To begin, I want to say that I am dressed in shame. This is because I, regrettably, ended up dabbling in occult, satanic, and evil perversions and machinations that I am not proud of. If you are on this sub and you doubt the divinity and sin-cleansing blood of Christ, you are deceived. To give credibility: I've done spells, practiced spiritual corruption, had demonic sober out-of-body experiences, have literally interacted with Demons and/or Satan, and have successfully exorcised demons myself. To defend, I am not mentally ill. Although I have hallucinated about three times in my life, any drug-induced hallucination is absolutely not this.

So to start, I want to give encouragement to existing Christians. Satan is the ruler of this world; he controls it physically and spiritually. He may not operate the Earth on a level like God, but God has handed him over to the prince of this world. The sadness, pain, evil, division, and fighting we see in the world are due to his influence and his objective. And his objective is: hell. But behold, Jesus has died a horrible death to save you from a horrible fate, which is the wrath of God in hell.

To be honest, I used to have faith. It used to be like I was choosing to believe in Jesus because things like naturalism and the general want of sin would pull me away. This stopped when I started obsessing over the Beast from Revelation and things like Babylon and the Illuminati. I didn't necessarily want to be in those figures and systems, but I wanted to know more about what was behind the veil. What was the red pill? What was really going on? Are we in a simulation? Surely there's a logical reason behind why Epstein did what he did, and it's not just Satan. Surely religion is going to be outdone by science; 6,000 years ain't millions! After going deep, that faith is sure, and I am outright scared of the reality.

Now that I know, these types of thoughts are specifically crafted by Satan for one purpose: your disbelief in Christ. Satan hates God because he refused to bow the knee in a special display of evil that was unacceptable to God. When he messed himself up, he came for other angels. After he came for them, what's left? It's us. Satan wants nothing more than to have your sensory experience take the wrath of God for eternity because he's angry and bitter.

In dealing with Satan, he's mean and horrendously evil. Still under demonic attacks, I see that Satan has accepted his fate of the lake and all he cares is to get you. All things that are not good come from sin and Satan. He had to be judged because of his character. I'll tell you a story.

There was a satanic woman who had an obsession with having sexual relations with the future Antichrist; she deliberately wanted that; she was a very bad person. A super big name I can't mention. Grammy getter. Because I was still a Christian, I convicted her of her sin in such a way that she began to panic because she realized that fire and brimstone was her lot. She left off quickly to get liquor. While she was trying to drink, we both very strongly felt a deep, dark voice cursing her, insulting her for her panicking. This was a woman in the cabal! She screamed to Satan, "Why are you being mean to me?" in absolute disbelief, with a feeling of betrayal and confusion. To recap, she became convinced of God, panicked, and Satan cursed her for it.

The reason why I'm posting this is that many who do not believe have never interacted with a demon or been exposed to Satan's devices. They think we are in a naturalistic universe with possibly aliens flying around (demons). And this is coming from a guy who had a UFO shown to him as a display.

Maybe I'm making a mistake by sharing this information. Maybe the elite still know me and watch me. But if I can encourage you. If I can warn you. If I can assure you that Christ accepts, loves, and died for you, it's completely worth it. There is so much to talk about. We can talk about the Mark of the Beast, Babylon, and whatever, but coming from someone who got into spiritual Satanic evil, Satan and demons are 100% real.

They are everywhere, working in people who do not know God. Invisible, ugly, and vicious. They only get sorry and sad when you beat them up over their fall, which causes massive regret and sadness in them. But because they're locked in, they get angry really quickly and want that Holy Spirit to either be blocked, quenched, or abrogated. In their eyes, Heaven is a no-go for everyone. And only by the grace of Jesus can we make it into Heaven, as his power by the Holy Spirit can only overcome such great evil.

I need to end this and open a discussion. Have you had evil interactions? Do you still doubt God? If you need encouragement, what about? And for those who have strong, orthodox faith, peace to you!

-Thanks, J

'I don't like hell so it must not be true'. Yeah I don't think anyone likes it, it's the consequence of rejecting God, how can it be pretty!? That's why we are supposed to help people reach Christ so they don't have to suffer such fate, instead of coping that 'oh no, we're all going to Heaven anyway', 'oh don't worry, God is all loving'. Yes, He is indeed all loving, that's we gives us the chance to repent in the first place. These ideas got it all backwards.

