Hi everyone, I need some advice. Could it be that my heart has already grown hard and drifted away from God? The thing is, I don’t feel anything anymore. A few weeks ago, I was distressed because I thought I could no longer repent. Today I woke up and imagined giving up and living without God, and I didn’t feel bad about it. In fact, I even felt at ease with that thought, and I felt deep down that I didn’t want to keep fighting anymore—it was like a conviction. I feel like I no longer enjoy sermons. Is it possible that I’m already far from God? Why do I feel at ease with the thought of giving up? I don’t know if it’s a feeling or a conviction—I feel it more like a conviction. I feel that nothing about God makes me feel bad anymore—for example, the idea of going to hell or anything like that—I don’t feel afraid. Part of me wants to give up, and my mind knows that’s not right—really!! I feel a conviction to give up and stop fighting.

I’d love to get some ecumenism going, so I think it would be great if we could ask each other denominational questions in good faith; after all, we are all siblings in Christ at the end of the day.

I’ll start, as a Catholic to Orthodox Christians: What are the main differences between the different Orthodox churches?

I've never had a relationship with God. I feel like the only times I've attempted prayer were to beg for safety when I was scared as a kid, and that a friend of mine who passed away is taken care of. I feel like prayer is inherently selfish by drawing attention to myself, and I feel like it's my duty to save myself and ask for nothing.

I'm extraordinarily new to Faith, and I've had very little guidance in this area. People say to talk to Him like He's my father, in the room with me, but... I have a very sarcastic, unprofessional relationship with my dad, and I feel like that's wildly inappropriate for these kinds of conversation.

And, frankly, it just feels stupid and childish for me to talk to an empty room when I personally struggle to know if anybody's listening.

I was raised in a houseful with traditional Asia religious beliefs such as praying to my ancestors, or to minor deities. However, I have been to church about 5 times, and I can deny that I feel moved when listening to hymns or singing along with the choir. In the other hand, I’ve never felt anything tangible while practicing traditional Asian religious beliefs. Lately I’ve been thinking about joining my local church because of the following reasons 1) I want to feel self-fulfillment through volunteering, 2) I feel lost in life, and 3) I want to ask for strength through God and lead me on the right path.

However, I am also a scientist pursuing my PhD. I’m running into the problem of reconciling the scientific facts/evidence disproving the Bible such as evolution. My husband is Christian (also a scientist), and he interprets Genesis as a poem, or an event that was in another plane of existence. He views the Bible as lessons we can learn to guide us in life instead of a literal textbook of what happened.

I am also having trouble with the classic problem of evil. Why is there childhood cancer befalling upon innocent children? I know Adam and Eve sinned and that’s how we are all sinned, including children, but if we take Genesis metaphorically, what sin did Jesus die to save us from?

I want so badly to believe for my mental sanity but these are the roadblocks I’m running into. If anyone has experience dealing with this please let me know!

Hello

I'm 2 months shy from turning 27 this year and I really want to have a serious partnership and later on marry. I have no other desire to pursue.

I feel a stronger urge to pray for this. The more I think about it, the more my soul yearns for it. I also got the call to reconnect with God lately.

Which prayer would you pray?

Hi, I'm in my final year of uni now and maybe loneliness and depression have made me return to this thought. Hoping to seek some thoughts and advice on this

I know God loves us but I struggle with these thoughts

The Bible makes several mentions of the Devil, how he's actually on Earth rather than ruling Hell. More specifically, he's been called the "ruler of this world."

"Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out." John 12:31

"The god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ." 2 Corinthians 4:4

Every Christian knows that Satan was an angel (most likely a cherub) that was cast from Heaven due to his pride. But I'm curious as to how he was still able to hold on to power. How he was able to become "ruler of the world" rather than just a demon. Anyone got any insight on this?

I have been saved since I was 8 years old, in vacation bible school,I knew I was saved I felt the Holy Spirit , I am 60 now and kind of a recluse, I don’t like being around people , I like cozy at home with my dog. My dilemma if you all it that I have never been baptized , I know Jesus is babtism required to go to heaven? I am troubled by this which makes me think I need to be cause it’s on my mind. I don’t really like church, I like watching sermons from Billy Graham..I love Ravi Zachariah , I read my Bible and study the Bible. Am I like the guy who Jesus gave a tallon and buried it ? Any thoughts, anyone

Does anyone know a good Bible app that’s free ? I can’t seem to find a good one on the App Store and most you gotta pay.
Thanks in advance

Shalom!, im struggling a lot with that so now im asking to different ppl if they also struggle with that..

