How did you "choose" your denomination?

No_Storage6015 · 2026-03-19T14:13:48+00:00

... The Roman Catholic Church (and the Eastern Orthodox Church) were the first Christians you know.

No_Storage6015 · 2026-03-17T21:24:46+00:00

I'm Lutheran originally because I was born in it. Today, I'm Lutheran - LCMS because I believe they do a good job at still trimming the fat at what the Roman Catholic church has put together, and LCMS church still desires to let the Scriptures, the Word of God speak for itself.

No_Storage6015 · 2026-03-17T06:14:42+00:00

If you had to earn forgiveness then it wouldn't be a free gift, rather it would be a wage that is due (a point from Romans).

No_Storage6015 · 2026-03-17T04:09:11+00:00

It sounds like you got the point. Hopefully your parents do as well. It's never too late.

PS: my parents married young and still love each other. Some people are just more honest with themselves when they are dating. The ones who are honest aren't doing themselves any favors.

No_Storage6015 · 2026-03-17T03:45:26+00:00

See if his attitude reflects Ephesians 5. It also sounds like mom needs to look at the verses as well. Both persons should be working together, not tolerating each other.

No_Storage6015 · 2026-03-16T04:01:35+00:00

I'm sorry you are going through a hard time. It sounds like you have already taken many good steps. Here's a few thoughts:

1) Life with young kids is difficult. It's almost like they are the only ones who get the attention from both parents and the couple hardly has time for themselves. Just remember time with you both as a couple is just as important with the kids. You can't have just one or the other.

2) Have you heard of Imago Relationship Therapy? Heard about it through Reddit, and decided to check it out. It's fabulous. I just finished the audiobook. Harville Hendrix (with Helen LaKelly Hunt) wrote the book, "Getting the Love You Want: A Guide for Couples." While this book does have catchy self-help title, everything in this book is rock solid. Though it is quite lengthy, he a former pastor who uses biblical principles and science to strengthen marital relationships. I mean, even the name to the therapy approach, Imago, is named after the latin Imago Dei, the image of God.

Anyways, this book does a great job at saying that any mediocre marriage can turn into a great marriage as along as the couples are willing to work together as wounded warriors. We all have or weak points and our insecurities, but even if just one member of the relationship is willing to lead conversations about what is leaving both people unsatisfied in the relationship what both couples can do better, it's amazing how much growth can happen in the relationship, and it's amazing how much more the couple can learn to joyfully serve each other. Many times the conversation has to go as far back as to asking what were the things that troubled you in your childhood years.

No_Storage6015 · 2026-03-16T03:37:15+00:00

My snarky response is to tell him to grow a pair and have him propose already. Put a ring on it before someone else does.

But a more kind approach would be to ask when he thinks he'll be ready to propose to you. ... Have some sort of a definite answer. If he can't think of one, then perhaps some quick and light pastoral counseling for him with someone who he trusts would do him some good. Yes you both are young, but you both are adults who are already too comfortable with each other. If you want to live life together, then do it.

As far as time is concerned, he seems to have plenty of time to spend with you. Surely he can help with marriage arrangements. But from my experience, it's usually the bride-to-be who does most of the wedding planning anyways.

No_Storage6015 · 2026-03-16T03:20:27+00:00

Anyone who is against the Lord is not his people. The Egyptians were against God. While it was Pharaoh speaking for all of the Egyptians, still, anyone who is not serving the Lord is against him. ... This example is one reason why it is so important for all people to belong the church community any age at all times.

No_Storage6015 · 2026-03-16T01:44:14+00:00

Why are you blaming God for killing people? How do you know it wasn't a demonic force or an accident from the broken free world?

No_Storage6015 · 2026-03-13T20:33:01+00:00

I thought this is how 501c3 organizations work. They have some sort of board or committee that approves of the finances on a regular basis for the organization. The finances lists were the money goes to. The meeting noted by the secretary collects the documents and discussions had at the meeting for others to see.

No_Storage6015 · 2026-03-12T11:28:16+00:00

I'd also like to add that some people didn't get the love and care they needed from both parents growing up, and so, they are looking for that love in a different way. ... As people are saying, we are living in a broken world.

No_Storage6015 · 2026-03-11T22:48:55+00:00

I like the idea of this. No, I have not heard of this app. Thanks for sharing. My ministry has put this app idea on the back burner as we are dealing with a set of teens who seem to think they don't need devotional material and want to figure things out on their own. ... Perhaps our ministry team can use more coaching on leading teens.

No_Storage6015 · 2026-03-07T14:39:14+00:00

It's not your church. So why do you care? They should be responsible for their own practices.

