Micah68

Hi Honey bee, There must be some way that you can convince your mother that in these days it is difficult to be a useful vessel to God without some additional training beyond high school. I'm not saying that marrying and having children wouldn't be a useful thing for God but even motherhood would be more useful with a little experience and knowledge to back it up. Perhaps your mother is afraid that if you go out into the world to get an education you'll lose your christianity. There is an issue with that since most colleges teach godless knowledge. But I know many young christians who are taking college courses and who are aware of the godlessness in the colleges and who are maintaining their love of God in the midst of it. You have to convince your mother that you will stay strong. I truly believe that God does not want us to sit in our houses and become what is essentially a monk. What good does that do to others who need godly help? You can read in the gospel of John where Jesus said that he didn't want to take the disciples out of the world but to keep them from the evil so that those in the world that they could help could also be one with God. God needs Christians who will be godly examples to those in the world that the Christ life works and is possible in this generation. He needs young people who are vibrant and alive with Jesus' life. If you have that, you won't be a disappointment to either God or your mom. Be strong and be filled with an understanding of Jesus' true life and meaning.

"But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men." 2 Peter 3:7 We are seeing the beginning of the fulfillment of this Scripture. Why California? All you have to do is read the news. Mr. Schwarzenegger has signed a law forcing schools to take out anything that might seem negative towards homosexuality and other forms of sexual deviation. People in California should be grateful that it's just fire and that only one person was killed. About four thousand years ago He obliterated Sodom and Gomorrah. It must be that God is giving them a chance to repent and change. May the good citizens of California force their government to get rid of this ungodly law.

A Christian should base his/her beliefs on the Bible, which is the Word of God. There is no other basis for christianity that I know of. Jesus said Himself that He did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it and that every jot and tittle of it had to be fulfilled. The law says not to hate but it most definitely says that homosexuality is wrong. Homosexuality is directly opposed to God's will. It is no wonder that California is now under the direct punishment of God Himself. Who created the wind? Who allowed the winds to pick up? God will never stand for it (homosexuality). Mankind cannot know God if they are in direct opposition to His holy will. If they cannot know Him, they cannot be saved. This law is a diabolical influence to try to subvert children's minds and trap them so that they can never know God their Father who loves them and wants to bless them but cannot bless them if they oppose His commandments.

God has to judge this world for what they have/have not done with the life of Jesus. He didn't send His Son to this world to end up with a world filled with iniquity of all sorts that we don't even want to mention here. He sent His Son so that people would know how to live with one another and walk with God their Father. Ultimately we are all judged by what we have done with that knowledge. God's judgments will only increase as iniquity spreads and people don't get the message. It appears as if God is judging but yet God doesn't judge. He is only a buring love for His children. We judge ourselves by our actions. What happens as a result is simply like the law of gravity. If you drop it, it's going to fall. If you sin, it's going to catch up with you. We each have to stop sin in our lives. If we believe that God has the ulimate control over this world then we have to acknowledge that God allowed Katrina to happen, not for one reason only but for many reasons, all of them perfect. Many things happened because of that day and many hearts were revealed. America is being judged for its decisions against Israel, but so also are individual hearts being revealed and judged. God is perfect in all His ways. We have to remember His true purpose in His judgments: to get us to turn back to Him. It's up to us to walk humbly and see where we each have failed Him and turn our lives around to honor Him.

Hi Simile, You have taken the first steps down a long road. It's a great road and it will lead you to wonderful places but at times it has to go through some difficult spots. You have sowed a lot of wild oats in the past. Those wild oats will be reaped. It's just a law of nature. But in the reaping, put your trust in God. Admit your faults, where faults there be and come up higher in God. When you repent and reject things done in the past, God can come into your life more fully. Read Isaiah 57:15. The important word is humble.

Five fifth grade children in northern Louisiana have been arrested for having sex in class in front of other students while the teacher had left the room for about fifteen minutes. Such a post in the news chills the soul. It is surely a sign of these times. When I was in fifth grade, I didn't even know what that was. Perhaps I was a bit naive and ignorant but this goes beyond the pale. How does a child of that age even get such an idea. Where are the parents? You can blame society all you want but ultimately it all boils down to lack of parental supervision and teaching and proper love and attention. Is it any wonder that God has to judge this world for its wickedness? The entire world is being overtaken by the spirit of sodom. You have to teach your children from infancy to love God and keep His Commandments. Love your children and keep a tight watch on what they're doing on the internet. You wouldn't invite a whore into your home. Don't let one come in through the internet or by way of the TV and pervert your children's innocence. Watch over your children in love.

