Return to faith.

[RAMCLAP]

Some things are just taken way too seriously. This is an internet forum for guns, after all.

So, to the OP, if you want serious advice about finding "the Christian Path," then simply DO Christianity. Forget about inner peace, your spiritual life, eternal life, salvation and a host of other ideas that just fill your mind & make you feel better about whatever choices you've already made. Most of that is self-serving BS or, as I used to call it, spiritual materialism (working for spiritual rewards or recognition is just deferred gratification and fails the basic idea of actually helping other people rather than yourself). Learn to PRACTICE Christianity in your community. Find ways to serve others. Give to the needy. Give until it hurts. Then give more. Talk to hookers (not to convert them -- just to learn from them). Feed the homeless. Volunteer at a prison. We humans are great at rationalizing whatever we do (or fail to do) and we generally suck at actually doing what we say that we believe. In doing stuff, you'll meet others with similar ideas and you'll learn true compassion for others. Get together with those people. Whether that's church or just hanging out for coffee. Humans are tribal so you'll need a tribe to help you deal with all the crap you're about to take on. It's a rough road ahead & you'll need some help from real, tangible people -- not just gun nuts like me who also think about religion.

I met a guy on the Mount of Olives who, in his 60s, decided that he would forget about church. Instead, he PRACTICED Christianity and got pretty darned good at it (which is how I met him -- he helped a friend of mine when he was in need & then invited us young Americans to his house for dinner). That man is more of a Christian than any pastor, priest, monk or nun I've ever known. He DID Christianity. Belief & orthodoxy are all just measures about how well you conform to others. That guy lived it. So, live it. Do it. Practice it.

If all that sounds too daunting, then you should read what Jesus had to say to the rich, young ruler. I'm way more of a moderate than Jesus. But, hey, living that way, he only lived to the age of 33, right? those young 'uns are all guts & glory, I guess.

None of this is to say that you can earn salvation or anything like that. Again, all that is self-serving, not others-serving anyway. Christianity isn't about what you can get out of helping others. If you want to know "what's in it for me?" then you've missed the whole point. It's about learning to help others regardless of the consequences. But, as behavioral psychologists will confirm, what you do will change how you think. And what you practice will alter your beliefs. Jesus himself was on to this. Which is part of why he was such an outspoken critic of his religious and political leaders. They thought, reasoned and set rules to live by. Jesus got his hands dirty & taught people to forget about the rules. He wasn't trying to get people to live by a stricter set of rules. He wanted them to forget the rules and start actually helping each other with compassion for a change.

So, yes, I joke at the thought of calling up "whores." But a woman who prostitutes herself to feed herself or her family is more of a saint than I'll ever be. And a woman who simply enjoys sex with a consenting partner is more sacred to me than anybody who takes pride in their "sexual purity." Sex with somebody you love is never a sin in my book.

We've seen grenade lobbers like you before. You won't last long. OP. Do yourself a favor and continue on your path. Self righteous Nihlism like this are the work and words of evil. You can't "do Christianity". You must be born again of the Spirit and have the living Christ dwell within you. This kind of mumbo jumbo is just looking to justify sin. Sinners in the hands of an angry God is no place to be. Sinners in the hands of a forgiving God is the place to be. A broken and contrite heart God will never despise.

[Kestryll]

Some things are just taken way too seriously. This is an internet forum for guns, after all.

And this is the Discussions of Faith forum with its own rules.

Follow them or be removed.

[Nick Adams]

Thank you to those pointing to just go to church.

[eta34]

You can also look at their respective websites. Look for a statement of faith. That will say a lot.

[78marz]

Sounds like you are having fun and enjoying life, why mess it up

[WASR10]

I am also able to recommend a congregation in your area. Just let me know and I'll be happy to.

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[Nick Adams]

Thanks for the advice. Im going to wake up early tomorrow, tie on a tie and head to the first church on my list. Open to recommendations in Bakersfield BTW.

[Mesa Defense]

What a great thread. Nick, prodigals always return to the Lord. Of all of them, I am the worst. Will be praying for you brother.

[Doheny]

You can also look at their respective websites. Look for a statement of faith. That will say a lot.

That was going to be my suggestion. Also take a look at their online services, she what you think.

[OHOD]

See if you can visit the priest and have spiritual conversation on what makes his church different than others.

[WASR10]

Thanks for the advice. Im going to wake up early tomorrow, tie on a tie and head to the first church on my list. Open to recommendations in Bakersfield BTW.

Please let us know how it goes

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[BakoJ]

Thanks for the advice. Im going to wake up early tomorrow, tie on a tie and head to the first church on my list. Open to recommendations in Bakersfield BTW.

I'm in Bakersfield, too. My wife and I have been looking for a church for several years. I hope you find what you're looking for. A friend of mine suggested Valley Bible Fellowship on Brundage. I know many happy folks that go there. I've had some personal issues with the pastor there so it isn't for me but maybe it would be for you.

[Mesa Defense]

Nick, I hope you had a good day brother. And you made some good headway today.

[Sailormilan2]

Nick, as with any forum you have received different suggestions, and at least one recommendation. I will make a recommendation, though mine will not be a "pro", but rather a "con".
I would recommend not going to the Hillcrest or Central Seventh Day Adventist churches. I grew up in the Hillcrest SDA church, and I spent several years going to the Central SDA church. There are many good Christians there. But I am not longer impressed by the Church theology, and the latest word I had received about the Hillcrest SDA church was that the "legalists" had taken over. Central SDA church, while not as bad, still leans that way.
Having grown up in the legalistic atmosphere, I would recommend staying away.
I have not been to Valley Bible Fellowship but once, and that was for a funeral. But I have friends that go there, and they like it.

[OHOD]

Find ways to serve others. Give to the needy. Give until it hurts. Then give more. Talk to hookers (not to convert them -- just to learn from them). Feed the homeless.

A couple of years ago, I was homeless for about 2 months. If it wasn't for my sister-in-law, I would still be there. During my 2 months, I was approached by those with the spirit. I am Buddhist, but appreciated the advice and guidance I received. They helped me to get shelter, directed me towards health care and where to get a shower. Those that practiced, are in my prayers. Sure, I'm a Buddhist, but I still pray for those that need it.