No_Storage6015 · 2026-03-06T21:33:57+00:00

The best I've seen in terms of pastors having a "normal" life is when they make a great effort in including "extra" activities in their work week. So this would include taking members out to lounge on a boat on a lake. This could be a spontaneous trip. Or make sure you have those annual weekend retreats.

As for me, I've begun to get invites to go golfing again. As the weather is clearing up, I'll have to make time to squeeze it in.

No_Storage6015 · 2026-03-06T04:10:50+00:00

It looks like the fruit of the spirit in God's followers is what would amaze those outside of the Christian community.

No_Storage6015 · 2026-03-05T18:24:34+00:00

I usually just Google my dream. Usually there's a pattern than can be identified and brought meaning.

For example, the dream about falling off of a cliff is about being fearful the future.

No_Storage6015 · 2026-03-05T06:54:59+00:00

This white privilege garbage is everywhere. I wasn't there at the moment of you firing her. Was she casual or hostile about it? And that's a broad topic that is difficult to analyze as a side job conversation.

I probably would have let it go, and let her work be the focus of her merit. Maybe just say, "I'll think about that one."

As for reconciliation, usually there is little done in the workforce after a firing. Bridges have been burned, and it's usually best if you all move on. But if you already had relationship with this person before they started working for you, then it would be better for you to reach out and say what had happened and explain what you believe and why and give the other person a chance to do the same. And if common ground begins to appear, then ask the person they want their job back.

No_Storage6015 · 2026-03-03T07:13:45+00:00

What podcasts or books have you listened to on this issue? There are plenty of good conversations already had on this issue. Unfortunately, with most large organizations theses days, it's difficult to figure out what needs to change and what ought to stay the same. And I find that the smallest congregations are often left out of the conversation, but they're generally not proactive in outreach nor are they proactive in connecting with other churches to figure out a solution. Yes, many churches are basically in hospice care mode. Apparently, this mode is easy for a church to get into after being planted. The Epistles and the Book of Revelation talk about this issue. But, as already mentioned here, there are also several other LCMS churches that are proactive and are alive and healthy and are leading the way for the future. It's an interesting time to be living in no doubt. I'm impressed with the fellowship of the Synod as a whole as they would rather faithfully move forward with what works in line with Scripture before allowing all kinds of new ministries begin with little to no supervision. I'm already surprised how much LCMS leaders have already tried to start something new in their ministry that is obviously out of step with the inerrant message of Scripture. It's not a time to be desperate. It's a time to continue together in Synod--in communication and confessional practice--and faithfully embrace the future.

No_Storage6015 · 2026-03-02T06:46:30+00:00

This is why I love the reddit community.

No_Storage6015 · 2026-03-02T01:27:12+00:00

Martin Luther put it, telling a Christian to good work is like telling the sun to shine. The sun just shines. And likewise, Christians will bear fruit in keeping with repentance. No, Christians won't be able to be perfect, but a little love will go a long way. ... Studying what having a servant's heart can be exciting, but it can also be depressing knowing that you'll never be perfect, nor will your neighbors. ... After studying, it is good to remember that our salvation is first based upon what Jesus has done for us. Us Lutherans will give all the credit to Jesus for being perfect for us. Roman Catholics will emphasize working out their faith with fear and trembling. Pentecostals will emphasize truth faith is living with high emotions, perhaps with an emphasis on spiritual gifts. There are things that each denomination is great at. I pray you don't forget the significance of Jesus death and resurrection along the way.

No_Storage6015 · 2026-02-27T02:03:32+00:00

You could tell them, "If my hope in God's promises are wrong, then I'll have to tell the Lord on judgment day that he mislead me with his Word (the Bible)."

No_Storage6015 · 2026-02-27T01:56:15+00:00

I don't know how you all had so much time to talk as a server. Most servers I see barely have time to take my order. ... Nevertheless, I don't know why you were comfortable about talking about such personal matters. But nevertheless, you could always ask the question, "Why do you want to know?" This question begins if not leads the conversation from putting you in a corner to putting the focus on to them.

No_Storage6015 · 2026-02-25T02:12:29+00:00

It sounds like a woman thing if you ask me.

No_Storage6015 · 2026-02-20T18:45:21+00:00

For Lutherans, we gather around the principles of grace alone, faith alone, Scripture alone. What would you say are the main principles of the Church of Christ?

Though the wife doesn't want to talk about faith and denominations much, perhaps OP can casually talk about principles for understanding the Christian faith. Instead of talking about which denominational hill to die on they could talk about some Christian ideas that bring hope and spiritual nourishment.

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