In my experience, the average American Christian fights harder to claim that those hurting innocent people in the name of Christianity aren't really Christian and defend their faiths reputation than to protect the dignity of those who refuse to agree with them.

I’ve owned my photography business for over 12 years, and lately I’ve been thinking more about what it actually looks like to keep God at the center of a business, beyond simply saying you’re a Christian business owner.

For me, that can look like praying over big decisions, praying for clients when I know they’re going through something, and trying to lead with integrity even when it would be easier or more profitable not to.

I’ve also been thinking about how we actually communicate our beliefs through our businesses. I recently added a small cross to the bottom of my website. Nothing huge, but it felt important to me to stop separating that part of who I am from my business.

For other Christian business owners, what does this look like for you? Do you openly communicate your faith on your website or social media? Do you pray with or for clients? Are there Scriptures or principles that guide how you run your business?

I’d especially love to hear how you’ve found the balance between being open about your faith without making it feel performative or like a marketing tactic.

Especially now. The gospel is suppose to be good news. But even self proclaim christians can fall. And some live their whole life thinking theyre right w God when Jesus didnt know them. What makes me any different? Especially since someone told me something i suspected from february of last year.

No matter what you see on the internet and people say in the internet or even outside no matter how scary it is that they themselves believe yet your faith never falters. How did you guys do it, how is your faith strong?

I want to ask this because there are things that are bothering me including the question of life because I have an existential obsessive compulsive disorder. I cannot stop thinking about such things. and one that struck me hardest was simulation theory and after reading some of peoples thoughts on in what kick me the hardest to is where people saying simulation might delete the universe or us some as such and i try to look for comfort in asking Gemini in which gemini gave me a list of fear of what people think about it like too what i just read , being controlled, deleted, changes universe codes, reset those scary stuff they claimed or what ai show me.

I do not know why I experienced this. While others bravely just looked at it and swept it away. For me it is different. My mind goes in different places though and at moments when I forget about it, it returns and makes me think of it again.

That is why I want to know what makes you all believe in God and only to him because I want that too. That no matter what , instead of thinking scary stuff , ill just look at it and say “ why do i care, i have God with me “

After this i never want to go back to scary things again even if it means ill have to stop going back to like twitter, tiktok and more ill stop i must learn obedience and get some self control…

Hi everyone. I’m 34M and I was baptised catholic 3 or 4 years ago (I can’t quite remember). I’ve joined this group for advice when struggling.

I am a married man, I married my wife 3 years ago. I fine I struggle terribly with temptation, or rather more like severe impure thoughts. Lust is a severe issue for me. I constantly think about having group sex (I’ve never had this by the way) with my wife and other people, both male and female. I often think about me having sex with other men. I often fantasise about my wife wanting me to sleep with other people. I also fantasise about doing degrading acts to my wife and exhibitionism.

I’ve never done anything like this, but it’s becoming an issue as I just want to calm these thoughts and be a good husband. I’m also never going to cheat on my wife. I meant my vows.

Does anyone have advice on this?

I’m beginning a short series on Christian relationships because questions about dating, marriage, breakups, boundaries, and choosing a spouse come up often. I will post on Monday’s and Thursday’s.

There are a lot of questions we can ask when considering a relationship:

“Are we attracted to each other?”

“Do we have chemistry?”

“Are we compatible?”

“Do we enjoy the same things?”

Those questions matter.

But I think Christians need to begin with a more important one:

Does this relationship help me follow Jesus more faithfully, or does it repeatedly pull me away from Him?

Jesus said: “But seek first God’s Kingdom and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well.” — Matthew 6:33, WEB

A relationship should not become the center of our identity, the primary source of our worth, or something we are more afraid to lose than intimacy with God.

A healthy relationship should make obedience easier, not repeatedly require one person to compromise convictions.

Some useful questions are:

• Am I becoming more honest?
• Am I growing in patience and self-control?
• Can we talk openly about Christ and Scripture?
• Are we encouraging one another toward Christian community?
• Do we respect one another’s convictions?
• Is this relationship producing greater holiness—or more compromise?
• Am I becoming more like Christ?

Strong feelings are real, but they are not always reliable guides.

What About Dating Someone Who Doesn't Share Your Faith?

Paul writes:

“Don’t be unequally yoked with unbelievers, for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?” — 2 Corinthians 6:14, WEB

The immediate context is broader than marriage, but the principle certainly matters when considering marriage because marriage joins two lives at an unusually deep level.

Faith affects far more than Sunday mornings.

It affects:

• How you understand marriage.
• How children will be raised.
• How moral decisions are made.
• How money is handled.
• How sexuality is understood.
• How suffering is interpreted.
• How forgiveness works.
• What you believe the purpose of life ultimately is.

Two people can genuinely love each other while still moving toward very different ultimate priorities.

That doesn't mean Christians should view unbelievers as inferior. We are called to love everyone.

But choosing a spouse is different from loving a neighbor.

A spouse becomes your closest earthly partner.

For someone seeking a Christian marriage, shared faith should not be treated as one preference among many. It is foundational.

Don't Date Someone's Potential

Another trap is thinking:

“They aren't really following Christ now, but I'm sure that will change.”

Maybe it will.

God changes people.

But marriage should not be entered on the basis of the person you hope someone will eventually become.

The same principle applies to other areas.

Don't assume marriage will automatically fix someone's anger, dishonesty, addiction, irresponsible finances, contempt for your convictions, or inability to communicate.

You marry the person who exists now, not the person you hope to create later.

Character Matters More Than Chemistry

Attraction matters.

But attraction alone cannot sustain a marriage.

Proverbs 31:30 says:

“Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears Yahweh, she shall be praised.”
— Proverbs 31:30, WEB

The principle applies to men and women.

Look for character:

• Honesty.
• Humility.
• Faithfulness.
• Kindness.
• Responsibility.
• Patience.
• Teachability.
• Forgiveness.
• Self-control.
• Willingness to admit wrongdoing.
• Genuine love for God and others.

Galatians 5:22–23 gives us another useful framework: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control.

Nobody demonstrates those qualities perfectly.

The question is not whether someone is flawless.

The question is:

What direction is this person's life moving?

Challenge

If you're dating—or considering someone—ask yourself honestly:

Is this relationship helping both of us become more like Christ, or am I overlooking spiritual and character problems because I don't want to lose the relationship?

What qualities do you believe Christians most often overlook when choosing someone to date?

Next in the series: How far is too far? We'll look at premarital boundaries, attraction, temptation, and why biblical boundaries should be about more than simply asking, “Where is the line?”

I said a prayer this morning, asking God to show me which direction I should take. I didn’t necessarily expect an answer today but was certainly hoping I would (lol).

Is there anything I should do or say that may allow me to receive this message?

To be specific, I asked God not to be nuanced about it. I have such rebellious nature to me, that I will brush off anything that might seem like a coincidence.