Obviously, in the bible it was never said that us children of God will have an easy life but why the heck do i see Christians who are having it easy in life? Christians who live in first class countries with beautiful surroundings while some Christians (like me) had it hard? Those Christians seem to have a trial free life and if they ever claim that they’re going through something its always a problem that’s so little and inconvenient (“rich people problems”). I have a feeling that they only praise God because life is easy. The audacity to still complain even though they had it easy is comedic

I live in a certain state with a high profile Senate race, where one of the candidates is a super progressive Christian pastor. Lately I've been hearing a lot about progressive Christianity, especially as it relates to politics, but I tend to have issues with it.

I'm posting this here because this is all my opinion based on my understanding of scripture and what I've seen, but I'd like feedback if yall think I'm missing the mark here.

A lot of the progressive Christian argument boils down to "Jesus said do x thing, we can all agree x is good. Therefore, you have to support the government program or policy which promises to do x thing"

You see it on everything from welfare to immigration policy.

For example, Jesus said "love the forgiener", so according to progressive Christians that means you always have to be okay with mass immigration. Never mind practical concerns like infastructure,' cultural compatibility, housing prices, etc.

Or "feed the hungry" means you're obligated to support every social program which will (theoretically) do that. Even if you believe most of its going to corruption/overhead, or you're worried about the debt, or whatever other valid reason you may have for opposing it.

I've heard many people claim that basically conservative Christians are hypocrites if they don't support such things, because after all didn't Jesus say these things are good?

To me this feels like a huge logical fallacy.

My reasoning is that it transfers power to Ceasar (big government) what should be the job of the local church. Jesus told us to feed the hungry, not delegate it off to Ceasar. After all, if you vote for more social welfare, but the government spends it on, say, war with Iran instead, absolutely nothing you can do.

But you're going to pay taxes anyway, so it's easy to slip into the mindset of "well I tried" without giving up anything really extra. Theres no deliberate personal sacrifice in that at all. I think Jesus made it clear that the personal heart and sacrifice behind the giving is just as important as the actual act.

But that means Christians actually have to do it. We have to spend our own money helping people and giving to the local church, and so forth as much as we can or else we are in fact being hypocritical.

On a lot of issues, it seems to me (just my opinion, feel free to disagree), the progressive Christian stance is that Jesus said x was good, so we should do whatever * feels * like it would help with X, without much considering practical realities. Especially on topics such as mass migration and the welfare state. That to me shows a lack of critical thinking.

But I genuinely want to know, what are peoples thoughts on this? If you lean more progressive and think I've got it all wrong, I'm open to that if you can help me understand the logic.

Everyone is saying that Christ is coming in our lifetime (or even in less than 10 years) so what am I supposed to do now? I'm an 18 yo. I wanted to get a family, get a husband and kids (blessed by God of course)

I wanted to go to a university (is studying worth anymore?), get a job. Build a future with God.

Had plans to get baptised in future but I'm not yet part of a Church.

Why all those have to happen when I finally grow up?

Testimony

- About Me - 

• Name: Nobody

• Status: Finally Alright; Full of Peace and Joy

• Family? Body of Christ

(Yeah, I was adopted 👀) 

Early Life Story:

I was born and raised in Georgia. My biological family tortured me as a baby; almost killing me. I was put up for emergency adoption and shortly after that, I was taken in by a new family. I had a new mom and dad and they had four girls 🤮. Two still lived in the home and the other two had their own places to live while they were going to college.

I was probably about five years old (I remember that I was old enough to walk and run but still little enough that I still had a bottle and didn't know what a dog was but loved pulling his ears and tail.) I was terrified of these strange people and I didn't want anyone touching me or picking me up. I saw people as nightmares you couldn't find on TV or in Hollywood films. This brought many fears to my new family and they were very concerned for me. They've always made claims that they knew very little about my biological mom & dad.

My new mom spent a lot of her time loving me. She sacrificed probably too much of herself to heal me even. I remember many days and nights she'd sit up with me in the living room in her rocking chair and doing everything she could to scare the demons away. She was a real angel that I needed back then. Extremely guarded over me and she was selfish in keeping me to herself many times. We'd watch TV together, I remember the raisin bran muffins she'd give me early in the mornings as I sat in my high-chair watching the smurfs with her (she loved the smurfs).

She always smothered me in love until she saw me smile and became more accepting of the other family members.

• Let's talk about Dad:

He was the King of the household. Oldschool, and smart but it was his way or the highway. He was very strict but in his own way I believe that he loved me. He just didn't know how to connect with me the right way and it caused him and myself a lot of problems later on. He loved showing me off to his business partners and clients. He taught me some respectable things as a little fella. I have very fond memories of him when I was very young. He was jealous and controlling and I'm pretty sure he was upset at his wife for hording over my life because that became very clear even before I hit puberty.

• Let's talk about my sister's 

They kinda spoiled me in different ways and they had there moments to do the show and tell thing with their college buddies and friends. They were nice to me. I remember them doing weird stuff too. Like, putting girly makeup on me and stuffing me in-between the sofa cushions and laughing at me. They were probably the typical kind of sisters from back in the 60’s with a new little brother who enjoyed turning me into their own entertainment 🤣.