There are responsible debt counsellors that can help you. It sounds like you need help. $20,000 worth of debt does not go away any time soon. If you talk to someone that is reliable, I think they can help you. However, watch out for the charletons that will only soak you for more. The most important thing is: do not live beyond your means. If you need help, go get it. For families with small children, there is WIC that can help out with food expenses. There may be other programs. Look into it so that you can get yourself out of debt and become an asset to society, helping others instead of needing help yourself. It's never easy with small children. I remember the days of wearing the same coat that was too small for me and way out of style for many years and wearing other people's hand me downs but with God's help, I got through those years. He really did help me and He can help you too if you love Him, trust Him, cleave to Him. "In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:6

I wouldn't say 'look out for #1.' However, you do have responsibilities. It is your responsibility to take care of your family so that someone else doesn't have to do it. It is important to give but this person is talking about running up a credit card debt. There is something more at work there than christian giving.

It is very nice to give and to be a generous person. However, it seems to be an obsession with you. Maybe you should consider why you are running yourself into debt. What is your true motive in doing this? Self-examination is important. We are all responsible to work, to support our families and to make sure that we don't become the next charity case. Yes, give, but don't force your family out into the street because of it. That doesn't make sense. Credit cards are a trap from hell (my personal belief). Get out of that trap and don't get back into it.

A natural human being is no match for a spirit. However, you can read in the gospels exactly how to 'kick a demon out.' Jesus did it in order to show us how to do it. Then he gave us the power over the spirit world so that we'd have the power to do it. Everything has as its cause something in the spirit world. There may appear to be a natural cause but then again what caused that? The spirit world. In the end there is only good and evil. Good comes from God and the evil comes from the other guy. Kick out the evil. Use Scripture as Jesus did and rebuke them. Read about all the times that Jesus cast out evil spirits. He is our teacher and example and the source of the power to overcome.

The only time God was upset with Moses was when he hit the rock twice instead of speaking to it as he had commanded. God was upset with Solomon but it wasn't because of interracial marriages but rather because he had so many wives and they were idolaters that caused him to be led away from his love of God. The one you marry should share your love for God rather than the color of your skin.

I was getting those kinds of scams constantly at work. I finally complained about it to someone from the computer help desk and they helped me to put bigger filters on my e-mail. Now all that junk just goes directly into the spam garbage dump. Don't let anyone prey on your feelings of wanting to help someone. If you truly want to give, find a worthy and above board charity and give that way. Never give money to someone who contacted you over the internet!

You have prayed to the Lord that He will change you and the Lord is always faithful. The problem is that you don't recognize His faithfulness. How do you expect Him to change you? Is He supposed to simply say the magic words and presto, you're different? That's not how the Lord works. He presents you with situations that require you to speak in front of others, such as reading a scripture or answering a question in class. He is being very faithful every day in your life. Now, it's up to you to latch on to your opportunities to overcome. It all depends on your desire. How sincerely do you want to change? If you really want to change, then one day, when you're sick of being that way, you'll suffer through the shaking knees and trembling voice and speak up anyway. I should know -- I'm that way too. Go for it!

While I understand what was written and agree with it on one level, I find that it's not entirely true. Although I am not a part of this present young generation, I believe that at least some young people know that there is something woefully wrong with their lives. They have lost hope and they feel a void but don't know what it is or what to do about it. The churches are failing them miserably. They need to see the life of Jesus in action. They need to see and feel living faith. They'll recognize it when they finally see it.

