(CLICK on the Q/A: for full question and answer)
Q/A: I was severely sexually abused as a child from 5 years old and upward. I prayed to God every time my father would do the painful things, but God never once stopped him. Can you explain to me why God let me be punished by my father? What did I do wrong? - Cathy
Q/A: What do you do when your 14-year old son is a ?Goth?, wearing nothing but black, failing in school and summer school? How do you even begin to get him away from the people who practice this lifestyle? The person he hangs out with, if you could see him, looks like he has the devil in him. What can I do to help my brother with this situation? Where do we start? - Twana
Q/A: A question that creeps into my mind often is how to meet obligations such as school or work, that I do not now value? Before, working and bettering myself was easy and it was a goal. I wanted a big house, big car, etc. Now I want to know God and be with my family. Knowing that this life can end anytime seems to paralyze my ability to move forward and do what needs to be done.... Also, with God?s omnipotence, does he already know the future? If yes, then why do we pray to be healed when we are sick? What is the ?power of prayer?? Is prayer just a mechanism to bring our minds closer to our hearts and thus more aware of God? - Michelle
Q/A: My mother died about six months ago. I was with her to the end, which was a blessing. In the last six months my dad has really gone downhill. He is a loner and has no one to talk to. I live about 1000 miles away. He is not a believer. I have told him about Christ. This was all before my mother died. He was just told by his doctor that he has bone degeneration in his pelvis and hips and there is nothing they can do. He is so mentally depressed. He is setting everything up for his death. He and I have spent some time on the phone about this. He says he is not afraid of death at all and welcomes it. I really don?t know how to deal with this. He is a very strong willed man. I don?t think I can change his mind without alienating myself to him. Thanks for any advice. - Craig
Q/A: First of all, let me just say that I am a born-again Christian and have been since 1995. However, for the last month I have been fighting two spiritual battles at once. The first one deals with doubting the reality of the claims of the Bible. Out of the blue one day last month, the message of the gospel hit home for me. I found myself thinking, ?This story is so fantastic, so far fetched and so crazy! How can it really be true?? One positive outcome of this battle has been that it has caused me to dive deeply into information and writings on the authenticity of the Bible, which has helped me a great deal. My second battle deals with a call to the ministry. About the same time I started having doubts, I felt what I think may be a call to ministry. My problem is, how do I know if that call is from God or me? I feel a gentle prodding deep down to go to seminary, although I?m not sure about what kind of ministry I?m led to. Is this common? Are there any signs or feelings that are common to people who have been called by God? - Ben
Q/A: I appreciate your service, so here goes. I have been debating online with a fellow who denies the Trinity and that Jesus is God. He says he is a Christadelphian. Before I started debating him I didn?t know much about Christadelphians, but they are essentially a non-orthodox group that denies the Trinity and many other historic Christian doctrines.... In a way I felt that God was calling me to try and help him, but after dealing with him for a while I feel that maybe I am wasting my time. Recently, he personally insulted me by calling me illiterate and a liar and I told him that I didn?t want to continue if he was not going to show me the same respect that I have shown him. I know that you must have been in situations similar to this, so I am asking your advice on how to deal with people like this. On one hand I feel compelled to help them, but on the other hand I feel that I may be wasting my time and I?ve done all that I can do. - Ray
Q/A: Do you think it is ok for a Christian to read the Christian Science Monitor newspaper considering whom it is published by? I hear it is actually a good newspaper. - Sue
Q/A: I have many questions about what the Bible says and how it teaches us to live. In particular, I am concerned about sex. Obviously, as our modern society revolves around sex, and being the young age that I am (17), it is an extremely important issue. I know that it says to wait until we are married to have sex and I truly want to wait. My question is, does it give any other regulations? Thanks for the help and God bless, - Josh
Q/A: I?m a senior in high school and I want to join the wrestling team but I am not sure about it because wrestling is a sport involving ?violence?. Can you tell me what the Bible tells us about things like this? - Magdalena
Q/A: I heard a message about Christians only dealing with Christians, i.e. like in business, where possible. They even quoted a Scripture that suggested Christians should only do business with Christians. I can?t find it. I have a Christian Travel agency (30% of our business with missionaries, churches, etc.) and I wanted to develop a new brochure and use this scripture. Any suggestions? - Melinda