How can you be a Christian, go to church every week, see the altar, see Jesus crucified and think that repentance is optional. How can you listen to Jesus and think that everyone will be saved when He literally said that the wide door that leads to destruction is where the vast majority of people enters. The narrow door is narrow for a reason, because people chose not to go through it, most of them prefer what's easy, what pleases them, what feels good. And then they somehow blame God that not everyone is saved when people receive the consequences for their own choices, that's rich, not gonna lie.

Ok so im currently growing in my faith and trying to give my life to god so im a new Christian (idk if i can call myself that or not yet) so idk if this makes sense or not. But basically i just don’t see how someone can see how intricate down to the smallest tiniest details. I mean think about all our animals and trees and people how could that happen from anything but god? Plus if the world really did come from an explosion I feel like it would be much more unstable sorta kinda. Also, the whole evolution thing doesn’t make a ton of sense to me either. I still see tons of Deers and raccoons and possums, etc crossing the road and getting hit by cars. They’ve been doing it for years why haven’t they learned that the road is not safe? Another thing I don’t really understand what non-believers is why they get so mad whenever you talk about the god. It doesn’t make sense as Christians we believe that if you do not come to the Lord and Savior and accept him and believe he died on the cross for your sins you go to hell. So by us trying to tell people about God we are literally trying to do them the biggest favor you can do.

(Ps. Sorry if a lot of my opinions and stuff sound really stupid I haven’t done my research so disclaimer is advised. And like I said, I’m just now trying to start my walk with Jesus and be saved and begin a relationship with him. So I’m very new to all of this. Have a blessed day!)

Hi, for brief context I (22M) grew up in a southern baptist church until about the age of 13 where my family no longer attended frequently outside of major events like Easter and Christmas. Throughout this time my faith weakened until I was borderline agnostic. That is until at the age of 17 I had a life threatening experience from a result of illicit drug use that had been ongoing for a several years. Sparing details of this medical event, doctors later said that if they had found a blockage in my heart even an hour later I likely would have died. (I have no recollection of any of this).

All of this was the clearest message that god has ever given me. (that I needed to clean myself up)
I then began reading my Bible more frequently and attending church, however I was still lukewarm.

That is until about couple of months ago when I was doing some theological studying (primarily on Martin Luther’s Solas) I realized that I still was not following gods will to my fullest extent. I also realized that unless I did that, I would not be able to be a good husband and leader to my wife and future children. From then on I have now decided that enough is enough, and I will no longer simply be a cultural Christian.

Thank you for reading.

26(M) here, does anyone else feel like dating other Christians is harder than dating those who are non Christians? I find Christian women to be incredibly judgmental and quick to drop you over the smallest thing. At least the liberal/non-christian women accept you for your faults and try to push you to be better. Am I the only young guy with this issue?

I've noticed some confusion in discussions about atheism. Particularly when people claim that atheists actually believe in God, there just rebellion or mad.

You simply cannot be an atheist, and believe in God.

* By literal definition: "An atheist is a person who does not believe in the existence of any god, gods, or supreme beings, or who actively believes that no gods exist"

You cannot genuinely believe that God exists and simultaneously lack belief in His existence. Those are contradictory positions.

Hence what makes an atheist, a atheist by definition.

I think it's important that, as Christians, we represent opposing viewpoints accurately, especially when discussing matters of faith.

Don't get me wrong, I know it depends but I often find myself trying to make christian friends and what I see is that people only meet at church, but nowhere else. Maybe I'm the one who doesn't talk but...

Like I have had many non-christian friends before (and I still have) that I have conversations with from time to time, we hang out, among many other things. In contrast, I find fellow christians a bit hard to make friends with, or hang out outside church.

What do you think?

I'm half asleep typing this, I have only just prayed after months of not really being with the Lord.

This is a long one cause I struggle to get my point across sometimes.

I very often find myself thinking about God, despite me semi walking away. I never stopped believing in him, cause I do believe he exists. But I've had this ongoing problem which just caused me to give up. I would like to go back to God but I don't know how I can when I've got this problem.

I am not diagnosed with anything because I can't really get that help needed and I think I am doing somewhat fine, but I have horrible anxiety about every little thing and I have been this way before I even got into religion but I find coming to chfistinaity has made it worse.