You obviously don't remember what it's like to have to be without a boyfriend among your school friends *grin* I know at my school, it was one of the ways one could avoid hitting the rock-bottom of popularity (especially for someone like me, who was near the bottom already), and therefore avoid derision and possibly beatings. *shrug* Really, though I'm not saying I condone dating at that age either, I JSUT don't think it looks as simple as that from inside the situation. Being a teenager is not the end of our lives, thank God. Being a teenager is all about excitement for living and wondering about our future and learning how to live. There are many things to be excited about and many interesting things to get into without getting into dating. Being popular is the most ridiculous thing a person can desire, although I understand why young people would think they need to be popular. My kids learned just to be themselves. If we can teach our kids simply to love God and be themselves, they will be more confident and content with their lives, not worrying about what people think of them if they don't have a date. Personally, when I was a teenager, I was a mess. I was definitely on the bottom of the food chain and definitely thought that being popular was the be all and end all. So I know a little whereof I speak. However, since that time, I think I've learned a little about life and hopefully imparted some of that to my daughters and hopefully they are the better for it. They certainly seem more content than I was and they understood in high school that the popular girls were probably getting themselves into big trouble. So, princess, learn to be content, learn to love God and wait on Him to bring the right one at the right time. In the meantime, get interested in a variety of activities that are positive outlets for all of your energy!

In the eighth grade, I truly believe it is more important to concentrate on school work, getting to know the Bible and if you do go out, go out with a group of friends and don't get involved with dating. You have so many years ahead of you to find out who it might be that God would like you to be more serious about. Dating at a young age serves no fruitful purpose but could lead to things you don't need to deal with at such a young age. Wait dear. Remember that song, "I am sixteen, going on seventeen?" Well, in the end, even she decides to wait a year or two. Marriage is a long way off. So, why get into dating so soon? My daughters enjoyed going to a movie or something with a group of friends for several years before they started thinking about anyone in particular. I think you'll be happier and more confident to do such a thing. That way, you don't have to worry about whether any one particular guy likes you or whatever. Trust God. In the long run, He'll bring the right one.

Excuse me, but God has many children. It is not limited to those who call themselves Christians. In fact, satan is a child of God. Doesn't Job 2:1 say that the sons of God came to the Lord and satan was among them? God has many children, some of them love Him and some of them don't. Some of His children might even be called brats, not His fault, just their own choosing. Some of those brats call themselves Christian but they are not. All you have to do is read the thread on mega churches to see that there are many who think they are in God when in fact, they are the farthest thing from Him. As I said before, strait is the gait and narrow is the way, which leads to life, and few there be that find it. And also, many say, Lord, Lord, didn't we do all these things for you? But the Lord will say that he never knew them. Romans 2 says that the Gentiles that do by nature the things of the law are a law unto themselves. They show that they have the work of the law written in their hearts. Circumcision is of the heart and not of the flesh. Well, the same could be said of Christianity. It is of the heart not what a person says he is. Many who are not Christians are actually better Christians than the ones who say they are Christians. The Lord will soon judge the secrets of men's hearts and it will all come out.

While I certainly wouldn't defend what some Muslims are doing, I don't believe that they are entirely representative of all Muslims. There are many Muslims that are not going along with the violent protests. However, just as there are those Muslims who have not removed the hate that is inside of them, there are also Christians who have not removed the hatred that is inside of them, which proves that the important thing to do is as Jesus said, "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you." It isn't what a man says that saves him but his actions which prove what he believes, as pointed out by James in chapter two of the book of James. "Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadth unto life, and few there be that find it." There are many Christians who purport to be Christians but who have not removed the hatred in their hearts. They will be like those who say, "Lord, Lord." But the Lord says that He doesn't even know them. It's the same with the Muslims and any other child of God. Each one will be responsible for living whatever truth they have been given. So before we point the finger at the Muslims, let's look in our own eyes to get the motes out and be a true example of living Jesus' life. Then perhaps the Muslims will think that just maybe we're onto something.

Dear Reichman, Negative experiences are meant to bring us closer to God. So what is it that God wants from you? Maybe to show you that it's important to live the words of the Bible, not just read them. There is a life after death and it's important to make heaven your life while you're here on earth so that you'll love it after your life on this earth is over. In the meantime, while you're learning to live the Bible, maybe you should consider changing your sleeping habits.

