome posts you guys!
I think I am still finding my way! I consider myself a spiritual person. I think I came to discover my higher power through difficulties in my life that led me to Alanon. It was perhaps even before then that I started praying but it was fostered by attending Alanon for 6 years.
There is definately a peacefulness that comes from relating to God, a strength, a guidance. I am so thankful I have felt that through this time in my life!
Jenn

[hellron]

How did you find God?

He was under the sofa the ENTIRE TIME!

-- Hellron

[rosie]

Where's the eye-roll smiley when you need it... ~X(

[hellron]

where's the eye-roll smiley when you need it... ~x(

8-| 8-| 8-| 8-|

[rosie]

Thanks NP, Charly and Jenn for your responses :)

I was raised, well, they TRIED to raise me Christian, but didn't work (the church was diabolical - completely nutty, eg: performed exorcisms, etc..woah!). I was atheist until 1 year ago when I had a "spiritual awakening". Yes, sounds loopy. I still don't accept the Christian God as God however, I do believe in a universal one-ness. I align with the Buddhist faith, and wish to pursue my life through Buddhism practises (at this stage).

I am interested in all religions though..I find the sense of community and shared spirituality very inspiring.. I just do not like the dogma aspects of it where so much focus is on the actual stories/writings of one particular book, rather than the universal spirituality of knowledge in all sources.

So, my story is different to those here..but I do love talking about it. My belief is that everything is God. We are splinters of God, and that there is spiritual wisdom in the many books on earth (Bible, Quaran, Torah, old sayings, art, dream time stories, and history books), but mainly within oneself and the ability to connect with the divine on any ordinary day, in any ordinary place.

Thanks, interesting discussion :)

[astander]

I listen to a preacher named Adrian Rogers in the mornings from 9-930. He was saying today that you don't need to have this epiphany, a moment when you discovered God. He compared it to going to Texas by plane vs. by car. if you go by car, you know when you cross the Texas state line. But if you go by plane, you don't know the exact moment you cross the state line. So how do you know you crossed it? Because you're in texas!

So the comparison is, if you're trusting in Jesus, then you've crossed the line of faith, you are Abraham's seed, and that's that. Anyone who says you have to know the moment you were touched by God is not speaking the truth.

[Misty_77]

I was blessed...I was raised in a Christian home. We're not fanatics or anything, but we believe in Jesus Christ- that He died for our sins and He is the only way to the Father. I've strayed from God countless times, while trying to depend on the people around me for all my needs. I ALWAYS end up coming back to God. Why? Because He never lets me down. No matter how many times or how far I stray, He is always right where I left Him...waiting patiently for my return. There are so many miracles here on Earth, (like the birth of a child, for instance!) that are so amazing...I can't help but ask how people could doubt there's a God. I am so thankful that my parents gave me such loving, insightful and wise guidance. I've been away from God for a while now, but I'm working on my relationship with Him and healing for myself. Wish me luck!