I found I couldn't do anything because I would overthink it to the point I would just go numb and start to mentally decline, like when I was really trying to have a relationship with God I was deeply afraid that every little thing I did was wrong.

I like to draw things that are not related to God? Sinful. I like to draw things that are related to God? Sinful. I like to dress up in a different fashion sense than others. Sinful. I have friends who are different? Sinful. You didn't take care of yourself properly the milisecond you started healing because you dealt with a bad mental state for a few years? You're lazy, you are sinning. You have hobbies? Sinful. You're chubby? Thats a sin. Thats gluttony. You want to workout to look better for yourself? Sinful.

Everything I did, no matter it was. It felt sinful, it felt wrong. Even praying.

I find that I cannot keep a stable relationship with God, and its been like 3 years now, because of my problem. I always feel like I'm disgustingly sinful, which yes, i am. We are sinners. But I always felt like I'm going to hell just for things I find some christians do not even think twice about.

And the fact every Christian is different doesn't help either, If i search up if something is a sin, one person will say yes, the other will say no. I can never get an answer that helps me understand, even if I ask God.

I don't think it helps that I haven't really read the bible that much so I will try that. But I'm really lost. I do not like the thoughts that I have, cause what do you mean I think I'm going to die in my sleep and go to hell because I did a short prayer or something meaningless? I don't think that's what I should be thinking.

I remember the first few months or so I was doing well, but then I saw some things on social media, I heard about judgement day and I think that's what kind of set me off this far. But I don't know, I would like a relationship with Christ, but I am afraid of what being in this religion does to me sometimes.

I would like to know that maybe I'm not alone, and any advice would be appreciated.

I(27m) have been dating (31f) for about 3 months. I am not sure if she is the woman I should marry.

I recently got serious about my Christian walk and got baptized 5 months ago. I have been a Christian for a few years.

I am concerned because she told me she was Christian, she has been baptized too, but her approach to repenting from sexual immorality was way different from mine. She also attends church (different one from mine).

When I met her I was seriously trying to not engage in fornication and be submitted to God, but since then we have committed some sexual sins and I have been backsliding in my walk.

The thing is I am remembering back to the person I met when we started dating. She said lust is her biggest temptation (as it is mine) but she was frequently engaging in casual sex and homosexual activities. She had a ton of pornography of herself on her phone of people she was not married to and engaging in 3somes and orgies. The group sex stuff was from a long time ago.

She told me she was open to dating someone who wasn’t Christian, and I was concerned about that. If she truly believes in the Bible and God it says not to date an unbeliever.

I know I should not judge her for her level of spirituality and I should be the one to lead her. I am concerned that our approach to sin is different.

I worry that she is pretending to be Christian for me
and telling me what I want to hear for me to be with her.

The thing is I have a sinful past of sexual immorality so I feel like I shouldn’t judge her for her past, but I have completely changed my approach to sex since becoming Christian. She would tell me things she would do and say she wouldn’t feel guilty about casual sex since after becoming Christian. That is concerning to me. I know it’s not up to me to change her heart.

The thing is we do love each other but I just need some support/guidance. I have been praying about it.

Update: thanks for the harsh truths everyone. I have ended the relationship. Time for serious reflection and learning to not make this mistake again. Time to focus on repentance.

Words cannot begin to describe how exhausted I am. I've been dealing with stomach issues, my whole life, and anxiety.

But there will be periods of months or even a year where it will be worse than normal.. At the end of August, I got a flareup of stomach issues, including bitter taste, nausea, reflux, severe anxiety. And I've been on a bland diet, drink water, trying to support my body, but no matter what I do it just feels like it's not getting much better. My ultrasound and blood work came back normal.

I feel like God has spoken to me through little signs such as seeing a chapter & Bible verse of my long distance boyfriend's anniversary. It was from Job. This is relevant because I'm trying to heal in time to see him, ideally, I want to feel better so we can enjoy food and enjoy the trip. And the verse was having to do with restoration and that my mouth will sing for joy again. there were also little signs that pointed towards hope that this will end.

This might also be a spiritual attack because I'm starting to do better in school, my YouTube channel is doing better in terms of numbers, which I prayed to God for, and I'm getting closer to my bf.

I was in a similar season back in 2023 and I got out of it naturally. Thanks be to God! but some symptoms are different and now there's the pressure of seeing my boyfriend and I know God doesn't always work on the same timelines, but I felt that this was relevant to say.

