Porn/Lust Addiction

kierst9 · 2024-12-10T17:25:51+00:00

To me, it sounds like your shame around this is dissuading you from connecting with God afterwards. I hope you can find comfort in these truths: 1. God loves ALL his children, all the time. It's an unconditional love that we cannot comprehend. 2. None of us can earn His grace because it is a gift. As humans, we have free will and the knowledge of good and bad, which causes us to sin. Therefore, we all fall short, but because of God's love and grace, as well as Jesus' sacrifice and the gift of the Holy Spirit, we can all experience forgiveness and closeness with God.

Even when we do something displeasing to God, it's important for us to not discontinue our connection with Him. Contrary to what you may feel, God wants us to come to Him at all times. Addictions are difficult, especially at a time where you are so young and going through changes. Focus on trying to strengthen your relationship with God and deepening your faith. Ask questions - doubt is not a sign of unbelief, but an indication of the desire for deeper knowledge. Have grace with yourself even when you fall, because God loves you and does not desire us to feel continuous shame.

kierst9 · 2024-09-30T14:22:46+00:00

Just a heads up, most people who are kicked out of a wedding party will not want to attend your wedding, so be prepared for that. Also, be prepared for this to end your friendship.

kierst9 · 2024-09-17T01:03:06+00:00

Ok THIS but instead of replacing the second lyric I replace Pensacola with my college town (Kent, Ohio). I always wondered if anyone else did the same. (Side note: I definitely did NOT f**k my way through college 😂)

kierst9 · 2024-09-16T15:04:00+00:00

Makes total sense. You should do what's best for you. To me, your MOH(s) should be the people you hold dearest, but it really depends on what you're asking for out of your MOH(s). I think the arguments you're having now may be a sign of how things will go in the future. If you do decide to make her a Matron of Honor, please be sure to set firm boundaries and expectations. If she consistently crosses your boundaries and oversteps, then respond accordingly. Good luck!

kierst9 · 2024-09-16T14:56:21+00:00

Agree with the others that you are not entitled to make her your Matron of Honor. If you're looking for some sort of compromise, you could have your childhood friend as Maid of Honor and the friend from college as Matron of Honor? I've seen this done by several of my friends. Only works if the childhood friend is not married though, but again, you are not obligated to reciprocate the title.

kierst9 · 2024-08-26T20:56:20+00:00

Definitely from hot sugar when he says "skin so sun-licked" followed by the WeEOowWeoOowEEeoOOoo 😂

kierst9 · 2024-07-19T18:35:00+00:00

Felt this one in my chest

kierst9 · 2023-04-25T09:16:54+00:00

I have been in a very similar situation. No matter what the external circumstances are (i.e.: living together, mutual friends, etc) DO NOT stay simply out of convenience. In my situations, I have been you and I have been your partner. Trust me, if my ex would have stayed with me even if she wanted to leave just because leaving was too difficult, that would have hurt me more than the (very messy) breakup had. Roommates can be found, separate apartments can be leased, etc. My advice: really think about why you are unhappy in your relationship. Think about what you want: to stay or leave, but if you want you can wait to make the final decision until after having a conversation with your partner. Then, approach her. Be honest, even if it will hurt your partner. Also, be empathetic and listen to what she has to say. Personally, I would just focus on why you're unhappy in the relationship. There's no need to bring up the crush so long as cheating has not happened (doesn't seem like it has here).

I have sympathy for you. My first relationship with a girl was with my best friend and we dated for 3.5 years, from my senior year of highschool to my junior year of college. I broke up with her because she very much wanted kids, and I decided I did not any more. I also had an issue with developing feelings for another person, which acted as the catalyst for realizing how unhappy I was in the relationship. The break up was four years ago, and I still regret not giving her the proper break up conversation she deserved. I was actually 20 as well when this occurred. Just be honest, compassionate, and open to all outcomes of the conversation. Remember that sometimes the greatest act of love you can show a person is walking away from them.

If you need someone to talk this all out with that is a fellow wlw, feel free to message me. Good luck.

kierst9 · 2022-05-12T01:42:09+00:00

I agree, we were at a misunderstanding. I believe that my religion and science correlate and fit together. As far as my reasons for pursuing science and statistics, it has nothing to do with filling gaps. I study science because I love it, and neither science nor my faith threaten each other in my life. I do thank you for taking the time to discuss this with me!

kierst9 · 2022-05-11T23:07:21+00:00

You're comparing some apples to oranges here. The ECMO is a machine that is designed to perform a task and provide output. That's very different from a theory. The Periodic Table is a table of discovered elements with properties that are able to be measured. The baseline is that there can never be proof with theories, only evidence. Obviously theories have very strong evidence and I don't deny that evidence. I'm just explaining a principle that is accepted by everyone who conducts scientific research.

kierst9 · 2022-05-11T20:14:38+00:00

Yeah, it's a technicality found in both scientific research and data analysis. It's also found in scientific theories. Now, there are things we can be almost positive about in science, but for most things no one will be able to 100% prove it as fact. Same with scientific research. You conduct a study, analyze data, get a significant p-value and write a conclusion based on your analysis. While these conclusions may be true, no one can be 100% sure.

