Andrew21091
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Jurisdiction: Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of America
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« on: April 10, 2012, 11:42:51 PM » |
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Please pray for me. I am struggling very much with my faith. It is becoming increasingly hard for me to believe. I struggle to pray and I struggle to believe. I've struggled with severe doubts about Orthodoxy. Its progressing and it is slowly starting to cause me to question my beliefs in general. I'm near despair about where my life is going and I feel lost.
One thing that I believe I need to do is withdraw myself from the forum and most of the internet in general. I need to distance myself from "internet Orthodoxy" and internet religion in general. It isn't helping me spiritually and is actually leaving me worse off than I was.
Please pray that God may have mercy on me.
Thank you all. I hope everyone has a blessed Holy Week and an even more blessed Pascha.
Christ is Risen.
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Maximum Bob
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« Reply #1 on: April 10, 2012, 11:48:32 PM » |
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Lord have mercy on Andrew.
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Prov. 3: 5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.
Psalm 37:23 The Lord guides a man safely in the way he should go.
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Gebre Menfes Kidus
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« Reply #2 on: April 10, 2012, 11:56:37 PM » |
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My prayers are with you brother. You might indeed be wise to separate from forums and facebook and such for a while. Doubts are arrows from satan, and if you weren't a Christian then satan would not attack you like this. Doubts only come to those who believe. The godless don't agonize over doubts about God, but the faithful often do.
"Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief!" [St. Mark 9:23-24]
"Lord have mercy."
Selam
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"Salvation is free, but not easy. It is completely dependent upon the grace of God, and yet we must work it out with fear and trembling. It is given to all, but only a few find it. We are saved only by His Cross, and yet not without taking up our own." +GMK+
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Shanghaiski
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« Reply #3 on: April 11, 2012, 02:33:58 PM » |
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Wanting to believe, even amidst doubts, is the seed of faith.
God be with you, Andrew!
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Not to be flippantly dismissive, but something of such a personal nature as this is best addressed by your priest, not by anonymous yahoos on an Internet discussion forum.
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LizaSymonenko
Христос Воскрес!!! Christ is Risen!!!
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« Reply #4 on: April 11, 2012, 02:48:59 PM » |
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Lord, have mercy upon Andrew!
Andrew, leave the forum if you have to, but, please do not leave the Church.
Remember, people are fallible...we are spiteful, proud, jealous and greedy...all of which comes out in our real and virtual conversations.
Don't judge the Church by her weak followers.
I wish you all the best, and may God guide you and help you in your struggles.
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Conquer evil men by your gentle kindness, and make zealous men wonder at your goodness. Put the lover of legality to shame by your compassion. With the afflicted be afflicted in mind. Love all men, but keep distant from all men.
—St. Isaac of Syria
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Papist
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« Reply #5 on: April 11, 2012, 07:32:22 PM » |
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Lord, have mercy!
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"The only-begotten Son of God, wanting us to be partakers of his divinity, assumed our human nature so that, having become man, he might make men gods." - St. Thomas Aquinas
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orthonorm
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« Reply #6 on: April 11, 2012, 07:41:24 PM » |
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A joyous Pascha to you.
Lord have mercy.
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We cannot legislate morality by passing laws controlling firearms. The only evil we can combat lies within our hearts. We need stronger laws to protect the moral foundation of society against the evil of gay marriage. |
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GTAsoldier
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« Reply #7 on: April 11, 2012, 08:12:56 PM » |
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Lord have mercy.
I'm having the same struggles as you, bro. I would also appreciate prayers at this time.
The best thing we can do is to pray without ceasing, repelling every doubtful thought with the Jesus Prayer when they arise. And then keep reciting it. Fix your mind on God, always.
Lord have mercy,
GTA
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God be merciful to us sinners.  God is always coming to you in the Sacrament of the Present Moment. Meet and receive Him there with gratitude in that sacrament |
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Papist
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« Reply #8 on: April 11, 2012, 08:15:47 PM » |
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Lord have mercy.
I'm having the same struggles as you, bro. I would also appreciate prayers at this time.
The best thing we can do is to pray without ceasing, repelling every doubtful thought with the Jesus Prayer when they arise. And then keep reciting it. Fix your mind on God, always.
Lord have mercy,
GTA
Prayers for GTA as well! |
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"The only-begotten Son of God, wanting us to be partakers of his divinity, assumed our human nature so that, having become man, he might make men gods." - St. Thomas Aquinas
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acts420
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« Reply #9 on: April 11, 2012, 09:58:44 PM » |
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Jesus, Anointed One, Son of God, guard Andrew's heart and reveal yourself to Andrew; holy Spirit guide him into Your peace. Father, have mercy. Thank you for You for being gently compassionate with our tender souls. Holy Mother, pray for us.
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Maximum Bob
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« Reply #10 on: April 11, 2012, 10:20:47 PM » |
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Lord have mercy also on GTA.
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Prov. 3: 5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.
Psalm 37:23 The Lord guides a man safely in the way he should go.
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Salpy
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« Reply #11 on: April 12, 2012, 01:38:34 AM » |
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Lord have mercy!
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St. Hripsimeh pray for us!
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GabrieltheCelt
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« Reply #12 on: April 12, 2012, 01:54:42 AM » |
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Lord, have mercy upon your servants Andrew and GTA. Most Holy Theotokos, guide and comfort them, and do not abandon them.
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Achronos
Miami's Theme Song (Spongebob): Who lives in Miami right by the sea? LeBron James! Absorbent and bald and selfish is he. LeBron James! If not being clutch be somethin' ya wish. LeBron James! Then drop on the floor and flop like a fish.
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« Reply #13 on: April 12, 2012, 05:24:11 AM » |
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I need to distance myself from "internet Orthodoxy" and internet religion in general.
This x1000. It's very therapeutic to take a break from internet forums in general. |
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It would be helpful if you were born with an OFF switch.
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JR
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« Reply #14 on: April 12, 2012, 06:49:17 AM » |
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Lord have mercy on Andrew and GTA.
Always a good idea to take a break from the internet in general.
Have a holy and wonderful Pascha.
ps, keep praying and don't give up.
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"If you judge people, you have no time to love them".
Mother Teresa
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