http://www.christianforums.com A forum for requesting and giving Biblical advice. en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:22:19 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.christianforums.com/style/misc/rss.jpg http://www.christianforums.com http://www.christianforums.com/t7419036/ Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:16:01 GMT I know we are supposed to trust everything to God, and go to him with all of out problems (and joys.) But how do we know what is God's will? I'm contemplating some very big life decisions and very confused/lost. How do I put my life in His hands...and how do I know where He wants my life to go?

I thought I knew what I was supposed to do with my life...but I have a feeling what I'm doing is not His will. ]]> Christian Advice squigglet http://www.christianforums.com/t7419036/ http://www.christianforums.com/t7418970/ Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:39:17 GMT I am newly married and live on the same property as my husbands immediate family (and grandparents) but we have a separate house ;) His family is great, christian, really into God etc. I have fitted right in and Im the new sister/daughter - except to one of his sisters. Bek* (19years old) has... I am newly married and live on the same property as my husbands immediate family (and grandparents) but we have a separate house ;)
His family is great, christian, really into God etc. I have fitted right in and Im the new sister/daughter - except to one of his sisters.

Bek* (19years old) has wrenched her parents hearts out and continues to manipulate them, and is one of those people who honestly take away from family life all the time. It's really sad, and unfair that a whole family should suffer so much because of her.

Of course we're all praying, and her parents are scared to actually do too much as she threatens to leave home. She goes to church (a must for all in the family) and acts as if everything is fine, but she is dating a guy who shes not meant to, and when her paretns mediated their relationship they didnt pay any attention and she stays out with him all the time. It's a really weird lingo of everyone knowing she doesnt obey anything but there aren't many consequences. She thinks she's doing just enough to make her parents happy, but they are really in desperate prayer and angst. And her mum suggested I may be the friend who can help her HAHA

Bek outright does not like me because I am "perfect and good everything, do all the same hobbies as her (dance, craft, baking, different jobs Ive had)" and my husband and I got showered with love and acceptance when we dated. My hubby & I have done a great job of befriending her boyfriend bt she resisted and now he's rude to us and says she can do whatever she likes. So the parents decided to let him come to more family things, but he doesnt eat their food and Bek just escapes with him somewhere private.

She has no depth of relationship with anyone in the family, and I hate the treading water being nice and they'll come to God. Because it's not treading water, she's being worse.

What are your opinions on how homes and children should run?

Its Biblical to have children completely belong to their parents until marriage, even if they move away. Spiritual relationship and fellowship were part of Biblical culture and Gods command, but these days people are flimsy, and unconnected to foundations in family and so things crumble - parents dont have authority. People need to read up and live in the world but not of the world and stop meshing the two together. My hubby & I are not panning children for a couple of years but pray and talk about our family all the time, and read many books and Bible studies on the topic.
It still leaves us wondering what can we do in this situation?

Feel free to ask more questions!

*Not her name ]]> Christian Advice EmmyLu http://www.christianforums.com/t7418970/ http://www.christianforums.com/t7418886/ Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:51:25 GMT I have a problem where all of a sudden I walked away from God completely and I started living a life of sin. I notice the way I was living was wrong and it didn't bring any stastifaction and I knew if I were to die ill be in hell. I decided to repent but when I did I would fall back in sin and its kinda frustrating till I spoke with some brothers in christ...they advice to be honest and real with God and pray to him like a dying man and keep weeping until i feel his joy and peace again. The problem is I have trouble weeping lol...the best I could do is be honest with Jesus and tell him im sorry and for him to cover me with his blood and forgive me..I know the word means repent is turn around and have a new perspective on things...how can I get right with God and how could i stop sinning after I do..cuz I have a tendency of asking for forgivness then i go do a other sin its frustrating..please help ]]> Christian Advice Jonathan20 http://www.christianforums.com/t7418886/ http://www.christianforums.com/t7418810/ Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:25:17 GMT I have a sister who insists she saved(she almost argues about it) and she says she has testimonies but doesn't share anything. Do you think as Christians we should feel free to share our faith? ]]> Christian Advice janny108 http://www.christianforums.com/t7418810/ http://www.christianforums.com/t7418689/ Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:06:32 GMT Going to tell a story and then maybe I can get some thoughts.

So, I was friends with a co-worker, we'll call him Tom. He was 18, and had an older brother we'll call Matt, who was 22. Tom was a major athiest (and 'hated' God, literally), and Matt was well... between athiest and agnostic. However, their parents were very strict, very loving, and VERY devout Catholics.