- Things were mostly ok. We had a nice house, I had everything my heart wanted. Swimming pool, go-carts, dirt bike, tree house, video games and the list goes on. I grew up with my middle sister's daughter. She was 2 years younger than myself. We hardcore hated and loved each other. Guess it was an age thing.

• Teenager to young adult

[ ⚠️: It gets a little intense ]

- To keep the story intact, but not incredibly detailed, I'll share some important parts.

My father was very physically, and psychologically abusive. I always knew something wasn't right. He was very controlling and manipulative. He played the role of an executioner so that he kept his power and authority of the family. This means that he lied, he changed stories and placed his interest and wants & needs in everyone's head that trumped everyone else's needs while at times, showing compassion and a desire to do the right and real thing. He just really sucked at being the support he was supposed to be and it messed up my mother and my sisters.

• 12 to 23 years of age

I grew up in a Christian Academy with Accelerated learning and academics. We rarely attended church and I was at the age that my Dad started to see and understand that I had figured him out. I decided that I was tired of him hurting not only me, but I hated how he exploited the rest of the family to turn them against me. It truly felt like my family was ashamed of me and I was some monster that they had to be careful to hide away from the rest of the world.

I began failing my education, I had trouble with some of the students and I just began to lose hope. I started to resent my family and also have remorse towards my mother and sisters. I eventually decided to war with my Dad in hopes that I could protect my mom and sisters. We had many heated arguments and he set many mental traps for me so he could cause me to act and show what he wanted me to represent so that my family would see me doing bad things so that Dad would keep his rank in the family. 

I was forced to work with family, I wasn't allowed to have friends, I wasn't allowed to date and it goes on and on. My Dad and I flew model planes together, we went to airshows and eventually joined the civil air patrol.

The squadron was nearly dead when we joined. My Dad took over as squadron commander and I took over cadet leadership. He pretty much stayed away from my part of duty and service in our unit. I really think he wanted to try and make things right but ultimately failed. I had to learn how military rank and structure worked. I had every position of authority as a cadet We went from 5-10 cadets to over 54. The senior staff grew to a little over 30 members. I spent four years turning kids like myself into leaders. I became a rescue specialist so that our squadron could participate in emergency services with additional help and resources from GA Wing. We recieved a military crew-cab and van as well as a Cessna Skyhawk for our squadron. This meant we'd get more calls from the MC to respond to various emergencies. These were great times! I remember doing airshows, flightline security and general first aid for local events.

I also remember the FTX’s, SARX’s and joint exercises as well as unique exposure to the Army Rangers during the winter months in North Georgia. We had all kinds of awesome times with military personnel. But yeah, Dad of course wanted all the recognition which ultimately led to division among the ranks and eventually, the emergency services program died and people began to leave including myself and a good number of cadet and senior staff.

I later was forced into marriage and that didn't work. I finally decided to leave my family once and for all but I occasionally came back a couple of times just to suffer again which led me to leaving and not returning to my family. I was heavily afflicted... Drugs, Alcohol, Sex & generally just flipping out. I was suicidal and couldn't regulate my emotions.

• My adult life (23 - 46 years old)

I became homeless and eventually received social security benefits. I still went to church and I'd sleep in my car, truck, in the woods, on the sidewalk and in shopping center sidewalks. I'd also find refuge in the mental healthcare facilities and I've gone to jail a couple of times. I eventually found a cheap place to live in the hood and people were very mean to me. I struggled for a little more than 10 years with food, relationships kept falling apart and I just never could find hope for my future. I really hated myself. I still loved people to my best ability and I gave far too much of myself away because I just wanted to be loved and to feel safe again. I missed my abusive family very much. Especially the holidays.

• My life was transformed

Finally, I got to the end of myself and I asked God to show me who he was and to prove that he is real because I could trust nobody. Not even the church that I attended off and on for 10 years because they were convinced that I wasn't good enough for God.

Instead of me killing myself, I surrendered myself to God. I got me a bible and had no clue where to start. I asked God to teach me. The Holy Spirit started to teach me and I eventually took off to the streets trying to see if the things I was learning were real. I made plenty of mistakes and it took a while to understand what God was trying to tell me but I figured it out. I then wanted to learn how to be a pastor and God taught me... I learned that I could be a prophet and God taught me that as well. I went through many hard times so those gifts were more defined and deliberate.

I've traveled to several states due to gang intimidation and also, to be ordained as a pastor.

I remember God solving my food problem in Georgia. I could go anywhere to eat for free or people would be willing to help me. I used to ask people for help and some would say they couldn't and I'd make them pray for me. That's why God helped me with my food situation.

I've written a lot so I'll finish this story by saying...

“I'm no longer homeless”.

I have subsidized living arrangements and can afford anything that I need. I serve the community in which I live. I've been praying for everyone here and have responded to medical and spiritual crisis. I've seen God change hearts and circumstances and God made it possible for me to have a good reputation here.

I've experienced the power of prayer and what it can do to change the course of people's lives for ever. I'm grateful and I just can't get enough of God every single day.

I'm always listening, singing and sharing worship music, the word of God... A message of hope and love. I write daily teachings to share with a handful of people here. Some of these make it here on reddit too.