I can't properly cry anymore, just tears flow out of my eyes because I'm so so exhausted my body is failing and I'm only in my early 20s. Sometimes I just wanna give up and sometimes I tell God to just take me but to make sure my family is OK and it makes me wanna cry saying this, but I just am so drained. Despite this, I'm still trying to emotionally support others.

I know this might sound OCD like, but I'm starting to wonder if God is trying to show me something to not go on the trip because my boyfriend and I have had problems that have stemmed from his insecurities and I've been stressed because of the relationship. It is getting better though, that's what I'll say. That's why I just feel really devastated by what I'm feeling since I miss him and I'm tired of feeling ill

any advice, support, or prayers would be greatly appreciated. God bless you all.

Lately I've been thinking about spiritual warfare and trying to let Scripture shape my understanding more than my fears.

When Paul describes spiritual warfare in Ephesians 6:10-18, the focus isn't on finding hidden demons or breaking curses. Instead, Christians are told to put on the armor of God: truth, righteousness, the gospel, faith, salvation, and the word of God.

James writes, "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7). Peter tells believers to be sober-minded, watchful, and firm in their faith (1 Peter 5:8-9).

I certainly believe evil is real. But when I read the New Testament letters, I see far more emphasis on prayer, faithfulness, endurance, repentance, and trust in Christ than on fear of demonic activity.

One thing I've come to wonder is whether some Christians spend so much time looking for what may be lurking in the shadows that they lose sight of the One walking with them in the light.

"Perfect love casts out fear." (1 John 4:18)

Hi guys, I am taking this here because, I'm not really sure what to do..

I've been learning about the different Christian traditions (Catholicism, Orthodoxy, and Protestantism).

I was ultimately convinced of Catholicism but I realized I was comparing the strongest Catholic arguments to the weakest of Orthodoxy and Protestantism.

After researching strong arguments from all sides, there is genuinely a strong case for each one regarding the Papacy.

Papal infallibility and supremacy weren't clearly articulated in the early Church in the way they were at Vatican I. There was a Roman Primacy for sure, but it doesn't look like Infallibility or Supremacy

Now, I do understand the case for the Papacy, that the Primacy developed into Vatican I, but that's something that we can't really prove, but it also makes sense. The case Protestants and Orthodoxy seems to have is the case that Vatican I's idea of the Papacy wasn't in the early Church therefore the Papacy is false.

I think all cases are strong, and after comparing even the Assumption of Mary for example, the first place the Assumption was ever spoken of was the Book of Mary's Repose. Which was a Gnostic text. Many early church fathers never taught or held to the Assumption up until, the late 4th or 5th centuries. Even Apostolic Succession, there was no third office we call "bishop" in the early church, it was two. It was Bishop/Overseer and Deacons. That was it.

So, it seems the case for Protestantism is strong as well. (I know I haven't listed much evidence for the two claims but the evidence I've seen is compelling. I'm not asking for a refutation or more arguments)

But if the Papacy is true, then it wouldn't be a problem to believe these. There just isn't enough evidence to know if it's true, and there's not enough evidence to show that it's not. It's just endless argumentation.

I'm really stuck in a loop here, all three cases are strong. I prefer Catholicism personally, even though personal preference shouldn't be a deciding factor. I love the idea of Confession, I truly believe the Eucharist is the Body and Blood of Christ.. I love the beauty of the Church, the Rosary. I really do love and prefer the Catholic Church. If I was a Protestant I'd be a Lutheran.

I am quite afraid of choosing incorrectly, I feel something in the back of my mind saying, Orthodoxy is true, but then another thing saying Protestantism is true, and another thing saying Catholicism.

I really don't know what to do. Thank you for reading

I wanted to share a recent event I went through to get some honest opinions on if the experience I dealt with may have been a sign from God. I did not grow up in a religious household so I am very inexperienced with Christianity and communicating with God. I have always considered myself to be agnostic until now. I will try to keep this as short as I can:

A few weeks ago I was away from home and in another state for work. Unfortunately, I experienced a brutal back injury while on the job there. I was by myself when it happened, and in so much pain that I couldn't walk or even stand up for 2 hours. I didn't know what to do, so for one of the first times in my life, I prayed. I prayed to God to give me the strength to overcome the pain and help guide me through recovering from the injury. Eventually, another worker found me and called me an ambulance.