Matt, who was 22, had a wonderful life going for him. He was about to graduate college as a marine biologist, and spent his summers scuba diving off islands, and traveling to all different amazing area's. He volunteered a lot of his time to good causes, and was engaged to be married. I was close to his brother Tom, but not AS close to Matt because you didn't see him much. He was always away at college, or off on an adventure on an island or somewhere else. But when he was around, he was a much loved, funny, out-going guy.

One day I was having lunch with Tom, and his parents called. Matt had tripped going down some stairs, and was on life support. He died 2 days later, after he was declared brain dead.

Now, funerals never bothered me *that* much, and I've been to quite a few. Never had I had an experience like this though.

We arrived at the funeral home, me and a close friend that knew Tom and Matt well. *Thousands* of people lined that funeral home, out the front door and around the building. It took 3 hours to get to his casket once we got in line. Matt was well loved on earth.

It was simple words that my friend spoke that really were just... out of the top of her head. She didn't realize they'd really have an impact on me, it was just her "thinking out loud".

We walked up to his casket, and I was immediately floored by seeing my friend laying there, after I had just seen him 2 days before he died. But that didn't effect me nearly as much as the simple words that followed.

As we were looking down at him, my friend said, "You know... it's weird. Here's Matt... he's... *here*. He's laying right here in front of us... but where is he? Really? Where is he right this moment?"

The question was posed because Matt died without anyone really knowing whether he made it to heaven. His parents hold out hope that he did, but the truth is, given his view of religion, there's always that possibility that he didn't. Of course, no one knows his final thoughts, if he made peace with God before he left earth, or not. Only him and the Lord know that.

But when she said that, all I could do is sit there, stare at Matt and imagine if he was sitting in hell, screaming his lungs out. Wondering if while he was laying literally RIGHT THERE, he was stuck somewhere where no one could hear him and no one could help him.

After she said those original words, I went white as a sheet, and walked out of there numb. It affected me, greatly. I rode home in a daze, and over 2 years later, I still just sit there in a daze if I really start to think about it.

Has anyone ever had similar thoughts, when attending a funeral? That was a first for me, and sometimes it's still hard to deal with. I sit there, and even now, think where is Matt, and is he somewhere where no one can help him. And while I know no one has an answer to that, it's still just... emotionally toll-taking if allowed to think too much on it. Still scares me quite a bit, actually.

Thoughts? ]]> Christian Advice jesuschristmysavior http://www.christianforums.com/t7418689/ http://www.christianforums.com/t7418683/ Thu, 19 Nov 2009 02:18:46 GMT I have a young pregnant Co-worker, Not necessarily a close friend, that has just gotten pregnant. I struck a conversation with her and got onto the topic of abortion. I asked her, "your not planning on aborting are you?" She replied, "Why not?" I was so outraged I didn't say a whole lot. I simply mentioned she had a life and responsibility. I know of a local pregnancy resource center that is Christian based and is, in my own words, "the rival of planned parenthood". Anyway, I want to try to get her to this clinic in hope that she will see the value of a child but I don't want to direct my aggression for this epidemic toward this person. Any advice and prayers would be greatly appreciated. Maybe some profound wisdom that she may respond to. It is so frustrating trying to undo what our public education system is doing. Thanx for your help and prayers. ]]> Christian Advice importsdigest http://www.christianforums.com/t7418683/ http://www.christianforums.com/t7418585/ Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:05:08 GMT Hey Everybody!:wave:

You might think that this question would be better for another thread in this forum. However, I think it's a good one for right here. I believe that this is a great place to get some good - realistic feedback.

Here's the question:

What do you like to see in a church that would make you want to attend on a regular basis??

I'm still forging ahead with plans to start a church in our small community. Thing have been going very well so far. I'm meeting with a "prospective" new pastor this weekend. And, I'm brainstorming for idea's to implement in "our new church"

All input, remarks, comments and questions welcome!

Have at it everyone,
Heidi
God bless ]]> Christian Advice Brinmar http://www.christianforums.com/t7418585/ http://www.christianforums.com/t7418526/ Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:53:26 GMT I am a fairly new Christian, and I really want to grow more in faith and follow Gods word, the teachings of our Lord and the guidance given by Paul and the other letter writers of the NT. My problem is my church, and I include the Minister and lay preachers, are giving a watered down version of... I am a fairly new Christian, and I really want to grow more in faith and follow Gods word, the teachings of our Lord and the guidance given by Paul and the other letter writers of the NT.

