Topic: I'm heading back to Church

[Tikhon.of.Colorado]

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!

[NicholasMyra]

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.

[SolEX01]

Glory to God!

[Justin Kissel]

Lord have mercy!

[Alpo]

Welcome back.

[elephant]

Lord Have Mercy Lord Have Mercy Lord Have Mercy
Most Holy Theotokos Save Us
Holy Father Nektarios Pray For Us

[Dominika]

Welcome back home! 

Lord have mercy!

[genesisone]

Lord, have mercy!
You continue in my prayers, Trevor.

[stavros_388]

Lord have mercy!

[stavros_388]

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. 

[Hiwot]

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.

[Tikhon.of.Colorado]

Thank you for the support, everyone!!!   

[Orest]

You are in my prayers.  May God strengthen you.

[biro]

Thanks be to God.

[ialmisry]

Lord have mercy!

[Shanghaiski]

God be with you!

[Gebre Menfes Kidus]

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

[LizaSymonenko]

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!

[Tikhon.of.Colorado]

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.

[marigold]

Lord, have mercy on Trevor72694. Grant him strength on his journey.
Dear Trevor, may Saint Tikhon intercede for you always.

[Gebre Menfes Kidus]

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

[Tikhon.of.Colorado]

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.”
-St. Symeon the New Theologian

[Maximum Bob]

Glad to hear this. Lord have mercy on Trevor.

[Tikhon.of.Colorado]

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!

[mabsoota]

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.

[Symeon77]

Glory be to Jesus Christ! God grant you good patience!

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!

[richi000]

Lord have mercy!
Welcome back