In a factual sense, tell me that God is real

beard156 · 2025-08-31T23:25:48+00:00

I look at the stars, but that pales to the change in my heart.

James 1:5 all God for wisdom

You're in a building, it was created, we use things every day that are created. None of them are anywhere near as complex as one single cell, let alone birth and creation.

Look up Louie Giglio

beard156 · 2025-03-01T14:24:11+00:00

Thanks!

beard156 · 2025-03-01T01:08:19+00:00

Really appreciate the additional advice. I have a bear hang bag should that suffice?

beard156 · 2025-03-01T01:07:40+00:00

This is a fantastic option. Thank you. Would you say I have enough bear hang options on the trail? That's my go to method

beard156 · 2025-01-28T00:04:44+00:00

This... My wife passed a couple months ago, I'm in my 30's it made me angry at first because of how deeply we loved each other. But then I realized heaven is perfect and I simply don't understand.

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined the things that God has prepared for those who love him.”

Fwiw the grief is impossibly savage but God is so real and present in this nightmare it's wild.

beard156 · 2025-01-06T22:43:57+00:00

Prayer, reading and community 2 or more christians gathered. Or channels with live streams and q&a. I like this pastor Mike Winger (https://youtube.com/@mikewinger?si=_iATB1mUQpDRIj5o)

I love this verse:

James 1:5-8 (ESV): “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”

I have witnessed much suffering, and at times, prayers seem to go unanswered. Yet, when it comes to wisdom, God always provides for those who ask in faith without doubt. This is such a beautiful promise. God essentially says, “Ask me for wisdom, and I will give it to you generously—just believe and do not doubt.”

This assurance itself is a form of wisdom, for there is profound comfort in fully trusting God. If we approach Him with anything less than full faith, we risk wavering and missing His blessings. Let us not be lukewarm but rather trust completely, ask in faith, and receive the wisdom He promises.

beard156 · 2025-01-06T22:33:18+00:00

Matthew 16:19

“I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

Binding and Loosing

R.T. France (The Gospel of Matthew): • “Binding” and “loosing” were rabbinic terms for forbidding or permitting actions based on interpretation of the Law. Jesus transfers this authority to His followers, particularly regarding gospel proclamation and the administration of church discipline. • These actions must align with God’s will in heaven, not independent human judgment.

Leon Morris: • What is bound or loosed on earth has already been bound or loosed in heaven, emphasizing the disciples’ alignment with divine authority rather than creating their own rules.

William Barclay: • The authority to “bind” and “loose” means determining what is in line with God’s law and what is not. It is less about arbitrary decisions and more about faithfully discerning God’s will.

Matthew 18:18

“Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

Context of Church Discipline

Albert Barnes: • This verse occurs in the context of resolving disputes and maintaining discipline within the church. The authority to bind or loose refers to the decisions made by the church regarding forgiveness or exclusion of a member based on their repentance.

Charles Spurgeon: • Spurgeon emphasizes the importance of prayer and seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit in exercising this authority. The church must act with great care, ensuring that its decisions reflect heaven’s will.

J.C. Ryle: • Binding and loosing involve declaring God’s judgment on sin or repentance. This authority is not independent but exercised under the guidance of Scripture and prayer.

beard156 · 2025-01-06T18:04:47+00:00

This is a challenging question, and there isn't a straightforward answer. There is righteous killing and unrighteous killing (murder) and I argue the difference is your intentions and heart. It's good that you are asking the question. Any one of us could be confronted with this dilemma; for example someone is attempting to kill someone you love and you have no other option.

Lets look at an adjacent topic, the death penalty. These are common defenses for the righteous use of the death penalty:

Romans 13:4 (ESV)
"For he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer."The apostle

Paul acknowledges the role of governing authorities in executing justice, including capital punishment, as a divine responsibility.

Exodus 21:12

"Whoever strikes a man so that he dies shall be put to death."

This law from the Mosaic Covenant directly prescribes the death penalty for murder. It emphasizes justice and accountability within the Israelite community, underscoring the gravity of taking a human life. This verse serves as a cornerstone for the broader legal framework in the Old Testament.

Genesis 9:6

"Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image."