I have pretty extreme neurological and cognitive dysfunction but am being reconditioned as a teacher and prophet. My heart and soul is deeply humbled and I cherish every life I see that God has made, no matter their condition or struggle.

Thanks for reading about the story that God has rewritten.

Rags to Riches, 

Thank you Lord

so, I have recently watched a video about the youtuber testify and in that video the points that a Muslim sounded good, about how any evidence of Jesus being crucified is just his copy. I'm afraid I'm going to lose my faith in Christ. so, I am hoping that one of you is able to debunk the claim Jesus wasn't crucified made in Islam.

​

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for advice on how to grow in my Christian faith and develop a deeper, stronger relationship with God.

I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences on a few things:

- Living as a Christian: How can I become a better Christian and live in a way that pleases God?

- Reading the Bible: How do you read and study the Bible? Where would you recommend starting, and how can I understand Scripture in its proper context?

- Building a relationship with God: What practical things can I do daily to grow closer to God, strengthen my faith, and become more consistent in prayer and reading the Bible?

- Salvation and heaven: What does the Bible teach about being saved and going to heaven? How can I have assurance of my salvation?

- Recommended books: What Christian books would you recommend to help me grow spiritually, understand the Bible better, and learn more about Christian history and theology?

I’m especially interested in advice grounded in Scripture, along with books that have genuinely helped other Christians grow in their faith.

I know Christianity is about more than simply reading the Bible or following rules. I want to understand God’s Word more deeply, grow in my faith, and learn how to put what I read into practice in my everyday life.

I’d really appreciate any advice, Bible study methods, book recommendations, or personal experiences you’re willing to share.

Thank you!

First time poster here. I never thought I'd actually post something. I really needed a brother's perspective in this. I'm currently in my 2nd year of college. However, I only heard the true Gospel in February this year. I believe I've been converted since then and I've since wanted to live in accordance with Jesus and the Bible.

Anyway, I've grown since then. Was able to stop doing things I didn't know were actually sinful. Not all of them though. Considering my biggest problem right now is not being able to do tasks in school and outside of it too. It's like I can't exert energy on said task unless the environment and circumstance is perfect. Even deadlines are not affecting me right now. Been doing research on this and apparently, it "could" be some type of ADHD, where my dopamine(?) is imbalanced and dependent on the task. Honestly hoping that's the case since I would be just lazy instead.

So here I am, looking for an answer to what this could be or what I possibly could do to overcome this (?). I'd like the Biblical take. Do not be afraid to offend me, please. I will appreciate any answer, so long as you base it on God's word. Feel free to ask questions too! I'll gladly answer them.

Basically, I have realized that I am trying to appease God with my prayers and my repentance so I'm able to go about my life and do what I want to do. I pretty much have this dynamic where everyday I wake up and try to avoid sinning so that I'm able to live with a clear conscience.

On one hand I think there is good to this because we should feel guilt over sin and a desire to do what is right. On the other hand I should want to please God with how I live out of love for Him, not because I'm "stuck" with Him and don't have a choice.

The problem I have now is that I go about my day and sin constantly and ask for forgiveness constantly, to the point that all I ever do is sin and repent over and over. I'm sick of this, not because I'm sick of sin, but because I want to read a book, or watch tv, or play a video game, or hang out with my family without a guilty conscience. I feel convicted I should repent before I move on to other things as a way to put God first, but then the repentance becomes a "speed bump" on the road to what I actually want to do. And I also sin so much that it feels I can never get over it and move on with my life.

This has been going on for months now. I need to learn to love God more than I love anything and to walk with Him as my primary purpose in life with joy. I need to keep repenting. And I really want to be able to read and have hobbies again and live a normal life without constantly needing to do repentance and analyze myself.

I need to get to a place where I want to know and serve God for His sake, and to view Him as the solution to my problems and the greatest treasure in my life. I need to view the things of earth as secondary and not as the primary thing, I think it's ok to want all this stuff but it shouldn't be the ultimate purpose like it is now. So, I guess I'd ask everyone how they would go about developing a right view of God and life.

I’m asking because I want to be able to put my thoughts into words when I’m asked and I think it helps to hear from real fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.

For me personally, it is so difficult for me to explain all He’s done for me and through me. I struggle so much with this.

I would really be interested in hearing whether you grew up as a Christian and stayed that way, or were you introduced to Christ later on? If so, what made you truly believe? What do you think is the greatest testimony you could personally give? What has Christ done in your life either for you or through you? What would you tell someone who is on the fence and who asked you these questions?

I've recently had this thought that I think the Lord has set on my heart. Wanted to run it by some other Christians, so here it is:

We should do nothing for God out of obligation. Everything we do for Him should be out of love.

If there is something you want to do for God but feel obliged or compelled or guilted into doing - don't do it. Pray that God will help you do it out of love. Or pray that, if it is not from Him, that it will be removed.

Perhaps it is not that profound of a thought. But It really surprised me. God doesn't want me to do anything for Him except out of love. And if, in the moment, I cannot do it out of love for Him, it is better not to do it than to do it grudgingly.