Q/A: About two years ago my brother was saved and really excited about his new walk with Christ. He was even the one that God used to change my life. I visited him this weekend (he lives in another state so we don?t see much of each other) and discovered that he has not only lost his relationship with Jesus, he now believes that there is no God at all. He is very angry and bitter about the whole Christian ?thing?. I talked with him about this and tried to change his mind. After talking with him I think that he felt God called him to do something, possibly to pastor, and this scared him. He also related to me that the church he was attending has not even contacted him to see why he hasn?t been going. He is very bitter and angry toward all Christians. I just don?t know what to do. Any advice? - Larry
Q/A: I have a question that I would hope can be answered fairly soon. I am attempting to help an individual out of the pit of despair. As a beginning place I suggested from many prolonged conversations with her that she needed to love herself (she is a Christian). She has asked me how she should go about doing that. I have suggested several avenues of possibilities but she has sunk so low with an extreme overload of work and responsibility that I would appreciate your help in this. How do you learn to love yourself? Would you address this question for me please? - Leith
Q/A: I have a problem. I am in college. I think I may have been called to be a teacher. The problem is that I am happy to do my graduate work in education but I want to study what I am interested in. But when I stray completely away from the teaching thing, something horrible always happens. The last time I was considering something other than teaching my mom had a heart attack. I am afraid something worse is going to happen. I am afraid to have fun. I am afraid to have other interests because I am afraid of falling out of God?s will and then something really terrible happening. What do I do? Why is God punishing me? Help! - Sue
Q/A: I?m writing to you from England. I used to read the Plain Truth years ago. I have only just discovered your web site, so I am very pleased that I can catch up on reading some articles. My question is colored by the fact that I was in a relationship with a German woman some years ago with whom I had two daughters. We weren?t married because she didn?t want to marry. The relationship failed because she made demands that I could not tolerate, i.e. she wanted her previous boyfriend to live with us as her ?second partner?. I refused and she left, taking our children with her to live with him in Germany. I haven?t seen my children since then?over five years ago. I now find myself unable to trust women in relationships and I suffer long, deep bouts of loneliness and depression. I tried to pray and I have never felt that my prayers have been heard. I have never been totally convinced of the existence of God, and I now have very grave doubts. I have Christian friends who say that they are praying for me and that they ?know? that God will provide. Meanwhile, I try to imagine how I could end my life and cause the least suffering to others. I am not sure what my question actually is, but why do I feel ignored? - Alf
Q/A: How are you? I?m interested in starting an internet ministry, but I do not have any experience as a minister. My question is, should I receive some kind of education to become an ordained minister, or should I go ahead and trust God with guidance, or do both, for that matter? I appreciate any help you can give me on this. - Michael
Q/A: Why do evangelical Christians put country before Christ? I?m looking for a religion that lives by Jesus? message of peace and love, one that doesn?t throw his message aside every time the USA and England declare war. Advice would be appreciated. - Paul
Q/A: Can you please tell me of any biblical principles concerning the arts? I am a poet, and I believe that God has given me this talent. I have been told by a Christian friend that much of the arts are inspired by evil and based in sensuality, poetry especially being very introverted and causing one to focus on himself. I can certainly see his point and agree that I must be careful and prayerful of where inspiration is coming from and of my motivations for writing. I am very concerned with living the way God wants me to live and being a creative writing student, I am wondering if I?m making a mistake in choosing this as a career. This is why I am asking for advice based on biblical principles. Thank you so much for this forum and your time! - Terri
Q/A: In your ?Most Recent Q&A? section, there is a question from a gentleman named Russell who was struggling with capital punishment issues. One of your responses was that ?we should remember that the United States, or any other country for that matter, is not governed by either the new or old covenant. As Christians we are strangers and pilgrims. Our citizenship is in heaven.? I totally agree. In this regard, however, how should Christians react to gentlemen such as John Ashcroft and President Bush, who declare that they are Christians, yet who support and promote the death of individuals via capital punishment? Does not Christ come before the State?.... - Robb
Q/A: What does the Bible say about hypnotism? Is it from God, or Satan? - Erik
Q/A: I don?t have anything specific to ask you, as my question is very general. A few years back it seems as if my life was on target. Although I have not attended church on the weekend, I did read the Bible and quite enjoyed the Plain Truth magazine and various other articles. Well, to make a long story short, things changed slowly but drastically. I got very hurt in an unsuccessful relationship that has made me a bitter man, without the same promise in life. I still believe in God and Christianity, however I do not have the same feeling and closeness I held before. I look at life with pessimism. I do not feel I am doing any ?good? and probably lead a life without Christian values. I have not done anything bad, but I don?t feel as if I have done anything good either. In the back of my mind I know I want to get that same feeling back with God and my overall life. However, I cannot seem to find it. I also feel embarrassed by trying to go back to God. In other words, I feel as if he is looking down at me. Excuse the lengthy letter, but as I said, it is very general and non-specific. Any advice? - Constantine
