im a young girl who feels i need 2 have more faith in the lord. how can i be more mature about my faith? I go 2 a catholic school but its not helpin
199510
The first answer is prayer. However I will caution you about a prayer for more faith. To get more faith, God usually puts us in a position that is very uncomfortable for us in order for us to learn faith. Peter was in a ship that was tossed around in a vicious storm. To top it off he saw a what appeared to be a ghost walking on the water. Can you imagine his fear. Yet the ghost turned out to be Jesus and Peter was beckoned to step out of the boat (his comfort zone) into the water - the unknown. He achieved the unachievable. Are you ready to walk the water? If so then ask God to increase your faith and fasten your seat belt. My prayers are with you as you move forward on this wonderful journey.
532517
Honey you just be what makes you comfortable. Just keep up your grades in school. Religion is also very important, but that has nothing to do with who you are. Stay out of trouble and enjoy being who you are. God Bless you. Hope you will have the happy life that it sounds like you are seeking. I love little tomboys myself. They are not snooty or finding fault with others. Good luck my dear and have fun.
518778
Have Faith in Your Own Self, dear : And remember that 'Whenever God closes a door, He always opens a window'.\nBest of Luck.
643409
I don't think that you are a freak. I am a believer just like you.It hurts me too to think that in today's world, people are losing their faith in God.There are just about a handful of believers like you and me today. What you are doing is just right.I too pray every day for these prodigal children that they might be saved and turn towards God. Don't lose hope.Trust God and find your way in Jesus.Keep reading the Holy Book and pray that you might have the answers to the questions put forward by the non-believers about God.
64418
If you are having a crisis of faith, try talking to a priest or someone else in the church. They may have answers to your question that you never thought of, or that make more sense. If that doesn't work, try educating yourself on other religions as well. Maybe you will find your answers in another faith or belief. I don't mean just Christian religions. Look into Buddhism, Wicca, Taoism, etc. I myself am Wiccan. The most important thing is not to lose faith in whatever you believe in, and to remember that everything that comes to you in life, good or bad, is a test and the gift of an opportunity to better yourself.
377605
You just need to listen to God and try to be Godly and not worry\nabout the little children in the mud puddle making mud pies
203949
Trying to get teenagers interested in anything these days is a difficult task, and I applaud you for trying to introduce them to Christianity.  However, you must know and understand that you can not lead anyone to salvation. You can not save anyone.  You can not bring anyone to God.  All these things are brought about ONLY by the free will God gave them. They must choose.\n\nThat being said, leading by example is the best approach.  Nothing you say will mean anything to these kids if they think you are full of crap (pardon the term).  But it's true, young adults and teenagers are longing for good guidance by adults they can trust.\n\nIt's also important to find ways to establish a relationship with their lives, and the life of a Christian.  Give them some examples of how fear, anxiety, social relations with the opposite sex, the future, etc. are all made clearer and better when you have friends that have shared experiences, and that these experiences have meaning.  Let them know that being a good Christian means being a part of something beautiful and fulfilling.\n\nNever take them for granted.  All their problems are very real, and sometimes devastating (even if you think they are trivial.)  Teenagers have such a strong need to be accepted and understood, and if you just say "trust in God" over and over again, they'll become immune to it.  \n\nStay creative and entertaining.  The attention span of the avergae teen is about 10 seconds, maybe less.  You have to keep them focused. (This will end up being the most difficult part.)\n\nAnyway...good luck, and God Bless.  Don't give up, and trust that The Lord will find his way into the hearts of these kids, and that these kids will want Him there.
90616
I am not a fan of watered-down teaching.  That usually shows a weakness in the teacher, rather then a weakness in the student.  \n\nPush the new believers and see how much they can take.  Have an attitude that you will impart all that you can, and pray that they will surpass you in a matter of months, so that you can sit at their feet and be their student.\n\nLets put this question to a vote, and see which one of these great answers wins. What do you say?
