I feel like I've been in a spiritual crisis for a while. It makes me sad to think about it.
I don't know if.
-- there is a God.
-- How to worship God.
-- What religion/denomination I should attend.

I feel so distant to religion. I hate it because all myy friends and family are religious. Even if they werent.. i would wonder if I was wrong I guess. I miss believing in God... almost like he is a friend that I'm on the rocks with. Or maybe its Faith that I'm on the rocks with. :-( . Where do you go when you are having a spiritual crisis?

[nowheretorun]

hi esther.. i think it is cool when i can connect with God or God Spirit right in the place that i am ...

a friend of mine, Dave, said "My Chapel is in my Heart."

personally, ive read and contemplated a variety of spiritual literature and looked for the common threads... those i made my personal 10 commandments like..

ive found God and the idea of God to be one of, if not The most popular topics presented throughout recorded history...

and so the theory of God has changed, adapted, mutated, grown much like a trees branches...

it is my belief that The Boble is one of the most popular texts available...

there are others... if time is a consideration though, i think the Bible is ranking as post popular/most recent...

but people are writing all the time... so stories grow, change, and adapt... still, the story of God changes little.. Peace, Goodness, Faith, Strength... Love.. and more than this..

the story of God is more than a story also...

this just burst out, so hope it applies and helps in some way...

[Perna]

There's a neat site of helpers who have started a network to help:

http://www.spiritualcrisisnetwork.org.uk/

[mlpHolmes]

Hi esther!!
I've seen you for awhile You're Wonderful to so many people!!!!
I love reading your ideas & your thoughts on topics!It sounds as if you are asking how to get in touch with the Spiritual Side of Life rather than the Religious side (you mention your family & friends could help you there).In my humble opinion,IMHO,could you take a walk (away from hustle & bustle) & surround yourself in Nature's environment (ie. mts., ocean, trees, flowers,snow) & maybe animals scurrying about! Sit down feeing your mind and just be. Silently take in Life,your 5 senses will be a huge help!After awhile observe how you feel.
You may notice a Oneness with Nature, an Energy, a rhythm. Just a suggestion. Good Luck & have fun in your investigation!

[(JD)]

(((hugs))))

Pretty much what ever mainstream "religion" or church you decide upon, they will use the Bible as their text.

Why not begin with reading what God wants to tell you, and maybe that way you will begin to hear His voice too?

I would suggest begin reading the book of John (In the New Testament, Matthew, Mark, Luke, JOHN) it is a wonderful book of God's love for you, me, us.

Thank you all.

I have checked out some books on different denominations and religions. I also realized i have so much anger toward God and religion inside. So much hurt. So much confusion and sadness and disappointment. I need to journal more about it so i can understand how to move forward. I think im depressed at losing my faith , yet so angry at God that I cant stand to 'believe' anymore. Dunno.

Thanks so much for the encouragement!

[altonwoodsdrphil]

esther, God bless your hurting heart, I can really relate to what you're feeling. The only thing I can offer you is what seemed to help me out of my circumstances... understanding the "spiritual dynamic" I seek because I need, the enemy confuses because he fears, God loves,because thats what he is. when I applied this simple perspective it motivated me to seek even harder and to claim the power of Christ to overcome satans lies of fear and confusion that tried to keep me defeated. It really takes a "boldness" to walk up to the door of fear and kick it down. it won't just open with the handle, (its locked) but beyond that door is your joy! all of the excuses and reasons that prevent you from doing this are the enemy's work to prevent you from that. Hope this helps, truly, we are more than conquerers in Christ! live in victory, or die in defeat, these are simple choices. he truly is the "lover of your soul"