Stuck in a Rut

[Littlelambseativy]

He wants you to talk to Him as you speak to us - friend to friend - loved one to loved one. He knows your thoughts anyway before you think or say them so just talk to hIm. He needs not you to take up HIS cross He wants you to take up YOUR cross and follow Him. Perhaps the church to which you are going is not fulfilling enough. I fully understand the changing of churches. I would rather worship at home than go to a church that is foreign to me but listen to good ministries on the TV if there are any or on the net. Read your Bible and get a good study to go with it. I am not certain what is available in England perhaps others can help. May God guide you in His direction.

[enoob57]

He wants you to talk to Him as you speak to us - friend to friend - loved one to loved one. He knows your thoughts anyway before you think or say them so just talk to hIm. He needs not you to take up HIS cross He wants you to take up YOUR cross and follow Him. Perhaps the church to which you are going is not fulfilling enough. I fully understand the changing of churches. I would rather worship at home than go to a church that is foreign to me but listen to good ministries on the TV if there are any or on the net. Read your Bible and get a good study to go with it. I am not certain what is available in England perhaps others can help. May God guide you in His direction.

Do you guys think there is any value in just going no matter what... cause He tells us to?

[desi2007]

Hello all,

For some times now I've been feeling like I'm stuck in a rut with my faith. I get up on Sunday, fully intending to go the Mass, but when the time comes I just don't want to go. I make excuses to myself, still tired, don't feel well, etc. I don't spend much time in prayer, either. If I pass the church in the town centre I usually go in and pray, but it's rare that I'm down that end of town. I do still feel called to the ministry, and I still read books on theology and Bible study, but otherwise I'm hardly practicing my faith.

I'm really not sure what to do. I want to get back on track, but then my laziness kicks in and I want to do something else, stay at home, etc. I think a pilgrimage would do me good but I've got no money to make a journey anywhere. Even the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham is too far, never mind somewhere like Canterbury or Glastonbury.

I've got a lot of stress and worries in my life right now. I know Jesus promised to help carry these kinds of things, but I don't know how to ask Him. Or how to ask to help carry the Cross for Him.

Can anyone offer any insight or suggestion?

Hello david,

Some things I have learned that I wanted to share with you and at times our flesh pushes us, whereas the Lord leads us. Have a Thankful Heart...it helps to look for good things in our life.

The Holy Spirit will teach you, gives you peace and Holy spirit will remind you of the things of truth. When you have a hunger for God? read and study the bible with a focus. And when your inspired your heart is open, this is the time to meditate on the word.

and most of all when you read something in the bible with a focus and something jumps out at your heart, it got your attention for a reason! stay with it for the Holy Spirit is helping you to see the truth.

God is love, and the Holy Spirit fills our heart with Love from God.

And as you read the bible it will become like a tool for you to measure things with life.

Something that can encourage you is always good.

blessings,

desi

[David of Derby]

I don't think there's a problem with the church I go to. I think the problem is with me. There have been many times when I've found the services at St. Matthew's very moving. A good example of this was Easter Saturday this year. There was a very solemn Mass on the Saturday evening, about halfway through which the Ressurection is proclaimed for the first time in the liturgical year. All the lights are out and the organ and choir are providing very solemn music when the lights are brought up and the organ plays a joyous refrain. You just feel your heart lift at the Good News as the presiding priest says "Hallelujah! Christ is Risen!" It really is tremendously moving. The Midnight Mass is always very moving as well.

[enoob57]

I don't think there's a problem with the church I go to. I think the problem is with me. There have been many times when I've found the services at St. Matthew's very moving. A good example of this was Easter Saturday this year. There was a very solemn Mass on the Saturday evening, about halfway through which the Ressurection is proclaimed for the first time in the liturgical year. All the lights are out and the organ and choir are providing very solemn music when the lights are brought up and the organ plays a joyous refrain. You just feel your heart lift at the Good News as the presiding priest says "Hallelujah! Christ is Risen!" It really is tremendously moving. The Midnight Mass is always very moving as well.

forget about religious ceremony... get God's Word into your heart and practice what it tells you to do! This is relationship of Life and Peace with God.... Love Steven

[David of Derby]

Some of us like ceremony. The ritual component of worship is important.

[enoob57]

Some of us like ceremony. The ritual component of worship is important.

According to Christ ritual has absolutely nothing to do with Spiritual relationship with Him

Matt 6:7-9

7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

KJV

and where you are doing this ritual stuff don't you call that man father?

Matt 23:9-10

9 Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.

NKJV

I am really confused about who you are listening to God or man.... Love Steven

[Guest]

Some of us like ceremony. The ritual component of worship is important.

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Psalms 119:11

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. Psalms 1:1-2

Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts. Jeremiah 15:16

[Fez]

He wants you to talk to Him as you speak to us - friend to friend - loved one to loved one. He knows your thoughts anyway before you think or say them so just talk to hIm. He needs not you to take up HIS cross He wants you to take up YOUR cross and follow Him. Perhaps the church to which you are going is not fulfilling enough. I fully understand the changing of churches. I would rather worship at home than go to a church that is foreign to me but listen to good ministries on the TV if there are any or on the net. Read your Bible and get a good study to go with it. I am not certain what is available in England perhaps others can help. May God guide you in His direction.

Do you guys think there is any value in just going no matter what... cause He tells us to?

Yes I think so. "Love me and obey my commandments".

I sometimes don't feel like hosting home group after a long day, or leading prayer after another long day, or going to church on occasion because I don't feel like it, am feeling lazy, or have other things I want to do.

It is at these times I go.

Personally I look at it this way....

When I am stuck in a rut (it happens to most of us at times), I engage four wheel drive. Father, Son, Holy Spirit, and me, and extricate myself from the rut. Sometimes the mud is thicker and it takes more effort....

Secret is never to drive into the mud in the first place if you can avoid it.

David, don't sweat it too much, just pray and stay close to Him, this too will pass. (the mud holes don't go on forever)

[arrangingopposition]

i think you just need a good laugh. laughing has proven to help anxiety and worries.