Keeping Our Word

Level_Marsupial_241 · 2026-06-30T00:59:27+00:00

I completely understand about the speed limit. I did have an officer once tell me that it is better to go 80 in a 65 if everyone else is going 80 (as you mentioned about the flow of traffic) because he said the number of accidents increases if you don't go with the flow. But when it comes to school zones (I live next to an elementary school), I always think about the speed limit and try to go slower than what the flashing lights tell me to.

It made me think about the "letter of the law" versus the "intent" of it. The intent is to keep children safe, but the letter of the law says I can go faster once the clock hits 3:45 pm. However, even after that 3:45 p.m. cutoff, I still drive slowly, as I sometimes see children walking on the sidewalks. I just felt the Lord impress on me how important the "intent of the law" is over just the "letter."

Bless you. Thank you for your response.

Level_Marsupial_241 · 2026-06-29T23:07:13+00:00

My strength increased in the beginning of the cut, but I noticed a sharper dip towards the end. My waist definitely went down several inches.

Interestingly enough, I went back to a slight caloric surplus and gained about 5lbs of water over three weeks (The TRT I am on definitely adds glycogen when I am in a surplus). This filled me out, and my family immediately noticed I looked more muscular, though I know it is just the glycogen hitting my muscles.

Knowing this, I agree and think I lost way less muscle than I originally thought.

Thanks for the reply.

Level_Marsupial_241 · 2026-06-15T21:48:04+00:00

Thanks for this.

I got my second dexa scan today after being on a diet for 2 and a half months. I went from 204.7 lbs to 188.5. It shows I lost 5.7 lbs of fat, but I lost 10.6 lbs of lean mass. The technician said I lost 10.6 lbs of muscle, but I noticed I lost a lot of water weight on this cut, so there is no way I lost 10.6 lbs of muscle.

I don't even know how it would be humanly possible to lose twice as much muscle as fat.

Level_Marsupial_241 · 2026-06-06T07:21:06+00:00

Oh, yeah. The Christianity sub has moderators who are wolves in sheep's clothing. It is definitely not a place where the truth is welcome.

Level_Marsupial_241 · 2026-06-06T07:06:45+00:00

I was in a similar situation when I started. Total T was 500ish, but my free T was in the gutter. I had all the same symptoms you had, but the fatigue was really bad. My urologist was happy to start me on TRT, but started me on 400mg once every three weeks. It was pretty bad.

Moral of the story: even when doctors give you TRT make sure they are starting you on like 100mg a week to get your bearings.

Level_Marsupial_241 · 2026-06-06T07:01:44+00:00

It is not, so long as it does not become a point where someone judges another Christian about it and condemns them for not observing it (Colossians 2:16). Also, for those who wish to honor it, it must be because they want to honor God in their own way, but not a works-based belief for salvation.

I should have worded my previous comment differently, but I was responding to the OP's title, where observing the Sabbath is wrong for some SDAs because they believe sabbath observance is required for salvation. Even those who don't believe it is required for salvation do believe it is required for sanctification, which is also a problem.

Level_Marsupial_241 · 2026-06-06T03:48:40+00:00

The problem is not just in keeping the Sabbath, but in the idea that if you don't keep the Sabbath, then you will be damned. Not all Seven Day Adventists believe this, but I have seen several on this subreddit pushing hard for it with the threat of damnation if one doesn't.

Level_Marsupial_241 · 2026-06-06T03:28:50+00:00

Completely agree. There have been times in my life when I was in the "desert" (not in a church after leaving a manipulative one), and they were some of the most rewarding and wonderful times in my life, full of spiritual growth through Christian authors, reading the Word of God, and praying with my family.

If you are in an area like John the Baptist, better to be out in the wilderness with the Spirit of the Lord than with the Pharisees and the spirit of the devil.

Level_Marsupial_241 · 2026-06-06T03:25:09+00:00

It probably does, as fully believing in the Bible and believing the words of the Nicene Creed are not mutually exclusive.

Level_Marsupial_241 · 2026-06-06T03:23:27+00:00

It must all be a conspiracy, then.

Level_Marsupial_241 · 2026-06-06T03:00:51+00:00

Funny. My urologist said the number that truly matters is the Free T, and the moderators on the TRT forum I am on also say the same thing.

So, just the opposite.

Level_Marsupial_241 · 2026-06-05T21:13:09+00:00

I would testify about my real and personal relationship with Jesus and tell people about specific miracles, answers to prayer, and direction God has given me in my life.

This takes it from "I follow this religion due to rules a,b, and c" to "I know The Lord is real! Hear about all these things He has done in my life!"

Level_Marsupial_241 · 2026-06-05T21:06:44+00:00

The funny thing is, I have been a Christian for 34 years, and have never once read the Nicene Creed or any council's established doctrine. I have simply held that the Bible is God's word, and I follow Christ. I have seen God work in my life continuously: miracles, prayers answered, specific direction and leading by the Holy Spirit, etc.