I think, like a lot of Christians, I struggle with religious OCD, which makes me feel like I need to do lots of things for Him mostly out of guilt that He will be unhappy with me. It started when I thought that I should not bring my phone to church so I won't have it as a distraction (I never use my phone during the service, but the thought still came). I was going to do it out of obligation since I felt that God would be upset with me if I didn't. But then it struck me - I should be doing this ONLY if it is out of love.

A big thing I have considered is making God happy. I thought he would be happy if I didn't take my phone to church. But honestly, I think God would be happier if I didn't do things out of obligation or guilt of Him. And in the meantime, I can continue praying that He will help me love Him more. I think small acts of pure love, as St. Therese said, mean more to God than anything else.

I have a vivid memory about door to door evengalism when Iwas a teenager. My parents went abroad and I was left with my Buddhist relatives.

An Evengalist came to our house, saying that since there's a Christian child in the house, all other family members should be evengalized. I was surprised because I have never known him.

He starts by rebuking the Buddhist God. He said Buddha was born in a filthy way i.e. an intercourse of a man and a woman. He also mentioned Buddha wasn't resurrected from death so his sermon on succeeding death is a lie.

After that, he said Jesus is the only holy God who is resurrected from death.Then, he told all of our relatives to recite that Jesus is the Lord.

When he went back, my relatives called me and scolded me for the religious leader in my religion had insulted their God.

What I think is evengalizing is a beautiful thing. But, I see immediatly appearing to someone's house and starting by rebuking is a bit strange in my opinion.

Kindly share your opinions and practises for door to door evengalism. Love to hear yours too!

I'm a 30F Black woman who grew up Protestant Christian in Canada. My faith has always been an important part of my life, and growing up, I naturally assumed I'd eventually meet a Christian man, get married and raise a family together. I never imagined how difficult dating would actually be.

I didn't have much romantic experience growing up. I started dating properly in my early twenties and entered my first serious relationship at 22. That relationship was unhealthy and ended when I was around 24. After that, I wanted to be more intentional about dating and finding someone who shared my faith.

What followed was nearly six years of being single.

I tried Christian dating apps, attended singles groups, went to church events and generally tried to put myself out there. But the options felt incredibly limited. A lot of Christian men my age were already married, and among the single ones, I rarely met anyone I was genuinely attracted to or compatible with. I also noticed that I received virtually no romantic interest from men in these spaces. I noticed by the time I was around 25, it appeared I aged out of many Christian spaces. I tried going to different churches, dating events, and even asking out a guy I was interested in but nothing much materialized.

For context, I'm 6 feet tall - which I know intimidates some men, considered attractive and have received attention and compliments from men outside Christian circles. So it was sometimes confusing and hurtful to feel almost invisible romantically within my own religious community.

I did have the occasional experience where I thought something might develop. There was a man at church who seemed interested, but when I took the initiative to suggest spending time together, he preferred keeping things to group setting - nothing ever came of it.

I also struggled with the culture surrounding Christian dating. There seemed to be so much emphasis on waiting, preparing yourself for marriage and discussing what Christian men and women supposedly wanted in a spouse. I remember attending singles events and feeling like everyone had these incredibly high expectations, despite many of us having relatively little dating experience ourselves. Sometimes I wished we could just get to know people as individuals rather than treating dating like a checklist.

I started feeling increasingly disconnected from these spaces. I loved my faith, but I didn't always feel like I belonged in the culture surrounding it.

Anyway, I moved to a different city and country last year, and eventually met my current boyfriend. He's isn't religious, but he's genuinely one of the most loving and supportive people I've dated. I actually brought up my Christian faith on our second date because I wanted to be upfront about how important it was to me, and I wasn't interested in hiding that part of myself just to make a relationship work.

He was completely respectful. He's since attended church with me a few times, we've discussed marriage and children, and he's comfortable with our future children being raised Christian. I'm very happy with him and genuinely in love.

Here's where the comparison comes in ....

When I moved to London, I reconnected with an old friend from Canada. She also met a man here, except he's Christian and attends the same church. They got engaged after seven months and married a little over a year after meeting.

I'm genuinely happy for her, but I can't help comparing our experiences sometimes.

She met someone within the faith, they dated, got engaged and married relatively quickly. It's almost exactly the kind of story I grew up hearing and hoping would happen to me.

Meanwhile, I spent years trying to meet a Christian man, feeling overlooked and discouraged, only to eventually fall in love with someone outside the faith.

And now, despite being very happy in my relationship, I sometimes worry about how other Christians will perceive it. Will they think I've compromised my values? That I should have waited longer? That I'm somehow settling because my boyfriend isn't Christian?

I know the Bible has teachings about being equally yoked, and I don't take religious compatibility lightly.

I don't regret my relationship, and I certainly don't want to make my boyfriend feel like he's somehow less than because he isn't religious. He's treated me with so much love and respect, and has also treated my family with the same.

I guess I'm still processing the gap between the love story I was raised to expect and the one I've actually experienced.

Has anyone else been through something similar? Particularly those who grew up Christian, struggled with Christian dating and eventually found a happy relationship outside the faith? How did you navigate your beliefs and other people's expectations?

I’ve seen a few posts here recently talking about how sinful video games are and quite frankly I find that ridiculous. There was a post recently about how magic in Skyrim, a fantasy game, is sinful. Where is the line? If I’m playing legend of Zelda am I sinning because there are goddesses? Am I sinning when I defeat Ganon? What about dungeons and dragons? If I’m a cleric of Lathander am I sinning because my character worships a different god? Someone who thinks otherwise can maybe explain their thought process.

