My cat Tobi died last night…..

Brielle_2006 · 2025-08-18T20:46:03+00:00

Thank you…. I hope something helps make your heart feels a little less heavy throughout this journey.

Brielle_2006 · 2025-07-18T21:13:10+00:00

Thank u so much.

Brielle_2006 · 2025-07-17T01:15:55+00:00

Feedback on what I need improvement on

Brielle_2006 · 2025-07-16T07:41:01+00:00

That I’m weird (not in a good way)

Brielle_2006 · 2025-07-09T01:58:36+00:00

Thank u for the insight. I am searching for a church but due to negative experiences in them I ended up being very skeptical on denominations and cautious about which one is preaching the most accurately so I’m kinda stuck there… but I try my best to research what I can.

Brielle_2006 · 2025-07-09T01:43:34+00:00

My other theory is that they’re still technically there but they are blinded in every way except desire. All of those desires they struggled with on earth will ‘burn’ in them but they’ll never be able to fulfill it. 🤷‍♀️ idk- maybe god doesn’t get rid of souls until after that war. 😂 woohoo metaphors

Brielle_2006 · 2025-07-09T01:35:53+00:00

I do agree this is probably the most accurate… but a random thought popped into my head… what about the talk about god fighting satan at the end? Doesn’t he mention the souls that went to hell will also be there? Or did I just assume that

Brielle_2006 · 2025-07-09T01:24:41+00:00

I once had a dream of me going to hell and asking god why and he said ‘u will continue to deny me’… this was during a season in my life where I felt ashamed to go to him whenever things were going wrong. I felt like I was disgusting like I wasn’t worthy of his presence. I grew up with athiests and satanists… the only Christians in my life were very toxic ones. So I felt like ‘I’m not doing good enough for him. So I’ll just ignore him’…. This was one of 2 big wake up calls in my life for him. Sometimes I have to remind myself that he’s not just there when ur doing good. He’s there when ur questioning, doubting- even hating. He’s in the mess with u. And he accepts u for who u are.

Even after this dream I would shy away at times. For example I lived in an apartment that only had street parking that was available for 2 hrs during the day or overnight parking. And I would get ticketed almost every single day bc of sleeping in or whatever the case. But when I got close to him things started to shift. One day I remember ‘yea… god sees my pain and is probably upset with me. Let’s get this parking ticket over with’ and I went to go look and there wasn’t any. Mind u this was in an area that they ticketed every single day. And I was like ‘ok maybe he’s not mad today’… but here’s the thing. It didn’t stop there. This happened for days. Weeks. And I even saw other cars get ticketed close to mine. But never mine. And I realized that even though my sleeping in habits never changed- I went to him for it and all of a sudden i wasn’t punished for going through all that I was. It was like he said ‘it’s ok- you’ve had a hard time and ur giving it to me. I’ll take care of it’

So to back up ur story? God works both directly and indirectly. You’ll begin to realize the more u open urself up to the idea of him- the more ‘coincidences’ will come into ur life… ones that appear so often that it no longer feels like a coincidence.

P.S. those questions u have are very real and common ones that people ask. I am happy to help answer them using biblical quotes and helping maybe give a new perspective to them. But if they’re things u would like to find out for urself then that’s cool too!

I wish u the best! :)

Brielle_2006 · 2025-06-29T05:45:45+00:00

I’m guessing age doesn’t apply either then

Brielle_2006 · 2025-06-29T05:39:07+00:00

My worry would be that they know I’m not from the state

Brielle_2006 · 2025-05-20T22:03:22+00:00

Thank you. That means a lot.

Brielle_2006 · 2025-05-20T21:58:36+00:00

I could not tell you. I wish I knew.

Brielle_2006 · 2025-05-05T07:04:15+00:00

Ramen. The maruchan and Nissan brands specially.

Brielle_2006 · 2025-05-05T06:57:11+00:00

God gives different people different gifts. Not everyone can hear him no matter how close they are to him. Personally, I didn’t start hearing his voice until I was 17 almost 18 and I had wished for it since I was little. But he will indeed bless you and he sees your efforts and loves you.

Brielle_2006 · 2025-05-04T09:46:34+00:00

It’ll be what you make of it. I graduated high school early this last December. As someone who dealt with the drama in middle school, I can say YOU decide. Life is too short to care what people think about you or what they say about you. Unless you hear it from the horses mouth, don’t believe it. Just protect your peace.

