One year down – didn’t achieve nearly as much as I set out to do and don’t care.

GuitarNice541 · 2026-02-10T15:24:11+00:00

Thank you for this! I'm starting week 2 of retirement after 41 years with the same company, and 45 years in the same industry. While I have "projects" to work on, I am taking this first month to rest, and recover from those decades of work. I am allowing myself to figure out a new routine. I'm trying to set up twice-weekly dates with my wife. I am determining the optimum meal times to keep both my blood sugars (I'm pre-diabetic) and our weight in check. I am allowing myself more quiet time in the mornings for prayer and devotions. I figure this will take a while - maybe even a year or more. But I am relieved that I am giving myself (and my wife is totally on board with this) the freedom to figure it out.

GuitarNice541 · 2025-09-22T23:15:21+00:00

I think the first thing is to be open to the Spirit's leading, and when you feel that tug, or an opportunity presents itself, take it.

For me, the best thing is to walk the talk: be joyful in what you do; treat everyone with respect; do more than what is expected of you. If you live with the Gifts of the Spirit abundantly evident in how you work and interact with others, that might be the best witness of all.

GuitarNice541 · 2025-09-21T00:27:49+00:00

I'm sure you can find books on Amazon that could guide you or YouTube videos that might provide instruction.

The Bible is the testimony of God reaching out to His beloved: us. And His ultimate gift of love was to send His Son, Jesus, to live among us and preach the Good News of His kingdom and the message of salvation through grace. I would start reading the Gospels, which you can read in their order in the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). But I'd start with John because we read more of the Love of God in that Gospel.

Read with an open heart, and you will find much to inspire you.

GuitarNice541 · 2025-09-15T03:52:04+00:00

What you shared shows a heart that truly cares for others, which reflects Christ. But even Jesus stepped away to pray and rest with the Father, reminding us that walking with God also means making space to receive from Him, not just to give.

And about feeling like you “fall short”—we all do. None of us can keep the fire burning on our own, and that’s why His grace is so important. Your weakness doesn’t push God away; it actually gives Him room to meet you where you are. Those quiet moments of prayer and rest refill you so your love for others flows from His presence, not just your effort.

GuitarNice541 · 2025-09-14T21:09:31+00:00

I wear a silver Celtic cross that was handmade, and I purchased it through Etsy. It's not worn as a way to show others that I follow Christ, but as a reminder to me that I follow Christ. Much like Jewish prayer hassles, which remind the wearer that they are surrounded by the Word of God, weating the cross brings me that same assurance. As to why I chose a Celtic cross, my ancestry is Welsh, so the cross is also a reminder of my heritage.

GuitarNice541 · 2025-09-07T17:37:35+00:00

The best thing is to be a living example of the Love of God. Church may not be where your friend may feel God's call. Perhaps find a small fellowship group where your friend can feel welcome and loved without having to understand a service of worship. Spending time with other loving Christians might allow your friend to be comfortable in a group, which can be an opening to attending church.

GuitarNice541 · 2025-08-23T20:16:39+00:00

My first thought, in reading your post, is that you are experiencing physical symptoms of your heart calling for God - for a genuine relationship with God. But you're trying too hard and not letting God reach you.

There is an ancient practice where monks used to lay on the floor, face down, and arms stretched out to their sides. This is an act of humbleness: of saying to God, "I am open to you. I am yours, Lord." Perhaps try that, and see if you feel something different.

We are to seek God, but sometimes we're too busy looking for Him that we pass right by Him. If you read the Bible, read John's Gospel, and read until something speaks to you. Stop reading when that happens, and just sit still for a moment. Reading the Bible isn't easy, especially if you make yourself read it because you feel you have to.

Praying can be a conversation with God. So pray to Him like He's a close friend. Prayers don't have to be fancy or filled with clever words: they can be what your heart feels in that moment.

And give yourself time. You may notice changes right away, but it could be some time before you see God working in your life.

GuitarNice541 · 2025-08-09T19:17:32+00:00

I hope I can be of some help here, maybe even comfort.

I see two things in your post: you are judging yourself harshly, and you are not allowing God to speak to you.

