My grandson is 22, and has considered himself an atheist for some years now I beleive, apparently long before I knew. He's on the autism spectrum, fairly high functioning( not nonverbal, very intelligent) but not the most social. He's also very liberal, and I have know he wanted to support his friends in the LGBT community and was generally pro-transgender.

He's been growing more distant from me and his father for the past few years. I see him very occaisionally now. Other than thanksgiving and christmas, I believe the last time he saw his father was before he was hospitalized due to depression.

He came out to me last week. He came to my house wearing a pink blouse with a white skirt, and a face covered in makeup. He wants me to use "they/them" for him which is not happening. He said he is willing to keep a relationship if I am, but he won't tolerate me denouncing his identity.

I have been trying to pull him to christ. Sometimes I think I see a curiosity within him. I know he befriended a local preacher, who he describes as a very smart and kind man. He reads the preacher's articles on some sort of blog sharing website. I'm forgetting what it's called. I don't know how tolerant this preacher is of my grandson's gender identity but really, above all else I want him to be pulled to Christ. I want him to join me in Heaven when we've both passed.

I don't want to push him further away by chastizing him. I do fear this as its him going further and further into the secular world. I have seen self-damaging behaviors from him, and I am worried about losing my Grandson, in a time where he needs me and especially the Lord the most. He doesn't have a job. He doesn't have any ambitions. I want to bring him to the Lord but I don't know how. As a Christian, I also don't know how to accept this radical change in him without endorsing it and sinning myself. I don't know what to do as his grandmother.

To begin, I want to say that I am dressed in shame. This is because I, regrettably, ended up dabbling in occult, satanic, and evil perversions and machinations that I am not proud of. If you are on this sub and you doubt the divinity and sin-cleansing blood of Christ, you are deceived. To give credibility: I've done spells, practiced spiritual corruption, had demonic sober out-of-body experiences, have literally interacted with Demons and/or Satan, and have successfully exorcised demons myself. To defend, I am not mentally ill. Although I have hallucinated about three times in my life, any drug-induced hallucination is absolutely not this.

So to start, I want to give encouragement to existing Christians. Satan is the ruler of this world; he controls it physically and spiritually. He may not operate the Earth on a level like God, but God has handed him over to the prince of this world. The sadness, pain, evil, division, and fighting we see in the world are due to his influence and his objective. And his objective is: hell. But behold, Jesus has died a horrible death to save you from a horrible fate, which is the wrath of God in hell.

To be honest, I used to have faith. It used to be like I was choosing to believe in Jesus because things like naturalism and the general want of sin would pull me away. This stopped when I started obsessing over the Beast from Revelation and things like Babylon and the Illuminati. I didn't necessarily want to be in those figures and systems, but I wanted to know more about what was behind the veil. What was the red pill? What was really going on? Are we in a simulation? Surely there's a logical reason behind why Epstein did what he did, and it's not just Satan. Surely religion is going to be outdone by science; 6,000 years ain't millions! After going deep, that faith is sure, and I am outright scared of the reality.

Now that I know, these types of thoughts are specifically crafted by Satan for one purpose: your disbelief in Christ. Satan hates God because he refused to bow the knee in a special display of evil that was unacceptable to God. When he messed himself up, he came for other angels. After he came for them, what's left? It's us. Satan wants nothing more than to have your sensory experience take the wrath of God for eternity because he's angry and bitter.

In dealing with Satan, he's mean and horrendously evil. Still under demonic attacks, I see that Satan has accepted his fate of the lake and all he cares is to get you. All things that are not good come from sin and Satan. He had to be judged because of his character. I'll tell you a story.

There was a satanic woman who had an obsession with having sexual relations with the future Antichrist; she deliberately wanted that; she was a very bad person. A super big name I can't mention. Grammy getter. Because I was still a Christian, I convicted her of her sin in such a way that she began to panic because she realized that fire and brimstone was her lot. She left off quickly to get liquor. While she was trying to drink, we both very strongly felt a deep, dark voice cursing her, insulting her for her panicking. This was a woman in the cabal! She screamed to Satan, "Why are you being mean to me?" in absolute disbelief, with a feeling of betrayal and confusion. To recap, she became convinced of God, panicked, and Satan cursed her for it.

