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Offline Tikhon.of.Colorado

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I'm heading back to Church
« on: January 14, 2013, 03:01:08 AM »
I could use your prayers, everyone.

I find that I'm often too enthusiastic to share intimate details here, so to keep a long story short, I'm going back to Church. 

Please pray for me that my return will be permanent, that my confession will be sincere, and that I will get through whatever comes from the parishioners that I haven't seen in nearly one year.

(Also asking my three favorite saints, St. Tikhon, St. Petka, and St. Silouan for help.)

Thank you for your prayers!
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Offline NicholasMyra

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Re: I'm heading back to Church
« Reply #1 on: January 14, 2013, 03:22:23 AM »
Quote from: trevor72694 on January 14, 2013, 03:01:08 AM
Please pray for me that my return will be permanent
I pray that it will be to your salvation and joy.

Most people run away from the Father's House several times a day. I've found it destructive to say to myself: "this time, I've made a declaration to be forever different/doing the right thing/faithful". Instead, trust in God's love and friendship toward mankind.
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Quote from: Fr. Thomas Hopko, dystopian parable of the prodigal son
...you can imagine so-called healing services of the pigpen. The books that could be written, you know: Life in the Pigpen. How to Cope in the Pigpen. Being Happy in the Pigpen. Surviving in the Pigpen. And then there could be counselling, for people who feel unhappy in the pigpen, to try to get them to come to terms with the pigpen, and to accept the pigpen.

Offline SolEX01

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Re: I'm heading back to Church
« Reply #2 on: January 14, 2013, 03:54:05 AM »
Glory to God!
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Online Asteriktos

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Re: I'm heading back to Church
« Reply #3 on: January 14, 2013, 06:41:27 AM »
Lord have mercy!
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Offline Alpo

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Re: I'm heading back to Church
« Reply #4 on: January 14, 2013, 08:59:45 AM »
Welcome back. :)
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But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.
Leviticus 19:34

Offline elephant

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Re: I'm heading back to Church
« Reply #5 on: January 14, 2013, 09:15:52 AM »
Lord Have Mercy Lord Have Mercy Lord Have Mercy
Most Holy Theotokos Save Us
Holy Father Nektarios Pray For Us
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Offline Dominika

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Re: I'm heading back to Church
« Reply #6 on: January 14, 2013, 10:14:58 AM »
Welcome back home!  ;)

Lord have mercy!
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Offline genesisone

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Re: I'm heading back to Church
« Reply #7 on: January 14, 2013, 10:39:53 AM »
Lord, have mercy!
You continue in my prayers, Trevor.
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Offline stavros_388

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Re: I'm heading back to Church
« Reply #8 on: January 14, 2013, 10:43:38 AM »
Lord have mercy!
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Offline stavros_388

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Re: I'm heading back to Church
« Reply #9 on: January 14, 2013, 10:44:52 AM »
Quote from: NicholasMyra on January 14, 2013, 03:22:23 AM
I've found it destructive to say to myself: "this time, I've made a declaration to be forever different/doing the right thing/faithful". Instead, trust in God's love and friendship toward mankind.

Great advice.  :)
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Offline Hiwot

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Re: I'm heading back to Church
« Reply #10 on: January 14, 2013, 11:04:26 AM »
Quote from: stavros_388 on January 14, 2013, 10:44:52 AM
Quote from: NicholasMyra on January 14, 2013, 03:22:23 AM
I've found it destructive to say to myself: "this time, I've made a declaration to be forever different/doing the right thing/faithful". Instead, trust in God's love and friendship toward mankind.

Great advice.  :)

absolutely!

Trevor +Hug+

you will remain in my prayers as well my dear.
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To God be the Glory in all things! Amen!

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Offline Tikhon.of.Colorado

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Re: I'm heading back to Church
« Reply #11 on: January 14, 2013, 11:11:33 AM »
Thank you for the support, everyone!!!   :)
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Offline Orest

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Re: I'm heading back to Church
« Reply #12 on: January 14, 2013, 11:18:38 AM »
You are in my prayers.  May God strengthen you.
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Offline biro

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Re: I'm heading back to Church
« Reply #13 on: January 14, 2013, 11:42:18 AM »
Thanks be to God.
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Offline ialmisry

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Re: I'm heading back to Church
« Reply #14 on: January 14, 2013, 01:01:34 PM »
Lord have mercy!
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Offline Shanghaiski

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Re: I'm heading back to Church
« Reply #15 on: January 14, 2013, 01:23:33 PM »
God be with you!
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Offline Gebre Menfes Kidus

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Re: I'm heading back to Church
« Reply #16 on: January 14, 2013, 01:55:58 PM »
Wherever you are, God is present. It's just that His love and grace are profoundly and mystically experienced in paticipation in the Divine Liturgy. I myself still struggle with my former Evangelical guilt. I miss Liturgy too often, but not because I want to. Yet I feel guilty and worry what others will think about me. But God knows our hearts, and we strive to do the best we can. If we really understood divine grace, we would never flee it.

