Hey everyone. I am a follower of Jesus and I love to encourage people on their faith journey. I also enjoy conversations that encourage deeper thoughts and growth as we explore all of the beautiful aspects of faith, reason, and the world around us. I look forward to sharing in these discussions with you all!

Colossians 1:

15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

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Strong's Greek: 4416. πρωτότοκος (prototokos) — 8 Occurrences

BDAG:

① lit. pert. to birth order, firstborn

② pert. to having special status associated with a firstborn, firstborn, fig. ext. of 1
ⓐ of Christ, as the firstborn of a new humanity which is to be glorified, as its exalted Lord is glorified. … This expr. ... describe Jesus as the one coming forth fr. God to found the new community of believers.

Is the Son created by God?

I don't think so. The verse does not use the word "created" for the Son. The Son is not a creature. On the contrary:

16 For in him all things were created:

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in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

In the instrumentality of the Son, all things were created. He is the creator of everything:

things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.

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Looking at the prepositions, if the Son is created, it makes little sense that all things have been created in or through or for the Son. The sentence makes better sense if the Son is not a creature.

17a He is before all things

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That's Paul's point: The Son is the firstborn of all creation; the Son is before all things, not that he was a creature.

Matthew Poole's Commentary:

he was not created at all, though first-born, or first-begotten, yet not first-created, (being distinguished here from created, as the cause from the effect), as it refers to him that begets, so it may to only begotten, Christ being so begotten as no other was or could be

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Ellicott, Meyer, Benson, Matthew Henry, Bengel, Barnes, etc., expressed similar sentiments. The scholarship is quite strong that the Son was not created.

Please pray thanks

You may have already seen this but for those who haven't it's not bad!
He must have a good team behind him because this is pretty impressive stuff.
Should help get him a few votes I would think.

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why are there these two forms?

I really don't know where this belongs but I want to ask people a question.

I follow politics, one of the relatively few in this country who do, so this question stems from what is happening surrounding politics.

I am Amil, I don't believe in any rapture, and I recognize through history the fall of any civilization doesn't necessarily mean Jesus is coming back tomorrow.

This is the mindset I am coming from.

Also, I am a former Muslim, current reformed Baptist and saved child of God, once upon a time was married to a member of the Muslim Brotherhood in America.

I'm not a Zionist, but I support Israel in this war.

So... That's my background and where I'm coming from.

In the last couple days I started feeling like it's too late. Things are now beyond us. It doesn't matter anymore who wins this election.

In the last couple days I feel this strongly that something serious changed. Almost like some invisible switch was pulled and it's just too late to save us.

But I can't find anything different or any particular reason to feel this way so suddenly.

But for some reason I quite calmly (it's not an upsetting feeling, oddly or paradoxically so) suddenly feel like it's too late to save America.

Anyone else in this same position very recently?

Until now I guess I really somewhere deep inside thought we could pull this back politically and get back to a better path as Americans. But all of the sudden I don't think that anymore.

Does anyone know why that is?

The Boston Task Force on Reparations called on "White churches" to step up and pay the Black community back for racial inequities that root back to the trans-Atlantic slave trade, according to reports.
The Boston Globe reported that Black and White clergy members met in Roxbury for a press conference intended to be held outside, though it was instead held in the basement of the Resurrection Lutheran Church on Saturday because of rain.
The commission was established through a 2022 Boston City Council ordinance and made up of 10 members, including two from the youth community.
In February, the Boston activists called for the city to "fully commit to writing checks" and for a $15 billion payout since the city’s wealth was built on slavery.
"We call sincerely and with a heart filled with faith and Christian love for our White churches to join us and not be silent around this issue of racism and slavery and commit to reparations," Rev. Kevin Peterson said. Peterson is a minister and is trying to rename Faneuil Hall because of its ties to the slave trade in the 18th century.

"We point to them in Christian love to publicly atone for the sins of slavery and we ask them to publicly commit to a process of reparations where they will extend their great wealth — tens of millions of dollars among some of those churches — into the Black community," said Peterson.