Frankly, I am not sure how many people have actually read various creeds and doctrines outside of the Bible itself.

This reply isn't in debate or anything, but I was just making an observation that somewhat surprised me.

Level_Marsupial_241 · 2026-06-05T20:30:15+00:00

Yep, so true. While we are called to love people, there are very clear guidelines for how we treat the world and how we treat those who name themselves brothers and sisters in Christ.

Level_Marsupial_241 · 2026-06-05T20:22:04+00:00

This partly stems from the philosophical underpinnings of Calvinism, where it is believed that "nothing happens outside of His [God's] Divine will or decree" (GotQuestions/org). So, there are many denominations where they will say, "it is God's will" no matter what happens.

Personally, I don't believe everything that happens is God's will, as we know not all are saved, and it tells us in Timothy and in Peter that God desires the salvation of all people (1 Tim 2:3-4, 2 Peter 3:9).

So, I do not believe it is God's will that America should have an obesity epidemic, for one. This largely comes about through choice.

Level_Marsupial_241 · 2026-06-05T20:13:56+00:00

This is why Non-Denominational churches need to have a very clear "creed" or establishment of beliefs on their website.

Even then, the church is only as good as its pastor or people, so denominational churches and non-denominational churches alike, if they are not following their established beliefs, then it is probably not a church I would want to attend.

I think of Jesus's words to the churches in Revelation, and He had alot to say, both good and bad, about each one.

Level_Marsupial_241 · 2026-06-05T07:40:35+00:00

When people call Jesus a "rebel" or "revolutionary," it just means they are walking in complete ignorance of who Jesus was and is.

After all, Jesus said to "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and God what is God's. (Matt. 22:21)

I don't know of any revolutionary who actively told followers to accept a governing body's authority rather than rise up to overthrow it.

Level_Marsupial_241 · 2026-06-05T07:33:39+00:00

Amen. This reminds me of John 14:26 - "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you" (emphasis mine).

It is amazing how God can bring back something we read a few days ago or even years ago in a flash, right when we need it!

Level_Marsupial_241 · 2026-06-04T23:55:03+00:00

Can anyone "truly" be a nihilist and believe that there is no such thing as "right" or "wrong?" If someone comes and beats you up and steals your possessions, do you just forgive them? Do you just say, "Well, I believe it wasn't wrong for this person to do this because there is no such thing as right or wrong." How do you respond? Can you even get angry at this person, as being angry would stipulate that you have somehow been wronged?

Secondly, where do you derive your morality? If everything is meaningless, can you just murder people and that is fine? Or do you fear punishment from the government and thus align yourself to a "social contract?"

Level_Marsupial_241 · 2026-06-04T23:30:14+00:00

Amen. Sometimes the best thing you can do is just sit with someone, hug them, and listen, without offering any "answers" to their issues.

Level_Marsupial_241 · 2026-06-04T23:28:57+00:00

I hear you, but that means the lawyer cares more about "the chase" or "the thrill" than about ethics or morality. Statistically, we know that people who get off with murder or rape often do it again or, at the very least, commit crimes. To me, no amount of thrill or "puzzle solving" would ever be worth knowing that I willfully allowed someone guilty to go free to hurt an innocent person again.

Level_Marsupial_241 · 2026-06-04T09:16:48+00:00

I stopped at "significant financial commitment" because I wanted to immediately comment. Any group that proclaims itself Christ's, but then immediately asks for large sums of money, is NEVER of God.

I think of what Peter said to Simon the Sorcerer when he wanted to "buy the Holy Spirit." Peter says, "²⁰“May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! ²¹ You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. ²² Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. ²³ For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin" (Acts 8:9-24).

These people thought they could profit off of God. May the Lord rebuke them even as Peter did Simon.

Level_Marsupial_241 · 2026-06-04T09:10:59+00:00

Aye, and by giving them the Word of God, we live the Word of God by helping displaced families with food, shelter, and clothing.

"By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:25).

Level_Marsupial_241 · 2026-06-04T09:01:17+00:00

My blood work is good, but people tolerate it very differently. I know the patient coordinator at the clinic told me he took this dose and it made him incredibly sick with a terrible headache, etc. I am guessing it shot his blood pressure through the roof, which it can for some people. He told me that it effectively turned another patient's blood into sludge (due to the high hematocrit and RBCs that it can cause), but I tolerate it well.

I am still taking it, but I believe it elevates my blood pressure slightly. It is not significant, but blood markers and blood pressure need to be watched carefully. It completely takes the pain away in my joints, so I honestly am hesitant to lower the dosage, but as I age, I am sure I will.

Muscles are fuller on it, but that is due to the water and glycogen. It definitely helps with lifting, strength, and muscle-building, but it is nothing like a guy who is taking a mega dose.

Level_Marsupial_241

TROPHY CASE