And by the way, let me say this to you... I have been greatly encouraged by your honesty and openess on this forum. I wish I'd had your spiritual thirst and understanding when I was your age. You and I may have some profound differences on various issues, but I sense that you have a sincere heart and a compassionate spirit. God works wondrous things through such humble and honest folks.

"Lord have mercy."



Selam
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Offline LizaSymonenko

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Re: I'm heading back to Church
« Reply #17 on: January 14, 2013, 02:15:42 PM »

Welcome Home, Trevor Tikhon!

I pray that you find whatever you were missing before and are content and happy!!!

This is great news!

May God help you, guide you and comfort you, always!



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Offline Tikhon.of.Colorado

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Re: I'm heading back to Church
« Reply #18 on: January 14, 2013, 06:35:54 PM »
Quote from: Gebre Menfes Kidus on January 14, 2013, 01:55:58 PM
Wherever you are, God is present. It's just that His love and grace are profoundly and mystically experienced in paticipation in the Divine Liturgy. I myself still struggle with my former Evangelical guilt. I miss Liturgy too often, but not because I want to. Yet I feel guilty and worry what others will think about me. But God knows our hearts, and we strive to do the best we can. If we really understood divine grace, we would never flee it.

And by the way, let me say this to you... I have been greatly encouraged by your honesty and openess on this forum. I wish I'd had your spiritual thirst and understanding when I was your age. You and I may have some profound differences on various issues, but I sense that you have a sincere heart and a compassionate spirit. God works wondrous things through such humble and honest folks.

"Lord have mercy."



Selam

Thank you very much, Gebre, for your entire message.  About the part that I've bolded: I'm only a kid, and any "opinions" I have had or currently hold aren't based on very much and are likely to change as I get older and have more life experiences.  I try not to take myself too seriously, and I'm no longer afraid to say that I don't know where I stand on things like social and political issues.  I'm still learning who I am and what I stand for, and I appreciate your patience. :)
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Offline marigold

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Re: I'm heading back to Church
« Reply #19 on: January 14, 2013, 07:30:07 PM »
Lord, have mercy on Trevor72694. Grant him strength on his journey.
Dear Trevor, may Saint Tikhon intercede for you always.
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Offline Gebre Menfes Kidus

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Re: I'm heading back to Church
« Reply #20 on: January 14, 2013, 07:54:27 PM »
Quote from: trevor72694 on January 14, 2013, 06:35:54 PM
Quote from: Gebre Menfes Kidus on January 14, 2013, 01:55:58 PM
Wherever you are, God is present. It's just that His love and grace are profoundly and mystically experienced in paticipation in the Divine Liturgy. I myself still struggle with my former Evangelical guilt. I miss Liturgy too often, but not because I want to. Yet I feel guilty and worry what others will think about me. But God knows our hearts, and we strive to do the best we can. If we really understood divine grace, we would never flee it.

And by the way, let me say this to you... I have been greatly encouraged by your honesty and openess on this forum. I wish I'd had your spiritual thirst and understanding when I was your age. You and I may have some profound differences on various issues, but I sense that you have a sincere heart and a compassionate spirit. God works wondrous things through such humble and honest folks.

"Lord have mercy."



Selam

Thank you very much, Gebre, for your entire message.  About the part that I've bolded: I'm only a kid, and any "opinions" I have had or currently hold aren't based on very much and are likely to change as I get older and have more life experiences.  I try not to take myself too seriously, and I'm no longer afraid to say that I don't know where I stand on things like social and political issues.  I'm still learning who I am and what I stand for, and I appreciate your patience. :)

Don't ever lose that humble attitude brother. We can't learn and grow if we think we already know everything. One thing I still desperately need to learn is humility. I am an arrogant fool. God help me.


