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Has anyone Else Felt like this?

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MePogo:
I turned on the TV this morning and the news was broadcast from D.C. and the funeral and mass was taking place for Sen. Kennedy (I'm on Pacific time).  As I listened to the priests, I felt lonesome and actually felt like I missed the mass.  It seemed so comfortable (dumb, because this was a funeral; not a typical service).  For a few minutes I felt almost homesick for the church.  The rich surroundings, the glorious robes, the riches at the great cost.... but it seemed so comfortable for just a minute.  It was bazaar; seductive.  It made me think of the word adultery. It seemed like a battle was taking place in my head and I found the off button on the remote very fast.  I know the truth but it was the ritual that was seductive.  It isn't the first time I felt lonesome in my journey, but the strongest pull, maybe because I know that cathedral and have worshiped there before.  It's an awesome building, built for the glory of something other than God, I know.  These people have no idea of the truth, or they choose to ignore it and spread falsehoods I know

I immediately prayed to hold fast to the truth and not be seduced.  I had moments of this "homesickness" before when I heard words from the mass or certain hymns but this was such a strong "pull" today.  Does anyone else ever feel this or is it just some crazy thought that passed through my mind?  I can never go back to Babylon but why do the memories seem so comfortable?  Why should I have any thoughts of pretending to believe in an evil lie just to take part in a ritual?

My life is in a lot of turmoil right now so maybe I'm just longing for the comfort of the "good old days" but I was quite upset by being drawn to the church.  I know I can walk into any church any time I want but I would be faking it because I know the truth.  Has anyone else out there ever felt the need for ritual like that?

Love and hugs to everyone,
Pogo

arion:
I didn't come out of a ritualist background as we were more of the pentacostal type bent but I can see how part of you would miss it.  Religion kind of fits like an old shoe....something you feel comfortable with.  With me it's almost the exact opposite now.  I can't really even listen to 'christian' music even the hymn's or listen to one of the radio programs or peruse one of the T.V. shows.  It's all so fake and phony even though many of the people involved are sincere.  And I don't really fellowship with any of the folk that are still in their babalonian wanderings as I feel I have little in common with them any more.  Not that I feel better than they are as I'm reminded every day that by the grace of God go I yet at times it is indeed a lonely walk. 

Marlene:
Hi, The part that got to me is when they talked about the funeral. They talked about him being in heaven already. That, sickened me. I am not judging . Its just the resurrection is not mentioned any more. We have to go through that.

I was not Catholic so I was never in that type of church. 

I use to be active in my church and sing. I still like songs that speak the truth. But, there are way too few.  Watching all of this made me see just how much it is all Babylon. I really, don't have the urge to go back. At first, I  found it hard and lonely.  But, I have God and all of you . The truth God has opened my eyes too is the only comfort I have right now. I like you Pogo am going through some huge things. I think we sometimes go to what use to comfort us.  But, what keeps me from going back is knowing what they teach does not bring lasting comfort. But, knowing all these things we go through are not in vain is a great comfort to me. I don't worry if I am an elect it is all up to God. But, I know there is comfort in knowing that someday every thing will be right and not wrong.

There are so many who use religion to help them handle there trials in life.  I don't judge them cause they may be sincere. But, the truth is what I want. The lies have never been a comfort to me. That, is what brought me in here. We may feel alone and it can be lonely especialy when going through trials.
But, we are never alone we have our comforter.

In His Love,
Marlene

9440geoff:
Hi Pogo,

I can't say that I've ever felt the need to return to the ritual, but I do have feelings for the people that are still in Babylon.

I've just returned from a shared lunch at the house of some English friends.There were about 25 Christians, both English and French, from various churches in the area. As is normal with such gatherings we talked about God and His word, but I could feel my bottom lip getting more and more sore as I bit it harder and harder. Suddenly I heard myself shout 'NO' as someone said that we go straight to heaven when we die, and I started to explain that it is only our spirit that returns to God and that when we're dead we are dead until the resurrection. Well, the looks of disbelief I got reminded me of what has been said so many times on this forum, that our brothers and sisters in Babylon are there because God has put them there, and they will remain there until God chooses otherwise. I also realise that the only people I can truly fellowship with are the members of the BT forum.

Geoff

Astrapho:
I don't know, I'm still in the Catholic church but I would want nothing more than to get away from those rituals because they don't benefit me spiritually whatsoever.

I guess the best thing to tell yourself whenever you feel like that is: "It always looks better than it really is, and anyway if I were there I would just be wasting my time." You may think you want to be back in there, but as someone still in there, I'm telling you, you don't want to be there. Especially if you know the truth.

Geoff, I totally understand how you feel. I've got Catholic ministers and teachers (All my relatives are Catholic) telling me how going to church, doing confession, going for mass as much as you can is "good for my soul", and I have to keep telling myself to shut up and just say "yah, it's good I know", and when my Pentecostal friend talked about how her pastor's wife died (When she broke the news, she sounded rather happy) she was talking about how she was being happy in heaven, and I had to bite back my words of "But she's still dead in the grave".

Sometimes, knowing the truth makes me halfway between absolutely joyous and absolutely wanting to tear all my hair out.

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