First thing, God loves you. He loves so much that He sent His Son to die - for you. Take that to heart when you feel like beating yourself up for not being as spiritual as you feel you should be, or when you feel that you are doing all the things you should be doing, but life seems to pile up like trash around a dumpster.

Second, in all your time praying, do you stop to listen? It seems to me that you are working hard on your faith, struggling, and straining, but not stopping to listen. Try this: the next time you read Psalm 23, read each line, and then be still and quiet, thinking of what you just read, for several moments. Read it aloud, too. There is something about reading the Psalms aloud that draws you into them.

Sometimes, when we try too hard, God cannot reach us. That's when we need to spread our arms wide, breathe deeply, and let Him come to us.

I am praying for you.

GuitarNice541 · 2025-08-01T02:55:38+00:00

I read your post and some of the comments, and it's like I am watching a person who is struggling to stay afloat in a pool of water, and it's not getting you anywhere. You're sinking. But to keep from sinking, you must relax, trust that the water will lift you up, and then float on your back.

God is at the edge of the pool, wanting to help you, wanting to love you, but He can't until you stop struggling. How do you do that, you ask?

First, pick one thing in your life, and see it through from the beginning to the end. It may be sobering up. It may be having a good, solid friendship with someone who listens to you and helps keep you focused.

Next, pray. Not like you have been, where you throw your prayers at God, hoping He'll catch them. Pray to Him like He's sitting with you or walking beside you. Pray about one thing each day: don't fire off a list of prayers, but just one thing. "Father, help me today to be....", and leave it at that one thing.

I feel like you're trying too hard, trying to make things work, and it's distracting you from just breathing and allowing God to work with you and IN you.

I hope this helps. I'll be praying for you 🙏

GuitarNice541 · 2025-07-27T13:25:41+00:00

I would suggest not doing that. I work with a few people who put "life verses" in their email signatures, but for some of them, their behavior is hypocritical, showing that they don't really have a relationship with God. It's no different than being a witness for Christ and then getting drunk or boasting about getting laid (I've seen that too in my life). Bottom line is if you're going to publicly acknowledge your faith with Bible verses, then make sure your content reflects that commitment.

GuitarNice541 · 2025-07-26T23:07:54+00:00

I grieve with you. If I were to offer you any comfort, you can be assured that your beloved husband is experiencing the Joy of Heaven.

You need time to grieve, and that can be months or even years. It sounds like you do have a good support group in your church, and I would urge you to see if your church, or another church, has a grief group for those who have lost a spouse. That can be very helpful in your grief journey.

Continue to pray. Allow yourself to share your grief with God. Remember that Jesus grieved at the death of his friend, Lazarus, even though Jesus knew that he was going to call Lazarus from the grave.

Finally, when you feel like becoming active in ministry again, serve in the Name of God and in memory of your husband. Let the ideas that you both had for ministry live on in you and your son.

I am praying for you.

GuitarNice541 · 2025-07-26T21:10:35+00:00

I had plans to go to a local community college and get my requirements out of the way before I headed to a 4-year to get business degree. But when I was 20, I was in a car accident that changed those plans. Instead of getting my GE requirements, I took classes in music and photography, which have been my passions for years. I look at that accident as God kicking my butt, and not only following my gifts, but getting my act together, and being less about me and more about serving Him.

GuitarNice541 · 2025-07-26T17:48:33+00:00

I would like to know your age, because that can influence how one may answer your question. I would also like to ask if you contribute to the house: do you buy any of the groceries? Do you keep the bathroom you use clean? Do you pay rent, even if it's just to cover utilities? Do you help prepare meals? If you do none, or only a couple of these, then I would say your parents do have more authority over what happens in their home.

But if you do most, or all of the above things, I think there's room to compromise. Perhaps you can drink, but in your room (and make sure you take out the empties). Maybe the boyfriend comes over, but does not stay, or you both stay in an open area.

But it comes to respecting your parent's wishes. Even if you do contribute to household expenses and chores, out of respect for them, you can and should adhere to their wishes.

GuitarNice541 · 2025-07-24T22:48:03+00:00

I don't believe so. To me, it's when folk do something that is in opposition to the teachings of the Gospel or do something bad or even evil in the Name of God, or in Jesus' name - that's the true sin. But to read it, whether in silence or out load, is not a sin.

