Hi Ladies. This may sound very odd,,, I am very interested in religion, I think I was ment to be a very spiritual person. I am unsupported by my husband and friends in my search for truth. So this is what I am hoping for. I would love a "mentor" to help guide me, teach me, ect. If one of you wise women would like a little side project, I am really looking for e-mail contact and guidence. Sorry to sound so odd. Tracy
Are you saved? Have you excepted Jesus into your heart? I don't think you request is strange at all. Many people have a Christian person to help them and teach them. Is there a church in Canada you can attend? John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whoever believeth in Him should not perish but have eternal life. I don't mind you email me at all. Someone here may suit you better but I am willing to help and pray for you. Lorna Holcombe
Do you have a Bible? If so, you might just want to start reading through the book of John. That's usually considered a good place to start. If not, go out and buy one, or any of us would be willing to send you one. Pray before reading, and read with an open heart. Tell God that you are willing to hear from Him, then let the words speak to you. Many of us here would be willing to answer questions, etc. If there's one person you feel particularly drawn to, you might send that person a PM and ask specifically if she'd be willing to, as you say, mentor you. Is there a Godly woman you know in your town? If so, it would be much easier to do it face to face. Then you could attend church with her.
Your request is absolutely normal! Jesus tells us to make disciples of all men...teaching/mentoring new believers is a must and I'm just sorry that you don't already have someone in your life pursuing that kind of relationship with you and that you had to ask for someone to come along side you in your journey. Many churches give away free Bibles if you don't have one. Or as Jackie said, any of us would be happy to send one . Ideally you would become a part of the body of Christ locally at a Bible teaching church, which I would still recommend as a must for spiritual growth. The Lord tells us to seek and we will find, to knock and He will open the door for you....you are definitely seeking and I'm confident He will guide the right person/people to you!
\o/ YES! (She's from Canada too - I'm batting a thousand - woohoo!) Tracy - there is absolutely nothing odd about your question. One I might say that many, many others are rejoicing with you over the decision. Your husband may come around and your friends too - it may not be overnight but they will (prayerfully) see something in you that they want and will follow your lead. There seems to be a common misperception that being a Christian leads to this absolutely horrible, boring life - I can tell you from personal experience it's far better than being on the other side of the fence - I wouldn't change or go back to what I was for the world. If you don't have a Bible and need one - I have extras here and would send it to you in a heart beat (and so would so many others here too). I do not consider myself to be some kind of theologian and I don't profess to have all the answers but if you want to email me I'll do all that I can to help you in your walk. \o/ \o/ \o/
Wow everyone! Thank you for all your support. I have sent a message to Brenda as she is a fellow Canuck 8) I will find the courage to buy a Bible as was sugested and join in the chat here. Thanks all so much. Tracy
Good for you~ contacting Brenda~ not only is she a fellow Canadian, but she's a great, great lady! I'm sure she'll be more than happy to help you out however she can! And, as the other ladies have already said, we're all here and willing to do whatever we can to help you too! I'm so proud of you~ getting the courage to ask for help was the first big step! Now, go out and get that Bible~ we're all rooting for you! Praying for you,
I hope your husband does come around, because it's frustrating when you and he are not on the same page. I speak from experience.
Tracy, Hi! I started to get serious about my faith almost two years ago. I had met my pastor at a wedding where my husband was best man. It turned out his church was practically across the street from us. We decided to go and check it out. Once we had been going for a while, I asked for a meeting with the pastor to ask a few questions. The most important thing I got out of that meeting was to read the Bible and do Bible studies. Reading the Bible without any direction is not a bad thing, but I can get you a couple of studies that might make things clearer for you. I am currently in two different Bible studies right now. Although I am very busy trying to keep up with them, I find that whenever I do sit down and work on them, I always come away feeling so rested, calm, and ready to tackle anything. I never understood the phrase "rest in God's word" before. Now I always look forward to my time with God. I would be glad to tell you about the Bible studies I've been involved in. Congratulations on making the first steps! In Christ,
Just a thought, when you go to buy a bible, let the store clerk help you out, there are some that are easier to read than others. Some of the words have been updated, there is a name for this, some one help me out, I forgot what its called.
New International Readers version or NIrV? The Message is written in contemporary language although I when I read from the message I prefer to have a copy of the NIV in my hand so I can flip between the two to make sense of something
NIrV is written FOR CHILDREN!!! (I know because someone suggested I get that for Phillip.) I would NOT suggest that for an adult! Either NIV or New King James. As you say, The Message has its place, but...... I don't think it's what is needed right now.
Yes, the NIrV is a children's version- it's what I bought Gracie for her birthday. It is the New International Readers Version- meaning that it's "dumbed down" so that young children (ages 6-8, I think) can read AND understand. It's a nice little Bible, but not for an adult! You can get a Parallel Bible that has the NIV and The Message in it- I wouldn't mind having a copy of that. They had them for sale at the homeschool convention, but Crystal's husband bought the last copy! Anyway, for a first Bible, I would recommend the NIV. Aball~ is the word you were looking for "translation"?
Tracy~ I should add to my previous post........ you should probably make sure, when you go to purchase your first Bible, that you buy a translation of the original text (which was written primarily in Hebrew and Greek)- the NIV, which was recommended is a translation. As opposed to a paraphrase (such as The Message or The Living Bible).
I guess when I posted that reply Jackie I was trying to help Amy come up with a word that she as searching for - that's what came to my mind. I wouldn't recommend NIrV to and adult because it is for children. I personally like the NIV and I enjoy reading the Message for it's translation, but I would never recommend the Message (or any other translation other than the NIV, NKJV, or KJV) as a starter Bible...
Wow, what a way to confuse a new believer with Bible versions.... I would have to agree with Heidi that it is important to find a translation as opposed to a paraphrase. There is also a wonderful translation out there called the NASB. It is one of the only modern word-for-word translations. I really like it alot. I read King James but I'm finding that the children and adults I read to have trouble understanding it and I usually end up putting it into modern English as I read it to them. Just some things to think about.
Sorry, Brenda! I misunderstood! Tracy, the IMPORTANT thing is that you get yourself a Bible. I think someone suggested asking the people at the local Christian Bookstore about it; they would love to help you pick out one! Please don't let all our talk about different versions/tranlations/paraphrases or whatever get you off track of getting one for yourself!!! Heidi, I looked at the NIrV for Phillip, and decided it wasn't that much different. I think I'd rather just buy him an NIV and he could "grow" into it.
Hi ladies. Wow! it is all a bit overwelming, but I have been given alot to think about, and I am. :smile: I so appreciate all your responses, and look forward to talking with you all as i find out more. Tracy
While nothing can replace having my own copy of the Bible I use the online verson more often -- especially for daily readings. It's at Biblegateway.com and is has a search box so you can search the bible for whatever you are looking for. I read mine with the bible reading list at http://www.backtothebible.org/devotions/journey/readme.htm?level=chronological it takes you through the whole bible in one year and links right to bible gateway so you can read it on your computer.