The reason why I'm posting this is that many who do not believe have never interacted with a demon or been exposed to Satan's devices. They think we are in a naturalistic universe with possibly aliens flying around (demons). And this is coming from a guy who had a UFO shown to him as a display.

Maybe I'm making a mistake by sharing this information. Maybe the elite still know me and watch me. But if I can encourage you. If I can warn you. If I can assure you that Christ accepts, loves, and died for you, it's completely worth it. There is so much to talk about. We can talk about the Mark of the Beast, Babylon, and whatever, but coming from someone who got into spiritual Satanic evil, Satan and demons are 100% real.

They are everywhere, working in people who do not know God. Invisible, ugly, and vicious. They only get sorry and sad when you beat them up over their fall, which causes massive regret and sadness in them. But because they're locked in, they get angry really quickly and want that Holy Spirit to either be blocked, quenched, or abrogated. In their eyes, Heaven is a no-go for everyone. And only by the grace of Jesus can we make it into Heaven, as his power by the Holy Spirit can only overcome such great evil.

I need to end this and open a discussion. Have you had evil interactions? Do you still doubt God? If you need encouragement, what about? And for those who have strong, orthodox faith, peace to you!

-Thanks, J

I wanted to share a recent event I went through to get some honest opinions on if the experience I dealt with may have been a sign from God. I did not grow up in a religious household so I am very inexperienced with Christianity and communicating with God. I have always considered myself to be agnostic until now. I will try to keep this as short as I can:

A few weeks ago I was away from home and in another state for work. Unfortunately, I experienced a brutal back injury while on the job there. I was by myself when it happened, and in so much pain that I couldn't walk or even stand up for 2 hours. I didn't know what to do, so for one of the first times in my life, I prayed. I prayed to God to give me the strength to overcome the pain and help guide me through recovering from the injury. Eventually, another worker found me and called me an ambulance.

It ended up being a fire department vehicle that picked me up and while they were loading me into their truck on a stretcher, they asked me if I was okay with going to a Presbyterian hospital for treatment. I didn't think much of it at the time, and told them I was fine with that as long as it was the closest emergency room they could get me to. Turns out it was so we went there.

Fast forward a week later, I am back in my home state and I go to a local urgent care to be seen for a follow up to my injury, and get referred to a specialist for real treatment. This urgent care is not associated with the previous hospital I was seen at, and they are not associated with any religion either. I am being seen by the doctor and at the end he goes to leave the room. He suddenly stops and closes the door again. Then he looked me in the face and said "I want to pray for you".

I was caught off guard because it was the last thing I was expecting and I honestly didn't even know that doctors were allowed to do that while seeing their patients. He placed his hand on my back and said a prayer out loud asking Jesus to give me strength during this troubling time in my life and to help guide me to a strong recovery. I was still a little in shock over the fact that he did that, because it was the first time in my life that someone had said a prayer for me that I could recall. I noticed that once he left the room, I instantly felt at peace and gained a sense of comfort, even though I was still dealing with an absolutely tremendous amount of physical pain.

I am still in excruciating pain today as I am now awaiting a surgery I was told is a necessity for me to eliminate the pain and get back to normal. However, I can't stop thinking about that moment the doctor prayed for me. It has been roughly 2 weeks since that prayer was said, and I have since found myself reading the Gospels of the New Testament. I've been spending the majority of my time trying to get to know Jesus, trying to get an understanding of God and the Bible, and also working on understanding the basics of what it means to be a Christian.

Can anyone here relate to this experience, and is it crazy or naive for me to think this whole experience may have been a sign from God? Based on my story, do any of you believe it was?

Thank you to anyone who was able to take the time to read this, and I appreciate any insight here.

These past couple months has been…a lot. I’ve strayed from the Lord for some time..still had desire and prayed for the fire I had when I was a babe in Christ and half of me is in shock in the season I’m going through. He did exactly that.

Husband and I have been going through marital problems with not seeing eye to eye, arguing, feel unheard, recurring issues, and Christ called me back…radically. I’ve been praying for my husband before all this started. Not the way I’m praying and fasting nowadays.

When I tell you the Lord has been putting a mirror in my face these past couple months and is first fixing things within me…the things I so desired in my husband the Lord has been doing in me first. And I won’t get into detail. These past couple months and been an awakening. Changing the way I carry myself, reverence to my husband, denying my flesh!! Man, I can go on and on the way the Lord is transforming and reforming me and it’s been a long time coming as a wife.

