Trying to be a Christian... any tips?

[HeroicMinute]

I've just started listening to the Hallowed app. The first thing I've come across is a Routines course, which is great for me as I am horrendous time waster, which probably explains why I haven't spiritually evolved.
I was raised loosely Christian and attended the village church as a child. I think I want to replicate this traditional experience, but with some slightly more intellectual content.
I've been thinking about Christianity for a few years, and have tried a few different churches, but nothing's stuck.
My reasons for not sticking at a church:
-I can't handle a church band, it all seems very nice and worshipful but it makes me cringe a bit. I love a choir.
-I am very opposed to modern identity politics and didn't go back when a vicar started talking about structural racism in the church.
-I stopped going to an evangelical church because the curate was sweet and excited about his Christianity but did lengthy sermons suitable for children with no analysis or intellectual stimulation.
-found a curate at another church a bit creepy.
-found the sermon in a big popular church on 8th October to be a bit antisemitic.

You get the picture; I'm a bit of a PITA and I'm obviously putting up barriers. Don't get me wrong; I'm not a particularly intellectual person but I am curious and I sincerely want to be a Christian. I don't yet believe properly, sometimes I do, well I suppose I usually do, but with varying levels of conviction.
Any tips would be very gratefully received.
Thank you in advance.

Another vote for Mere Christianity (and the Screwtape Letters).

I love any sermons/podcasts by Malcolm Duncan, Tim Mackie (very academic and scholarly), Simon Ponsonby and Danielle Strickland.

There’s lots on YouTube.

Tim Mackie narrates the Bible Project videos, if you haven’t watched them, I recommend them. Short, easy to watch but very informative

I’m so glad you’re on this journey. Saying yes to Jesus will be the best thing you’ll ever do.

Crying out to Jesus, Mark 9:24 - "I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief!"

People are either believers, or they are not. Even committed Christians can have doubts. The scripture above shows that God understands.

I think you are a natural catholic try word on fire by Bishop Barron

If not, please don’t

https://www.premier.plus/the-profile/podcasts/episodes/disability-rights-advocate-joni-eareckson-tada-on-the-sovereignty-of-god?utm_source=Premier%20Christian%20Media&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=14395757_Voice%20of%20hope%2019.03.24&dm_i=16DQ,8KJU5,W9KXC,ZHM71,1

This is Joni Erikson Tada's ministries and life. She has been in a wheelchair all her life and has taken a lot of time to discuss living with pain, disability and less ability in life. You might need someone's testimony like that when your time comes to fight some battles

Hello @HeroicMinute
Hope you're ok!
I am in the same position as you.
Was brought up going to church loosely but years later, trying to find my faith again.
I downloaded 'youversion' bible app and its quite traditional in a way. I like it.
You can usually watch a daily video and read some scripture and pray. I don't do it every day but I really like it.

I think equating the issue of racism in institutions with 'identity politics ' is extremely problematic. You have some serious reflection to do on why you feel that way.

@HeroicMinute

I have come across your thread and I wanted to ask how you are getting on?

Also, if you would like to tell me what part of the country you are in, roughly, I might be able to recommend a sound, Biblical church that meets those points you've listed you are looking for. Honestly, I believe, going by those points, that God is perhaps guiding you in this.

A couple of other things I would recommend:

• Read the Gospel of John (Read the whole Bible too, of course)
• Read Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan, which is an excellent allegory of how someone can find God, and of many of the happenings that often cross the path of someone on this "journey".
• Read (and I'd recommend memorising) the "Roman Road" in Scripture:

Romans 3:23; 6:23; 5:8; 10:13; 10:9. It was Romans 10:13 that the Holy Spirit used in my born again conversion - being born into the family of God is not a decision, but it is the supernatural working of the Spirit of God.