Q/A: My husband is a youth pastor. He is discouraged and wants to give up. He wonders why it is all worth it when others who don?t follow God have the same blessings as us. What would you tell him about why it is worth it to be a Christian and follow God? He also says he is struggling with hearing God and seeing His direction for his life. Thanks! - Jennifer
Q/A: What is the role of the arts (poetry, singing, sculpture, drama, dancing, etc.) in the life of a Christian? Must a Christian?s involvement in these be confined only to the overtly religious/Christian? - David
Q/A: Deep in my heart, I long to be a good Christian. I do love my Savior and God, but know that I?m a great disappointment to him. I also realize that only he can change me, but know also that we are to ?strive to be Holy.? I find my self at times being the same ugly old sinner that I have tried with God?s help to cast off. I become so disgusted with myself that I wonder how God can keep forgiving and loving me. My temper is my problem, and I have little patience with most situations anymore. I used to be a relaxed, fun-loving person who enjoyed life so much, but since my husband has developed Alzheimer?s I have become so discouraged with life and everyday living. Our children, who I was always there for, no longer want anything to do with us and never call or come around, and they refuse to help with him. I seriously consider suicide. I have no happy days anymore. What words of wisdom would you have for me? - Mattie
Q/A: We had an incident in our family recently. My sister asked her husband for a divorce, and three weeks later told us about a guy she is in love with. It has now been four months and she is now living with him on the weekends. ... Before the separation, our family had planned a vacation together. It was to be a celebration of marriages; this year was a milestone for all of us.... Well, I just found out today that my separated sister?s boyfriend is going. They will be staying in separate bedrooms and staying in the condo with my other sister. I told my sister who is planning the vacation that my family will not be going. Now the whole family is upset with me, saying that I am being ?holier than thou? and judgmental. The sister who planned the vacation is a Christian also. She sees this as an outreach to my other sister. I really can?t see taking my family down there and receiving them into our fellowship as an acceptable relationship. Am I wrong? - Rhonda
Q/A: The movie ?Gladiator? captured a lot of attention and the Academy Award. I saw the movie and felt for the main character as a victim of a wicked world in which he lived. There was also a hint of the afterlife in which he is transported to an idyllic world with his wife and young son who were killed by the wicked son of the old emperor Marcus Aurelius. The movie took some literal figures from the ancient Roman Empire and transformed them into an interesting story of betrayal and revenge. My question is did the Romans understand heaven or were they only dreaming of an idyllic world in the midst of the chaos and treachery of the Roman world? - David
Q/A: My girlfriend has a 17-year old daughter who is in church every time the doors are opened. I think this is good, as she is a dedicated Christian.... She is a freshman in college at a local university and living at home. She has a part-time job at a local retail store that helps with her college expenses and helps my girlfriend as well since she is a single mom with no help from the father, financially or otherwise. This young lady has had many opportunities to work on Wednesday nights but refuses to because of going to church that night. Frankly, she says her only responsibility should be to God and His work and that she owes no responsibility to her employer. She says that God will take care all her needs and she shouldn?t even have to work. Aside from going to school, she has a car to keep up, insurance, tithing, clothes, books and so on. My girlfriend helps her with most of that, but how can you show her that in life here on earth, that you can still be a good Christian, and understand that you do have other responsibilities such as work. I am sure that somewhere in the Bible, there is something dedicated to the fact that people should honor their responsibilities while they are temporarily here. Please tell me where it is and also what I can do to make her understand this. It will be harder to prepare someone for the real world if we let them go on thinking that they have no responsibilities to a job. - Jim
Q/A: Yoga is a really big thing right now. People who are doing yoga correctly seem to have pretty incredible bodies, both with muscle and in flexibility. Is Yoga O.K. for Christians to follow? - Rhonda
Q/A: ... How old do you think Timothy was when Paul wrote to him? ... - Kati
Q/A: ...have your read ?The Bondage Breaker? by Neil T. Anderson? What is your opinion? - Dav id