When I was strayed I didn’t have the intensity of attacks I have now..literally everyday I’ve been being attacked in my sleep and strong sleep paralysis. Attacks in my mind and strong overthinking. I am under spiritual attack..

When we were going through our regular marital issues, yes I prayed, but I didn’t go into war the way I am now. My husband has recently been back sliding. Lately I haven’t been being heard, I crave that meekness and softness from him. I’ve realized in order to get my husband to treat me the way Christ treats me is to push him towards Christ. Scripture says you can win your husband by the way you conduct yourself. Genuinely sometimes it feels like I’m just giving giving giving and nothing in return. I could be furiously angry and still call to deny and no reverence evil for evil. Not saying I should burn out myself but using discernment.

I’ve surrendered controlling the atmosphere, checking his phone, when I tell you I’ve had lash outs of his recent behaviors, they’ve ceased on my end. I’ve surrendered to the Lord and living my life to honor him despite what I crave from husband. (There is absolutely no cheating, no abuse involved! We both live at peace with one another and there is plenty of love in our marriage!)

Hubby & I got married in the faith. A couple years later he started questioning why things are the way it is. Why did God do this? Why not this? Etc etc. it’s not bad to have questions. But lately it’s been more of a combat in my eyes. And started back sliding claiming he’s not convicted or feel as if certain things are a sin. He doesn’t understand the spiritual world and the influence the enemy has on people.

I’m weary. I’m tired. Truly. All of this is all just a snippet of what’s behind the curtain it’s much more intense than this. I’m constantly in prayer, constantly in the presence of like minded women, constantly watching supportive sermons and peoples testimony, constantly in fasting.

Nothing is to big for the Lord and must keep walking by faith and not by sight, but truly this is a huge mountain I cannot move on my own. I feel as if my husbands heart is hardened towards me with conversations, the church, and God. Nothing I tell him gets past though his head. I’ve been learning more and more to keep silent. It’s hard when I just want him to understand!

I keep the intimate part of what he is back sliding to confidential, but just giving you a general idea.
All this to not boast, but to get true insight from anyone willing to give me advice or encouragement. I really do need it right now. I know it is the Lord’s battle, but I am still a vessel in the war.

my brain is so messed up without taking my ADHD meds. i stopped taking them a year ago because it caused my anxiety to be too severe even though it helped me. my brain is so low on dopamine and it causes me to binge eat, or forget to eat, drink alcohol, over drink caffeine, scrolling etc. i know it may just sound like im lazy and undisciplined but it genuinely feels unbearable going through life most days. i cannot remember ANYTHING and am constantly forgetting things. i cannot give people directions when we are going somewhere because i forget im giving directions every 45 seconds. my mind flip flops between thoughts and i feel like i can never focus or think straight. i cant take stimulants because my body is too sensitive to it and i get palpitations and anxiety chest pains etc. my anxiety is a whole other story. i drive and randomly feel like i cant breathe, i have to take pills for it and my psychiatrist is making me taper off of it for no reason. this all was an issue for me before i was a christian and now my final hope is God will heal me and my neurochemistry to work like a normal brain and that i can have better baseline dopamine levels. i try to work out but then i get anxiety that if i go too hard i’ll have a heart attack. ive been a hypochondriac for like 6 years now since 2020. im only in my 20s and dont wanna keep continuing on this way into the next year of my life. my birthday was yesterday and i woke up and just started crying because i feel like a failure. i relapse on porn a lot recently after. i repented of sexual sin and drinking. im just tired and sad. because i feel like such a mess. anyways thats all i just needed to vent a bit. God bless.

Hi everyone, looking for some biblical perspective and advice.

​Today, a very close friend and I got into an intense discussion around faith. We love each other deeply, but lately I’ve been feeling conflicted about where they stand spiritually. There are moments where they profess to know God and talk passionately about faith, but other things make it feel more like lip service than genuine fruit (passages like Titus 1:16 and Matthew 15:8 have been weighing heavily on my mind).

​After things got a little heated, I reached out to express my love and explain that my passion comes from caring, and while they responded that they weren’t mad, I recognized that I personally needed to step back and take a pause so emotions didn’t take over.