Please everyone keep my great aunt Brenda in your prayers. I was informed a few days ago that she is in the hospital with encephalitis. I cannot go visit her as she lives in a different state but pray that God will protect her and heal her.

Hi,

So it seems secular comedians when they use foul language like the f word are funnier. They are not saying anything racist or bad about God or Jesus, they are just trying to make the joke funnier and funnier it is like for example Bill Burr.

Br,

I started last Sunday, and went again this morning, and something happened?

A guy came in during the middle of the service, and sat in front of me, etc. He wasn't the kind church people would normally probably want or expect, etc, but that also seems to be my kind of specialty sometimes also, etc.

So when there was a short pause in the service, I said hi to him, and asked him his name real quick, and shook his hand, etc, before going to pay back attention to the service again, since it was only a short pause, etc. He was not very clean or anything, so my first thought is that he just came in from off the street. He also was able to try and tell me something about him staying at the local mission sometimes real quick, and I was able to tell him real quick that I had stayed and the mission in the past also, but we both had to go back to paying attention to the service, etc, and I noticed he had trouble just sitting, or staying still, so my first thought was drugs, or maybe some kind of being uncomfortable, or maybe having anxiety/restlessness issues also, etc, problems which I sometimes have also, not the drugs issue anymore, but "everything else", etc.

After the service, he got up to leave, and I had to get up quickly to follow him, etc. I have to walk to church, as I don't have a car, or driver's license, and so I went out of church quickly enough to catch up with him, and asked him if he would walk with me for a bit, and he agreed, etc.

I found out he was homeless, and was staying sometimes at the mission, and sometimes on the street, or in a tent that we sometimes call "tent city" around here also, which is place that a lot of homeless stay around here, and is an area that I am familiar with, etc.

So, I had him walk with me, and he told me he was trying to get off drugs and get clean, etc, and that he had an appointment at a rehab center soon, etc. Now, I've kind of been there already, or was in his shoes in the past already, and so I was able to tell him about that, and some of my testimony, etc, my problem was Marijuana though, but it got me into a lot of trouble in the past before it became legal here in my state, etc. Anyway, I had him walk with me to where I knew there was a picnic table, and sat down and talked with him about these things, and was able to also encourage him to get clean, and a little bit about some suggestions about how to get off the street, etc, and he thanked me for it, and I think was very, very grateful for it also, etc. Also told him that I bike around town a lot or quite a bit, and that if he saw me, he had my permission to stop me if he wanted to for a bit, and also told him that I would be trying to go to this church every Sunday if I could now, and that he could see or meet me there if he ever wanted to come back as well, etc.

Anyway, finally the last part about it that I wanted to get to here, etc. I suspected that this meeting was one of those kinds of things that was meant to happen, or that had already been predestined from before the beginning of time (by God) already, as I experience these kinds of things a lot, to the point to where it's kind of obvious to me when it's happening by now, etc, but that's not the strange thing or strange part that happens to or with me sometimes, etc.

But the strange part about is, is how afterwards, or sometimes even during sometimes, I will get a feeling, or a flash/picture of having seen myself doing this before, etc, and most of the time I am 100% aware that I have seen it before, and there is zero doubt about that, etc, and I am also 100% certain that it was in a dream that I had had before, etc, and that's the strange part about it, etc. The predestinating thing/part is not really that strange to me anymore, but getting a revelation that I had already seen it or already been through it before, but it was in a dream that I had had before, still is sometimes, etc. It feels very, very much like deja-vu, only I'm certain of it, and am not ever "not certain of it" ever, etc, and I am always certain that I had seen it in a dream, or had dreamt it before, etc, and that's still strange to me, but happens quite to me quite a bit sometimes, etc.

Anyway, just wanted to share this, and wasn't sure where to put it, etc.

If you have any comments about this, then feel free to leave one, etc.

God Bless.

Asking for prayer over my job. It's been super chaotic lately and a couple of patients were close to being in harm's way. Asking for prayer for God to help me/us out, and that He helps me share Jesus with people. Thanks!

CNN host Dana Bash marveled Friday at how former President Trump is leading against President Biden on most key issues in Michigan, most notably on the Israel-Gaza war.