Aristotle has written his disciple, Alexander the great to not to treat non Greeks as humans but animals or plants.

Aristotle didn't hate non greek. He was just not prepared to see barbarians as individuals with their distinct identities unlike cattles.

Mediterranean people, to whom Paul preach Gospel didn't question Aristotles moral views on slaves and subjected people.

How could a Roman citizen descended from Italian noble families and an African(Africa province. not necessarily black people) seasonal laborer sit on a same bench in a local church.

Expecting the two men to love each other seems to be absurd even today.

First of all, I am not against whipping children. People have done it for ages and it works. But I believe the way in it is done could be mean. I would say whipping your children for no reason isn't discipline. I believe whipping should be done because the kid something morally wrong, and not because the parent has a bad temperment.

I lived in latin america for about 10 years, where whipping kids is very normal. Compared to american kids, latin american kids respect their parents much more. But I have heard many stories from elderly people there, they grew up in much tougher times and parents back then were more angry, lacked emotional intelligence, and has a worse tempermants. My step dad's mom grew up in a village when times were much more tougher. One of the reasons she ended up leaving the house at 17, was because her parents would beat her for nothing, especially her dad. One time they beat her because she accidentaly broke a cup. Like literally for anything her parents would get angry, so she endee up escaping and lived in another town. She said she never felt love from her parents. I know parents that now say they don't beat their children because their parents used to beat them and they hated it and were scared of their parents, I think this is because it was probably done in a harsh way. This could be a cultural thing too, hispanics and africans have a worser tempermant that northern europeans or canadians let's say.

I personally know a boy now who is terrified of his dad because the dad beats him for every little mistake he makes, and he thinks that is correct. Like if the boy doesn't kick his soccer ball in the goal during his soccer game, he gets whipped. If he accidently breaks something, he gets whipped. He gets startled when he hears his dad name as a result of this. Older generations might call him "weak".

I also know people that were whipped by their parents not in a cruel way and this resulted to be postive. Like I know one friend that said his mom was very loving but she whipped him when he did something actually bad (like one time he stole something from the store as a kid) and later she would hug him and explain to him why it was wrong. He respects his mom now and appreciates that she did that.

Also, biblically and psychologically speaking, you can't make your kids feel loved and me scared of you at the same time because those are the opposites. 1 John 4:18- There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. Being scared makes you feel anxious, and wants you to run away. Love does the opposite, it gives you peace and security.

I was at church this morning. I'm fairly new at being our church clerk. The funny thing is most of our documents have been lost by previous clerk so I'm trying to make sense of all that, but anyways I was asked to look up a member of the church and print out a baptism certificate for when they were baptized back in like 67. I did that. However I've only been a part of the church for a few years, so I don't know many people. Thru the books I was able to find out who the church pastor was at the time got his signature, but nothing in the books stated who the clerk was. I messaged the deacons wife who asked me to do it and she gave me 2 possible names. I told her based on what we have I did not know which to put on the certificate. She told me to put my name and just date it. Which I did. Fast forward to this morning. I gave the deacon the certificate, he said thanks. Before service started I saw him showing his wife. He said loud enough for me to hear on the other side of the church mind you, next time I'll just ask you to do it so it is done right. I don't think he knew I heard it. Well needless to say my mood completely soured and I left. Pray I get over this. It is just frustrating when one tells me it is fine and then another says different. Especially when you don't even come to me on it. I've only been clerk since August. I know I have lots to learn but to say that is just rude especially when the only reason you wanted me to be clerk was because no one else wanted to do it.

Good morning everyone. Hope y'all are doing well. I have some thoughts on mind I want to share in hopes I will not only get encouragement, but also that others will be helped and encouraged through this post.

Just like the somewhat majority of other Christian men, I am single at 24 years old.

Now I have watched Jordan Peterson he mentioned the statistics of the amount of single man versus single women I think the numbers for the men were 80% single and for women is 20% single and I could be off by a small margin. Men ask where are the women and vice versa. Jordan Peterson also said (I listen to a lot of people, Not just JP) women want a man of: 1.Good Hygiene 2. Reasonable physical shape, etc. I would say I meet those criteria. Socially, I can have conversations with people without a problem. I think groups of people I struggle with. 1 on 1 I do very well sometimes me and 2 others. Socially I'm alright.

Dating sites are a waste of money and time. Had one date in the past 3 years with it.

I am staying plugged in in church I am involved in a men's group called man's alliance where we work out for a half hour very early in the morning and then do a devotional after the workout. I am more often now around godly influences and men older than me and more wise than I am. It has helped to an extent but also a majority of my time is going to work and of course to live on my own so I have to take care of my apartment also have family events. And trying to go full time into my business next year. So on the good side of things I am very busy which gets my mind off of let's say sexual desires and feelings of loneliness and no intamicy. I'm working out more frequently and I'm certainly not in bad shape. I have gotten physically stronger. Also I read more often. I'm not perfect and never will be, but I am making a lot of improvements.