​My question for the community: How do you balance loving a friend with patience and grace while also using spiritual discernment? If you’ve ever had to take space from a close relationship over spiritual differences or someone professing faith without living it, how did you handle it biblically without turning bitter or judgmental?

​Any scripture, personal experiences, or prayers would be greatly appreciated.

26(M) here, does anyone else feel like dating other Christians is harder than dating those who are non Christians? I find Christian women to be incredibly judgmental and quick to drop you over the smallest thing. At least the liberal/non-christian women accept you for your faults and try to push you to be better. Am I the only young guy with this issue?

Don't get me wrong, I know it depends but I often find myself trying to make christian friends and what I see is that people only meet at church, but nowhere else. Maybe I'm the one who doesn't talk but...

Like I have had many non-christian friends before (and I still have) that I have conversations with from time to time, we hang out, among many other things. In contrast, I find fellow christians a bit hard to make friends with, or hang out outside church.

What do you think?

'I don't like hell so it must not be true'. Yeah I don't think anyone likes it, it's the consequence of rejecting God, how can it be pretty!? That's why we are supposed to help people reach Christ so they don't have to suffer such fate, instead of coping that 'oh no, we're all going to Heaven anyway', 'oh don't worry, God is all loving'. Yes, He is indeed all loving, that's we gives us the chance to repent in the first place. These ideas got it all backwards.

How can you be a Christian, go to church every week, see the altar, see Jesus crucified and think that repentance is optional. How can you listen to Jesus and think that everyone will be saved when He literally said that the wide door that leads to destruction is where the vast majority of people enters. The narrow door is narrow for a reason, because people chose not to go through it, most of them prefer what's easy, what pleases them, what feels good. And then they somehow blame God that not everyone is saved when people receive the consequences for their own choices, that's rich, not gonna lie.

Looking for encouragement and stories of any similar situations and how you’ve found and maintained strong ongoing Christian friendships.

I figured starting at church/events where fellow believers meet is the best bet.
I’ve attended many YA/young adult groups and events over the past couple years.

I’ve had some instant Christian friend connections where she’s hugging me and asking me to exchange numbers by the end of the worship service, promising to hang out soon, only for me to be ghosted when I try to make plans and told weeks later “I just wasn’t in a good place to be with friends” even though I saw her posting photos hanging out with her friends during that time.

I’ve been intentionally cared and prayed for and hugged at the door and enthusiastically told “text me” only to eventually get ghosted after only one reply back.

Meanwhile, I’ve had multiple agnostic friends initiate daily, detailed conversations, follow up and ask me intentional questions, make plans, actually hang out multiple times, and consistently tell me they like talking to me because it feels safe and “there’s something different about you”

I enjoy my time with my friends so much and then I realize they’re not saved and it hurts my heart for them to not know Jesus 🥺

I wishhhhh I could have Christian friends who communicate, show up, and follow through like my agnostic friends do. I’m trying to not let it discourage me from still searching because I have to believe that good, consistent, loving and caring Christian friendships exist.

I’m wondering if anyone has had a similar experience with having agnostic friends “treat them better” and if when and where you’ve found consistent Christian friendships :)

Thank you

I'm half asleep typing this, I have only just prayed after months of not really being with the Lord.

This is a long one cause I struggle to get my point across sometimes.

I very often find myself thinking about God, despite me semi walking away. I never stopped believing in him, cause I do believe he exists. But I've had this ongoing problem which just caused me to give up. I would like to go back to God but I don't know how I can when I've got this problem.

I am not diagnosed with anything because I can't really get that help needed and I think I am doing somewhat fine, but I have horrible anxiety about every little thing and I have been this way before I even got into religion but I find coming to chfistinaity has made it worse.

I found I couldn't do anything because I would overthink it to the point I would just go numb and start to mentally decline, like when I was really trying to have a relationship with God I was deeply afraid that every little thing I did was wrong.

I like to draw things that are not related to God? Sinful. I like to draw things that are related to God? Sinful. I like to dress up in a different fashion sense than others. Sinful. I have friends who are different? Sinful. You didn't take care of yourself properly the milisecond you started healing because you dealt with a bad mental state for a few years? You're lazy, you are sinning. You have hobbies? Sinful. You're chubby? Thats a sin. Thats gluttony. You want to workout to look better for yourself? Sinful.