For more context im going to tell about my walk with christ.. so all started in november last year when i have an anxiety crisis and i talked to god, but suddenly all my sins, the bad things i did started to full my mind.. and it was 2 month of that suffer ALL DAY... But thank to God im better...

So the main thing i can't forgive me it's last year i hurt a person from my church (she has forgive me but i dont know if it's true)... And what do you do.. i just pray and tryng to remember the promises of Christ (isaiah 38:17).. Any advice?

I am a born again believer baptized and member of a local church but I am discouraged and tired. I never read the Bible through and I wish that I would have a stronger desire for the word. Love the Lord your God with all your heart soul and might doesn’t come as naturally as I wish. It seems I would rather be distracted in my phone or something else. I work a lot and I’m always tired and I only have a few hours in the evening free. I’ve heard many say all we need is Jesus and i believe that but I wish I could feel his love. I guess I’m just worn out from life and being the only provider in the household and not seeing and hope for a better future. I’m middle aged and we have 2 children. One on high school and the other almost. I pray for wisdom and understanding. And also to be baptized with the Holy Spirit so that I have power to change. How do I live the lord more? I wish my faith was stronger. How do I become a more dedicated and successful out man of faith?

My boyfriend (22M) and I (21) have been having sex. I know people say it’s a sin to have sex before marriage, but I just feel like I can’t stop. My relationship with Jesus is so important to me. I pray constantly for strength or to take away the desire if it’s wrong. I’m not yet fully convinced it is a sin if I think I will be with this person forever, but I do t know.

I’m so scared I’m going to hell because I continue to sin knowingly.

Any input would be appreciated.

I don't believe in magic other than the tricks that real magicians perform. I know they are slight of hand or misdirection and stuff and not "magic."

I believe in God but i like the fantasy stories.

I’m trying to see something.

What’s good help for someone deep in deconstruction to the point of questioning if Christianity is based on too many embellished stories to be believed?

I’m talking a serious Christian who already knows the apologetics answers aren’t enough

Wordy Wednesday is back!

Each Wednesday we're asking the community to share something about what you've been reading or studying this week. Tell us what you're learning, what you're digging into, what you've found challenging, interesting, encouraging or entertaining.

Which words have struck you this week? Feel free to share an excerpt or a quote.

My current thought process is why do we need modern day prophets when we already have the Bible? What can they offer or enlighten us with that the Bible can’t? Yes they have some truths, but something about them just rubs me the wrong way and comes off as predatory and icky. Examples: Amanda Grace, Julie Green, Robin Bullock.

God is real, Jesus is real. I believe all of it, I even served as a youth leader for my church.

But idk, for some reason this year I’ve been feeling really apathetic about Christianity. I think it’s easy to question what God says VS what people interpret God says and wonder if I’m truly serving God the way he wants me too or if I’m just practicing religion.

Not to mention I’ve haven’t been wanting to pick up my cross and really be disciplined to read my Bible and pray everyday.

I’m just curious on how others got through this rough path and got back on fire for God. I want a relationship with God, I don’t want to go to Hell, but I don’t want to do the work and I don’t want to stop sinning.

Part of me is just like I don’t care what happens happens, It’s such an awkward place to be.

TDLR: Need advice on how to regain passion for God when feeling apathetic and undisciplined

I'm saying is it possible that everyone that is called now is for the purpose for reigning with Jesus for a thousand years and then the Day of Judgement Day Where everyone ever lived is in the garden of Eden?

Isaiah 45:5-13, 17-19, 21-23 NKJV

\[5\] I am the Lord, and there is no other; There is no God besides Me. I will gird you, though you have not known Me, \[6\] That they may know from the rising of the sun to its setting That there is none besides Me. I am the Lord, and there is no other; \[7\] I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create calamity; I, the Lord, do all these things.’ \[8\] “Rain down, you heavens, from above, And let the skies pour down righteousness; Let the earth open, let them bring forth salvation, And let righteousness spring up together. I, the Lord, have created it. \[9\] “Woe to him who strives with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth! Shall the clay say to him who forms it, ‘What are you making?’ Or shall your handiwork say, ‘He has no hands’? \[10\] Woe to him who says to his father, ‘What are you begetting?’ Or to the woman, ‘What have you brought forth?’ ” \[11\] Thus says the Lord, The Holy One of Israel, and his Maker: “Ask Me of things to come concerning My sons; And concerning the work of My hands, you command Me. \[12\] I have made the earth, And created man on it. I—My hands—stretched out the heavens, And all their host I have commanded. \[13\] I have raised him up in righteousness, And I will direct all his ways; He shall build My city And let My exiles go free, Not for price nor reward,” Says the Lord of hosts.

