No christian friends

[edendreams]

I'm thankful i found this site because to be honest I was falling away from my church. I am a lot different from those i grew up with. while they got absorbed into the media i was absorbed into other things such as art and alternative music. I found over time i had nothing in common with anyone my own age at church. and over time they all left. (moved or simply left) Now the hard part is because i'm the daughter of a deacon i'm supposed to be a model christian. thing is I because of my interests in arts and in anime People are afraid to talk to me or approach me like i'm some horrible sinner. yet if they are going to judge me without proper cause aren't they themselves the sinners? *sigh* i'm not going to get into it.

but what i will say is this. I'm not a strong christian mostly because i'm discouraged. i don't want to go and feel ignored or unwanted. i like knowing that when i'm having a hard time there are christians i can talk to... but there aren't. I've messed up a lot these last four years and there's things i've done that have been very difficult for me to forgive myself for. I didn't have christians to help me. I asked for help but i was judged and that isn't how a christian church should behave when one of they're long time members seeks help.

I'm asking prayers for support for me as i'm trying to pick up the pieces of my life and as i'm trying to be a better christian. I love god and he helped me through my devestation but i also know he doesn's want me to struggle alone and i am trying to seek out a better church that will help me and support me.

for a while i felt so alone and i know I'm not. I'm just really really thankful that this sort of place exists. ^-^

[bigsleepj]

I'm sorry to hear that you've had such a hard time because people don't understand. Trust me you are not the only one here who has these problems. I will be praying for you, though. I hope things work out.

[TrigunX89]

Hey, I know how you feel. I've gone through some of the same things before; not fitting in at church, falling away from God, and doing things I regret. I still do not have any close Christian friends my age. But God has helped me to overcome a lot of those things, and I feel He is definately drawing me closer to Him, and helping me to get things straightened out. I know He wants to do the same for you. It might not be easy, and it might not all happen at once, but in time I know things will get better for you. Needless to say, I'll be praying for you. And you're always welcome here on CAA if you need to talk.

[shooraijin]

When you say you were judged, what happened? (If you don't mind our asking.)

[holysoldier5000]

Wow, can I relate! The hallmark of my childhood was that Christians misunderstood me all the time. It wasn’t a matter of me being a good Christian but it was a matter of me being a different Christian. See, to the Christians I was around you had to act, dress, talk, and believe in a certain fashion. I called them spiritual “card board cutouts.â€

[Yumie]

thing is I because of my interests in arts and in anime People are afraid to talk to me or approach me like i'm some horrible sinner. yet if they are going to judge me without proper cause aren't they themselves the sinners? *sigh* i'm not going to get into it.

This is the thing that I've always found funniest about the church. Not funny as in "ha ha" but as in strange. Because, point blank, we ARE horrible sinners. All of us. That's the whole point. We're all horrible sinners redeemed by God and loved unconditionally by Him. For one Christian to turn their nose up to another and label them a "horrible sinner" is ridiculously hypocritical. More than anything we should be sympathetic to the stumblings of one another-- we should understand what their going through by our own experiences. But instead, we create a sin ladder. We say, "Yeah, I'm a sinner, but I've never done that." Newsflash: sin is sin. The church should try harder to encourage one another up from that instead of avoiding eachother.

I'm really sorry that you are going through this. As for your feelings that you can't forgive yourself for things you've done, realize that there's nothing you can do that Jesus's blood doesn't cover. "So far as the heavens are above the earth, so far has He taken our sins from us." Last time I checked, the heavens are still pretty far out there . Just keep serving God and trust Him that He'll take care of you. I'll be praying that you'll find some friends your age who will support you in your walk with God, and that your church will learn to be more loving. If you ever need someone to talk to, feel free to send me a pm.

