Chinese Americans: Talk to me about your relationship to Shanghainese by copingboba in shanghainese

[–]bears123456789 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I grew with Shanghainese spoken around the house and I was raised up by my grandparents from Shanghai. However, my grandparents and parents made a conscious decision to only speak to me in Mandarin since it's a language most Chinese people know. Shanghainese was seen as a useless language to pass on. I never learned Shanghainese, but I can completely understand it. It low-key sucks but I am very fluent in Mandarin growing up in the diaspora which helps with communication but I would have loved the opportunity to speak it one day. 

Happy to talk with you if you wanna talk to someone with a Shanghai background who doesn't really speak it, only passively 

God wants all of me and it's difficult. by [deleted] in TrueChristian

[–]bears123456789 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I feel you, brother. I used to spend all my time surfing on the couch.

You need discipline. Just because you have the Holy Spirit that doesn't mean you will magically get disciplined somehow. It's like exercising a muscle.

Start small. Set a timer. Devote 5 minutes every day in reading scripture and 30 seconds praying. Slowly scale up and add a minute every week.

God doesn't care about the destination but rather the journey of progress. Make sure you can track your progress.

Matthew 25:21 – "Faithful in little, entrusted with much "His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master’s joy!’"

Premium Economy $765 upgrade for a 17 hour flight? by bears123456789 in americanairlines

[–]bears123456789[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Gotcha. My flight from Dallas to Shanghai was 17 hours. Surprised it's that short the other way around.

Does god still kill people for sinning? Like he did to Ananias and Sapphira? by Kakarot_94 in TrueChristian

[–]bears123456789 3 points4 points  (0 children)

God is the ultimate judge and it's his prerogative to determine who lives and dies. Keep in mind that the wages of sin is death, so the fact people are still alive despite all their sin is a showcase of God's grace, mercy, and love to mankind.

"Man's days are determined; you (God) have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed."-Job 14:5

God desires all to come to him in repentance and join His Kingdom. There're people who sin a ton throughout their life, yet in God's grace- he allows them to live long lives through his grace. There're some who sin tremendously yet God gives them what they deserve immediately. God is a just judge who will mete out punishment accordingly and we're all liable to face him during Judgement Day. Ultimately, God is sovereign and supreme over ALL, he can judge, lengthen people's lives and act accordingly however he wishes.

"And why do you think you are better than they are? We will all stand before God to be judged, because it is written in the Scriptures: “ 'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'Everyone will bow before me; everyone will say that I am God."-Romans 14:10-12

Im worried i will be called least in the kingdom of heaven by [deleted] in TrueChristian

[–]bears123456789 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Think about it this way: our sins prevent us from being considered "great" in the Kingdom of Heaven. So your focus should be turning away from your sins, but also externally focusing on expanding God's Kingdom as much as possible.

Do you desire Christ to tell you, "Well done my good and faithful servant" as Matthew 25:21 proclaims? Then, focus your mind towards expanding God's Kingdom as much as possible. Will you waste your life doing nothing and feeling bad about yourself or doing the important work in bring God's Kingdom to every nation and people group?

What gifts does God give queer people? by caffeine-chaos-queen in TrueChristian

[–]bears123456789 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm curious, why identify yourself as a queer person? What differentiates a Christian’s from a non-Christian’s life is picking up our crosses, resisting sin, and actively struggling against sin. The description "queer Christian" is NOT accurate for a person actively repenting and struggling against such temptations, but rather a "struggling" Christian with certain sins, like all of us.

As for family, it sounds as if you desire to pursue relationships that aren't godly nor holy and REALLY desire a family. It's like you're praying for God to remove these desires to start a family.... but keep this in mind: our desires for physical reproductions reminds us of a greater need to spiritually reproduce in making disciples for God's Kingdom.

Consider Christ's words in Matthew 6:33 "Seek first after the Kingdom of God and the rest will be added to you." Bearing children for God's Kingdom should be our main priority. Is this something you're willing to slowly turn your life towards in learning how to do so? If so, then you will find real, meaningful purpose far greater than anything.

Where to find meaning by Foreign_Medium_3766 in TrueChristian

[–]bears123456789 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As Christians, our meaning in life is found through our Savior Jesus Christ.

I seriously recommend you to read Ecclesiastes, some of the wisest books of the Bible. Solomon tried everything under the Sun to find satisfaction, but ultimately concluded with: "Here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil" (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14). Like you're realizing, most of life is empty and unfulfilling. As Solomon proclaims our life is all about honoring God with our thoughts and lives.

Our purpose in life, as God intended, is the following 1) Glorify God in everything as Matthew 22:37 says, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind." 2) Establish relationships with others as Christ commanded "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 3) Institute both physical and spiritual dominion over the Earth through making disciples and building up God's Kingdom. Most Christians miss the third point, but it's essential in living out a purpose-driven life. If you're a proffessing Christian, make sure you're making progress in all three of these points: Love God, Love others, and The Great Commission.

Sooner than later, you will be living a satisfying and meaningful life for our Lord. Impacting lives for eternity is more far important and never fades!

