Hello. I'm new to this and hoping to find people that can explain to me what's going on, or just to not treat me like a crazy person.
15 months ago I was an atheist. I was adamant that my rational and logical mind made the existence of God an impossibility. And then one day, God made himself known to me. That's the only way I can explain it. Like, a knowing. In that moment, I just knew him. I'm sorry I don't have better words to explain it, but that's it really. I was minding my own business, and bam. God descended on me.
Since then, I can't unknow what I now know. All of my friends and family are atheists and they think I've had a mental breakdown. It doesn't help that since then I've had multiple occasions of feeling compelled to speak to strangers who, without knowing them, I know their struggles and that they've lost their faith.
I know this sounds crazy. I've been outcast by pretty much everyone I know, but I can't deny that I know God now and I can't deny these messages that clearly mean a lot to the people I've felt I need to talk to.
The last man I spoke to said that he'd heard of "people like me", so I guess I'm just wondering if there's anyone out there with information about what's happening with me. I was raised atheist. I don't have a church I can go to or anyone I can speak to. My children attend a Church of England school but I'm afraid to approach anyone there because it must sound mad.
Anyone with any experience of this?
https://www.replicawatchpro.to/
Hi Michelle
You don't sound mad at all.
I think it's wonderful that God has made himself known to you.
I have been a Christian all my life and over the years I have searched for a church where I felt comfortable and loved. I have found that no church is perfect but they all hold people both loving and critical.
A lot depends on the priest/pastor. Some enjoy the power they wield but the best are those who are dedicated to loving the congregation and lead them like a shepherd leads his sheep - gently and lovingly.
That is what God is all about - love. Even the worst of people, God loves them.
Throughout my life I have not been a saint and it is only now at the last part of my life I have learned to throw away resentment and try to look at people with God's loving eyes - better late than never.
Whatever church you go to, they should welcome you. If they do not and you are ignored, go somewhere else.
Some churches have people at the door as you go in. and will be there as you go out. They will usually greet you.
Ask God to show you whether this is the place for you - If you feel comfortable then go again a few times. People should make you feel welcome.
You could introduce yourself to the priest/pastor and tell him about your experience with God. - they are usually at the door at the end of the service - hang around a bit.
I will pray that God guides you to where you need to be.
Do let us know how you are getting on.
Love and blessings to you
Patsy
Hi there!
Welcome to the UK Christian Web Forums. We hope you are keeping safe and well in these difficult times - we are so sorry you haven't had a response sooner. Just to let you know, we moved your topic to the welcome and introductions area so more people might see it.
We hope you had a good Christmas even if it was not with everyone in person. This website is virtually brand new, and so unfortunately there are practically no users yet – although we sincerely hope and pray that people will find this forum and start posting and encouraging each other as time goes on.
It's fantastic and encouraging to read that God made himself known to you in that 'light bulb' moment. When God reveals himself to you, it is not uncommon to be compelled to speak to anyone and everyone about your revelation of God. This also happened with people in the Bible... for example Acts 8: 25: After they had further proclaimed the word of the Lord and testified about Jesus, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages.
... so it's not crazy, and people in the Bible were, at times, outcast. Finally, if you are listening to God and talking to Him, He can being revelation and 'words of knowledge' - in this case perhaps it is the reason that you find you are knowing people's struggles in life and faith.
As you are very new to all this, firstly it would be good to start reading the Bible if you haven't already (best to start with one of the New Testament gospels - Matthew, Mark, Luke or John. I would recommend starting with John.) Meanwhile, it would also be good if you could find a local (perhaps CofE) church online service initially while Covid is still causing issues (there are many different kinds and styles of Christian church you can attend) and then in person – obviously when Coronavirus has been dealt with and restrictions are lifted. Is there a CofE church specifically associated with the school perhaps that has an online service? You may also be able to get in touch with them by email. If you would like to find out more about Christianity and being a Christian or make contact with anyone during these Covid times, you could try starting here https://christianity.org.uk/article/ive-become-a-christian-what-now-1 Worth noting that there is a small link at the bottom right of the page, which includes one that says 'Please Pray For Me' as well - I don't know if you'll get a response, but it might help just to know someone is praying.
Please do feel free to continue posting your general discussion questions about Christianity and Christian life on these forums if you wish (it might just help to start the conversations flowing, and people joining!)