Bash spoke about polling conducted in Michigan and Pennsylvania showing Trump leading in the Great Lakes State and the presumptive candidates tied in the Keystone State.

She said that if Trump wins both, Biden cannot afford to lose any other swing states, such as "Nevada, Arizona, Georgia, Wisconsin, or Nebraska’s second congressional district, or he will not win the White House."
The news host went on to express shock that "abortion and democracy" are "the only two issues" where Biden has an advantage in both states.
"Then you look at other issues: U.S and world affairs, economy, immigration, Israel/Gaza, Trump has an advantage and it's actually- if you look at the Israel-Gaza question, the fact that Trump has a 20-point advantage in Michigan. I mean, the world is upside down," she said.

CNN political director David Chalian argued that Trump’s advantage may not be enthusiasm for his policy, but the dissatisfaction of Michigan's large population of Muslims and Arab Americans with Biden's position on Israel.

Chalian said, "But I think that finding probably explains a lot of Joe Biden's troubles in Michigan right now as well. I mean, it's obviously an issue that we saw in the primary where the uncommitted vote against him, we see young voters, independents, people who have been affiliated with this, calling for a ceasefire movement, very frustrated with the president and his policies, and so that's clearly partly at play here in Michigan."

My mom has been experiencing respiratory issues again. Now it is that she feels mucus is coming up and it does not come out. It got really bad tonight and I called her primary care physician’s doctor on call. He basically told me that this was very dangerous and I needed to take her in. (My mother is not the most cooperative in these things). Finally talked her into it and we are in ER now. Prayers appreciated.

Well, not exactly. God plays his part, John 1:

13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

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John 15:

16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

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1 Peter 1:

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

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John 6:

44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.

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For our part, we need to repent.

Salvation is initiated by God alone?

Not exactly, to be more precise, being born again is initiated by God alone.

Allowing themselves to be caught by Russian police was not a good thing to do! "One suspect, Saidakrami Rachabalizoda, had a heavily bandaged ear. Russian media reported Saturday that one of the suspects had his ear cut off during interrogation." - 3 of 4 suspects charged in Russia concert hall attack admit guilt during court hearing

Ever since I was little ive had this weird thing, where I would be doing something random, like literally anything, and this voice in my head would suddenly say "do that X amount more times or Y(bad thing) will happen". And I would be forced to go do it again. It may be five times, may be 10. Sometimes it would take quite awhile. When I was young I used to think it was God, but now im noticing that this is not a common way with how God talks to people. So is it God? Idk.

But the production of EV batteries requires a massive amount of electricity, usually produced by generators that burn fossil fuels. The manufacturing of EVs produces at least 60 percent more carbon emissions than that of gas-powered cars. EVs start their lives with carbon debt.

The extra weight of heavy batteries also quickly wears down an EV’s tires as it drives, which means they aren’t "emissions free." In fact, one study found that electric cars emitted about a quarter more particulate matter than hybrid vehicles thanks to the added weight.
Administration activists aren’t just wrong about the environmental benefits of EVs. They’re also wrong about their performance. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg claimed that "we see the superiority of EVs in terms of performance, not just in terms of climate."

But we all heard about EVs malfunctioning this winter. Freezing temperatures — and hot temperatures — drain batteries and reduce driving range, leaving stranded drivers helpless. Even in normal weather, EVs have been plagued with glitches. A Consumer Reports survey even found that new EVs have 79 percent more problems than internal-combustion cars.

These performance problems create safety issues as well. In January, the Midwest Roadside Safety Facility at my alma mater, the University of Nebraska, conducted EV crash tests. They found that EVs have 20 to 50 percent more impact when crashing into a roadside barrier. The extra weight on an EV means that when accidents occur, the damage is greater than a comparable gas car.

Super Bowl champion kicker Harrison Butker of the Kansas City Chiefs wasn't afraid to let his views be known in a recent sit-down with EWTN News for a wide-ranging interview last week that hit on some hot-button topics.