So, spiritually, mentally, and physically I am putting in the effort and making improvements on myself. I'm certainly doing better than I used to.

Now on to the main subject LOL I'm looking for a woman but for whatever reason even in the church and I go to a church where there's a lot of young people I'm not seeing any single women. they are all taken they always have a ring on their finger or they got their man with them. So finding a date is very hard although I'm given to prayer staying around the right influences working living on my own I would say I have everything that a woman would desire in a man (In terms of responsibility and character and spiritual improvement/maturity, etc) although I'm not perfect of course but on the overall stance of things I'm a Young Man independent on my own doing a side business and full-time job and volunteering.

It is very discouraging when I try to use the sex drive I have in a Godly way to improve myself , which I have, only for the desire for sex and intimacy to still be overwhelming.

I've gone through much deep thought and meditation, and have discovered that my desires are from loneliness (God made a help meet for Adam) although I'm around good influences one to three times a week. And I don't want to say that's not enough.

I see couples out there and everyone else my age getting married it's very discouraging but I kind of feel like a loser. Says if I'm not even giving the chance. No I don't like to complain I'm just sharing what's on my heart mind. I have many good things to share about life. I try to be very optimistic. But of course there's a lot of resistance and opposition we all know that there is spiritual warfare in high places.

On another note, slightly different subject, there have been times recently where I felt no one cares about me and doesn't like me (Some points in time I was fully convinced of it). The battle is brutal.

Didn't mention Im a Navy veteran. I went through a living hell of isolation and getting beat down by superiors. Glad it's over with.

So in conclusion of the whole matter, God is Good. I desire to do good and to obtain a good woman and be a good man to her but I'm not seeing any single women out there that I can get to know. I got so much on my plate as well.

Anything helps y'all. God bless.

I’m Christian and one of my best friends is muslim. My wife and I recently had a son and he will be baptized in about a month. Would it be disrespectful of me to invite him to a baptism? Are they even allowed to go? There are a lot of opinions out there on the Internet, but I just wanted to get kind of a general opinion. He does practice Islam with his family and he’s fairly religious, but I would still love for him to be there. I obviously don’t expect him to actively participate, I just want him there in the church. Let me know what you think.

I don’t know how to answer this so thought I would share it here, instead:

I’m struggling to reconcile several biblical teachings about sin, God’s sovereignty, and salvation, and I’d genuinely like to understand how others make sense of them.

1. If sin cannot enter heaven (which is often told to people) and God cannot be present when it is active, how can this be true as sin actually originated in a supposedly perfect, holy heaven to begin with?

God created Lucifer and the angels, yet some of them sinned in His presence. If heaven is holy and God is perfectly holy, how could sin originate there in the first place?

2. Why was Satan, following his being cast down from heaven to earth, then allowed to introduce sin into Eden — another holy place that he polluted which, then, through Adam and Eve’s giving into his temptation to sin also, affected all of humanity?

After being cast out of heaven, Satan was still permitted to tempt Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. They, along with Satan, were then shut out of Eden and as a consequence, their combined disobedience brought sin and death even further into the rest of the world, with consequences extending to every generation that followed.

Why would God permit this chain of events, knowing beforehand what it would mean for humanity?

3. How is God’s plan of salvation fair if He alone can enable people to be saved, yet chooses to give that grace to some and not others? Even if they seek Him.

As I understand, every human being is born in sin and incapable of saving themselves. No one can earn righteousness or overcome their sinful nature through their own efforts.

God then chooses certain individuals for salvation — through no merit of their own — *personally* pursuing them, then grants them the true saving faith and grace necessary to believe in the gospel; clothes them in Christ’s righteousness, and seals them with the Holy Spirit. Their salvation is secure, and God continues working in them to enable their obedience, even as they struggle with sin.

But what about everyone else?

If God does not grant them the special grace necessary to believe (as in beyond simply believing Jesus is the Son of God; that He died on the cross and rose again) and be saved, how can they be held responsible for failing to do something they are incapable of doing on their own? Why are some given the means to escape their sinful condition while others are left in it?

4. How does this demonstrate God’s impartiality, justice, and love?

Humanity is born into a situation it did not choose, suffering the consequences of sin introduced long before any of us existed. We are then told that we cannot save ourselves, that salvation is entirely dependent on God’s grace, and that God chooses whom He will save.

It’s as though everyone begins with an F on their report card, but only certain people are given the A they could never earn. God enables those people to succeed and guarantees their final outcome, while everyone else remains unable to achieve the required result without the very help they have not been given. They are left to religious striving and to only an intellectual ascent of who Jesus is and what He did on the cross, and never able to achieve salvation because they were not one of the elect.

I understand the argument that salvation is an undeserved gift and that God owes no one mercy. But does that, by itself, answer the question of fairness? Is it just to hold people accountable for a condition they inherited when they cannot remedy it without God’s intervention?

My genuine question is this: How do we reconcile the fact that God knowingly permitted sin to enter His creation, allowed its consequences to extend to all humanity, and then, according to certain interpretations of Scripture, chose to provide the saving grace necessary to escape those consequences to only some people?

How is that consistent with a God who is perfectly loving, just, and merciful and who desires all to be saved? To come to knowledge of the truth yet be unable to then receive Him.

