AliceJane

Let me address your questions: she has HAD a strong faith for as long as I've known her, which is why this is uncharacteristic of her and it concerns me. It is a contradiction which is what I fear. It isn't that I fear being called judge mental above all else, but I fear that she may find my concerns dissmissable, because I feel strongly about the situation and she is easily defensive. My problem doesn come from not WANTING to speak up, I do! It comes from not knowing how to approach it in a way that she will listen with an open heart. You know? She laughs it off when I address my issues and I don't want her becoming secretive, knowing that I am looking out for her.

It's been a while since I've posted but I'm well no worries! I wanted to ask what you all think about the limits young people, Christians especially, set in terms of how far their relationship will go? I have a friend who is very dear to me who is only 19 and she just started dating a 28 year old. She is a strong believer and she is very conservative when it comes to kissing and other forms of affection. Her boyfriend, however, has an ambiguous faith and I'm not sure where he stands with the physicality of their relationship. I feel like she is compromising her beliefs for this boy and I'm not sure how to bring it up without making it seem like I'm judging her and her boyfriend. What would you do? How far do you think is acceptable in a relationship?

That was incredibly comforting and powerful. Moved me to tears and I can't even explain why! But thank you for that. It's good to hear. Doesn't mean, of course that I want to take that grace for granted! I have a lot of growing to do

I think one of the main reasons why I joined besides finding a community of believers to share with was to seek advice in a sin I struggle with. It's embarrassing to confess because I know that it is so sinful that sometimes, I wonder how I could possibly be saved having done this. I dunno I feel weird talking about it so maybe I won't say it. It's something I've only just recently struggled with. But my worry is, I know that through repentance, we are forgiven by God's great grace, but are there some sins that maybe are too sinful? It sounds silly, I know, but these are my fears as I work toward a relationship with Christ.

These are incredibly profound thoughts! Thoughts I have myself at times regarding God and our sin. Of course I don't have all the answers. Heck, I probably only have like two answers to pin to my "religion résumé" but I will say this: It's difficult finding comfort in knowing you are saved when nothing crazy happens. I heard a lot of testimonies of faith growing up and one thing that never happened to me was that "wow I'm 100% sure I'm saved in this one crazy life changing moment." Most people don't have that. I Can say that it's amazing to hear how God has been calling you to him and it is also amazing to hear how you are trying to answer that call. As far as sin goes, no one is without sin. The whole point of Christ coming down and dying on the cross for us was so that the sins that we repent are forgiven by the Grace of God through Jesus. That's exactly it though; Repentance. I am a sinner. I sin and I sin and I hate that. But I know that when I ask God for forgiveness, accepting my faults and wanting to be free from it, he does just that. I have always struggled with that. I hope that as you journey with God, you become more confident in the grace of the Lord and in yourself as a follower of Him!

It's hard going through breakups. You're young! It's cliche but bitstrip that God really does have a plan for you. He know what he's doing in your life whether or not you can see that. I say trying new things when it comes to dating can't hurt but I do hope you are in it for the right reasons! Don't look for a new relationship as a way to fill the void the last one left or as a distraction!

Thank you (: It really puts it in perspective when I hear apathy as a disease rather than a state of being, ya know?

Hi there! I'm no expert, but I feel like this all sounds very unhealthy. I watched my parents struggle with a similar situation and I always thought of it as a drowning person. The abusive boyfriend is the one drowning and she is jumping in to save him. The problem is, she isn't saving him and is instead, drowning herself. The only way for her to stop drowning would be to let him go, but then what of him? He just drowns? I say he seems very unstable and he seems to need professional help for his dilemmas. As a person who struggles with depression I've come to realize that a good and healthy relationship is not easy or even very possible to maintain if I'm not maintaining myself first. It shouldn't be her responsibility to keep him from drowning, even though she loves him and he, her. I will be praying for clarity in the situation and I hope things turn out ok!!

I'm not a new Christian by any means. I was raised in the faith and so maybe that's where I struggle. I feel like I've become apathetic and lazy in my devotion to God and I guess I was wondering how you all manage it? Like, how do I stop being apathetic and make my life revolve around Christ, like I know it should? Any suggestions?