Christian help?

[aManWhoWonders]

I have never really been a person of any faith, born into orthodoxy but family hardly practices at all (went to church a few times). I am currently looking towards an organized religion to better myself seeing as life seems to put me down all the time, I want to find some answers.

I am looking towards Christianity(most likely protestant, but not 100% on this) or Buddhism.

What I wanted to know about Christianity is what version of the bible should I read? I currently have the NLT version, but is there more recommended versions? also what are the major differences between the different branches of Christianity? they all seem fairly similar from what I read. **The different branches question I want answered most if anyone can**

I am planning to talk with a pastor within the next few days to ask him some of these questions, but I wanted to get a head-start until then.

any and all help is appreciated.

***And yes this post looks very similar to the one in Buddhism cause I just copy/pasted it over and switched some words, I can be lazy too

***This topic is in the general christian forum but I put it here too, because it fits here better and seems like more people post in this specific forum.

 

[John D]

I have never really been a person of any faith, born into orthodoxy but family hardly practices at all (went to church a few times). I am currently looking towards an organized religion to better myself seeing as life seems to put me down all the time, I want to find some answers.

I am looking towards Christianity(most likely protestant, but not 100% on this) or Buddhism.

What I wanted to know about Christianity is what version of the bible should I read? I currently have the NLT version, but is there more recommended versions? also what are the major differences between the different branches of Christianity? they all seem fairly similar from what I read. **The different branches question I want answered most if anyone can**

I am planning to talk with a pastor within the next few days to ask him some of these questions, but I wanted to get a head-start until then.

any and all help is appreciated.

***And yes this post looks very similar to the one in Buddhism cause I just copy/pasted it over and switched some words, I can be lazy too

***This topic is in the general christian forum but I put it here too, because it fits here better and seems like more people post in this specific forum.

There is more to being a real Christian than just a decision of denomination and translation of the Bible. -
It realy begins with the need for change, a change of heart,mindset and way of life. You as a person can only do so much and it is usualy not enough to make this changes permanent.
We, as Christians believe that Jesus is alive and still changes lives everyday.
It all begins there. You can talk to him,aloud or in your mind -and ask Him to set you on the right path. If you want to become a Christian ask yourself :why?
If your answer is : to change,to become new, to find a relationship with God.
Then Just ask Jesus to start the change: He is the key,the Door to God, the Path we must thread on. The Bible states that all that call on Him(Jesus) shall be saved. And somewhere else it states that doing this you receive the power to be called a child of God.
Don't get strangelled in all the church and denomination nets -it is a soulkiller. It starts with a meeting with Jesus and building a relationship with God.
If you need more info ,let me know(contact info on my profile)

 

[John D]

I want to find some answers.

I am looking towards Christianity(most likely protestant, but not 100% on this) or Buddhism.

What I wanted to know about Christianity is what version of the bible should I read?
The one that you understand the best - stay with the one you have, later you can buy other translations or get "e-sword" or something from the Net.
I currently have the NLT version, but is there more recommended versions? also what are the major differences between the different branches of Christianity? they all seem fairly similar from what I read. **The different branches question I want answered most if anyone can**

The branches,as you call them, are usually very confussing to newcomers or outsiders. The bottomline is that people differ. Personilities differ People started to group together around a cerain part of the christian faith that suit them the best,and, voila, a church is born. For a church to be true, it must at least confess that Jesus is the Son of God and died for the sins of mankind to give us the hope that we need to survive.
All other stuff are manmade and only relevent to the particular group that thought the "stuff" out.
Again: It is all about a personal relationship with God .

 

[Rain Drops]

You should definitely research, but I also recommend praying to Jesus.

Even if you are unsure, doubt his existence.. prayer is the single strongest spiritual connection we have with God.

I'm going to go out on a limb and recommend the NIV (New International Version)

 

[aManWhoWonders]

thanks for all the replies. I started to pray and am reading more from the bible. It feels good so far, but again I wonder what denomination is right for me?

 

[Just_me_Mike]

thanks for all the replies. I started to pray and am reading more from the bible. It feels good so far, but again I wonder what denomination is right for me?

Try this link, and then click on your native language to the left.

Main Frame

 

[xkatz]

I say look within yourself for god.

 

[Charity]

Complicated as it is made to sound religion can be made very simple when it comes to choice.
Think of it as you have decided to get a pair of shoes. You decide on different stores (churches, religions) and walk in with the idea that you know you need the shoes but aren't sure about the fit. When you shop around and see what each has to offer in terms of comfort, availability, fit, is the shoe too binding is it loose in the terms of what you feel is comfortable?
In other words when the shoe seems to give you all the qualities you are looking for and you know you can walk in those shoes without any doubt that you have made the right choice..........The right church is only steps away.....