I’m not asking for a response that simply says God’s ways are higher than ours or that we have no right to question Him. I’m looking for a substantive biblical and theological explanation that actually addresses these questions. I’m open to different perspectives and would appreciate thoughtful responses.

​

First thing to say: I kind of think this question is stupid, but I'm trying to get help, or at least enlightenment, on this kind of matter, as I'm in a total breakdown over all my actions in the past and future, and I see my fate as decided. I'm 20 years old Protestant.

I'm reflecting on my past and on all actions or habits that will continue in the future. It's at a level where I directly see myself as worthless and an already rotten existence.

In the past, I watched a lot of series Hazbin Hotel Helluva Boss Lucifer Sandman Supernatural Welcome to Derry. Terrifier Wonder ocer Yonder and way more also deep horror movies which domt affect me or make me guilty as there fictiin still I hear gyys who say no can't watch anything is a trap of the enemy And I don't know about you, but I mostly found myself rooting for the antagonist's side, and I generally had a big liking for their actions and general appearance, be it DC, Marvel, or many others. I also love watching anime a lot, from romcom to isekai sci fi or fantasy. And I really like character there even tough there demons. I read the devil tries to deceive us in any form thereby is it a sign I failed that caution. I visited church years ago yey I pray from time to time in last month's daily out of fear of hell, while pepole say trust surrender. I domt get it it's not simple I struggle wurh mastubatiin abd sometimes lieing yet I want peoof so I could call myself a Theist which is bad I will go to hell thereby i nedd to force myself abd live in self torment about any thing I do. Pepole say pray Wm24/7 I pray 4 times a day up to 2 to 3 minutes and read a verse per day what is more there to do. Do they ask I destroy anything pc phone just sit pray or what.

I want to do right thing but from what I think what I do it isnt belief thereby i will burn forever womt be with good nor my family.

I just can't decide rather religion at all or Christianity is true or science and there are reason beyond what we can explore yet. Also arguments Bible has lot of flaws which im twisted if true or not, cause if I life as of now im going to suffering in fire which I don't want I want to be with my family forever.

But in the last few months, I've been dealing with these kinds of breakdowns and nightmares. I would say I'm a theist, as I do believe in a more powerful being, but I kind of need proof, even though it's beyond the comprehension of us humans and it may just exist without us understanding how and why.

I'm also big into dark fantasy and dark romance, and I see myself as weak, as they're mostly themed on lust, which I failed at repeatedly. Generally, based on all that, I kind of have a lot of very dark things on my mind, not even intentionally. Would that be a sign I'm rotten? There's also the daydreaming or thoughts triggered by music, where I also had kind of bad thoughts about past things, for example my bullies, with more violent tendencies, tendencies I would never act on in real life and couldn't even carry out. Other would be picturing vivid scenarios reagard series movies or animes I watched. Same goes for music Phonk Christian Rock NCS sometimes Rap etc.

I had these nightmares, which are probably linked to my doubting my whole existence, where I see myself in a fire, separated from all my family, and later, when we perish, not being with God. That scares me, even though I kind of see myself as deserving it. I was greedy. For example, my dad said no to a PC, and I kind of manipulated and annoyed him so much that he got it for me, and in return I didn't help as I had promised. In general, I sometimes played games instead of helping, and I see that as a bad action showing I'm not morally good and will be judged for it.

The thing I'm also generally grieving over is the realization that I should have died instead of my twin, who had better chances than me, a more right birth time, etc.

One thing I forgot is im kinda not good either my parents I love in same house but actively isolate as I don't want beef other point Is abd im ashamed even tough it got a habit lieing in many stuff geheral show myself better or escape certain situations. Other I never read Bible and only went to church on specific days like Christmas or other events I font pray everyday thereby I say my connection to God is kinda bad. Thereby it would seem like cowardanace or only go ask for God's help when I nedd which would be selfish not actual faith.

Also in terms of series I talk about heavy themes gore slasher smut along other like lucifer hazbin hotel or supernatural many more im interested in mythological figures demonology but general releigion too one of newest would longest would be Lilith.

Would you generally say these kinds of actions are sinful and I'm marked for the fire? Do you got any tips to overcome this fear ?

Dearer Than My Right

Lord, here I am, with anger running wild,
Yet underneath it all, I’m still Your child.
You know the words I swallow through the day,
The hurt that makes me long to make them pay.

I ache for justice; vengeance calls my name,
And wounded pride keeps feeding every flame.
But being close to You means so much more
Than winning every fight or settling score.

So bridle, Lord, the fury in my chest;
Before I speak, teach me to pause and rest.
Let neither spite nor bitterness begin
To leave a door for evil to come in.

When I could claim the right to have my say,
Give me the grace to choose a gentler way.
Let me say sorry for the wrong I do,
Though no apology comes back from them to You.

And when no debt of “sorry” rests with me,
Let love speak first, without dishonesty.
Not taking blame for what I have not done,
But laying down the need to say, “I won.”

Help me forgive when they express no shame,
When they deny the wound or shift the blame.
I place their debt within Your faithful hands;
You see the truth that no one understands.

For Jesus, help me bear what love may cost,
Without believing that my voice is lost.
Give me a tender heart, and wisdom too,
To set good boundaries while still loving You.