Everything I did, no matter it was. It felt sinful, it felt wrong. Even praying.

I find that I cannot keep a stable relationship with God, and its been like 3 years now, because of my problem. I always feel like I'm disgustingly sinful, which yes, i am. We are sinners. But I always felt like I'm going to hell just for things I find some christians do not even think twice about.

And the fact every Christian is different doesn't help either, If i search up if something is a sin, one person will say yes, the other will say no. I can never get an answer that helps me understand, even if I ask God.

I don't think it helps that I haven't really read the bible that much so I will try that. But I'm really lost. I do not like the thoughts that I have, cause what do you mean I think I'm going to die in my sleep and go to hell because I did a short prayer or something meaningless? I don't think that's what I should be thinking.

I remember the first few months or so I was doing well, but then I saw some things on social media, I heard about judgement day and I think that's what kind of set me off this far. But I don't know, I would like a relationship with Christ, but I am afraid of what being in this religion does to me sometimes.

I would like to know that maybe I'm not alone, and any advice would be appreciated.

Hi, for brief context I (22M) grew up in a southern baptist church until about the age of 13 where my family no longer attended frequently outside of major events like Easter and Christmas. Throughout this time my faith weakened until I was borderline agnostic. That is until at the age of 17 I had a life threatening experience from a result of illicit drug use that had been ongoing for a several years. Sparing details of this medical event, doctors later said that if they had found a blockage in my heart even an hour later I likely would have died. (I have no recollection of any of this).

All of this was the clearest message that god has ever given me. (that I needed to clean myself up)
I then began reading my Bible more frequently and attending church, however I was still lukewarm.

That is until about couple of months ago when I was doing some theological studying (primarily on Martin Luther’s Solas) I realized that I still was not following gods will to my fullest extent. I also realized that unless I did that, I would not be able to be a good husband and leader to my wife and future children. From then on I have now decided that enough is enough, and I will no longer simply be a cultural Christian.

Thank you for reading.

I‘m turning 21 soon, got baptised when I was 18.

I live a pretty happy life; got a lovely boyfriend whom I’m looking forward to marrying one day, I’ve nearly finished my teaching degree, I’ll be hopefully moving into a lovely little granny flat next year, got good friends and a great church community.

Amidst all that however, I’ve been struggling with anxiety (diagnosed with OCD), my parents had a toxic marriage and recently split (instead of going to therapy they both separately trauma dumped on me), and so a lot of the time my mind isn’t in a good place. I’ve been dealing with a lot of insecurity.

My latest insecurity is about my weight. I don’t smoke or vape, and I only drink at birthdays, but I stress-eat. And I’ve got a sweet tooth. I’ve gained weight, and I’m often feeling really tired, and I suspect my diet has something to do with it. Because I’m tired I can’t always bring myself to exercise, and because I’m stressed, I eat. Not a good cycle.

I’ve been trying to pray more, and I’m listening to a few chapters of the bible a day - was advised by the pastor’s wife to take it like daily bread, allow it to sustain me.

My church (Baptist in New Zealand for context) in all its years, have never once talked about fasting. Not taboo or discouraged or anything, just hasn’t been brought up. And it doesn’t seem to be a practice any of the congregation takes. In terms of mental health, the lines between fasting, skipping meals, then eating disorders seem a bit thin.

But I’m curious about it. I’m thinking it will help me lose weight maybe, and I’ve heard it brings one closer to God. However, I’ve never had it described to me how it is done, and since my weight is on my mind, I’m not sure I’d be doing it for the ‘right’ reasons. It would be nice to be closer to God though.

How does fasting work? Would it be suitable for me?

Hi guys

I lost my boyfriend a few days ago. I’m struggling to sleep or eat. I can’t stop thinking about him. He was more than just my boyfriend he was my friend. We had so much beautiful plans together and just like that he is gone. He was a very kind and gentle soul. We really really loved each other and we had future plans together. I can’t help but think that maybe God hates me. Why did he have to take my boyfriend away from me. What really hurts me the most is that my boyfriend loved God more than anything.

I wasn’t a religious person until I meant him, he would encourage me to go to church and pray every time I was going through something. Why didn’t God protect him? I’m struggling with suicidal thoughts. I feel like life is not worth living anymore. I’m sad, miserable and I’m always crying 24/7. I don’t think I’m ever going to feel better again. I guess some people are just not meant to live a happy life. It really hurts a lot.