 

[aManWhoWonders]

Complicated as it is made to sound religion can be made very simple when it comes to choice.
Think of it as you have decided to get a pair of shoes. You decide on different stores (churches, religions) and walk in with the idea that you know you need the shoes but aren't sure about the fit. When you shop around and see what each has to offer in terms of comfort, availability, fit, is the shoe too binding is it loose in the terms of what you feel is comfortable?
In other words when the shoe seems to give you all the qualities you are looking for and you know you can walk in those shoes without any doubt that you have made the right choice..........The right church is only steps away.....

very very well put and thank you for that post

 

[aManWhoWonders]

Try this link, and then click on your native language to the left.

Main Frame**Sorry had to remove link cause I haven't posted enough to display it

I replied to this post but for some reason it isn't appearing, so I will reply again.

I really enjoyed reading that article and thought it was very interesting. Though one thing I want to ask is... going to church certainly cannot hurt, correct? I mean you are going for spiritual guidance and union with your fellow followers.

 

[Just_me_Mike]

Complicated as it is made to sound religion can be made very simple when it comes to choice.
Think of it as you have decided to get a pair of shoes. You decide on different stores (churches, religions) and walk in with the idea that you know you need the shoes but aren't sure about the fit. When you shop around and see what each has to offer in terms of comfort, availability, fit, is the shoe too binding is it loose in the terms of what you feel is comfortable?
In other words when the shoe seems to give you all the qualities you are looking for and you know you can walk in those shoes without any doubt that you have made the right choice..........The right church is only steps away.....

Great post Charity, though the only thing I would add is a little balance. Sociopaths are designed in the same formula, so one needs to keep that in mind as they try on different shoes

 

[Charity]

Great post Charity, though the only thing I would add is a little balance. Sociopaths are designed in the same formula, so one needs to keep that in mind as they try on different shoes

I guess if the shoe fits wear it!........

 

[Just_me_Mike]

I replied to this post but for some reason it isn't appearing, so I will reply again.

I really enjoyed reading that article and thought it was very interesting. Though one thing I want to ask is... going to church certainly cannot hurt, correct? I mean you are going for spiritual guidance and union with your fellow followers.

Going to church can hurt, if you think it is there you will find yourself.

Going to church will not hurt if you are just looking for people to be around.

If one gives to much weight to ANY institution, especially a church, almost in all cases that one will be let down, because of to high of expectations. I don't think anyone will say church has the answers, after all the churches were built around a book, not the other way around.

Let's change the subject direction a bit. Why do you feel so lost? Why do you feel the need to find God so badly?

Think on this for a moment. When we throw a football far down the field, the quarterback rarely knows the trigonometry to get the ball from point A to point B.

Such is life, we go from point A (birth) to point B (death), and behind the scenes is an intoxicating amount of other things going on.

Just dig in, and welcome to the club...

 

[Just_me_Mike]

I guess if the shoe fits wear it!........

I wish Hitler never found the right pair

 

[Charity]

I wish Hitler never found the right pair

It wasn't the shoes it was the steps he took.....

 

[aManWhoWonders]

Going to church can hurt, if you think it is there you will find yourself.

Going to church will not hurt if you are just looking for people to be around.

If one gives to much weight to ANY institution, especially a church, almost in all cases that one will be let down, because of to high of expectations. I don't think anyone will say church has the answers, after all the churches were built around a book, not the other way around.

Let's change the subject direction a bit. Why do you feel so lost? Why do you feel the need to find God so badly?

Think on this for a moment. When we throw a football far down the field, the quarterback rarely knows the trigonometry to get the ball from point A to point B.

Such is life, we go from point A (birth) to point B (death), and behind the scenes is an intoxicating amount of other things going on.

Just dig in, and welcome to the club...

thank you again for a great post. I have thought for quite some time about why I want to find God and am sure this is what I must do for myself. The church will definitely help in many ways for me seeing as I am new, plus the people I will meet is priceless.

 

[Just_me_Mike]

thank you again for a great post. I have thought for quite some time about why I want to find God and am sure this is what I must do for myself. The church will definitely help in many ways for me seeing as I am new, plus the people I will meet is priceless.

Just try not to mistake the reflection of the moon in the water for the actual moon up in space. Good luck...

 

[Mister Emu]

Firstly, as a Catholic, I would be remiss if I did not at least advise an inquiry into the Church

That out of the way, for Bible versions...

I love my KJV, the language is beautiful in my opinion, and that more than makes up for those flaws which it has...

 

[aManWhoWonders]

thank you all for the help, I think it is up to me to lead my way, but all your posts helped a lot. After I speak with the pastor and read more into the bible I will re-post my progress

 

[Gaura Priya]

Hope your spiritual progress is going well!

In terms of Bible translations, I highly recommend the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) because it is used by many conservative Catholic and Protestant traditions and it is an oecumenical translation.

Good luck with finding a theological perspective and worship style that fits you. Christianity is blessed also with having so many divergent beliefs, views and perceptions. I have been into denominationalism for such a long time, that I have made my beliefs more personal these days. Since everyone is different, I pray that God will guide you to the right path, wherever it may take you.