It ended up being a fire department vehicle that picked me up and while they were loading me into their truck on a stretcher, they asked me if I was okay with going to a Presbyterian hospital for treatment. I didn't think much of it at the time, and told them I was fine with that as long as it was the closest emergency room they could get me to. Turns out it was so we went there.

Fast forward a week later, I am back in my home state and I go to a local urgent care to be seen for a follow up to my injury, and get referred to a specialist for real treatment. This urgent care is not associated with the previous hospital I was seen at, and they are not associated with any religion either. I am being seen by the doctor and at the end he goes to leave the room. He suddenly stops and closes the door again. Then he looked me in the face and said "I want to pray for you".

I was caught off guard because it was the last thing I was expecting and I honestly didn't even know that doctors were allowed to do that while seeing their patients. He placed his hand on my back and said a prayer out loud asking Jesus to give me strength during this troubling time in my life and to help guide me to a strong recovery. I was still a little in shock over the fact that he did that, because it was the first time in my life that someone had said a prayer for me that I could recall. I noticed that once he left the room, I instantly felt at peace and gained a sense of comfort, even though I was still dealing with an absolutely tremendous amount of physical pain.

I am still in excruciating pain today as I am now awaiting a surgery I was told is a necessity for me to eliminate the pain and get back to normal. However, I can't stop thinking about that moment the doctor prayed for me. It has been roughly 2 weeks since that prayer was said, and I have since found myself reading the Gospels of the New Testament. I've been spending the majority of my time trying to get to know Jesus, trying to get an understanding of God and the Bible, and also working on understanding the basics of what it means to be a Christian.

Can anyone here relate to this experience, and is it crazy or naive for me to think this whole experience may have been a sign from God? Based on my story, do any of you believe it was?

Thank you to anyone who was able to take the time to read this, and I appreciate any insight here.

I learned to walk on eggshells,
To measure every word I’d say,
To hide my tears and silence my fears,
And hope for a peaceful day.

I lived with a heart full of worry,
Never knowing what might come,
Trying to keep my baby safe,
While feeling like I had nowhere to run.

I carried burdens no one saw,
And pain I struggled to explain.
I wondered how much more I could take,
While silently enduring the pain.

Until one day, I couldn’t do it.
I had no words, no strength to pray.
Just one small cry that left my lips:
“Help.” And Jesus made a way.

He saw the tears I cried in secret,
He knew the fear I held inside.
He heard the prayer I barely whispered,
And He became my strength to leave behind.

He gave me courage when I felt helpless,
He guided me when I couldn’t see,
He helped me find a way to safety,
And reminded me that I was worthy of being free.

I left to protect my precious baby,
To give him peace and let him grow,
To break the cycle of fear and hurting,
And give him a love he’ll always know.

Jesus was there in every moment,
In every tear, in every prayer.
In every step that led me forward,
In every moment I thought no one cared.

He was there when I was frightened,
He was there when I felt alone.
He was there when I found the courage
To finally make my way back home.

My healing journey has just begun,
And some days will still be hard.
But I no longer walk this road alone;
Jesus is with me, guarding my heart.

All I could pray was “Help,”
Yet that small prayer was enough.
Jesus heard me in my darkest hour
And carried me when life became too tough.

I thought I had no way out,
But God was working where I couldn’t see.
And when I was too broken to save myself,
Jesus reached down and rescued me.

Please disregard my username. I’d like to tell you guys a little about me and seek your advice.

Long, story short.. I am a 22 year old young adult, who suffered watching pornography, that eventually turned into sexting with men for fun that turned into me selling nudes for money. I am not proud of it. I actually hate it that I did but now I’d like to turn fully away from it. Truly.

I need a support system, I need a friend and I need someone christ-like to help me. When you have so much things going on in your life and drowning financially, it makes it so easy to turn back to what you know helped you even if it meant sinning for it. I don’t want to sin for it.. I want to learn to trust God again, and build that trust in Him because I know he will provide. So please, if any of you are interested in being my brother or sister in Christ, my chats are opened🩷

My grandson is 22, and has considered himself an atheist for some years now I beleive, apparently long before I knew. He's on the autism spectrum, fairly high functioning( not nonverbal, very intelligent) but not the most social. He's also very liberal, and I have know he wanted to support his friends in the LGBT community and was generally pro-transgender.