To my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, I have a question. For the last couple of months, I’ve been getting closer to the Lord since the loss of my baby boy. I have read scriptures here and there, but there’s one thing that I struggle to understand. I know it says that God has plans for us, not to harm us. Now I am trying to understand if the loss of my baby was part of his plan to get me closer to him. I’m stuck in the middle because some people say since God created life, he can take them away too, and others say that it’s the bad that causes death. I haven’t gone too deep into the Bible, but I want to understand if any of you guys have any words or thoughts on this? I also want to note that I am asking because I sincerely feel like my son brought me closer to the Lord more than I have ever been in my life. Also, I saw a sermon where a bishop said God can take away or give you a sickness if he sees that it draws you closer to him.

Hello! I'm new to the faith, and I'm looking for advice on which Bible translation to get.

Ideally, I'd like a “general-purpose” translation that I can use for daily reading, in-depth study, and long-term use. The reason is pretty simple: I just like owning one thing! 😂

I understand that comparing multiple translations can be helpful, but personally, I feel like owning several would be a little cluttered. I also travel a lot for work, sometimes to places with unreliable internet access, so I'd prefer to have a single physical Bible that I can rely on wherever I go.

I asked a youth pastor about this, and they recommended the NIV since I'm new to the faith and English isn't my first language. I checked it out briefly, and while it was certainly easy to understand, I found the writing a little simpler than what I personally prefer. It just didn't quite resonate with me.

So naturally, I may have overcorrected and checked out the KJV instead. 😭 I struggled to understand much of it and barely made it through a few chapters. It's a beautifully written translation, but it most certainly isn't for me. The NKJV wasn't quite what I was looking for, either.

Earlier today, I asked someone else at our church for recommendations, and she suggested either the CSB or the ESV, saying they might be right up my alley. I haven't had a chance to check either one out yet.

With all that in mind, what would you recommend as a “do-it-all” Bible translation? I'm looking for something that's readable without feeling oversimplified, suitable for serious study, and worth growing old with.

From a commentary on the gospel of John by Saint Cyril of Alexandria, bishop

(Lib 12, 1: PG 74, 707-710 )

As the Father sent me, so I am sending you

Our Lord Jesus Christ has appointed certain men to be guides and teachers of the world and stewards of his divine mysteries. Now he bids them to shine out like lamps and to cast out their light not only over the land of the Jews but over every country under the sun and over people scattered in all directions and settled in distant lands. That man has spoken truly who said: No one takes honor upon himself, except the one who is called by God, for it was our Lord Jesus Christ who called his own disciples before all others to a most glorious apostolate. These holy men became the pillar and mainstay of the truth, and Jesus said that he was sending them just as the Father had sent him.

By these words he is making clear the dignity of the apostolate and the incomparable glory of the power given to them, but he is also, it would seem, giving them a hint about the methods they are to adopt in their apostolic mission. For if Christ thought it necessary to send out his intimate disciples in this fashion, just as the Father had sent him, then surely it was necessary that they whose mission was to be patterned on that of Jesus should see exactly why the Father had sent the Son. And so Christ interpreted the character of his mission to us in a variety of ways. Once he said: I have come to call not the righteous but sinners to repentance. And then at another time he said: I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me. For God sent his Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.

Accordingly, in affirming that they are sent by him just as he was sent by the Father, Christ sums up in a few words the approach they themselves should take to their ministry. From what he said they would gather that it was their vocation to call sinners to repentance, to heal those who were sick whether in body or spirit, to seek in all their dealings never to do their own will but the will of him who sent them, and as far as possible to save the world by their teaching.

Surely it is in all these respects that we find his holy disciples striving to excel. To ascertain this is no great labor, a single reading of the Acts of the Apostles or of Saint Paul’s writings is enough.

RESPONSORY

John 15:16, 8

You did not choose me, but I chose you

to go forth and bear fruit

— that will last forever.

My Father is glorified when you bring forth fruit in abundance.

— That will last forever.

Words cannot begin to describe how exhausted I am. I've been dealing with stomach issues, my whole life, and anxiety.