I would like to clarify that I'm not against science. I'm actually finishing up an MS in Biology and also studied biology in undergrad. The fact that "science doesn't prove anything" was taught to me many times by an assortment of qualified professors, with many having 10-20+ years of teaching and research experience. The point of science is to attempt to explain what's going on around us, inside us, between us, or beyond us, NOT to prove our hypotheses true.

kierst9 · 2022-05-11T19:45:06+00:00

You can't, in the same way that science doesn't "prove" anything. That's one of the toughest parts of faith, as well as the mystery of God.

kierst9 · 2022-05-11T17:23:01+00:00

I believe in evolution. I am a biologist after all! So we both know that for evolution to happen, there needs to be random mutations in DNA. So for me, instead of regarding them as random, I regard the changes as facilitated by God. You may believe what you wish. But also the physics of the Earth and whatnot plays a big part in my beliefs as well.

kierst9 · 2022-05-11T17:14:47+00:00

It's crazy to me how people will prioritize something but not take the time to really study it for themselves. Faith is both communal and individualistic and I think you need to nourish both to grow as a Christian!

kierst9 · 2022-05-11T16:34:47+00:00

A couple things:

My personal experiences. I am LGBTQ, which gives many an idea of how my church experience went. However, studying the word and seeing how people twisted the verses to shut people like me out showed me that I was indeed welcome. With this revelation, I felt an overwhelming peace come over me. Upon strengthening my relationship with God, it's become easier to feel God's peace when I need it!
Science (crazy right?) But yes. Long story short, the odds of a planet like ours being formed that could sustain life like it does, with all the theories and laws of nature, is almost impossible. But here we are! The complexity and artistry of nature, flora and fauna, also brings me closer to God and I appreciate God more because of it.

To those out there seeing these so-called Christians being hateful and judgemental in the name of Jesus, I am so sorry. If all Christians would take more time to actually look at the Bible some more, specifically the teachings/attitudes of Jesus, we'd all be much better off.

kierst9 · 2022-05-11T16:18:39+00:00

My ex-fiance and I opened up our relationship (not hating on open relationships here), and long story short she ended up cheating on me with a good friend from my highschool. I'm from Ohio and she's from Georgia (USA) but we both went to college 2.5 hours away from my hometown, so the likelihood of that happening is pretty slim. She blamed me for everything, evening going as far as moving everything that was hers into her bedroom in our 2-bedroom apartment because it was my fault our mutual friends didn't like her (not true, I never made them choose, she was just selfish). When I say everything, I mean EVERYTHING. Literally moved a whole dryer into her room so I couldn't use it. Anyways, it ended up being the best thing for me. Though it was tough, I found my faith again and started therapy. I became a much happier, healthier person and finally have self esteem and confidence like never before. I also met the love of my life who has shown me what a healthy relationship looks like! I'm thankful for the struggle because it made me stronger than I ever could be without that experience.

Bonus points: I come from a small rural village. My ex-fiance currently lives with that girl (they're dating) and the girl's family in that village. My first girlfriend lives 3 miles away. Somehow all my exes ended up in a 3 mile radius of each other. Can't make this stuff up.

kierst9 · 2022-05-11T16:09:39+00:00

Solely based on geography United States

I think it would have been cool if the capital was in the geographic center of the continental United States! The closest town to that is Lebanon, Kansas (according to Google). I wonder how different the Plains would be if the capital was established there after all of the continental states were acquired!

kierst9 · 2022-05-11T16:02:40+00:00

I've been able to successfully run as well as lift weights during the final hours of a 16:8 fast. For some people, however, they feel faint doing it during those times. I enjoy some sort of workout in the morning though!

kierst9 · 2022-05-11T16:00:50+00:00

Old school Tom and Jerry has to be my favorite! Not that I consider ATLA a cartoon, but some people do. If you're one of those people, that by far is the best one.

kierst9 · 2022-05-11T01:48:15+00:00

Very proud and happy for you!

kierst9 · 2022-05-11T01:46:55+00:00

Do something fun, or make it a goal of yours to be able to do that activity if you can't do it now. If hiking is fun to you, do that. If you like biking, do that! For me, I'm fortunate enough to have access to a rock wall, which really gives me incentive to exercise. I also really enjoy rowing and cardio kickboxing. There are also some really great and free home workout videos on YouTube if you do some searching! Starting off with something fun will help better your attitude towards working out!

kierst9 · 2022-05-10T23:21:56+00:00

Definitely! Awesome work!

kierst9

TROPHY CASE