Selam
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"Whether it’s the guillotine, the hangman’s noose, or reciprocal endeavors of militaristic horror, radical evil will never be recompensed with radical punishment. The only answer, the only remedy, and the only truly effective response to radical evil is radical love."
+ Gebre Menfes Kidus +
http://bookstore.authorhouse.com/Products/SKU-000984270/Rebel-Song.aspx

Offline Tikhon.of.Colorado

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Re: I'm heading back to Church
« Reply #21 on: January 14, 2013, 10:14:30 PM »
Quote from: Gebre Menfes Kidus on January 14, 2013, 07:54:27 PM
Quote from: trevor72694 on January 14, 2013, 06:35:54 PM
Quote from: Gebre Menfes Kidus on January 14, 2013, 01:55:58 PM
Wherever you are, God is present. It's just that His love and grace are profoundly and mystically experienced in paticipation in the Divine Liturgy. I myself still struggle with my former Evangelical guilt. I miss Liturgy too often, but not because I want to. Yet I feel guilty and worry what others will think about me. But God knows our hearts, and we strive to do the best we can. If we really understood divine grace, we would never flee it.

And by the way, let me say this to you... I have been greatly encouraged by your honesty and openess on this forum. I wish I'd had your spiritual thirst and understanding when I was your age. You and I may have some profound differences on various issues, but I sense that you have a sincere heart and a compassionate spirit. God works wondrous things through such humble and honest folks.

"Lord have mercy."



Selam

Thank you very much, Gebre, for your entire message.  About the part that I've bolded: I'm only a kid, and any "opinions" I have had or currently hold aren't based on very much and are likely to change as I get older and have more life experiences.  I try not to take myself too seriously, and I'm no longer afraid to say that I don't know where I stand on things like social and political issues.  I'm still learning who I am and what I stand for, and I appreciate your patience. :)

Don't ever lose that humble attitude brother. We can't learn and grow if we think we already know everything. One thing I still desperately need to learn is humility. I am an arrogant fool. God help me.


Selam
All we can do is try and rely on Christ's mercy.

“…in the one who is humble of heart, the degree of piety is equal to the degree of his humility.”
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Offline Maximum Bob

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Re: I'm heading back to Church
« Reply #22 on: January 15, 2013, 01:38:51 AM »
Glad to hear this. Lord have mercy on Trevor.
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Offline Tikhon.of.Colorado

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Re: I'm heading back to Church
« Reply #23 on: January 19, 2013, 06:14:57 PM »
I went to see Father today.

We started out with a tour of the Church.  It's the same Church, but so new!  There are now hand painted icons out for veneration (on brand new stands,) and the old printed ones are now on lower stands for the children to venerate.  Father is painting the Church, and it looks fantastic.

I had a fantastic talk with father, and I'm so happy to be back in the Church.  we scheduled my confession for after liturgy next Sunday.  I'll be abstaining from holy communion, since I received in the Episcopal Church, for a couple of months.  He and I are of like mind, wanting to make sure that I'm sincere in my return.

I'm really happy.  I'll go to liturgy tomorrow.  It'll be great. :)

Thanks for your prayers!
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Offline mabsoota

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Re: I'm heading back to Church
« Reply #24 on: January 20, 2013, 05:35:11 PM »
i don't normally comment on status updates, but i have been praying and will continue to pray.
it is great to hear of u back in church.
please pray for me too, a sinner.
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Offline Symeon77

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Re: I'm heading back to Church
« Reply #25 on: January 20, 2013, 06:04:09 PM »
Glory be to Jesus Christ! God grant you good patience!

Quote from: trevor72694 on January 19, 2013, 06:14:57 PM
I went to see Father today.

We started out with a tour of the Church.  It's the same Church, but so new!  There are now hand painted icons out for veneration (on brand new stands,) and the old printed ones are now on lower stands for the children to venerate.  Father is painting the Church, and it looks fantastic.

I had a fantastic talk with father, and I'm so happy to be back in the Church.  we scheduled my confession for after liturgy next Sunday.  I'll be abstaining from holy communion, since I received in the Episcopal Church, for a couple of months.  He and I are of like mind, wanting to make sure that I'm sincere in my return.

I'm really happy.  I'll go to liturgy tomorrow.  It'll be great. :)

Thanks for your prayers!
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Where Christianity disappears, greed, envy, and lust invent a thousand ideologies to justify themselves.~ Nicolás Gómez Dávila

Abba Anthony said, "A time is coming when men will go mad, and when they see someone who is not mad, they will attack him saying, 'You are mad, you are not like us.'"

Offline richi000

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Re: I'm heading back to Church
« Reply #26 on: January 20, 2013, 09:45:24 PM »
Lord have mercy!
Welcome back
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Remember, never to fear the power of evil more than your trust in the power and love of God.
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