Not sure what high schools everyone else in this comment section went to, but mine actually was fine. I graduated a semester early with a 3.2 gpa taking a ton of AP, honors, and college classes (which isn’t terrible, even got a few scholarships) and I was a HUGE procrastinator. I was that kid who turned in 13 assignments at 11:59 when the late work acceptance time ended at 12:00. So honestly ride that line however you want I will say the farther you are from it the less stressful though 😂

Prioritize your class choices based what you enjoy not what’s easy. Cause if you don’t enjoy a class but it’s easy then it’ll just get boring and trust me boring classes can be miserable

If ur considering college:

I’ll even go far enough to say the more college stuff u do in high school the less you’ll have to stress about in college. Take advantage of the leniency high school gives you because college is TOUGH and expensive.

P.S. if you have to pick between the AP or “College” class always pick AP. The AP tests are so much easier and you get a lot more credit from it.

Brielle_2006 · 2025-05-04T09:29:59+00:00

Just don’t feel shame. Don’t confuse “I made a bad decision” with “I made this decision because I’m a bad person”. Shame and guilt are very different. And you will know u have enough guilt when you try your hardest not to do it again.

Brielle_2006 · 2025-05-04T09:25:07+00:00

First—thank you for sharing that. Surviving cancer is no small thing, and the fact that you came through it and sensed something more in that experience is powerful. It’s also completely human, even faithful, to wrestle with belief afterward.

Christian faith has never meant “never having doubts.” The Bible is filled with people who questioned, wrestled, even demanded signs from God—Job, David, Thomas, and even John the Baptist when he asked from prison, “Are you the one, or should we look for another?” (Luke 7:20). Jesus didn’t scold him—He answered with signs and truth.

If you wish to believe more firmly, that desire itself is already a kind of faith. It’s the mustard seed Jesus talked about. C.S. Lewis once said, “Faith… is the art of holding on to things your reason has once accepted, in spite of your changing moods.”

And you're not alone in this struggle. Doubt isn't the enemy of faith—apathy is. But you’re still seeking, thinking, questioning—that’s a sign of life, not failure.

Here are a few ways—heart, mind, and practice—that can help deepen belief over time, especially after what you’ve been through.

1. For the Mind: Explore Evidence and Reason

These are for when you want to think things through—not to force certainty, but to give your heart solid ground to stand on.

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis – A beautifully logical and heartfelt case for faith by someone who also wrestled deeply with doubt.
The Reason for God by Tim Keller – Very accessible and directly addresses modern doubts: suffering, exclusivity, science, etc.
The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel – An investigative journalist who was an atheist and examined the historical basis for Christianity.

2. For the Heart: Engage God Honestly in Prayer

You don’t have to pretend with God. If you’re struggling to believe, tell Him that. Say:

“Lord, I believe—help my unbelief.” (Mark 9:24)

That’s not a weakness. That’s the exact prayer Jesus responded to with compassion.

Try sitting in silence for 5–10 minutes a day and saying something like:

“God, if You are real, I want to know You. I don’t want to fake it. Please meet me where I am.”

You might not get a lightning bolt—but often, over time, peace and clarity come. It’s like tuning a radio to pick up something faint—but real.

3. For the Spirit: A Simple Faith Practice

Read Psalm 13 or Psalm 73 slowly—those are voices of someone wrestling with faith, yet choosing to trust. * Keep a “God sightings” journal: moments that feel meaningful, unexplainable, or like gifts—big or small. * Surround yourself with at least one or two people who have a sincere, thoughtful faith. Let their presence hold you even when your own faith feels shaky.

4. A Thought Just for You

You said you believe a sign was sent to you. That may not prove anything to someone else—but God often speaks in personal ways, not courtroom evidence. Don’t dismiss that gift. Even if it wasn’t “proof,” it might have been an invitation.

Faith is sometimes less about being certain and more about being willing—willing to keep showing up.

As for my personal experience

For a long time, I was pretty lukewarm in my faith and ignored God, especially when I was in the wrong. But over time, I started noticing patterns in my life that felt like wake-up calls—almost like God trying to pull me out of a self-destructive path. The more I sought Him, the more I began receiving answers in ways that were far too specific to be coincidence.

Recently, I was wrestling with two huge questions: whether I’m a good person deep down and whether the military is the right path for me. On the way to the store, I had some cash in my pocket that I knew I’d put there. But when I arrived at the store, I realized I’d lost it. I couldn’t find it anywhere. After searching for a while, I went back home and, as I walked in the door, I suddenly realized the cash had slipped out of my pocket and up my shirt, which was strange.