In addition to discussing his team's victory over the San Francisco 49ers in last month's Super Bowl, Butker, a member of the Catholic fraternal order Knights of Columbus, outlined the vital role faith and family play in ensuring the health of society as a whole.

He also touched on abortion, fatherhood and his strong opposition to a Catholic church hosting a funeral for a trans-identified activist.

Deepfake Kari Lake video shows coming chaos of AI in elections​

in Arizona, a key swing state in the 2024 contest, the top elections official used deepfakes of himself in a training exercise to prepare staff for the onslaught of falsehoods to come. The exercise inspired Stephenson and his colleagues at the Arizona Agenda, whose daily newsletter seeks to explain complex political stories to an audience of some 10,000 subscribers.

They brainstormed ideas for about a week and enlisted the help of a tech-savvy friend. On Friday, Stephenson published the piece, which included three deepfake clips of Lake.

It begins with a ploy, telling readers that Lake — a hard-right candidate whom the Arizona Agenda has pilloried in the past — had decided to record a testimonial about how much she enjoys the outlet. But the video quickly pivots to the giveaway punchline.

“Subscribe to the Arizona Agenda for hard-hitting real news,” the fake Lake says to the camera, before adding: “And a preview of the terrifying artificial intelligence coming your way in the next election, like this video, which is an AI deepfake the Arizona Agenda made to show you just how good this technology is getting.”

By Saturday, the videos had generated tens of thousands of views — and one very unhappy response from the real Lake, whose campaign attorneys sent the Arizona Agenda a cease-and-desist letter.

This is from The Marrow of Modern Divinity, (1645 & 1718 Edward Fisher & Thomas Boston) pgs 260-261 and addresses something that our modern society has almost completely abandoned for wanton lusts and the actual promotion of adultery and fornication by various means in media, ads, education, and music, Oh, and some apostate and backslidden churches too.

[EVANGELISTA, a Minister of the Gospel. NOMIST, a Legalist. ANTINOMISTA, an Antinomian. NEOPHYTUS, a Young Christian.]
In this portion only Evangelista & Nomist are speaking:

"COMMANDMENT VII.
Evan. Well, then, I pray you, consider that in the seventh commandment there is a negative part expressed in these words, "Thou shalt not commit adultery"; that is, though shalt not think, will, speak, or do anything whereby thine own chastity or the chastity of others, may be hurt or hindered. And an affirmative part included in these words, "But thou shalt every way, and by all good means, preserve and keep the same."

Neo. I pray you, sir, begin with the negative part, and first tell us what is that inward uncleanness that is forbidden in this commandment.

Evan. That we may not be guilty of the inward uncleanness of the heart, in this commandment are forbidden all filthy imaginations, unchaste thoughts, and inward desires and motions of the heart to uncleanness, (Matt 5:28, Col 3:5); with all causes and occasions of stirring up and nourishing of these in the heart.

Neo. And what are the causes and occasions of stirring up and nourishing these things in the heart which we are to avoid?

Evan. That we may not stir up and nourish inward uncleanness in our hearts, is forbidden in this commandment gluttony, or excess in eating and pampering of the belly with meats, (Jer 5:8); and so also is drunkenness, or excess in drinking, (Prov 23:30,31,33); and so also is idleness, (2 Sam 11:12); and so also is the wearing of lascivious, garish, and new fangled attire, (Prov 7:10, 1 Tim 2:9); and so also is keeping company with lascivious, wanton, and fleshly persons, (Gen 39:10); and so also is immodest, unchaste, and filthy speaking, (Eph 4:29); and so also is idle and curious looking of men on women, or women on men, (Gen 6:2, 39:7); and so also is the beholding of love matters, and light behaviour of men and women represented in stage plays, (Eze 23:14, Eph 5:3,4); and so also is immoderate and wanton dancing of men and women together, (Job 21:11,12, Mark 6:21,22); and so also is wanton kissing and embracing, with all unchaste touching and dalliance, (Prov 7:13).

[Note: Today we must include media such as television, movies, the internet, and games that depict such lewdness, as well as the printed page and photographs: not just obvious pournagraffy, but other printed material with scantily dressed people, that use allurement to draw ones attention, which Evan does mention below]

Neo. And what is that outward actual uncleanness which is forbidden in this commandment?

