Went to church - how can I practise these things really though?

[DionneUK]

I stayed at my friend, Mary's house last night. She lives with her parents and younger sister (18) and brother (10). We are both 21. I ended up going to church with them all. Mother is very religious and makes her children go to church. So off we went. I have been before but always not really wanting to, just wanting to please Mary's mother. My friend and I join the youth service which is in a room at the back of the building. It is a black church, attending by ppl of Nigerian and Jamaican origin, me being the only white person there. We read one of the chapters in the bible and then discussed it and I was amazed how much I contributed, usually being a rather shy-ish person when around unfamiliar people, but anyway I was answering questions and giving my ideas. I never go to church willingly usually but after today I have this urge that I must go every week. I did really enjoy myself and enjoyed learning about God and Jesus and it was fun but how can u practise christianity in everyday life? I have to say I have a fiery temper and diss my mother at every opportunity, so how can I stop myself doing this or even thinking bad thoughts like 'fuck u, silly bitch'? I am also very judgemental, so how can I stop this too, and how can I forgive? I saw a lady on the bus whoose dog had come into my garden and bitten my dog, punchuring his leg, and I kept giving this woman dirty looks because she more or less thought it was funny when Iwent to complain her dog had hurt mine, so how can I forgive? How can I be a better person?

[leonardodavinci]

you sound like me about 5 years ago, not really angry with people but if people got up my goat I wouldn't know how to forgive them but now I do because I did something about 3 years ago that cahnged that. I also quite religious.

[purpleturtle]

Dionne, the first thing I want to say to you is, you can't do it all at once!

Keep going to church, and keep building a relationship with Jesus. Church will help with that. You could also try praying the Lord's Prayer regularly. At the very least, it gives you opportunity to say sorry to God for the times when you get it wrong, and reminds you to forgive those who've wronged you.

Does that help at all?

[DionneUK]

Yes it does help thanks purpleturtle. I will definately be going back next week. Its brilliant how they preach to us young people too. Through drama workshops, youth officers visiting and music played in rap and hip hop, but all the while teaching us about god, what we can do to follow him and what we can do to make ourselves better people.

[purpleturtle]

Loads of churches are really getting to grips with how to help young people understand stuff, without putting them off by being too traditionally 'churchy'. I'm glad you've found one you like.

In response to the very end of your post, I want to say: it's not about making yourself a better person - it's about loving Jesus, and allowing him to make you a better person.

[stephone]

I go to church on Sundays and I really enjoy it
but I get teased by dh and my friends they call it the happy clappy club who don't go to church at all
there are some good songs as anyone got a favourite ? or The Alpha Course I did it in 2002 it was very interesting and you get a better understanding of the bible as well which is a help. I quite fancy the vicar his name is Mark naughty me. But I have learned to forgive people who have hurt me in the past and it has made me a stronger person.