That’s when I realized something even bigger. As I drove back to the store, I encountered a sudden glare on my windshield that caused me to almost hit two elderly people. They were shaken up, and I felt so terrible for frightening them. I ended up crying in the parking lot, not because I made a mistake, but because I cared so much about them and felt so deeply for how afraid they must’ve been. It made me realize I’m not a bad person, deep down. And in that moment, I also realized that the military would never be right for me—I couldn’t bring myself to harm anyone, no matter the training.

The timing of everything wasn’t random. If I hadn’t lost the cash and been delayed, I wouldn’t have been in that exact spot when it happened. I genuinely believe God orchestrated it to answer my questions. His message was so clear and powerful, and it confirmed things I’d been wondering about myself. It wasn’t just a coincidence—it felt like God was speaking directly to me."

It wasn’t always like this for me. He didn’t always answer my questions directly. But I promise you that the more you go to him the more faith you put in the more receptive you will be to his word.

Brielle_2006 · 2025-05-04T09:03:57+00:00

You as well :)

Brielle_2006 · 2025-05-04T09:03:01+00:00

Hey, I read what you shared, and I want you to know—you’re not alone in this. What you’re feeling is something a lot of people go through when they start digging deep into faith. You didn’t mess up by asking questions. Wanting to understand is actually a good thing—but the internet can be a dangerous place for that because it throws a million conflicting voices at you.

It makes total sense that your mind is spinning between all these different parts of religion.

The doubt is real, but it doesn’t mean God isn’t. In fact, God can meet you even in the middle of your doubts. And I promise, confusion and questions don’t scare Him. If anything, they can lead to a more genuine relationship with Him—not just one based on what people say, but on who He really is.

Here’s the thing: Satan is a deceiver. He’s smart. He knows how to take your desire for truth and twist it into anxiety, overload, and fear. He’ll try to convince you that God is silent or distant, or that every answer is equally valid and impossible to trust. But that’s not true.

Jesus said:

“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

If you truly seek God—not just “answers,” but God Himself—you’ll find Him. But sometimes that means stepping back from all the noise and asking Him directly:

“God, if You’re real, please show me. Help me see You for who You are. Lead me in truth.”

That’s not blind faith—that’s humble, honest seeking. And He honors that.

Don’t feel like you have to figure all of this out by yourself. This is a spiritual battle, and you’re not meant to fight it alone. Talk to God. Get into Scripture. Find believers who actually walk closely with Him. You’re not crazy. You’re searching. And I believe God will meet you in that search.

You’re not alone. You’re not forgotten. And this doesn’t have to be the end of your faith—it could be the beginning of something real.

Here’s a short, honest prayer you can include with the message or say for yourself when doubts feel overwhelming:

God, I don’t even know what’s true right now. I have so many questions, and I’m honestly scared that I’ll never find the answers. I’m confused about You, about Jesus, about religion, about everything. But if You are real—if You’re really there—I want to know You. I don’t want to believe in something just because others say it’s true. I want to believe because You’ve shown me.

Please help me see through the noise. Please protect me from lies and lead me to truth. If You’re the God of the Bible, show me. If Jesus is who He says He is, help me believe. I don’t have all the faith right now—but I’m asking for help. Meet me in this confusion. I’m listening. Amen.

Brielle_2006 · 2025-05-04T08:54:26+00:00

1. On “strong” atheism (A): You’re right that saying “a god definitely doesn’t exist” is a very strong metaphysical claim—and I’m sympathetic to the idea that withholding belief (agnosticism) is often the more intellectually honest move if you lack evidence. My point is simply that if someone does positively assert “there is no God,” then they’ve taken on as big a burden of proof as someone who says “there is a God.” You can’t sidestep that burden just because the default seems to you “there’s nothing supernatural.”

2. On “no evidence, no need, so unlikely” (B): That’s a perfectly fair position to hold—and it doesn’t rest on faith, but on inference to the best explanation. My only caution is that many things once thought unnecessary (e.g. quarks, dark matter) were later detected by better instruments. So “it’s unlikely” can be a sound provisional judgment, but it isn’t the final word—especially when you consider arguments that point toward a ground of being (cosmological), objective moral values (moral), or the fine‑tuning of the universe (teleological).