My problem is my church, and I include the Minister and lay preachers, are giving a watered down version of Gods Word.

I thought that the word of God was infallible, and that the teachings of Jesus are the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Surely the word of God and Jesus are not subject to the rampant political correctness which surrounds us now?

However, when I look around, so many denominations are giving us teachings which conform to today's society, and indeed are bending to the forces of evil. e.g. Gay clergy, premarital sex allowed, non-Christian teachings filtering through etc.

How can I find a form of worship which holds true to the word of God and Jesus, apart from my own personal worship which I admit is far from perfect. ]]> Christian Advice bazranz http://www.christianforums.com/t7418526/ http://www.christianforums.com/t7418341/ Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:05:58 GMT Hey everyone,
I've kind of got a problem about a person, and I really need some advice to this situation we're having. It's going to be a long story so please bear with me.

This all started about 1½ years ago; I had just turned 17 back then and this guy I know was 26. We were friends - met occasionally and texted every now and then, nothing too deep really. Then one Sunday night we decided to go to church together. In the middle of a full, silent church right in the middle of the confession phase of the mass he kissed me on my lips. It was obvious that I couldn't make a scene there, so I just tried to hint wordlessly that it was not ok for me. He didn't get those, so I had to deal with all his several approaches during the service.

I avoided any contact with him and tried to hint him that I wasn't into him later on. I tried to make it clear that I wasn't too comfortable seeing him at all. Then he just announced that he'd come see me at this camp I was going to in June. That just broke me apart - another possible meeting at a public event where you aren't able to go through things properly. I ended up talking to a pastor there and she almost made me talk to the police just for the safety of the camp and the kids he works with - and for my own peace of mind. The poice invstigted the thing and in the end he did not end up being sued or getting a criminal record because my parents thought I was overreacting and told them not to take it so far.

And then fast forward to now. We haven't "oficially" talked to each other since. We both have our own hates towards the other party. The problem is, I've kind of forgiven him and even though I still think that what he did was wrong, I hate hating him if that makes sense... I just wanted to be able to not fear the next time we happen to meet somewhere and I don't want him to have the same problem. And I have no clue how I'm supposed to approach him about this.. I mean, it kind of sounds ridiculous to send him one of those "hey can we be friends again"-messages even though that's exactly what I want to do... And on the other hand, I'm not sure how to deal with the fact that he might still be mad at me for the way I reacted and the fact that he's dating another girl my age. Advice would be accepted. ]]> Christian Advice Aino http://www.christianforums.com/t7418341/ http://www.christianforums.com/t7418322/ Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:40:16 GMT Greetings there all:wave:.

I like to share to you something in me. That is I am once full of enjoyment to the holy cosmic energy coming from the above and it's Eternal Originator (God Himself) but now... I feel so afraid of it. I am afraid of that King who sits in his glorious throne in heaven.

Like any advice as to how will I do with my life as to this event? ]]> Christian Advice Azureknight 773 http://www.christianforums.com/t7418322/ http://www.christianforums.com/t7418224/ Tue, 17 Nov 2009 04:53:58 GMT So I had the random thought of ghosts. Then I thought, there could be good ghosts and bad ghosts. Then the next thought that popped up was Holy Ghost. Did I do anything wrong? So I had the random thought of ghosts. Then I thought, there could be good ghosts and bad ghosts.

Then the next thought that popped up was Holy Ghost.

Did I do anything wrong? ]]> Christian Advice guitarintro http://www.christianforums.com/t7418224/ http://www.christianforums.com/t7418161/ Tue, 17 Nov 2009 01:44:13 GMT Im going through a divorce and i have no lawyer but my ex does. Her sister just so happens to be the legal aid working over the case. so far my wages have been garnished , letters im supposed to get i dont get and the times i call no one picks up (caller ID). what are my options? im supposed to... Im going through a divorce and i have no lawyer but my ex does. Her sister just so happens to be the legal aid working over the case. so far my wages have been garnished , letters im supposed to get i dont get and the times i call no one picks up (caller ID). what are my options? im supposed to have my kids at a set time , and now i have no proof of what we agreed on becuase im getting games played on me ]]> Christian Advice fields316_2000 http://www.christianforums.com/t7418161/ http://www.christianforums.com/t7418154/ Tue, 17 Nov 2009 01:17:04 GMT Some of you may have read a similar post under different sections in this forum and I just want to know if I am alone ..as it seems What are the factors that make you decide if you want a particular person as a friend or not?( one first impression , before you even really get to know... Some of you may have read a similar post under different sections in this forum and I just want to know if I am alone ..as it seems