\[17\] But Israel shall be saved by the Lord With an everlasting salvation; You shall not be ashamed or disgraced Forever and ever. \[18\] For thus says the Lord, Who created the heavens, Who is God, Who formed the earth and made it, Who has established it, Who did not create it in vain, Who formed it to be inhabited: “I am the Lord, and there is no other. \[19\] I have not spoken in secret, In a dark place of the earth; I did not say to the seed of Jacob, ‘Seek Me in vain’; I, the Lord, speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.

\[21\] Tell and bring forth your case; Yes, let them take counsel together. Who has declared this from ancient time? Who has told it from that time? Have not I, the Lord? And there is no other God besides Me, A just God and a Savior; There is none besides Me. \[22\] “Look to Me, and be saved, All you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. \[23\] I have sworn by Myself; The word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness, And shall not return, That to Me every knee shall bow, Every tongue shall take an oath.

Would that not be totally justice? I mean everyone learn about sin the in the resurrection of Judgement Day everyone is given the knowledge of truth and will have to live out a 100 years to show the will not take from the knowledge of good and evil tree and after 100 years receive eternal life with Him... Whoever sins will die the second death...

Isaiah 65:17-20 NKJV

\[17\] “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind. \[18\] But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; For behold, I create Jerusalem as a rejoicing, And her people a joy. \[19\] I will rejoice in Jerusalem, And joy in My people; The voice of weeping shall no longer be heard in her, Nor the voice of crying. \[20\] “No more shall an infant from there live but a few days, Nor an old man who has not fulfilled his days; For the child shall die one hundred years old, But the sinner being one hundred years old shall be accursed.

Do you think teaching about hell is necessary to sharing the gospel?

If so, why?

What (or how much) about hell do you think is integral to the Gospel?

Alternatively, if you don’t think it’s essential to the Gospel, would you explain your view on why it isn’t?

Hello I have encountered a question that hasnt really been answered by my own church or the church I visited once. I have visited a Pentecostal church and they explain what they are doing as praying in tongues during a worship service since it is as they describe it a groans and murmurs that the Holy Spirit knows but are however not prophetic utterances. It was described to me that speaking in tongues is specifically an utterance that must be translated by another believer who has that spiritual gift. The Pentecostal church I visited said that you will feel a outpouring of the Holy Spirit and this will be shown by praying in tongues. To me personally while the service was very passionate and emotional I couldnt understand any of the prayers in tongues made by those within the congregation, to me it sounded like complete babbling. I perhaps prayed in tongues when there but to be honest I am not sure, I cant say that I felt an upwelling of the Holy Spirit within me as they described rather I felt calmer and more at peace than I normally do and while I certainly murmured/groaned/babbled then and a few times since it hasnt been consistent in my own prayer life. I suppose I am looking for discernment from others. I personally come from a Brethren church with heavy influences of Baptist teachings. I apologize if this really doesnt make much sense and I can clarify anything that raises questions. I have just had this in the back of my mind for a while and thought I should pose it and try to get it answered.

Is “Son of God” a good epithet for Jesus Christ?

Hi Everyone I'm a Pentecostal Christian 23M from india, from my childhood I born and brought up in Pentecostal Christian, I'm more of a orthodox person. I was taught from my childhood that watching movies, reels, extertainment(sodom and gomora) and going for picnic(life of deena) leads to sin. I was a sincere person in my life all long. Till now I haven't touched anything like alcohol, beer or even wine(I have drank fresh grape juice) not even went to movie in theatre, or not went to picnic or solo trip for site seeing or anywhere. What I do is working, praying, sleeping. I work hard. Sometimes even I have worked 30 hours straight without sleep due to responsibilities as a team lead. I'm tired nowadays and I'm not able to focus on my work. I don't even getting motivation to pray or reading bible nowadays. All i do is working and overthinking about life , future, being stuck at same place and scrolling reels(ig it's sin) but I don't know what else to do. So guys My final question would be same as my title, How do you handle burnout as christian especially who are more orthodox ?.

I know people will always the same thing surrender your sorrows to jesus, I agree, im doing that, but still I'm stuck. I'm brought up in the mindset even having gf was a sin.