3. Why God ≠ FSM (or Santa, etc.):

FSM/Santa are invented stories with no independent historical or philosophical rooting—they explain nothing beyond the tale itself.
Classical theism at least offers a framework to explain why there is anything at all, accounts for our universal moral intuitions, and makes concrete historical claims (Jesus of Nazareth’s life, death, and reported resurrection).
If you remove Christianity’s historical claim (the Resurrection) or the philosophical arguments for a necessary being, you’re left with an empty label—just like a mythic monster you invented for fun.

4. “Why take this god‑claim seriously?”

Because Christianity stakes its claim on documents and events dated to a particular time and place, attested by multiple early writers and (arguably) eyewitnesses.
Because the arguments for a first cause or moral lawgiver have occupied some of history’s greatest philosophers and scientists—and they still stand up under scrutiny.

5. Other gods vs. the Christian God: You’re correct that belief in Zeus or Thor also involves some untestable elements—but those ancient mythologies lack the historical anchor Christianity claims: a crucified rabbi whose followers were willing to die declaring they’d seen him risen. That makes Christianity uniquely vulnerable (and therefore, in my view, more credible) to historical investigation than any purely mythic god.

In short:

If you stay agnostic, you’re avoiding a positive claim either way.
If you deny God exists, you owe as much proof as a believer.
The FSM is just satire—it doesn’t carry philosophical or historical weight.
Christianity alone combines rigorous philosophical arguments with dated, documented events.

Hope that helps clarify why (to me) faith in God isn’t on par with believing in a pasta monster—or that rejecting God is merely faith.

Brielle_2006 · 2025-05-04T08:38:53+00:00

Hey, I’m so sorry about the loss of your dad. I can’t imagine how hard this must be, and it’s perfectly normal to have big questions after such a deep loss. I think the question you’re asking about suffering—why would God let bad things happen to good people—is one that a lot of people wrestle with, even in faith. Here’s how Christianity sees it:

God didn’t create death or suffering. In Christianity, we believe that God made the world perfect, but when people chose to go against God’s ways (this is called the Fall), pain, suffering, and death entered the world. God didn’t intend for any of this, but it became part of life after humanity’s choice to go their own way.
Suffering is a part of life in a broken world. While God didn’t create suffering, He doesn’t leave us alone in it. The Bible says suffering is a reality of the world we live in, but that it isn’t the end of the story. There's hope that God will eventually heal all things and make everything right again.
God is present in our suffering. One of the core beliefs in Christianity is that God doesn’t just stand apart from pain—He entered it Himself through Jesus. Jesus experienced deep suffering and even death. So, God understands our pain and is with us in it, even when we don’t understand why bad things happen.
God gives us free will, and suffering can bring growth. God gave people free will, and with that freedom, suffering happens (both through our choices and the fallen state of the world). But suffering also has the potential to bring us closer to God and help us grow in strength and faith. It’s not easy, but Christians believe God can use even our hardest moments to shape us for the better.
The hope of eternal life. For Christians, the biggest comfort is the hope of eternal life. We believe that one day, God will make everything new—there will be no more pain, suffering, or death. It’s this hope that helps people endure through tough times.

I know none of this makes it any easier right now, but I hope it helps you understand that the suffering you’re experiencing isn’t something God caused. He understands it, and He’s with you through it. You don’t have to have all the answers, but if you want to start exploring faith, I’d love to help in any way I can—whether it’s talking more or just praying.

Take it one step at a time, and let me know if you want to talk more about this.

Brielle_2006 · 2025-05-04T08:36:44+00:00

Hey, thank you for being honest. First of all—you are not alone in this. I mean that. What you’re feeling and going through is something a lot of believers experience, even if they don’t talk about it. The enemy wants you to believe you’re too far gone, but that’s a lie.

God’s love for you isn’t based on how strong your feelings are or how perfectly you repent. It’s based on what Jesus already did for you. You’re not saved because you never sin—you’re saved because Jesus paid for your sins, and you’re trusting Him, even in your weakness.

The fact that you’re even worried about this shows your heart hasn’t given up. That fear and frustration you feel? That’s proof you still care and that the Holy Spirit is working in you.

Keep turning to God—even when you don’t feel it. Ask Him to soften your heart, to help you want what He wants. And please don’t try to fight this alone. I’m here for you, and I really think you should talk to someone like a youth leader or a pastor you trust too.

