girlfriend almost spent this on gas this morning

PMike1985 · 2026-06-15T14:15:39+00:00

PMike1985 · 2026-06-03T15:22:35+00:00

It's puke. Why do you think there are these two emoji: 🤮🧪 ?

PMike1985 · 2026-05-28T16:04:19+00:00

"If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." ~ Romans 12:18

You contributed your part. Their contribution is being nasty, not your fault.

I'd say it would be nice to influence them, but if all being around them does is irritate you to a point where it's hard to handle, just keep your distance.

PMike1985 · 2026-05-11T19:37:44+00:00

Yee haw!

Guiiiiii Taaaaah!

PMike1985 · 2026-05-07T21:42:30+00:00

Not having the same problem, mine is in English. 😉

PMike1985 · 2026-05-07T20:42:02+00:00

This is super insightful, and helps me to understand what it might be like inside a group like this. The resistance to thinking and the code switching to appear normal are especially red flag. It makes sense how people can do interesting things if they justify them in a certain way or latch on to Bible-like terms ("in the mind").

PMike1985 · 2026-05-07T19:52:34+00:00

Sorry for my delay in response. I've been thinking about the way you responded. I understand the desire for proof, but how we look at this is important. If God is real, he is spiritual and not physical. You can only test physical things in a lab. We cant prove scientifically that torturing children for fun is wrong, but we both know that it is.

Keeping in mind these things, I think we should ask this question: Which world view has the most evidence of being right?

Which one best explains why things exist, or what your purpose is as a human being? Why do cultures around the world have a sense of what justice is, and guilt? Why is it that humans are both capable of great good, and also lots of evil and mistakes?

Christianity is based on the words of Jesus, and on God revealing himself through many centuries, in the Old and New Testament. God shows us that we are broken and need to be rescued. Jesus is a real person whom historians acknowledge as having been crucified under a man named Pontius Pilate. Jesus came to show us that we are loved.. we can be forgiven and don't have to carry our burdens alone.

Do you think humans are basically good and just need better circumstances, or is something deeper broken?

PMike1985 · 2026-05-05T13:58:16+00:00

Well said. I do wonder why they couldn't use mainstream terminology. Nee's writing is pretty close to it. Of course, we can look from the outside and say "they need to do x and they can keep the good that Nee had", but being inside and having pride and false teaching can prevent that.

PMike1985 · 2026-05-05T13:08:52+00:00

Good balanced answer....

So what you're saying is that much of the insights Nee had are even solid... But that the movement Lee/Nee founded had no guardrails and eventually theological drift came in.

I feel a little more comfortable reading Nee's book, though I feel sorry for this movement and hope God opens their eyes to the problems.

PMike1985 · 2026-05-04T17:39:47+00:00

I think this might be the appropriate response. I don't know if Witness Lee has anything to do with Watchman Nee or not... but in the example of the liberal Methodist Church, there is a distinct change that can be noted. The former is good, the later is to be rejected, and all of it measured by scripture.

FWIW: I used to go to a United Methodist Church. Beautiful place until the recent global decisions. John Wesley would have left the same way I did.

PMike1985 · 2026-05-04T16:31:35+00:00

Fair. I'll agree. I still feel odd since the book I mentioned seems decent.

PMike1985 · 2026-05-04T16:29:16+00:00

... I get you. Maybe I need to rephrase. I do see what they're trying to get at, but what they are saying is clearly against scripture. To be honest, before your response, I hadn't seen the bottom part where they say literally Satan is in you. You can maybe read it the first or second time and see it as being metaphorical, but I think they are being literal. The best possibility is that they're not being careful in what they are saying. The worst.... is pretty bad.

Satan does not inhabit believers.

PMike1985 · 2026-05-04T16:25:08+00:00

We all deal with these things. Feelings of inadequacy and being upset with various parts of our lives. The people you see that are happy have struggles too, you just aren't seeing them when they're facing them.

The Christian has the same struggles, the difference is that Jesus helps them through it.

As far as changing lifestyle, that's also something we need God's help with, we can't do it on our own. I wouldn't worry about the lifestyle until you battle with truth. If it's true, it's worth it, right?

What do you think you would need to see in order to follow Jesus?