He's been growing more distant from me and his father for the past few years. I see him very occaisionally now. Other than thanksgiving and christmas, I believe the last time he saw his father was before he was hospitalized due to depression.

He came out to me last week. He came to my house wearing a pink blouse with a white skirt, and a face covered in makeup. He wants me to use "they/them" for him which is not happening. He said he is willing to keep a relationship if I am, but he won't tolerate me denouncing his identity.

I have been trying to pull him to christ. Sometimes I think I see a curiosity within him. I know he befriended a local preacher, who he describes as a very smart and kind man. He reads the preacher's articles on some sort of blog sharing website. I'm forgetting what it's called. I don't know how tolerant this preacher is of my grandson's gender identity but really, above all else I want him to be pulled to Christ. I want him to join me in Heaven when we've both passed.

I don't want to push him further away by chastizing him. I do fear this as its him going further and further into the secular world. I have seen self-damaging behaviors from him, and I am worried about losing my Grandson, in a time where he needs me and especially the Lord the most. He doesn't have a job. He doesn't have any ambitions. I want to bring him to the Lord but I don't know how. As a Christian, I also don't know how to accept this radical change in him without endorsing it and sinning myself. I don't know what to do as his grandmother.

Through conversations and circumstances over the last few years, God has led me to the realization that I should no longer identify myself with 'reformed' theology. This is quite the paradigm shift for me, because I was raised in, and have attended, reformed churches my entire life.

A brief summary of what I no longer agree with in reformed theology: covenant theology as a whole, the nature of God's sovereignty (control vs authority), the regulative principle of worship, the real presence in the sacraments, sabbath keeping, man's ability to understand Scripture vs being led by the Spirit, the need for confessions and creeds, the need for a strict liturgy, etc.

It also puts me in a sticky spot, as I still hold to the reformed doctrines summarized by the TULIP acronym, and I could never attend a church who didn't also hold to and preach those doctrines.

As far as I'm aware, Christianity as whole is pretty much split on these doctrines. You find TULIP in reformed churches and not anywhere else.

So, given that I'm no longer reformed, I don't know where I fit or what to do. I currently attend a PCA church, but I can no longer in good conscience be a member there. I'm going to meet to discuss this with my pastor, but I hate to drop it in his lap, because I suspect it's not something he's really interested in discussing or is equipped to handle. I should probably just quietly disappear out the back door.

But I don't know where to go, which is a hard thing when I have a wife and children.

Has anyone walked a similar path? Anyone have any advice?

Over these last I would say 2 or 3 years that my life isn't what I thought it was, or what I wanted it to be. My parents, being damaged and mentally ill basically molded my mind and my world to whatever they wanted it to be and I've been slowly realizing it. But even then, it's still surface level for me and I haven't fully accepted or grasped the truth.

This whole year has been me in conflict with them and their lifestyles which leads me to seeing myself for who I really am and the fact that the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree. I despise them for the things they do but I also do a decent amount of the same things and don't feel bad. Almost like my anger towards them is a valid reason to hurt others or do wrong. There's so much confusion within myself and chaos with the things they decide to do and even after rebuke, (in their minds) they're never wrong.

I've been praying for God to free me from my own illnesses and heal me and fix my situations but nothing is changing. I feel like God doesn't care about me and I'm gonna be stuck in this situation forever. I'm not expecting healing overnight with everything. I know childhood trauma may take a lifetime to heal. But the silence drives me further into isolation and anger towards him. What do I do? Is there something I should pray?

"Oh God heal me and I'll tell everyone about you!" Or "Please fix this debt for me and I'll praise you everyday!"

We've heard this many times, we've even said it in our hearts. This is nothing new and it's actually quite disrespectful to Jesus.

When He died and came back, this is what He told Thomas, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed" John 20: 27-29

What He said to Thomas means more than just believing. How about this, "because I answered your prayer, you praise me and tell others about me. Blessed are those who praise me and tell others about me when they haven't received anything yet."

My family and I recently left our church because of unhealthy tendencies within the community (legalism, gossip, and often by outsiders is often called a cult)—I met with one of my family members and they questioned me for a long time because “how could I ever give up everything god has given me within this community?”. They talked about what matters most in life is our relationships—unfortunately what happens typically when you leave this church is you lose those relationships; not out of malice but everyone is so busy within the church and seeing each other all the time that you kind of get forgotten about. They asked why would I want to risk it when I know everyone within this community and how life would be (typically people don’t leave the church because you’ve known everyone for so long, and the hope is that your kids will go to their school and then also stay in the church, get married in the church, and continue the cycle).