221930
u need God in your family lifes for the positivety and the strength and everything good and positive go to church is a great plus  you will see a difference promise
644112
The best advice I will give is to live your Christian life openly. Don't be judgemental or intolerant. As my youth pastor used to say "you may be the only Bible some people ever read." So keep that in mind as you go about your day. Stay focused on practicing your religion. Take the time to listen to your family members about what they believe and how they experience God. Just listen. There is a great value to listening, so many people forget that. A lot of people have more respect for people who take the time to listen and get to know what they believe. If you don't understand something they are saying, it is okay to ask for clarification, but don't judge or put down their beliefs. Just listen. Keep doing this. Eventually they'll start to ask you what you believe if they're curious. If they've been watching you and how you live and go about your life, they may start to get curious. When beginning to start to tell them what you believe (when they ask...remember no one likes to have someone tell them information they haven't asked for) make sure you make it clear that this is what you believe. What I mean is, don't make references to what they believe. Just state what you believe. This keeps you from showing signs of intolerance, disrespect, or that you are judgemental. Continue to take the time to listen to them. Ask them about their beliefs, why they believe it. Ask them about their spiritual experiences. That sounds odd, but all of us have them in some form or another. Sometimes we can explain them through our religion, and sometimes we cannot. You are getting personal with them and building trust between them and yourself. Be willing to answer questions about yourself, but never feel like you have to defend your believes or offend others. If all goes well, they will start to inquire more and more, they may start to go to church with you, they may want to read the Bible and that will open even more questions for you to answer from them. Don't always be so quick to answer questions. Sometimes you'll be asked questions that if you answer right away you might later regret answering the way you did. If you feel like you need more time to ponder a question, be honest and let them know that you'd like to think of how to give the best possible answer to their question. Most people will be understanding. DO NOT GET INTO RELIGIOUS ARGUMENTS. I can't stress this enough. Most religious arguments are not actually about spirituality, they are about ego. Be strong enough to step away from them.\n\nThis is my advice to you as a former Christian missionary turned Hindu (coincidently). What I have told you I have found to be much more effective at helping people in their spiritual life and helping them look more closely at what they actually believe. As a Christian I'll admit that I did get into trouble with my church who was more interested in gaining more members for revenue than it was about truly helping people spiritually (I took the words of a pastor there to heart when he said that "a hospital is a place where people go when their physical bodies are sick to get treatment, a church is a place where people go when their spiritual bodies are sick to get treatment.") I also still am friends with a great many Christians. They are all very tolerant and respectful of other people's beliefs. It is not that they do not want to 'save' people, they just have realized that being judgement, intolerant, and condemning people or even trying to provoke fear in them doesn't really seem to very effective. Respect, patience, and tolerance seem to work a lot better (remember tolerance means that you acknowledge their religious beliefs, it does not mean that you accept them).\n\nAnd most importantly, pray for your family. Be thankful for them, but also ask Christ to help you. Take time to not just pray in the sense that you do all the talking, but also take time to sit
307899
Although I am not religous, my best friend is Christian.  And when I am in a rut, she always gives me the same advice.  Just believe.  Believe that things will get better.  Try to find something to hold on to, and begin praying again.  Try to find something you can join other than a church, or just surround yourself with really good friends and family.
189909
lol well i went to a catholic school when i was in first grade, went to a public school in 2nd and 3rd, then back to catholic on 4th and 5th grade [[i switched so much because i kept moving to different places from time to time]] ..from then on i stuck with the public schools. so yeah basically i began to comprehend pretty much everything when i was in first/third grade even, mainly because my family was i guess what you could call religious and prayed the rosary like at least once a month but..yeah. i also went to ccd, (its a school teaching about god and stuff just in case you dont know)but i didn`t relly learn from much there exept on my confirmation. i didnt learn much because all they do is play games and talk about god, (the basics) and like..yeah. but you can send your kids to ccd if you want, not my choice, but i recommend only in grades 7 and 8 for confirmation. make sure to go to church every week though and likee..pray. haha kthxbye..goodLuck!!
10978
Have you ever read about Job.  He went through many many many trials and he still prevailed.  I know life can be rough at times and unfortunatly you will continue to go through hard times, they really never end.  But remember, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.  Turning away from your faith would be the wrong thing to do.  It's not that God isn't listening or answering your prayers.  He does listen and he will answer them.  God loves you very much, even when no one else seems to.  You should try talking to your preacher or someone in your church that you can trust. Tell them how you are feeling.  I suggest getting a prayer partner, someone who will help you pray for your needs.  Try smiling as much as you can today.  That will make you feel better too.  Good luck and God bless.
42638
Read the book of Job. It is Satan trying to make you give up on Christ. Have faith. Remember the mustard seed. If you have faith, it is only faith when tested. You are going through a period of darkness. Remember Jesus was our example and he too allowed himself a period to go out to the dessert to increase and test his faith. He was tempted by Satan but he used scripture to get him through. Surround yourself with good spiritual support persons. Lean on others when you are not strong. Remember that when you can't walk in the spirit God is carrying you, trust.
94977
Sweetie, Be accepting of what God gave you. You cannot improve on perfection.
417896
well maybe you just have to be yourself . just remember this: What would Jesus do in a situation like this? try to also be more partient kind humble and never boastful .don't be easiliy angered by any events and remember that God is in control of everything Just remember this. WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS THAT YOU PLEASE GOD IN YOUR ACTIONS. YOU DON'T NEED TO CARE ABOUT WHAT OTHERS THINK ABOUT YOU. I am sure that God has a plan in your life and you don't need to really care if others are jealous of you because God will always be there for you. Just do what you think is right and be yourself and not what others want you to be. just remember that when you do what you think is right and when you be yourself this should be in accordance to God's plan. hope this helps! take care! God Bless!
42937
Just know that you are special and it is not your fault what they said or did. Know that God is with you and always has been, and focus on just being the best person that you can be. Be successful, and be greatful for life, also know that your parents probably didn't know any better, and forgive them, to make yourself be even better. Know that you overcame that, and can think about it and rationalize it, and get past it, knowing you are a really good person inside, who wants a good happy life. \n\nAnd when it does feel like it hurts realy bad, just thank God that he was there to help you through it and for the ability to now think positively and rationalize why you are such a good person who deserves so much. And know that you will be happy in the future and will make a positive difference in making people feel good, especially when you ever have kids, so that you can be everything to them that you never had.\nBasically:\nJust have HOPE and keep FAITH.