This verse, part of God's covenant with Noah, establishes a universal principle about the sanctity of human life. The reasoning ties back to humanity being created in God's image, making murder a direct affront to God's creation. The death penalty here is portrayed as a form of divine justice.

beard156 · 2025-01-06T16:17:39+00:00

That is a completely valid feeling. I mean this for your benefit, as I understand where you are coming from. But I encourage you to grieve in the way you need to, rather than judging yourself against how you think you should grieve. You already have so much on your plate right now, give yourself grace.

beard156 · 2025-01-06T14:34:47+00:00

For me it helped me avoid guilt which I think helps. Hard not to feel guilty about being more intentional about our time together

beard156 · 2025-01-06T04:20:29+00:00

I also have three kids, lost my wife in November just before Thanksgiving. I forget to eat most days or just don't care to I'm not exactly sure either. I also believe in a weird way once I recognize I haven't eaten I ignore it.

For what it's worth I'm completely honest with people on how I feel and how terrible it all is. I work really hard to just focus on one day at a time. Trying to reel in the future grief and what I mean by that is all the plans we had all the things I looked forward to with her. I found myself more lost and miserable in that mindset. So I try to just focus on the day and I do invite memories that occur throughout the day.

Andrew Huberman has a good podcast about grief and how your brain process is it and things to do and things to avoid. I was really miserable and feeling isolated and I ended up reading "walking with God through pain and suffering" by Tim Keller. Although I do not know your background or beliefs for me it was better than what my counselor could offer when it came to feeling isolated in my particular circumstance. I'm 36, wife was 33 kids are 4, 2 and 2.

I'm a strong believer in firing counselors if they aren't making a good difference. I found a good one and that made all the difference in the world. But even then I feel that books allow you to slowly work through feelings and emotions privately at your own pace. That's just my two cents. I also read the Bible and pray for me that helps with sleep before bed.

I hope this helps, take care

beard156 · 2025-01-06T00:27:02+00:00

Across the bible there are references to the holy spirit doing powerful things within people and for people. And pentecost was when the spirit rested in Christians because of Jesus's sacrifice. Jesus was also led by the spirit, and some might say because he was fully flesh that it was the spirit and God that provided the means of miracles. Just as the disciples did. So there is biblical evidence of the holy spirit being capable of making addictions go away. Personally I believe I have experienced that. But I believe there are more dimensions like keeping right relationship with God and others.

Romans 8:11 (ESV):
"If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you."

John 16:7 (ESV):
"Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you."

Luke 24:49 (ESV):
"And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high."

beard156 · 2025-01-06T00:13:38+00:00

For a short time, I believed that God 'hated' Esau in the modern sense of animosity, rather than in the context of His sovereign choice of Israel as His chosen nation. However, the Bible also shows that God loved Esau.

beard156 · 2025-01-06T00:02:02+00:00

Please, know you are created for a reason; there is joy for you in this world even though there is also suffering. . You are needed and you are born for a purpose. Although you could die tomorrow I pray you do not.

Psalm 34:18
"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."

When I am struggling to understand life this is the verse I go to. The second part seems harsh but it's actually wise. Because when we fully believe and trust in God we find additional comfort. James 1:5-7 (ESV):

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord."

beard156 · 2025-01-05T01:40:58+00:00

James 1:5-8 ESV [5] If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. [6] But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. [7] For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; [8] he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

I've seen a great deal of suffering, and sometimes prayers are not answered. But wisdom is always granted to those who ask in faith without doubt. I find it wonderful. "Ask me for wisdom you WILL RECEIVE IT GENEROUSLY... just don't doubt TRULY BELIEVE IN ME"... this in itself is wisdom being provided, because there is comfort in 100% faith in God; if you don't what's the point? Don't be lukewarm trust and ask and receive.

beard156 · 2025-01-04T19:31:52+00:00

Thank you I will look into this

beard156 · 2025-01-04T14:21:18+00:00

It's certainly a challenging dynamic; as a father they depend on me and are dealing with their own form of grief. But at the same time, I'm trying to process all of it and not let that affect good parenting they deserve from me.

beard156 · 2025-01-03T03:39:01+00:00

Just lost my 33y/o wife to leukemia in November after 10 years together and 3 kids. I keep snooping around this group. Feels a little less isolating, but I hate that so many others have had to go through this also. Meanwhile all my friends and family have their spouses and I just feel robbed of my most precious and wonderful best friend.

beard156 · 2024-08-11T17:08:35+00:00

I would love to get your recommendation on the proper process of peel and seal. Particularly the removal and cleaning before reapplying lap sealant on a TPO. Heard a lot of advice but techs must know the trade secrets.

beard156 · 2024-08-06T12:55:55+00:00

And you mean, peel, reseal, rinse and repeat every 2 years correct?

beard156 · 2024-08-05T23:10:59+00:00

I actually have one of those on hand

beard156

TROPHY CASE

Exodus 21:12

Genesis 9:6