But there will be periods of months or even a year where it will be worse than normal.. At the end of August, I got a flareup of stomach issues, including bitter taste, nausea, reflux, severe anxiety. And I've been on a bland diet, drink water, trying to support my body, but no matter what I do it just feels like it's not getting much better. My ultrasound and blood work came back normal.

I feel like God has spoken to me through little signs such as seeing a chapter & Bible verse of my long distance boyfriend's anniversary. It was from Job. This is relevant because I'm trying to heal in time to see him, ideally, I want to feel better so we can enjoy food and enjoy the trip. And the verse was having to do with restoration and that my mouth will sing for joy again. there were also little signs that pointed towards hope that this will end.

This might also be a spiritual attack because I'm starting to do better in school, my YouTube channel is doing better in terms of numbers, which I prayed to God for, and I'm getting closer to my bf.

I was in a similar season back in 2023 and I got out of it naturally. Thanks be to God! but some symptoms are different and now there's the pressure of seeing my boyfriend and I know God doesn't always work on the same timelines, but I felt that this was relevant to say.

I can't properly cry anymore, just tears flow out of my eyes because I'm so so exhausted my body is failing and I'm only in my early 20s. Sometimes I just wanna give up and sometimes I tell God to just take me but to make sure my family is OK and it makes me wanna cry saying this, but I just am so drained. Despite this, I'm still trying to emotionally support others.

I know this might sound OCD like, but I'm starting to wonder if God is trying to show me something to not go on the trip because my boyfriend and I have had problems that have stemmed from his insecurities and I've been stressed because of the relationship. It is getting better though, that's what I'll say. That's why I just feel really devastated by what I'm feeling since I miss him and I'm tired of feeling ill

any advice, support, or prayers would be greatly appreciated. God bless you all.

I have been raised catholic, but I am confused about some questions and what the beliefs are. I do not intend to offend anyone with these questions.

1. Does the catholic church hold the same authority as the bible? How? The church is still of man, they may be Christ figures but they are not Christ. To my understanding Peter was the first Pope appointed by Jesus, I do recognize and understand the church as an authority, but isn't saying it has the same as the bible basically saying Peter was equal to Jesus?
2. Is going to church and partaking in the traditions mandatory? If you just need faith, wouldn't anything else be works? Works do not save you. Traditions do not save you. Faith does. Of course church and other traditions are very good, but they are good fruit, not saving. Going to church will not save you, knowing and accepting Christ will.
3. Why can't anyone partake in communion? If the bread represents Christ, why would anyone ever be denied it? If a non-believer takes part in these traditions it may convert them, and isn't that a great thing?
4. Who are the Saints and why pray to them? Jesus says put faith in him alone, so why put faith in any them? Were they sinless in life? We are commanded to not try to communicate with the dead because they will not hear you, but demons will.
5. Is Mary sinless? "For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." Is Mary exempt from sin somehow? If she was not sinless, wouldn't we just be praying to a dead person? Again, dead people can not hear you, but demons can.
6. Why is Mary referred to as Mother of God but Joseph is not referred to as Father of God. They were both his physical parents, why is one worthy but not the other?

Whenever these and other questions are asked it seems as if many Catholics get angry and answer you by talking down to you. I believe this says a lot more than any words can. I hope you understand that I mean no offense with these questions. I'm exploring what denomination I am. Thank you for reading!

Over these last I would say 2 or 3 years that my life isn't what I thought it was, or what I wanted it to be. My parents, being damaged and mentally ill basically molded my mind and my world to whatever they wanted it to be and I've been slowly realizing it. But even then, it's still surface level for me and I haven't fully accepted or grasped the truth.

This whole year has been me in conflict with them and their lifestyles which leads me to seeing myself for who I really am and the fact that the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree. I despise them for the things they do but I also do a decent amount of the same things and don't feel bad. Almost like my anger towards them is a valid reason to hurt others or do wrong. There's so much confusion within myself and chaos with the things they decide to do and even after rebuke, (in their minds) they're never wrong.

I've been praying for God to free me from my own illnesses and heal me and fix my situations but nothing is changing. I feel like God doesn't care about me and I'm gonna be stuck in this situation forever. I'm not expecting healing overnight with everything. I know childhood trauma may take a lifetime to heal. But the silence drives me further into isolation and anger towards him. What do I do? Is there something I should pray?

Isaiah 9:6-7 has been burning in me:

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder... Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end."