• Read Isaiah 53
• Read Matthew Henry's commentaries along with Scripture.
• Also, just lastly to say that in my humble opinion, the Alpha Course is dreadfully weak and watery in its presentation of the Gospel. I think it is more for people looking an "experience", or rather, it satisfies people looking for a carnal experience, rather than bringing them to know God and into a right relationship with Him.

"You must be born again." - A command, John 3:7.

"Seek and ye shall find" - A promise from the One who cannot lie.

I'm happy to help if you have any questions and will do my best to answer.

Great suggestions, thank you @Calmomiletea.

Not a nice message from pinkbonbon
Ok I'm not angry I don't believe Personally alot happier since I stopped

trying to enjoy in Hb in Hb i
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The spiral staircase
Karen
Armstrong
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i really enjoy listening to fr. chris alar.
the sermons he gives are always well tied to the readings and he speaks clearly.
the parish that he's part of,Our Lady of Mercy, has the daily mass available online.

Read the Word of God and pray

There is a book called "Jesus Calling" and it's only 99p on the kindle at the minute, written as if Jesus is speaking to you through scriptures (direct quotes from bible are in italics) it's beautiful and is helping me along on my journey of becoming a better Christian. It's short paragraphs for each day of the year. I haven't read the bible yet but I'm using this book to get me started.

The first tip I can give is go back to Catholic church.Secondly if you are in the UK get an app called pray as you go. It’s by UK Jesuits with no cringe. I use that that and American Hallow

But the Catholic Church does not teach the way to heaven. It literally taught that you had to buy a place in heaven by paying indulgences. It literally teaches that you can pray to Mary - a mere sinful mortal, even though we are taught in Scripture only to pray to God through Christ. 😭 'There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus' 1 Timothy 2:5. Beware of anyone claiming however subtly that there are other mediators to God, as the RC church does.

What can wash away my sin?
NOTHING but the blood of Jesus.
Not Christ's sacrifice + the church; Not Christ's sacrifice + good works; Not Christ's sacrifice + a priest; Not Christ's sacrifice + mass; Not Christ's sacrifice + (whatever else people try to add)

Any religion that adds any other requirement for reconciliation with God other than Christ's sacrifice at Calvary and repentance is a false Gospel.

literally teaches that you can pray to Mary - a mere sinful mortal, even though we are taught in Scripture only to pray to God through Christ. 😭

But don't we ask eachother (mere sinful mortals) to pray for eachother as well? We ask family and friends to pray for us and there is nothing wrong in asking our Lords mother to pray for us as well.

Interesting you quote a Jewish mystic who never met Jesus in deciding who has authority over what Christianity is.

Who did I quote?

Paul

-I am very opposed to modern identity politics and didn't go back when a vicar started talking about structural racism in the church.

Wow!

Where in Scripture are you taught to pray to Mary?
Where in Scripture are you taught that Mary (in heaven) can hear you?
Do you think Mary prayed to dead mere mortals when she was on earth, even though in the books of the prophets and the pentateuch that she would have learned from, the only example she would have had of people praying to the dead would have been the example of Saul trying to talk to Samuel through the ungodly and wicked practice of summoning the dead. The only other examples of prayer to anyone other than God in the Bible are when the ungodly are praying to idols, and not to the Living God.
I mean this not exhaustive put down of Mariolatry, but a mere refute from the top of my head.

A Jewish "mystic" who gave his life for Christ, and was martyred for his faithfulness to Christ.

Whose life experienced a 180° change, from persecuting Christians to death, became one himself and submitted to being persecuted to death by other haters of Christ.

Do you discard the Gospel of Luke, too, or just the Acts of the Apostles, which Luke also wrote, and in which he detailed what happened to Paul? And how Paul gave his life over to the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

some believe that Mary is the new eve and that she was born without original sin. she is not believed to be a mere mortal, she is Jesus's mother.
people include prayers to Mary, to the angels and saints to intercede for us to Jesus (her son), God and the Holy Spirit.
the same with St. Joseph he wasn't simply a carpenter.
the angels and saints help us understand and get closer to God the father.