But please don't pray for him to be punished. Pray for him to change, no matter what the outcome of your marriage. If, in order to change, he needs to be punished, God will take care of that. No matter what happens, you've got to get the anger out of your heart. Actually I went through a very difficult divorce years ago. I see now that God allowed it all to happen so that I could get rid of any anger that I had in my heart. It's important to be principled and yet loving. Stick by the Word of God and yet don't use it as a club to beat others up with it. The whole situation in my case was really helpful to my spiritual life and I feel that I am a better Christian because of it, in spite of the fact that I know God does not like divorce. It was necessary in my case. But things did not get better until I made those changes in my heart. So, don't let hateful thoughts and feelings about your husband take you over. Don't give in to them no matter what happens in your relationship with your husband. Best wishes. You can do it through the power Jesus gave you.

Dear GodAlways, Sorry I misunderstood some things. You know what? It sounds like your husband is extremely insecure. Maybe he's jealous of your son because it's obvious that you love him and perhaps your husband never had any love like that when he was young. Personally, I would much rather have my kids around the house than off somewhere where I didn't know what they were doing. Kids need friends and if your sons friends are polite enough to wait quietly while your son finishes his chores, God bless them!!! If the kids are around the house and they're not drinking or making a lot of noise, thank God!! My children have a stepfather also and one thing that I notice is that because he was not with them when they were little, he doesn't always understand why they do things. He has more of a tendancy to be a little critical. Sometimes it's okay because I need someone principled to see their little foibles so that we can help them but when it gets too much I have to find a way to let him know I think it's over the line. It's always a little precarious because I don't want to ignore what God is trying to tell me through my husband and yet I also don't want my children to feel overly criticized and squashed. I don't want them to feel uncomfortable in their own home. So far, thank God it seems to be working out okay. I hope your situation can work out also. (here's a hug -- just a christian one, nothing to do with lesbians!!)

Well, I can only say something based on observation, and from that, it seems that you don't get it. It seems that you haven't read or dealt with what anyone said here. You asked for advice and got it but then it seems like you are totally ignoring this same advice. So, why should they stop until they feel that you have gotten it? Do you just want to complain or do you really want an answer? I prayed about your issue, and I'm sure the others did too, before I answered you and gave it my best shot. Therefore, maybe you should consider what was said.

You can pray over your school and the area and ask God for His protection. Ask Him anything. Talk to Him about it. It's horrible, it's unfortunate, etc, but maybe it will turn out to help some of the young people in your school to look for God.

Look, it doesn't take a genious to figure out that if you hand our major ports over to Islamics, we're asking the fox to guard the henhouse.

Dear GodAlways, If he's 'disappearing' for 3-4 days a week so that 'you can have some time alone,' he's spending that time with someone else, honey. No man who loves his wife would leave her for that long. My husband doesn't like to be gone for a whole day. He misses me. I miss him. If, in fact, nothing is going on between you and the boys, please do something to get yourself out of this. (I'm not trying to make any accusations. I'm just dealing with the reality that I don't know you. Therefore, I have to take your word for it.) He is trying to control you in every way possible: mentally, monetarily and probably physically. To send anyone out in 5 degree weather to wash a car by hand is not common sense. I love my children. I wouldn't do that to them, no matter what they did wrong. To take money out of a joint account and not give an account for it is simply wrong unless he's planning on surprising you with a cruise to the Bahamas. It seems quite clear that he has a honey somewhere else and therefore, you'd better be careful of sleeping with this man. He could be full of any kind of disease if these things are true. I don't say these things lightly because they have a lot of reprecussions but it truly seems like you have cause to be concerned. And it's true that young people need some kind of encouragement. They need an example. They need to know when they've done right and when they've done wrong. We don't need to puff up their egos but if we never tell them anything that they've done right, what are they to think? We as parents represent in a way, God to our children. A lot of their impressions of God come from us. Have we been righteous and yet loving to our kids? That's the idea they get of God. Have we been overbearing and unjust as a parent? They get an image of God as an overbearing parent. Children need to grow up being loved but not cajoled. This is a serious example to learn why it's important to know a person's character before you marry that person because afterwards, when God says, "And they shall be one flesh," He means it. He wants us to understand that whatever is your husband's life is now yours also. When you marry him, you get whatever is his, both naturally and spiritually. That's why divorce is so difficult. To untangle something that was once made one is very difficult and painful and shouldn't be undertaken lightly. However, some circumstances demand it. Is yours one of those circumstances? Perhaps only you and God know the answer to that. Peace be with you.