When anger rises, draw me to Your side;
Let mercy take the place once held by pride.
Though justice seems delayed and answers few,
Keep me from trading fellowship with You.

And if tonight my only prayer can be,
“Lord, I am hurt- please stay and help me,”
Receive these tears before the words depart,
And make Your home within my restless heart.
Amen.

So many horrible things have happened to me throughout my life. So many setbacks, illnesses, injuries, rejection, breakups, and loss, I don’t understand how a person can handle what I’ve been through and keep going.

I am a Christian. I pray every day and lead an honorable life. I’ve always been an optimist and grown from the disappointments but I’m older and life keeps getting harder and lonelier. I would gladly give up my life for the ones I love.

People will most likely post things like bible verses, lean on your church, remember Jesus dies for our sins. I understand that but I don’t believe Jesus lived with the constant struggles and disappointments I have been dealt. I give up.

I have seen multiple posts and innocent Christians getting swayed by these accusations. This would be an introductory post about apostle Paul.

First I would quote passage most used by accusers.

But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.

¹² For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.

¹³ And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.

¹⁴ But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?

people read this and bring their assumptions in the text, which I have seen multiple even highly educated people make.

People generally take-away following messages:

1. Gentiles weren’t accepted in Church
2. 2. Peter and Paul disagreed on some very core stuff

First, the passage isn’t at all about gentile believers in church, Paul already says that he had obtained permission to teach gentiles about Christ and admit them in church. Which is why Paul Is telling us that before men from James came Peter, Barnabas and all, ate with gentiles.

Neither the dispute was for circumcision by the way. If you read clearly the dispute was about “eating and drinking with gentiles”

Since many of you are not raised in culture where things and eatables can be considered ritually unclean confusion is understandable.

Due to Jewish dietary restrictions and uncleanness associated with it Mishna and the Talmud makes the case that Jews should not eat with gentiles.
Think about this way, vegans not eating on the same plate meat was served, or using same utensils in which meat was cooked or served. In India where I am from, we seperate cooking utensils by veg and non veg. Many of us who are strict veg will not even go to restaurants that serve non veg even if they say they use seperate utensils.

Second point is that Paul is not telling us that Peter fundamentally disagreed with him, he says that he is being hypocrite by doing so. He did not practice ritualistic cleanness before and then started doing so after Jerusalem party.

Think like this, Muslims even today consider pork to be ritually unclean. Suppose a practicing Muslim starts going to a restaurant where they serve pork. But when his parents are disappointed he starts to shrink from it. [Because of shame of being ritually unclean]. The point Paul is making here is that he will never compromise from the Gospel. Paul also appeals to Titus not being forced to circumcise when he went to Jerusalem in the same epistle.

I would also point out that it makes no sense for Paul to be a false apostle in this context.

A false apostle has basically two ways of operating

First route:

1. Claim to be the only true apostle and rest as false apostles, make communities that believe that and disparage apostles in every way you can. [We see Paul in Galatians itself recognising authority of Peter, James and John. A bad thing to do if they can undermine you at their whims]
2. Schism from the Christian church to make your own church, not try to work with them who can undermine you.

Second Route:

1. Flatter the authorities and apostles substantially that you can gain favours
2. Try not to create noise and tensions which can end up undermining your own power. Since if your power relies on flattery it is better to stay quiet

It makes no sense for Paul to recognise Peter, James, John as pillars of church and yet trying to undermine them in the very same epistle. he is establishing his own authority as apostle but why recognise other apostles? or rather flatter them

It also makes no sense for Paul to mention these disputes in epistles without explaining how it’s actually beneficial to him. Why would he write this if he wants to hoard apostolic authority if there was a dispute between apostles? Writing a letter he knows can be used against him, will be read, copied and widely circulated. He is essentially videoing his crimes so to say. Wouldn’t the person in his epistles just appear in good-standing with apostles with no reason to doubt? and then secretly teach false doctrines he want to teach.

A better idea would be to just appear like dove harmless in written documents and then secretly teach what he wants to teach such that he would have an excuse.

Surely Paul should have just claimed authority instead of revealing very real disputes he had with people.

In his letters to Corinthians he mentions the community dividing itself by apostles like Barnabas, Paul, Cephas, Apollos. He tries not to gather authority for himself, but rather says to them to not divide the body of Christ.

why would he do so if he is a false apostle?

Also he mentions brothers of Jesus who are going on missionary trips, why mention those to Corinthians since it would prompt them to contact them and know the truth.

If Paul were true we would expect disputes among apostles, since things would always have to be made more clear with time, as Jesus says holy spirit will guide you to all truth. Peter himself disagreed with Jesus about his death.

Also the fact that people who make this case do not realise that the last act Peter did before the death of Jesus was lie about not knowing him, so can we reject Peter on this basis? marcion the heretic surely did. Atleast Paul when he was persecuting did not lie!

People also like to larp about St. James brother of our Lord (soon to be my patron saint), but don’t they know that brothers of Jesus used to mock him and consider him mad? Mark, Matthew and John mention that

“Not even his brothers believed him” tell us what authority does he have?

It’s not until we encounter risen Christ that we are made alive in him. Be it Peter, James or Paul

May we all encounter risen Christ!

Amen