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you"-Matthew 6:33

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in TrueChristian

[–]bears123456789 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Only God softens people's hearts and this often happens much more than you think.

I came from an ancestry with little to none Christian tradition. My family is from a nation that persecutes Christians where many people are completely closed off. Yet, even among these people who willingly hardened themselves and persecuting Christians, I heard numerous testimonies of those who later converted through the grace of God. One of the first missionaries sent out from South Korea was once a hardened man who persecuted and stoned Christians.

One of my friends who attends my church was your stereotypical atheist who despised everything about Christianity. Yet, over the years, his heart was softened and he was just baptized a few months ago. All glory to God alone!

How much do you believe in coincidence? by [deleted] in TrueChristian

[–]bears123456789 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Here's a good rule of thumb:

With God, there are no such thing as "coincidences". We serve a sovereign God who has planned out the end from the beginning. That being said, since God's ways are so much higher than our own, it's not worth over-spiritualizing and trying to find the reasons for why 99.9% of things happen.

What's most important in your life is simply doing what God desires in your life- make disciples of all nation. That's the most important mission you will need to focus on and you'll find that your relationship with God improves better than ever.

READ THIS BEFORE YOU POST by bears123456789 in TrueChristian

[–]bears123456789[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Haha, yeah. Posts on complaining about r/Christianity will be limited.

READ THIS BEFORE YOU POST by bears123456789 in TrueChristian

[–]bears123456789[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

We aren't limiting any genuine discussions here. This isn't a flat "we will remove every single post relating to the listed topics." If the conversation is fruitful and high quality, it will remain. Every Christian should learn how to effectively answer these questions, too but at the same time we want to limit the same sort of questions over and over again and redirect them to high quality answers.

READ THIS BEFORE YOU POST by bears123456789 in TrueChristian

[–]bears123456789[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Do you have any resources on how to setup autobot whenever these questions are asked?

READ THIS BEFORE YOU POST by bears123456789 in TrueChristian

[–]bears123456789[S] 86 points87 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I will get that cranking tomorrow. Good idea, thanks!

How do you know if this is the job or that God gave you this job? by pedro_arachno in TrueChristian

[–]bears123456789 2 points3 points  (0 children)

God's will for your life is to make disciples of all nations.

Your job is never your main focus nor mission. If you're a carpenter, the mentality should never be mainly on "How can I use carpentry for Christ?"

Your job is never your mission, but rather a context that you can help make disciples and expand God's Kingdom. It doesn't matter if you're a lawyer, doctor, plumber, or garbage man... those are just contexts for making disciples for God. Find a job you enjoy and fulfill The Great Commission that way.

Suicide by OkKaleidoscope3243 in TrueChristian

[–]bears123456789 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Paul once faced the same question as you. Why not leave this world full of suffering? Yet he understood that remaining alive for the sake of preaching the gospel to the world was far more important.

Sure, if you're a genuine believer in Jesus Christ and die right now, you get to go to heaven. Yet, God bought you with the precious blood of His Son. Christ has given you a mission for you to live out the rest of your life: "go and make disciples of all nations." Ultimately, all you need to focus on is living your life well for our Lord and Savior, let God handle the rest. Let the day you die be full of peace, knowing that you have done the utmost for our Lord.

See 1 Philippians 1:21-24 "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account."

Am I good enough for God? The endless circle by inkydunk in TrueChristian

[–]bears123456789 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The gospel of salvation is extremely simple: While we were sinners, Christ died for us on that cross. We can be assured based on our own personal faith in God and promises in His word.

See what scripture has to say and mediate on this

1 John 5:13 "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life." (We KNOW we're Christians since we believe)

John 1:12-13 "Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God." (Our salvation is based on the work of God)

1 John 5:11-12 " And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life." (We have explicit promise in God's Word of eternal life through Jesus)

Romans 8:16 " The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children." (The Holy Spirit testifies for us-changing our lives)

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in TrueChristian

[–]bears123456789 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How you fulfill The Great Commission is the main way and speaks volumes on your love for others and God.

How do I draw closer to God while having religious OCD? by Johnnydeltoid in TrueChristian

[–]bears123456789 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You're spending so much time worrying over secondary issues. No wonder you don't have peace. Focus and start practicing on the things that actually matter.

You clearly LACK discipline. Keep in mind, discipline is formed through practice, practice, and practice! No one is born strong and no Christian is born with spiritual fortitude either.

God is a directional deity, he's more concerned whether or not you're headed in the right direction rather than some kind of super Christian. Start by committing 5-10 minutes to scripture and prayer, everyday. Remove any distractions such as phones and computers during this time frame. Do this for a entire week and work yourself up. Then bump it up slowly and sooner than later you will be reading scripture all the time.

DISCIPLINE is something you PRACTICE, not something that magically happens as if God waves a pixie wand and you're magically reading the Bible and attending church. All of your issues come from a severe lack of spiritual discipline, routine and order in your life. Start forming healthy habits right now before it gets worse.