I said that this is not where I want to follow god long term and that God is big and faithful, and cares for my children more than I do, so he will provide another fellowship, but also that I would rather trust God than put my security in this community. They told me that God had led me here, to a biblical and rich community already, so why would I give that up?

I’m feeling very sad because yes, it is an extremely rich and loving community and I have made some friendships that are so wonderful and Godly. But I hate the idea that my children are being set up to believe that they won’t have choices in how to live their lives, I really don’t like that if we stay then I genuinely would know how the rest of my life would go.

Looking for encouragement and stories of any similar situations and how you’ve found and maintained strong ongoing Christian friendships.

I figured starting at church/events where fellow believers meet is the best bet.
I’ve attended many YA/young adult groups and events over the past couple years.

I’ve had some instant Christian friend connections where she’s hugging me and asking me to exchange numbers by the end of the worship service, promising to hang out soon, only for me to be ghosted when I try to make plans and told weeks later “I just wasn’t in a good place to be with friends” even though I saw her posting photos hanging out with her friends during that time.

I’ve been intentionally cared and prayed for and hugged at the door and enthusiastically told “text me” only to eventually get ghosted after only one reply back.

Meanwhile, I’ve had multiple agnostic friends initiate daily, detailed conversations, follow up and ask me intentional questions, make plans, actually hang out multiple times, and consistently tell me they like talking to me because it feels safe and “there’s something different about you”

I enjoy my time with my friends so much and then I realize they’re not saved and it hurts my heart for them to not know Jesus 🥺

I wishhhhh I could have Christian friends who communicate, show up, and follow through like my agnostic friends do. I’m trying to not let it discourage me from still searching because I have to believe that good, consistent, loving and caring Christian friendships exist.

I’m wondering if anyone has had a similar experience with having agnostic friends “treat them better” and if when and where you’ve found consistent Christian friendships :)

Thank you

I have been raised catholic, but I am confused about some questions and what the beliefs are. I do not intend to offend anyone with these questions.

1. Does the catholic church hold the same authority as the bible? How? The church is still of man, they may be Christ figures but they are not Christ. To my understanding Peter was the first Pope appointed by Jesus, I do recognize and understand the church as an authority, but isn't saying it has the same as the bible basically saying Peter was equal to Jesus?
2. Is going to church and partaking in the traditions mandatory? If you just need faith, wouldn't anything else be works? Works do not save you. Traditions do not save you. Faith does. Of course church and other traditions are very good, but they are good fruit, not saving. Going to church will not save you, knowing and accepting Christ will.
3. Why can't anyone partake in communion? If the bread represents Christ, why would anyone ever be denied it? If a non-believer takes part in these traditions it may convert them, and isn't that a great thing?
4. Who are the Saints and why pray to them? Jesus says put faith in him alone, so why put faith in any them? Were they sinless in life? We are commanded to not try to communicate with the dead because they will not hear you, but demons will.
5. Is Mary sinless? "For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." Is Mary exempt from sin somehow? If she was not sinless, wouldn't we just be praying to a dead person? Again, dead people can not hear you, but demons can.
6. Why is Mary referred to as Mother of God but Joseph is not referred to as Father of God. They were both his physical parents, why is one worthy but not the other?

Whenever these and other questions are asked it seems as if many Catholics get angry and answer you by talking down to you. I believe this says a lot more than any words can. I hope you understand that I mean no offense with these questions. I'm exploring what denomination I am. Thank you for reading!

These past couple months has been…a lot. I’ve strayed from the Lord for some time..still had desire and prayed for the fire I had when I was a babe in Christ and half of me is in shock in the season I’m going through. He did exactly that.

Husband and I have been going through marital problems with not seeing eye to eye, arguing, feel unheard, recurring issues, and Christ called me back…radically. I’ve been praying for my husband before all this started. Not the way I’m praying and fasting nowadays.

When I tell you the Lord has been putting a mirror in my face these past couple months and is first fixing things within me…the things I so desired in my husband the Lord has been doing in me first. And I won’t get into detail. These past couple months and been an awakening. Changing the way I carry myself, reverence to my husband, denying my flesh!! Man, I can go on and on the way the Lord is transforming and reforming me and it’s been a long time coming as a wife.