[edendreams]

When you say you were judged, what happened? (If you don't mind our asking.)

it started in junior high when my mom started letting me and my sister wear shorts and sleeveless tops nothing compared to what i see girl's wear these days but there was a huge uproar in protest because my mom allowed us to wear these types of clothes. they weren't flashy or revealing in anyway but they wer shorter than they liked. think is not even a year later those that protested let their children wear things I balked at. the girls woere shorter skirts than i would dare wear and wore spagetti straps. and this continued.

also i'm a figure artist. Meaning I have drawn nudes. it's a difficult subject because many will try to say it's a sin because to view another naked is the same as lusting for them. what isn't understood is true artists do not see something before them for what it is. they see objects curves and tone. I don't like feeling I'm judged because i chose to learn this side of art i understand they're concern and i can see why they don't agree but as i said it is a difficult area because instead of trusting in me they would rather condem me. I know i've read something in the bible that talks about this and i'm pretty sure it does state that as long as there is no lust in the eye of the beholder it's not a sin... -_- i just don't know what to do really

[Syreth]

This sounds like a tough one. Like bigsleepj said, I think most of us can relate. Also, like HS5k said, it's definately important to find your sufficiency and Jesus. It's never easy to be alone or to feel alone, but Jesus wants to become our all. It's torture to be or feel alone, but if you take heart and persevere, the Lord will bless you.

Also, something I've found a snare is when you begin to feel isolated or rejected, you tend to naturally withdraw from people because you have the presumption that they've already rejected you. This is a dangerous road that only leads to more isolation.

If I might say so, maybe the Lord is trying to establish you in some of the principles in 1 Corinthians 13. Those are important to remember anyhow in situations when you're tempted to stop extending love. I'll be praying for you to persevere and that the Lord would comfort you through this.

2 Corinthians 4:17
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,

[Rambo]

I hate it when other christian brothers and sister judge cause its wrong but they just want not to get dirty and if they see something they assumes wrong they stay away but God will keep you always. Sorry about my reply I couldn't think clearly stuff to do but ya Gods always around no matter how alone you feel Frog out Fully Really on God. There are lots of good friend to run into just wait.

[Puritan]

I can understand where you're coming from, edendreams, and I shall pray for you. People do have interesting standards some times, and they just can't understand how people can do things that would make them sin (drawing nudes) or go against the "christian" norm without sinning. I was told an interesting story once that, I think, is pertinant to part of this issue. The story goes as such: Two priests were walking in a city, and saw an extremely provocatively dressed woman walking towards them. One priest turned his head away and didn't look at her as they passed by, the other looked straight at the woman. After she had passed, the first priest turned to the other and asked him "Why were you looking at her? To lust after someone is to sin." The other priest turned to him with tears in his eyes and replied that he was not lusting, but mourning that a human beloved of God would mistreat and flaunt themselves so. The point is thus: sin is based on one's heart, not necessarily actions. For nurses to bathe invalids is not a sin, yet for someone to look at a fully clothed person lustfully is. To wear unusual cothing modestly is not a sin, but one can wear conventional and conservative clothing in such a way as to incite lust, and that is a sin. God looks at the heart, not our outward appearances.

May God grant you peace in the midst of your heard times and discouragement, and may He send you good friends.

[VashTheStampede]

I know what its like to have a lack of Christian friends. Its tough to go through -_- I'm glad you found CAA ^^* I'll be praying for ya =)

Peace and prayers [†]

[Artist4Jesus89]

i shall pray as well i know what it is like

[PigtailsJazz]

I think God has created us and called us to relate to certain people so we can share the gospel with them, and He can USE it! And, in the meantime, just let us be His vessels to those who would otherwise be possibly hearing the gospel from those they don't respect.

In other words....you have a gift! God has put you around so many non-believers so that He can use you to spread His word to them.

"Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear." -Philippians 1:12-14

Be strong, and I will pray for you.

[edendreams]

I need to thank all of you because it really does help a lot and i'll try to just go to church without letting myself get discouraged. I know i'm new here but i do greatly like the support this forum gives and I'm more than wanting to stick around heh.

It is quite tough trying to make the right choice but god has a plan for everyone I believe that and My stories have a lot to do with standing up against all odds and how morality and kindness lead to great things.

[Ryupower]

I'm praying for you