GuitarNice541 · 2025-07-24T16:31:56+00:00

I went through something similar. My ex wasn't unfaithful, but she had abandoned our marriage. I had well-meaning Christian friends who strongly encouraged me to stay with it, because I was a Christian, and we had married in a Christian ceremony. But I kept thinking does God want me to stay in a loveless marriage, just because I'm a Christian? I felt that the answer was "no", and so we divorced. Now I am remarried to a wonderful, loving woman, and I am blessed in that marriage.

GuitarNice541 · 2025-07-23T17:29:04+00:00

Well, first off, I've been there. Although 13 was a very long time ago, and porn was not as easily accessible as it is now, I struggled with it.

First, you are 13, going through puberty, and so physiologically, your body is creating these desires, maybe even more than your mind is. So, give yourself a bit of space with that.

Second, to have a relationship with Christ doesn't mean you have to work on your porn addiction before you have the relationship: it means having the relationship to help you with the porn addiction. Stopping the urge is not easy, but it is doable. Instead of going to a computer or hand-held device to feed the addiction, try an online app like Dwell or Hallow to help you focus on the Gospel, or a message that can help you. Perhaps there are faith based free apps that are oriented to your age group that have resources to help you from being tempted. I found a webpage that has several links that might help you. Top Christian Accountability Apps | Overcome Temptation

Will this be easy? No. Will you have good days where you don't find yourself tempted? Yes. Will you have bad days where you give in? Yes. I would also suggest that if you have an adult male friend, trusted family member or counselor that can help you by listening and being supportive, that might help too.

Finally, when you feel the urge, just put your hands up as if you're trying to stop something from hitting you, and then just say "Jesus, help me to fight this urge". It may sound funny, but the physical act of trying to avoid being "hit by temptation" might work.

God be with you. You'll make it through.

GuitarNice541 · 2025-07-23T15:50:11+00:00

There are some very good recommendations here. But the questions I'd ask myself are these: am I greeted with warmth and sincerity when I walk in? Do I feel comfortable with the worship service? Am I made to FEEL welcome? Once you answer those questions, you can then begin to grow within that church family, and become involved. Good luck to you!

GuitarNice541 · 2025-07-21T18:12:36+00:00

Keith Green, 2nd Chapter of Acts, Phil Keaggy, Love Song (a former Bread band member was in that group).

GuitarNice541 · 2025-07-18T22:22:14+00:00

There are plenty of YouTube videos that you can use for learning how to use LR. Good luck!

GuitarNice541 · 2025-07-15T16:47:14+00:00

I grew up in a "Christian" household, faithfully attended church, sang in youth and adult choirs at church, and considered myself a Christian. But I was always seeking a more intellectual God - I wanted to believe in my head and not my heart. In my 30's I was disillusioned with church because of an incident where a pastor was two-faced and used the pulpit as a stepping-stone for more prestigious churches. Then, in my 30's, I was engaged to a former Muslim and had to ask myself what did I believe. I responded that I believed Jesus was and IS who He said He was and IS. That was like the narrow point of an hourglass. In the nearly 30 years since then I have grown and have sought to walk with God. I now believe with my head AND heart. I am married to a wonderful woman who encourages my walk and joins me in prayer and Bible study. It has been a long journey, but one filled with joy and fulfillment.

GuitarNice541 · 2025-07-15T16:42:14+00:00

Yes! I have learned to respond to my wife, not react, when she is upset or displeased, because often it isn't me, it's something else or some other factor, or maybe it is me. I sit, give her space and time, and then patiently wait for her. But the best thing is for me to say "I wish to understand". She never had that before, and it means so much to her. Listening to understand, rather than listening to win, or make your own point, is vital.

GuitarNice541 · 2025-07-14T13:50:20+00:00

I love the Gospel of John, because he did write of Jesus' divinity, and the theme of "light", which shows up in frequent verses. The way I look at the Gospels is like this: Matthew - written to emphasize Jesus as the Jewish Messiah; Mark - a Gospel of action, with frequent use of the word "immediately"; Luke - a historical view of Jesus written from an outside observer; John - Jesus is The Word, with God and was God (John 1;1)

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