I used to think government meant church leadership. But I see now — it's THE government. All governments. Systems, technologies, networks, even AI — all of it was meant to be upon His shoulder in the beginning.

Colossians 1:16 says all things were created through Him and FOR Him. So if a tool is not on His shoulder, it's out of place. It's not the tool that is evil, it's that it's not under His government.

In the world, sons of this world are wiser — Luke 16:8 — they quickly put every new tool under their government for their purpose. But sons of light, we are slow to put those same tools under HIS government for HIS purpose.

Jesus said in Mark 7 we can make void the word of God by holding tradition of men. Could holding to old ways of doing things stop the increase of His government?

I'm learning that evangelism is not just saving souls from hell, but bringing all things back under His shoulder where they belong.

How are you seeing His government increase in your daily work, online, in your tools?

We are called to live Holy because Jesus is Holy. We become the righteousness of God through the teachings of Jesus and all that came before and after him.

• 2nd Corinthians 2:12-4:

Paul ascended to the 3rd heaven (paradise); [Not to be confused with astro projection] ; and he spoke in third person about the grace of God. He was struggling in that moment and wasn't certain that he was talking about God or if what he was saying was coming from himself. 

• Because we are flawed and many times we speak of only ourselves, if we are believers; we should consider the words we speak coming from God by the Holy Spirit. 

Romans 10:17:

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

We are as earthen tents being weathered by the storm. Struck down but not destroyed.

We are weak but he is strong. In our weaknesses, his strength is made perfect. We understand that we can do nothing good. But because of Jesus, the firstborn of the essence of God, we can obtain salvation through him.

• Romans 10:9-10:

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

• 2nd Peter 1:9:

But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

• 2nd Peter 2:9:

The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

• Examples Of Grace

Chronic Illness or Pain:

When the Apostle Paul asked God three times to remove a painful "thorn in the flesh," God did not take the pain away. Instead, God gave him the inner strength to endure it and keep serving.

Controlling Your Temper: 

When you feel angry or tempted to lash out with harsh words, God's grace gives you the sudden ability to pause, breathe, and speak with kindness instead of blowing up.

Overcoming Daily Temptations:

 When you struggle with habits—like overeating, spending money unwisely, or losing focus—relying on God's grace gives you quiet self-discipline without feeling purely restricted or miserable.

Making Difficult Decisions:

 When you feel totally confused or overwhelmed about a major life choice, grace provides an unshakeable inner peace to take the next right step.

Overcoming Inadequacy:

When you feel like you are failing as a parent, worker, or friend, grace reminds you that you do not have to be perfect; God's power works right through your tired or broken places.

God Bless ❤️

Ok so im currently growing in my faith and trying to give my life to god so im a new Christian (idk if i can call myself that or not yet) so idk if this makes sense or not. But basically i just don’t see how someone can see how intricate down to the smallest tiniest details. I mean think about all our animals and trees and people how could that happen from anything but god? Plus if the world really did come from an explosion I feel like it would be much more unstable sorta kinda. Also, the whole evolution thing doesn’t make a ton of sense to me either. I still see tons of Deers and raccoons and possums, etc crossing the road and getting hit by cars. They’ve been doing it for years why haven’t they learned that the road is not safe? Another thing I don’t really understand what non-believers is why they get so mad whenever you talk about the god. It doesn’t make sense as Christians we believe that if you do not come to the Lord and Savior and accept him and believe he died on the cross for your sins you go to hell. So by us trying to tell people about God we are literally trying to do them the biggest favor you can do.

(Ps. Sorry if a lot of my opinions and stuff sound really stupid I haven’t done my research so disclaimer is advised. And like I said, I’m just now trying to start my walk with Jesus and be saved and begin a relationship with him. So I’m very new to all of this. Have a blessed day!)

I've noticed some confusion in discussions about atheism. Particularly when people claim that atheists actually believe in God, there just rebellion or mad.

You simply cannot be an atheist, and believe in God.

* By literal definition: "An atheist is a person who does not believe in the existence of any god, gods, or supreme beings, or who actively believes that no gods exist"

You cannot genuinely believe that God exists and simultaneously lack belief in His existence. Those are contradictory positions.

Hence what makes an atheist, a atheist by definition.

I think it's important that, as Christians, we represent opposing viewpoints accurately, especially when discussing matters of faith.