On every sunny morning I go for a run in the woodlands behind my house. A little stream winds through the woods, and there is a wooden bridge over the stream where I stop to look at the astonishing beauty of light through leaves. I pray and thank God for the privilege of living here, and feel all peaceful and reverent. On Sundays I go to a nondenominational church on Sunday where the pastor gives clear direction on how to get closer to God (www.church-redeemer.org).
But a few years ago I had a conversation with a very godly lady who pointed out that religion is not about me and how I feel. It is not about me feeling holy in the woods, it is not about me hearing a strong sermon and feeling inspired. Faith is not a feeling, but a choice, a series of actions we engage no matter how we feel.
The Scripture commands us to worship together, as a group of us worshipping together strengthen and chasten each other, and form us into an army for the work of the Lord. Also, Jesus promised us, "Whenever two or more of you are gathered together in My Name, there I am in the midst of you." You can't get that effect by yourself. In addition, faith is about service, for "Faith without works is dead." That is, we're commanded to actually (as that pastor in this article points out) do some good work for others.
It's not as much fun to paint the church as it is to look at the sunlight sparkling on that stream near my house and feel peaceful. But while both are doubtless pleasing to the Lord, it's not the peaceful holy feelings that build the sort of character He wants us to have. Only time, and the discipline of humble, self-sacrificing work, will do that.
Perhaps I should have mentioned that I was not raised as a Christian, and am not one now.
I was raised as a reform Jew, but abandoned that tradition many years ago (though I did have a bar mitzvah).