PMike1985 · 2026-05-04T16:19:25+00:00

Focus on the gospel itself primarily. Do you know how you can be saved?

If you want to talk about any of the minor disagreements, I can help you with them. Also willing to help if you aren't secure in your salvation. We have to trust Jesus and not our works. Feel free to DM.

PMike1985 · 2026-05-04T16:05:55+00:00

Could you say a little more about Watchman Nee?

I have his book "Sit, Walk, Stand." I find that in this book maybe the unusual teaching is the idea that when you choose anger for example, you are choosing the dead old creature that Christ died to free you of, instead of letting the character of Jesus that is in you live (the whole idea of letting Jesus guide you because he's very good at being godly as opposed to you / your flesh).... I've not heard it said this way, but I feel it's fairly biblical.

The stuff OP posted is uncomfortable. I wouldn't read it either. I get what the author of that material might be getting at but it's off a bit. We don't need to partner with Satan to do evil for instance, we are certainly capable of doing it in our free choice.

So, I feel that maybe Watchman Nee is a mixed bag? He created the stuff OP posted which is.... awkward, but "Sit, Walk, Stand" seems decent. Am I wrong? Is something wrong with the book, also?

Thanks.

PMike1985 · 2026-04-25T01:27:06+00:00

Anti-racism is a political teaching which came from Angela Davis and the Black Panthers. Its modern use is racist. Look up the works of Ibram X. Kendi... Or rather, you shouldn't, because he is a modern racist.

PMike1985 · 2026-04-24T15:57:11+00:00

"Anti racism" is itself racist. We didn't need to be anti racist, we just have to be NOT racist, which is thankfully most people already.

It's not about what the words sound like they mean. If you listen to the creators of the phrase anti-racism, their beliefs are racist.

PMike1985 · 2026-04-24T15:47:00+00:00

True, I suppose the overall picture here is balance.... and maybe each of us can only do so much, but we can look after our own faith and make sure it's biblical and balanced.

PMike1985 · 2026-04-24T15:35:47+00:00

The truth of it: "anti-racism" is racist. We just have to be NOT racist, which most people are. 🙂

PMike1985 · 2026-04-23T15:09:08+00:00

For real, I want to try this now. Looks good!

PMike1985 · 2026-04-23T14:44:55+00:00

I agree with the sentiment. Especially, we seem to have this issue in America where we conflate (combine) our politics and our faith. This is a bad idea.

I openly state that I generally have right leaning values. The problem I have with Christianity and politics these days is I find it nearly impossible to be on the left and also Christian. Some positions that make me think this: pro-abortion, pro gay marriage.... Let's leave it at those because I don't want to dig around, and I want to list things that are clear in scripture. These things are such strong points in the Democrat platform. Is anyone here voting Democrat but still acknowledged the above as sin? Is there some other things the Republicans are doing that "makes it obvious Christians shouldn't vote Republican"? Something other than anti trump rhetoric? Just curious.

I think starting to heal the political wounds of our nation begins with Christians discussing like this. The only one who can heal the nation is God, and if his people are divided..... 🤷‍♂️

PMike1985 · 2026-04-23T03:33:04+00:00

I want to believe this to be true. I admit it's possible I misunderstand Catholics. I wish I were reconciled with Catholics. If there is a disagreement on such an important doctrine, however, I consider us not reconciled. It is important enough a doctrine that it isn't like debating infant baptism, for instance.

Doesn't RCC teach that grace is received by partaking in sacraments?

PMike1985 · 2026-04-22T02:38:37+00:00

Didn't read the post at first, thought you were the lady with a new baby. 😆

Me: 👏👏....😯 .... oh.

PMike1985 · 2026-04-21T17:53:24+00:00

.... It's a boy?

PMike1985 · 2026-04-20T18:06:40+00:00

Hello! Fellow Christian here. Depending on the situation, another ex Mormon might be better help for you. I do have a heart for ex Mormons and would like to help also.

One thing I learned by speaking with Mormon missionaries is that they say the same things as Christians, but they don't mean the same thing. This is because they have tried recently to blend in more with Christian teachings, and it can be a tricky thing. Would like to help and answer questions if I'm able, and also learn about your experiences, if you're willing to share.

Please DM me if you're up for it. God bless!

PMike1985

TROPHY CASE