Jam2b40

I have watched a documentary on Netflix called, "Is Genesis History?" and the host goes to various experts, including scientist, who explain how Genesis is true. They also do some explaining for why people can look at the same evidence and come to different understandings. I found it to be very refreshing and encouraging to hear so many highly educated people who are speaking for Creation and the flood as a true history of the earth and what God has done.

I'm in a season of my life where I needed a reminder of that passage of Scripture. I've taught a lesson in it before, but I had need of the refresher.

Thank you Annette. I lived in the same county I grew up in until I was 36 years old. Then I moved to another part of Texas for four months. After that I moved here to Arkansas. I could have lived where I was for my whole life, except for extreme family dysfunction and some abuse, and the economic situation in our part of Texas was not good. I relocated to get away from some bad family and to have a fresh start is an area with lower cost of living and opportunity for more jobs. I am able to earn a little more here in Arkansas that I was where I was at because there are more possibilities here. I love where we are now, and I feel more safe than I have since I was a very small child.

I was born in Texas and now live in Arkansas

I find it very off putting when a man demands intimate details early on when meeting someone. Some of them want an explanation of past relationships a little too much, too soon and feel entitled to know. I was once talking to a man who wanted all the details before he would consider going out with me. I never responded to him. He took it to mean that I knew I was unworthy because I didn't share the information he wanted and moved on without having to face him. His audacity infuriated me. When meeting someone, I like to know the general information of today. Are you married, separated, divorced, single-never been married? If they are married or married but separated, it is a no go. If they are divorced, then it is worth getting to know them and find out information as it become appropriate. If they have never been married then I feel no need for information early on. The main focus should be getting to know the person, their current lifestyle, and how healthy their walk with the Lord is.

I hope this doesn't turn into a weird discussion. I have heard of people claiming to have seen Jesus in everyday life, or at times of great distress or trauma. I was wondering if any of you have information about this, or believe the stories. I had always believed that Jesus is in Heaven preparing and will not come back until His triumphant return. However I experienced something about five years ago that just seemed odd to me. I asked someone if they thought it could have been an angel, and the person said they thought it could have been Jesus Himself. I'll share the story if you are interested, but there aren't many details to share. It was just an unusual experience, mostly because of the way it felt. Since then I have heard of stories where people claim they have seen Him. In one in particular He identified Himself as Christ when asked if He was. I've heard that these Jesus sightings are converting non-believers to believers, and that there is a larger number of reports of this occurring in the middle east. So, do you guys think He makes visits?

There are some things John Piper has taught that I don't agree with, but this article by him on this topic is very helpful.

Fidei Defensor, I didn't take offense. I agree with you. I just wanted to chime in as someone who struggles with this particular sin. It is a huge concern. I think anyone who feels "fat shamed" by honest, respectful, conversation about gluttony is not quite ready to deal with it openly. It's a hard topic, but it has to be talked about.

I've been searching deeper within me and pondering the need and capacity to be more obedient as a follower of Christ. All these Scriptures keep coming to mind like, John 14:15 Mark 12:28-30 Ephesian 5:1-5 And I think of teaching in the Old Testament about obedience bringing God's blessings and protection in the lives of the Israelites. I have friends who are gentile Christians who believe in keeping old Testament laws for this reason. Then I think about grace, and mercy, and forgiveness of all sins... I know that I can never be perfect, and there will always be shortcomings in my life, old lessons that have to be learned again, or renewed, or applied in ways I have not had to before. However, if would be nice to have a more tidy, righteous, and steadfast life. It would be nice to feel closer to the Lord and more confident in my walk with Him. I wonder if I should try to focus more on obedience and discipline, or if I should trust in His grace and rest knowing that I've tried. If more obedience is warranted, how far does one go with that? Old Testament Law? New Testament teachings only? Seeking perfection in devotion and setting my mind, body, and heart aside for Him? How hard do I take it when I fail? I can imagine myself being devastated on a daily basis with my faults and weaknesses. I can also imagine myself shaking it off and trusting in grace. I guess my question is, at what point is this balanced? Is there a balance?

This is a huge area of weakness for me. I find that when I am most likely to eat unhealthy foods impulsively or over eat is when I am emotionally distraught, in physical pain, or struggling spiritually. My assumption is that I am self-medicating with food, rather than seeking God's comfort and healthy, righteous solutions to my problems. Also my sons and I have some difficulties in our lives, both as a family and as individuals. There's not a lot I can do about it, but I can get food for us; food is a lame compensation that I fall back on when I don't know what to do. I think that gluttony is a hard thing to deal with within the church because food is so much a part of our culture. There's lots of things we can't fix, but we can eat and we can feed others. It's also a social thing. When one is doing something others are compelled to also, either directly or indirectly. We live in a society that has easy access to food, and an abundance of it. It also feels very uncomfortable to confront a sin that is being committed by loving and kind people, whom you respect and are told by scripture to love and defer to, especially when so many of us struggle with the same thing or something similar. LIke, how can the nicotine addict tell the glutton to not eat so much? How can an alcoholic tell a smoker to kick their nicotine habit? How can the glutton tell a druggie they are defiling the temple of the Holy Spirit? How do we stop the madness as a group, when most of us are failing as individuals? I think the solution is this: We all need humble spirits and accountability and a realization that we are all in this together. We can help each other without harshly criticising each other or getting offended when we ourselves are confronted and held accountable, or we can all fail together.