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This is one that requires action: Honor your Father and Mother. This verse came up in a daily devotional and I started thinking about the meaning. I never knew my father - he didn't want anything to do with me. The only time I saw him was at his funeral; I was 22. Are we to honor our parents...

I started posting on this forum a few years ago when I was going through a difficult time and had several questions. My church background was a very controlling Independent church. I met a Methodist at work (never talked to one before) and I was intrigued with the Methodist church. My husband...

This analogy might be a little different - but it really works for me. In previous experience, accepting Jesus, being saved was a one-time event. And only those who were previously chosen could accept this. If you weren't one of the chosen, you could never be accepted by God. My carpool bud...

Depends on the beliefs of the community. We should trust others and their interpretation over our own?

OK. Need a little clarification. Can you please explain how someone worships the Bible?

And I grew up hearing Southern Baptists were all liberals - don't talk to any of them. Methodists were just a social organization; they didn't read the Bible or know anything about it. I think I was on the extreme right. Not always a happy place - now I so enjoy hearing about the Love of God...

True. I can choose to live in the past or learn from the past. Prayer has been awkward for me and I tend to avoid it completely. But, today, I did spend some time in prayer. And it helped - hmm. Thanks for the patience and advice, everyone.

Someone recently mentioned to me that my previous experience was a cult. I can't believe I was in a "cult" and stayed there for years. I can't forget that time and the things I was taught and experienced. How does someone get past that?

To find the truth, we should not rely on others. We all have a personal responsibility to discern the truth by trusting the Holy Spirit within us and developing a relationship with God?

In past experiences, relationship with God was not possible because we are sinners. Having to rewire my thinking... and it's not easy.

Certain denominations claim they are the only ones who interpret God's word correctly. They say others don't understand because they are not real believers. Can we really distinguish the truth? Or is everyone just guessing based on what they read and understand?

I came from a legalistic fundamentalist background; left it several years ago, but my views were still based on those ideas. We were not allowed to talk to people of different denominations. The first time I talked to a Methodist (3 years ago), I felt like a rebel!

I became a member of my local Methodist Church 2 years ago and have been learning about UMC beliefs. Comparing these beliefs to previous church experiences has me wondering. Both claim to base beliefs on the Bible; how can there be so many differences between them? Is it because they interpret...

A new year is quickly approaching and I'm looking for a daily devotional book to take to work. I want one that will challenge me and help me develop a real relationship with God. Any suggestions?

Yep. That's me - questions. Always questions. But my questions are different than they were 2 years ago. Back then, I was questioning the existence of God and the futility of religion. Agnosticism seemed a logical choice at that time. My friend was patient and challenged those ideas. I started...

For me, it was a chance meeting. I first heard about Prevenient Grace and God's love from a new coworker (3 years ago now). I was disillusioned with church and had given up on God. It's been a slow process for me.

Thanks, everyone. I've learned a lot in the past 2 years and still seeking, asking questions, pondering. I couldn't ask questions in my former environment. Always heard about the "chosen" ones and if you had doubts or questioned anything, you weren't really one of them. Outsiders didn't...

Yes. That does help. But for Prevenient - it is only valid in our lifetime? And I am still working my way through all of this. It's been suggested that previous church experiences might not have been the best environment. The word "cult" has also been mentioned although I'm not acknowledging...

The beginning of salvation is prevenient grace? If that is offered to all, then everyone has a beginning of salvation whether accepted or not?

Haven't posted for several weeks. Still studying and learning; actually "unlearning" some ideas and beliefs from my past. This one has me stumped. Does God love everyone equally? Is his love conditional?