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Getting Started on Your Faith Journey…

Poet Robert Frost wrote: “Two roads diverged in a wood and I – I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.”

Life is full of roads that “diverge in a wood,” and the most significant road is the one that leads to Jesus Christ. It is for those who choose to walk that way, those who are called Christians. It makes all the difference in one’s life.

This website is intended for those who have just taken an initial step down this road. Welcome, friend.

The journey you have embarked upon is not a short trip; it is a lifetime journey. Like any journey, it will have its ups and downs, it’s mountain-top and valley moments. But I can assure you that you are on the “right road.” The purpose of this website is to give you some helpful advice to get you started on the right foot.

If you found this website and have not taken that first step, but you are curious what it means to be a Christian, or are unsure whether you are a Christian, please visit this page.

With Jesus, every day is a fresh opportunity.

Our goal is a continuously closer relationship with God. The time to pursue that is today, and every day. But what does that look like? What is involved? Read on.

Four very important things to do

The recommendations I’m providing below are very condensed. There is much more to to learn about each of these topics, and I encourage you to visit the blog page. If you have an RSS feed reader, please add the blog page to your feeds.

First, make a commitment to spend regular time in prayer. I would recommend that your daily prayer time should be on your schedule before any of your typical daily activities or obligations. Make it a priority, and don’t be discouraged when various things seem to interfere with your attempts to maintain an uninterrupted block of time to meet with God. Persevere, it is important!

Now, what is prayer? In simple terms, it is just a conversation with God. Mostly, it is you speaking to God, and it should include various elements. You might begin by thanking and praising God for what he’s done in your life, and what you are grateful for. You should also talk to God about those things of concern to you, and request his help. You should pray requests for people and situations that are on your heart. God surely cares. Lastly, you should include some time of silence, where you listen for what God might say to you. Try to develop an awareness of the presence of his Spirit.

Second, start a Bible reading plan. Again, it’s best to schedule this for a time before your day gets busy, so perhaps just before or just after your prayer time. I would suggest you begin with the book of Matthew, which is the first book in the New Testament. I would also suggest that you follow a structured plan that will have you reading through the Old Testament once a year, and through the New Testament twice a year.

Third, you need to find a group of like-minded Christians to meet with regularly. In other words, you should connect with a church, a fellowship, or a small group meeting of fellow believers for common worship, for hearing teachings from the Bible, and for mutual encouragement.

Fourth, you should begin to tell others about what God has done for you, and how he has changed your life because of your belief that Jesus lives. You can expect that some in your circle of acquaintances, friends, or family will not welcome that news. Don’t feel it’s your responsibility to convince them; just pray for them and be sensitive to when they might become receptive. That said, others will be thrilled and still others intrigued. Avoid theological arguments and disputations. I’ve never seen them useful for sharing the good news. Just tell people what Jesus has done for you.

Again, welcome to what the Bible calls the narrow road. It’s not a road that everyone will take. But borrowing from Robert Frost, “it [will make] all the difference.” Blessings to you, and congratulations on making the best decision of your life.

Please visit the Blog page for more helpful comments that I will be posting, and for greater explanation of those things I’ve written above. If you have any questions, please leave a message on the Contact Form page, or leave (relevant) comments to posts on the Blog page. God bless.