Evan. The actual uncleanness forbidden in this commandment is fornication, which is a fleshly defilement of the body, committed between man and woman, being both of them single and unmarried persons, (1 Cor 10:8); and so also is adultery, which is a defilement of the body, committed between man and woman, being either one or both of them married persons, or at least contracted, (1 Cor 6:9,18, Hosea 13:4).

Neo. I pray you, sir, proceed to the affirmative part, and tell us what the Lord requires in this commandment.

Evan. The Lord in this commandment requires purity of heart, (1 Thess 4:5); and he also requires speeches savouring of sobriety and chastity, (Col 4:6, Gen 4:1); and he also requires that we keep our eyes from beholding vanity and lustful objects, (Psa 119:37, Job 31:1); and he also requires that we be temperate in our diet, in our sleep, and in our recreations, (Luke 21:34); and he also requires that we possess our vessels in holiness and honour, (1 Thess 4:9); and if we have not the gift of chastity, he requires that we take the benefit of holy marriage, (1 Cor 7:29); and that the man and wife do in that estate render due benevolence each towards the other, (1 Cor 7:5). Thus have I also endeavoured to satisfy your desires concerning the seventh commandment; and now, neighbour Nomologista, I pray you tell me whether you think you keep it perfectly or no.

Nom. Sir, I thank the Lord I am free from actual uncleanness, so that I am neither fornicator nor adulterer.

Evan. Well, but though you be free from the outward act, yet if you have had in your heart filthy imaginations, unchaste thoughts, or inward desires, or motions of the heart to uncleanness, you have notwithstanding transgressed this commandment; or if you have been guilty of gluttony, or drunkenness, or idleness, or delight to keep company with lascivious and wanton persons, or have with your tongue uttered any unchaste or corrupt communication, or have been a frequenter of stage plays, or have used immoderate dancing with women, or have used wanton dalliance with kissing and embracing, then have you broken this commandment.

[Today we often do not think of courting or "dating" as a breaking of this Commandment as long as the overt sexual act is not performed. However, kissing and embracing most certainly does stir passions and try the limits of one's resolve, and often a couple who has resolved to save themselves for marriage fail in this area, because they allowed more than a simple kiss and hug. I've been there/done that, and had to confess and repent of such doings.
I will share a little personal testimony on this. Back in 2002 I was involved in an online romance with a girl in Vietnam. I asked her what was allowable in her culture (secular/Buddhist) while courting. She explained we needed to be chaperoned and not alone, or if alone be in a public place. Holding hands was Ok. One light kiss was Ok and a very brief hug. Absolutely nothing beyond that. Brought to mind Luke 16:8 "the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light"]
I did not even agree with her at the time, and eventually met someone from another state in America, and unfortunately we did not follow this Commandment prior to marriage. That too had to be repented of.
This is an extremely volatile subject, even for Christians. Not many practice the true Gospel way of holiness in this regard.]

"Foreign Minister Israel Katz summoned the Turkish ambassador after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan threatened to "send [Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu to Allah" in a post on X on Friday.

"I instructed Israel’s Foreign Ministry officials to summon the Turkish deputy ambassador to Israel for a serious reprimand, following Erdogan’s attack on Prime Minister Netanyahu and his threats to send Netanyahu to Allah, and to convey a clear message to Erdogan,” Katz wrote. “You who support the burning of babies, murderers, rapists, and the mutilation of corpses by Hamas criminals, are the last one who can speak about God.

“There is no God who will listen to those who support the atrocities and crimes against humanity committed by your barbaric Hamas friends. Be quiet and ashamed!” he continued."

Ezekiel 38 coalition coming together once more: Tubal: Turkey

https://wapo.st/3xaFh5Z

Lawmakers in mostly conservative states are pushing a coordinated effort to bring chaplains into public schools, aided by a new, legislation-crafting network that aims to address policy issues “from a biblical world view” and by a consortium whose promotional materials say chaplains are a way to convert millions to Christianity.