What are the factors that make you decide if you want a particular person as a friend or not?( one first impression , before you even really get to know them) Just as an example I know one time I overheard someone say .. I'm don't even want to know that person, they don't fit my tastes. What? But the question remains what is the deciding factors that make you say ... yes I want that person as a friend or no way ...based on first impression. I will also say I have had some very unusual experience with people in regards to this.. there are some interesting thought processes that happen. :idea: ]]> Christian Advice Philip22 http://www.christianforums.com/t7418154/ http://www.christianforums.com/t7418045/ Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:18:15 GMT :wave: Would like to know if anyone of you born again, child of God had ever experienced in a dream, vision or just waking up hearing a trumpet sounding? I know of many that have heard the sound of a trumpet sounding in their sleep! I am also hearing heavenly fun, joyful (in fast moving... :wave:


Would like to know if anyone of you born again, child of God had ever experienced in a dream, vision or just waking up hearing a trumpet sounding? I know of many that have heard the sound of a trumpet sounding in their sleep! I am also hearing heavenly fun, joyful (in fast moving beats) praise music inside of my ears while I am in the process of waking up. This has been going on for sometime! I'm in the Lord's Presence while I am hearing the sound of heaven. This sound is so amazingly excellent! I have a calling on my life to go into the secular music industry to preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus in the sound of Holy Hip Hop in this (JUST ONE OF THESE VEHICLES) vehicle the LORD GOD HAS ALREADY GIVEN TO (my family) ME. :clap:

I have never before liked ANY KIND OF hip hop music until the Lord revealed this calling to me by His Holy Spirit to reach our youth for God's Kingdom. Most of our worldly youth will not listen to a preacher these days, however; placed in the sound of music {GOD'S LIVING WORD, IT IS WRITTEN) with an grand anointing on it, the Presence of God's out pouring is going to hit the secular airways like no other Record Company has. This is the work of the Holy Spirit in these upcoming last days we are approaching. Praising God! :amen:

Back to my question. If you have found or know of scriptures about experiencing the sound of God's trumpet and what it means when you are hearing it repeatedly in the spirit realm. I have already done a study in the Book of Revelation so I don't need those Scripture references unless you have something to share from experience. LOOKING TO HEAR FROM THOSE WITH EXPERIENCE!

And having Witness of God's heavenly Choir. Who in Scripture has witnessed to this sound? It would be great to get some more references.

I'm going to do a deep study in God's word concerning all of this since I am experiencing this continuously in my walk with the Lord God. :)

Thank you. ]]> Christian Advice jenniferkat http://www.christianforums.com/t7418045/ http://www.christianforums.com/t7417832/ Sun, 15 Nov 2009 22:00:20 GMT This may be long, but the details will hopefully give a backstory as to maybe why I've ended up today, as I have. It's been a long while since I've been to this board, and nearly a year since I've posted. Unfortunately, not much has changed.

Up until a few years ago, I used to be rock solid in my beliefs in the Lord. I went to church when I was young, but fell away as I got older. When I became an older teen, I began going back to church, the Catholic church, and was doing very well. I never had a doubt in my mind as to God or our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I read my Bible, I followed the commandments, and I did everything that I felt I should be doing as a Christian.

I moved, from the bad inner city to the country, a few years ago. Shortly after moving, I became good friends with my neighbor who was a devout Christian, as was her family. She was Baptist, and I was invited to her church.

I began going, and initially I liked it. It was a small southern baptist church, and I began going every Sunday and soon became the Sunday school teacher. But each time I went to that church, I felt myself being pulled AWAY from God. I attended it for probably close to 8-9 months, and honestly, it RUINED my life thus far. By the time I left that church, I was actually suicidal. The last time I ever set foot in there, I walked out half-way through crying, calling a friend from the outside bench telling her what I was feeling.

The first few months of the church seemed fine. I noticed that many of them were gossipy, but stayed to myself, and ignored it. The preacher was young, and nice, and was the son of the original preacher that had founded the church 50 years ago. His wife, as much as a Christian she appeared to be, I quickly learned likely wasn't the case.

What first tipped me off during services, with the preacher, was some of his preachings. He'd read a verse from the Bible, and then spend the next 45 minutes giving his sermon. A lot of what he preached, seemed like scare tactics. I was the teacher for a lot of the kids in my Sunday school class, and helped with the teen choir. There were kids, and teens alike, in that church that felt that they were not good enough, and never would be, to be able to enter into Heaven.

