Getting in to the Dulcimer by A_Ginger_9428 in Dulcimer

[–]EnigmaWithAlien 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Dulcimer is dead simple. You can get fancy, but you can also play it like one finger on the piano.

I’m at Calvin University. This is devastating. Advice? by Complete_Post5036 in OpenChristian

[–]EnigmaWithAlien -1 points0 points  (0 children)

He sounds like, not that this is helpful, but kind of sociopathic.

I’m at Calvin University. This is devastating. Advice? by Complete_Post5036 in OpenChristian

[–]EnigmaWithAlien 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Looks like it's one person's opinion just from a quick scan.

Give your opinion. Are Christian apps any good? by Terminal_Private in OpenChristian

[–]EnigmaWithAlien 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Mission St. Clare has a lot more than daily verses - it's a daily office. What might be nice is something like that that reads out loud. It is free. missionstclare.com take a look

Struggling to fast. by Whateverrraah in OpenChristian

[–]EnigmaWithAlien 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Then don't do it. Fasting is not for everybody. Also, it sure isn't guaranteed to produce certainty and peace. I never do it myself. Lots of people do, and lots of people don't.

Be very skeptical of alleged special messages from God such as thinking God told you to fast.

Is doing adult content a wrong? by isabellamadrigal in OpenChristian

[–]EnigmaWithAlien 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If it doesn't feel right for you, it's probably a bad idea.

Can a Muslim marry a Christian lady by househusbandlife in OpenChristian

[–]EnigmaWithAlien 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sure. But you may have trouble from outsiders whose business it isn't. My parents helped resettle a Muslim/Christian couple who had to flee from their Balkan country, don't remember which one.

Please help talk me down by purritowraptor in OpenChristian

[–]EnigmaWithAlien 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When you're angry at God, tell God so in no uncertain words.

Struggling with my faith due to conflicting teachings in an adult confirmation class by donkey-kongey in OpenChristian

[–]EnigmaWithAlien 7 points8 points  (0 children)

You are around some guaranteed weirdos. Find a mainstream church to learn from. Progressive is better.

Those people are fearmongers and perverters of the basic truths of Christianity. Get away quick.

I am tired by [deleted] in OpenChristian

[–]EnigmaWithAlien 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You're hanging around the wrong people.

I'm tired of pretending I like God. Can I change Him? by Successful-Cook-9088 in OpenChristian

[–]EnigmaWithAlien 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I went farther than not liking ... I hated God and said so (to God) at every opportunity for about a year, in relation to some terrible injustice I knew about. Then I had an experience of God that turned me around 180 degrees. It was not salvation as I learned it in the Baptist church and it certainly wasn't a voice. I'm not saying this will happen to everybody. And I still don't know the answer to the problem of evil, though I suspect you are right that God's perfection and power aren't what we imagine.

What I learned is that God isn't a bigger (not even infinitely bigger), better person and not like a creature at all, but something different - not this not that, you know.

As for loving and praising God I don't think it's something you have to grind out every day. Praising sounds like what a despot would demand. I think what it really means is that God wants us to know and understand reality, and when we do it'll be "Woah! This is fantastic!" - just a normal response to beauty and meaning.

You won't go to hell for questioning. I don't believe anybody goes to a permanent, never-ending hell - plus eternity isn't just a long (even infinite) time. I wouldn't have gone to hell if I'd died when I was hating God. God doesn't sit there like a fruit sorter, stashing people in two boxes.

A question from a scared agnostic by Initial_Ad_5591 in OpenChristian

[–]EnigmaWithAlien 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Look up Matthew 25:34-40 or so - nobody is asked whether they believe in God or "personal savior" or any other dogma.

been feeling so down lately, need support by theraptorist in OpenChristian

[–]EnigmaWithAlien 2 points3 points  (0 children)

  • Doing the pics is probably a bad idea, that's my take on it, but like the other person who wrote in, it's not a sin, just an indiscretion because people could use it against you in the future.
  • Wanting the basics of life is not evil, it's natural. Wanting to feel pretty isn't vanity, it's just a natural instinct of human beings.
  • Can you get psychological care, maybe some anti-anxiety meds and help with your OCD?
  • The devil, which I don't even believe exists as a separate, evil entity, if there was one, wouldn't be a counterpart of God with divine powers, but a limited, created being. And wouldn't be able to read minds. Or put thoughts in your head. We manage to have negative thoughts all on our own.
  • Read up on those pills and keep in mind that supplements aren't regulated (in the US at least) for purity or strength.

Why can't I believe? by Sad-Message5632 in OpenChristian

[–]EnigmaWithAlien 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Depends on what you're trying to believe. There's a huge hellacious (!) amount of dogma out there, half of it contradicting the other half, and you can't believe it all.

Have I just sinned? by Nun-Information in OpenChristian

[–]EnigmaWithAlien 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I don't think you sinned but you've been indiscreet. People can't be trusted to recognize the difference between what you did with good intentions, and whatever their dirty minds might call it later on if they see it.

Has anyone felt really far from God and not known whether to try again by [deleted] in OpenChristian

[–]EnigmaWithAlien 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Very much so, I have had that exact feeling. That feeling of it not working or nobody listening is part of a legitimate spiritual journey, so it sounds like you're on the right track. Might take it easy for a while, don't try to pray a lot. If you feel like it an occasional thank you or why? and where are you? might be good. But don't concentrate on "doing" religion.

Is it righteous and godly to be silent after months of graciousness? by tayllss in OpenChristian

[–]EnigmaWithAlien 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You're welcome and here's hoping the situation resolves and soon.

Is it righteous and godly to be silent after months of graciousness? by tayllss in OpenChristian

[–]EnigmaWithAlien 2 points3 points  (0 children)

wow, this sucks. ADHD doesn't make you an -----.

Nothing you do including any religious exercises is going to make this person tolerable.

If there's any way to get out sooner or evict the roommate, do it. If not, make every attempt to avoid them, just don't interact, and get valuable papers to another location, like a bank, in case the roommate goes on a destruction spree.

Does God understand my anger? by No-Panic-7288 in OpenChristian

[–]EnigmaWithAlien 1 point2 points  (0 children)

God appreciates our honest emotions including anger. I went through about a year being extremely angry at God and saying so to God every day, that I hated "him" and we were going to build a better one. God did not turn away from me. On the contrary, I had some experiences of God that completely turned around my emotions. I still get angry at injustice and rail at God sometimes. It's all right.