“We are reclaiming religious freedom in this country,” said Jason Rapert, a former Arkansas state senator and the president of the National Association of Christian Lawmakers, which he founded in 2019 to craft model legislation, according to the group’s site. Its mission is “to bring federal, state and local lawmakers together in support of clear biblical principles … to address major policy concerns from a biblical world view,” the site says.

Heather Weaver, senior staff attorney at the ACLU Program on Freedom of Religion and Belief, called allowing chaplains into public schools “a constitutional time bomb. It definitely would be a much more direct route to promoting religion to students and evangelizing them than we’ve seen in the past.” she said.

Some experts on church-state relations say the pushback may reflect Americans’ complex and inconsistent relationship with the role Christianity should play in a pluralistic country. Polls show a majority of Americans say that the government should enforce church-state separation and oppose the government ever declaring an official U.S. religion. Yet, in a 2022 Pew Research poll, a strong minority, 45 percent, said the country “should be a Christian nation.”

John 5:30 (NKJV)
“I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In these words are put forth the ultimate denial of own will, which, we as believer’s are to emulate…. For as Christ said; ‘not my will but the Father’s’, the believer is to say; ‘not my will but Christ’s’…. For when one obeys what the will of the peace of Christ in one’s heart speaks, to that degree will their judgments be according to the will of God…. For giving up one’s own will for the expression of righteousness is the call set before all of fallen humanity…. For this is the end of all endeavors, that the will to righteousness would overcome the will to own will….

For this is being led by the Spirit of Christ which has come to make its abode in all those that would be willing to receive Him, which being the end of all things is also the beginning of all things… For this obedience to this peace, is obedience to the new life that is being brought to life in one, this being, where all the old things have passed away and all things become new….This, that new voice of peace that speaks forth righteousness is the voice of Christ in one which is to direct one to the right or left…. For this peace being listened to, is the end of one life and the beginning of another…

Which all sounds fine and dandy, but the how escapes many believer’s….

We, as believer’s are called to faith, faith being that that looks away from itself to something or someone stronger than itself…. Our being crucified with Christ is that stronger that we are called to look towards… For believing that one has died with Christ and raised to a new life in Him is the faith that will see this come to fruition in one’s life….

For it is seeing oneself as the failure that one is that humbles one’s heart before God…. For it is the will to righteousness in the face of failure that lays open all of the heart before God… It is then the Son of righteousness shines forth in the heart and the heart grabs unto ‘it is no longer I that live but Christ that lives in me’….

And thus the will to righteousness has its accomplishment where the end has met the beginning, time goes into eternity and thus the restoration of all things…..


Unto Him be our all, Not me

Why did God make Ostriches?
So humans could eat Ostriches in the desert.

Ostriches can live in the desert.
Should there be more Ostrich farms?

I told my Elder the other day that I felt like giving up. Giving up on holiness, on my Christian walk, and on winning the race. I can't help it, I just can't. I can't help but feel like I'm not living the life that Jesus wants me to live. Of course, from a Calvinist position this is completely incompatible with the Bible that teaches us that God leads us throughout iur lives. However it FEELS like I'm not doing what God wants me to be doing. Our Pastor recommended a book to us that he's going to give to us when we get to church on Sunday morning that I'm looking forward to read but I just feel like, everything is so distant right now.

We haven't been able to attend Church ever since my wife got her job, I haven't been praying as often as I probably should, I don't love God as much as I should because if I did I'd never sin against him ever again, and I only really read the Bible when I feel like it which is maybe once a month tops.

Don't get me wrong, I do have a rock hard faith that has whethered every storm and it will weather this one as well proving, that God keeps those who are meant to be saved, saved. My issue isn't salvation it's living the Christian life as I should be. It's that I desire and want to live a Godly life and I don't want to live my life the way I want, I want to live my life the way God wants. And honestly, this is a good thing so idk why I'm depressed and why I'm feeling this way. Can anybody give me any advice regarding this? Because, I haven't grown as a Christian in quite some time. In fact, I'm slowly going away from Christianity and I definitely don't want that.