When I was strayed I didn’t have the intensity of attacks I have now..literally everyday I’ve been being attacked in my sleep and strong sleep paralysis. Attacks in my mind and strong overthinking. I am under spiritual attack..

When we were going through our regular marital issues, yes I prayed, but I didn’t go into war the way I am now. My husband has recently been back sliding. Lately I haven’t been being heard, I crave that meekness and softness from him. I’ve realized in order to get my husband to treat me the way Christ treats me is to push him towards Christ. Scripture says you can win your husband by the way you conduct yourself. Genuinely sometimes it feels like I’m just giving giving giving and nothing in return. I could be furiously angry and still call to deny and no reverence evil for evil. Not saying I should burn out myself but using discernment.

I’ve surrendered controlling the atmosphere, checking his phone, when I tell you I’ve had lash outs of his recent behaviors, they’ve ceased on my end. I’ve surrendered to the Lord and living my life to honor him despite what I crave from husband. (There is absolutely no cheating, no abuse involved! We both live at peace with one another and there is plenty of love in our marriage!)

Hubby & I got married in the faith. A couple years later he started questioning why things are the way it is. Why did God do this? Why not this? Etc etc. it’s not bad to have questions. But lately it’s been more of a combat in my eyes. And started back sliding claiming he’s not convicted or feel as if certain things are a sin. He doesn’t understand the spiritual world and the influence the enemy has on people.

I’m weary. I’m tired. Truly. All of this is all just a snippet of what’s behind the curtain it’s much more intense than this. I’m constantly in prayer, constantly in the presence of like minded women, constantly watching supportive sermons and peoples testimony, constantly in fasting.

Nothing is to big for the Lord and must keep walking by faith and not by sight, but truly this is a huge mountain I cannot move on my own. I feel as if my husbands heart is hardened towards me with conversations, the church, and God. Nothing I tell him gets past though his head. I’ve been learning more and more to keep silent. It’s hard when I just want him to understand!

I keep the intimate part of what he is back sliding to confidential, but just giving you a general idea.
All this to not boast, but to get true insight from anyone willing to give me advice or encouragement. I really do need it right now. I know it is the Lord’s battle, but I am still a vessel in the war.

my brain is so messed up without taking my ADHD meds. i stopped taking them a year ago because it caused my anxiety to be too severe even though it helped me. my brain is so low on dopamine and it causes me to binge eat, or forget to eat, drink alcohol, over drink caffeine, scrolling etc. i know it may just sound like im lazy and undisciplined but it genuinely feels unbearable going through life most days. i cannot remember ANYTHING and am constantly forgetting things. i cannot give people directions when we are going somewhere because i forget im giving directions every 45 seconds. my mind flip flops between thoughts and i feel like i can never focus or think straight. i cant take stimulants because my body is too sensitive to it and i get palpitations and anxiety chest pains etc. my anxiety is a whole other story. i drive and randomly feel like i cant breathe, i have to take pills for it and my psychiatrist is making me taper off of it for no reason. this all was an issue for me before i was a christian and now my final hope is God will heal me and my neurochemistry to work like a normal brain and that i can have better baseline dopamine levels. i try to work out but then i get anxiety that if i go too hard i’ll have a heart attack. ive been a hypochondriac for like 6 years now since 2020. im only in my 20s and dont wanna keep continuing on this way into the next year of my life. my birthday was yesterday and i woke up and just started crying because i feel like a failure. i relapse on porn a lot recently after. i repented of sexual sin and drinking. im just tired and sad. because i feel like such a mess. anyways thats all i just needed to vent a bit. God bless.

Hello my brothers and sisters in Christ I'm a new Christian having given my life to Christ for about one year now and sadly I struggle with lust. but recently as I've learned to grow closer to him I've started breaking the vicious cycle and having him close to me is one of the best feelings but after a few slip ups these past a few days and having not been in my word and praying half hearted I feel like I've grown distant I prayed tonight but I just feel shame I feel terrible like I'm really not praying I feel like I'm just saying something to say and I KNOW he is there I know from what I've learned what I've experienced but sometimes I lose him in my own mind do you have any advice for a fellow Christian stuck in fog?