The preacher taught that you could easily lose your salvation, and talked about how 80% of those in the church were destined for hell. He basically put his spin in the Bible, and turned many of the sermons into scare sessions. I know, from talking with teens at the time, that many of those teens suffered from depression, and I can guarantee you that he wasn't helping them. Instead of offering hope, he offered fear and hopelessness.

Eventually, I started doing just the teaching in the morning in the next building, and skipping the morning service. I got to where I didn't feel like I belonged, and began to seclude myself. Yet, I was continually told by him and his wife that I needed to attend services because it was the right thing to do, and that without attending services, I would likely never be able to become as close to the Lord as I wanted to be.

I still, however, didn't attend most of the services. For the last few remaining months, I skipped the morning service, and just headed straight for the Sunday school, taught my class (mostly 1st and 2nd graders, at that point), and left.

Eventually, I requested a meeting to be able to sit down with the pastor, and his wife. I felt I was growing increasingly far from God, and beginning to have doubts about Jesus, and his significance. The church didn't help, when I asked questions, I was simply told to just "believe or suffer in hell". Well, telling a struggling Christian to "just believe" isn't really the best advice. Offering some direction would've helped too.

During our meeting, about 3 weeks before I left the church, I told them about my lingering doubts, my questions (that I had never had before joining this church) about the truth of the existence of Jesus and the prophecies that he fulfilled, ect. They absolutely DID NOT help. We spent nearly 2 hours together while I was badgered for not being a believer, and them questioning why I felt so "hopeless". They ended the meeting with them telling me that I needed to read my Bible and get closer to God, or pay the ultimate price. Yes, I knew this, and I was trying.

Afterwards, his wife grew increasingly rude towards me, and I left the church a few weeks later. I stayed away for one Sunday, and then tried to go back again. I arrived that Sunday, took a pew, and waited for service to begin. She stood at the front, glaring at me, and then ignored me completely when I told her good morning as she passed. On my way out, she made a rude comment to me, and I left there feeling unwelcomed and never went back. It's been about a year and a half now.

Since then, I've been riddled with doubt that I cannot explain, and cannot shake off. I read my Bible each night, and I pray to God so hard, so much, and for so long each day. I pray to him to remove my doubts, to open my heart and my eyes to him, and to just guide me in my life towards him. I've been filled with so many conflicting teachings by that church, that for the last year and a half, it's left me questioning the historical significance of Jesus, the fulfilled prophecies, and his importance in my life. Doubts that, before attending this church, I never had.

And I have good days and I have bad now. But I still continue to praise Jesus, even though I sometimes doubt him or his significance. I still continue to pray and read my Bible, and I will continue to pray. There are days where I feel little doubt, and I feel strong in my beliefs in the Lord. And then there are days where I sit there asking a million questions and feeling just as confused as ever. :doh:

I feel like I made the biggest mistake of my life attending that church. And towards the end, I was told by people that it was God breaking me down so that he could build me up stronger in my faith. But, in the end, it was the church that broke down my faith, and then kicked me to the curb, so to speak.

Since that time, I am no longer friends with my neighbor. It took me a lot of time, and I realized quickly that she wasn't the 'perfect' Christian that she tried to appear to be. She had many issues, including a severe vanity problem (she had to look perfect, and looked down on those that weren't), lying, and gossiping. She excused herself from these things by, daily, saying that she wasn't "perfect, just saved". And this may have been true, but she was someone that I decided I did not want to associate myself with.

So anyways, to end this LONG novel (I am SO sorry, didn't mean for it to be this long) I am just looking to fellow Christians that may be able to share a bit of advice on how I can build my faith back up. I read my Bible, I turn to the verses that so many recommend, I meditate on God's word, and I pray till I can pray no more, and then I pray some more. I just feel like my experience a year and a half ago, broke my faith, and instilled so much doubt and so many questions into me, that I am fearful that I may not be able to have the faith that I desire. Yet, then I look at the case of many athiests, who came from being devout unbelievers, to being devout Christians who follow the Lord blindly. This is what I want, and I pray that one day I will have it. I've worked for a year and a half trying to restore my faith, and push out the doubt, but felt that I haven't gotten very far at all. I'm scared at this rate, I may die before being saved, even though I want nothing more than to be a child of God and follow my Lord blindly, without having doubt in my mind.

Okay, thanks for reading! :thumbsup: ]]> Christian Advice jesuschristmysavior http://www.christianforums.com/t7417832/