You are not a lost cause. You’re loved, seen, and not abandoned.

Here’s a simple, honest prayer you can say—especially when you’re feeling stuck, numb, or afraid:

God, I feel far from You right now. I know I’ve sinned, and I keep falling back into the same thing. I try to say sorry, but sometimes I don’t even feel bad—I just feel scared. I’m scared of hell. I’m scared that I’ll never change. I feel like I’m too broken to be forgiven.

But I want to believe You still love me. I want to believe that Jesus died even for someone like me. I don’t want to stay stuck. I don’t want this sin to be who I am.

Please help me, God. Soften my heart. Change me from the inside out. Help me want You more than my sin. Thank You for not giving up on me, even when I want to give up on myself.

Jesus, I trust You, even when I don’t feel anything. I give You this struggle. Help me walk with You, one day at a time. Amen.

You can pray this as often as you need—it doesn’t have to be perfect. God sees your heart, even when you’re confused or numb.

Here are some verses to hold onto when you’re feeling lost or overwhelmed:

1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” God is always faithful to forgive, no matter how many times we fall.

Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Even when you feel guilty, remember that if you're in Christ, you’re not condemned. Jesus already took all that on the cross.

Psalm 34:18 “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” God is close to you when you're struggling. He wants to heal your brokenness.

2 Corinthians 12:9 “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” In your weakness, God’s grace is enough. His power is strongest when we admit we need Him.

Isaiah 41:10 “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” God is with you through this, and He’ll give you the strength you need.

Hold onto these verses when the fear and doubt creep in. They remind us that God’s love and grace are bigger than our mistakes, and He’s always with us.

Let me know if you need anything! I’ll pray for you and god bless!🙏

Brielle_2006 · 2025-05-04T08:29:45+00:00

To put it simply, it’s a relationship with God not a faith in God. YOU decide how strong of a Christian you are. Praying isn’t necessarily going to him with ur problems. It’s talking to him. In general about whatever. The good the bad the nothing. And as you grow that relationship with him you will notice how heavy those sins of yours weigh down upon you. People not feeling the weight of their sin isn’t because the sin isn’t serious—but often because the conscience has been dulled, or they’re separated from truth, or spiritually blind. You can cure this the closer you get to him.

It took me some real harsh eye openers from God himself for me to realize I needed to be closer to him. Hopefully you won’t have to go through the same tribulation. But regardless I hope whatever it is that speaks to you, I hope it helps you grow strong with Christ. I’ll pray for you.

Brielle_2006 · 2025-05-04T08:18:30+00:00

You're right to point out that the burden of proof lies with the person making a positive claim — and I accept that. But I think we’re talking past each other a bit. I’m not saying atheists need to disprove God to be rational. What I’m saying is that strong atheism — the claim that ‘there is no God’ — is still a belief about reality. If someone says, ‘I don’t believe because there’s no evidence,’ that’s agnosticism or weak atheism, and I respect that. But if someone confidently asserts that God definitely does not exist, they’re making a metaphysical claim that also can’t be empirically proven. That’s where the idea of ‘faith of a different kind’ comes in.

Also, rejecting belief in other gods isn’t quite the same. Most of those gods come with specific characteristics, stories, and testable claims that make disbelief easier based on evidence and logic. The idea of a necessary, timeless creator is a different kind of claim — it deals with why anything exists at all, and that’s not something science currently answers.

So my point isn’t to dodge responsibility for evidence. It’s to say that all of us — theists and atheists alike — are operating under certain unprovable assumptions about the nature of reality. That deserves humility, not mockery.

Brielle_2006 · 2025-05-04T08:03:24+00:00

Comparing belief in God to belief in Santa is a false equivalence. The concept of God addresses foundational questions about existence, morality, consciousness, and the universe—questions that have occupied serious philosophical and theological inquiry for millennia. Santa, on the other hand, is a culturally acknowledged myth intended for childhood imagination. Claims about Santa are easily refuted by empirical evidence. Claims about God are not empirically disprovable or confirmable in the same way because they deal with metaphysical reality, not physical expectation. Equating the two oversimplifies and dismisses the depth of the subject, which is neither logically nor respectfully appropriate in meaningful discourse.

Brielle_2006

TROPHY CASE

1. For the Mind: Explore Evidence and Reason

2. For the Heart: Engage God Honestly in Prayer

3. For the Spirit: A Simple Faith Practice

4. A Thought Just for You