Q/A: ...What do you feel is the biblical way to handle family members that are living their lives controlled by the flesh and/or under the yoke of gambling, drinking, gossip, etc.? What are we or are we not called to do? Since they are not trying to live their lives for Jesus do we have an obligation to hold them accountable and try to lead them in that direction by words rather than only by our example? It seems a very tight rope..... - Sheila
Q/A: My wife and I are in our early 20’s and are both Christians. We attend church pretty regularly. My problem is that I keep going through these spurts where I am totally into God and praying every day. . .and from there I slide to where I stop praying and start doing things that are not very good in the Lord’s eyes, i.e. . .bad language, drinking, and looking at adult material. I feel really low and spiritually drained when I keep going from one extreme to another. I am most happy in my marriage and life when I am walking God’s path, but for some reason I keep going back to my old ways. I was wondering if this is pretty common among Christians and what can I do to stay on the right path with God? I get really confused when I keep bouncing back and forth and wonder why I keep doing this to myself. I noticed in a Q/A you said you were going to send a lady a book called "Know What You Believe and Know Why You Believe". If you have any extra copies, I would love one. Keep up the good work. - Jeremy
Q/A: I am a Christian, and yet I struggle with depression. I was once told that depression is from the devil. Is this true? I was also told that if I give my whole heart to the Lord, I will be filled with joy and not depression. I believe that I have given my whole heart to the Lord, and yet I still struggle with depression. - Ann
Q/A: My mother’s grandfather passed away some number of years ago before I was born. (I am now 17). She has been visited by his spirit since and each time he comes with a message or clues to something that is about to happen in our family. I have only recently started "seeing" him myself..... I’ve never been that religious and this kinda scares me. Do you know what this is? And if you have any comments on the afterlife and spirits, please let me know. I didn’t know who else to ask about it. Have similar things occurred? I have always seen "ghosts" even from the time I was a child. I often have dreams of things that come true. I don’t think I’m psychic or anything like that. I don’t believe in those. I do believe these messages are coming from a higher power, and I think it is God. My family has done this for generations. What do you think about it all? Should I be afraid of the door? I just don’t know. - Carrie
Q/A: ...You get right to the point of what gives us eternal life – not just belonging to a particular church but by accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior and entering into a relationship with God through this ‘bridge’. Thank you very much for addressing issues that have been troubling me for some time. You have incredible depth of thought and wisdom on these matters and no doubt that is of God! Your words are a blessing to me as I read and re-read your answers! - David
Q/A: I was wondering if you had any insights into the work of evangelists like Billy Graham and his son Franklin. I once thought that Billy Graham was spreading confusion by telling people to go to the church of their choice, but now I see it as a powerful organization spreading the message of Jesus Christ and backing it up with powerful evangelistic and humanitarian efforts around the world. But I also have concerns about the message he is bringing that people must receive Jesus Christ in this life. Is this biblically correct or are they too hasty and shallow in their zeal to spread the gospel? - Dave
Q/A: ...When I first had a desire to know God and Christ, I had much enthusiasm. I was never afraid to preach the gospel to anyone. However, in the last few months I have noticed that desire isn’t there anymore. ...Do Christians usually lose their enthusiasm for Christ after a while? If so, is frustration a part of this "phase" which I like to call it? I would appreciate any support, biblical or otherwise that you can give me. - Michael
Q/A: My questions concerns an attitude at work, specifically from my supervisor. His philosophy and admonishment is that "Authority is never given, it is taken". Basically, the key to success is not hard work, but rather "self-promotion". In light of Matthew 6:33, I feel that God is telling me that any striving on my part is toward a closer relationship with him, and he takes care of "promotion" as it fits his plan for me. Can an attitude of self-promotion ever fit within the council of God’s Word? - Bob
Q/A: ...What is "joy?" How can I know when I have a pocket full of it? Or is "joy" an abstract term that is undefined or unrecognizable? Some have told me that "joy" is a conglomerate of happiness, contentment, security and peace. Others have told me that "joy" is simply what we experience when we abide in Christ. I know that as Christians we are commanded to rejoice in all things and in all circumstances, can you point to the "joy" experienced by Christ while in the garden crying tears of blood asking the Father to remove the cup, at Lazareth’s tomb and hanging on the cross? Please help me! I am a Christian, but I struggle with emotions every day, both the ups and downs.... - Dean
Q/A: My daughter is a ninth grade student in a Christian Academy and has to do a report on the Lost Books of Genesis. I have asked several ministers about the subject and they have never heard of such. I went to the Baptist, Methodist and Church of God pastors as well as asking members of the church I attend. No one seems to know of any lost books. Do you have any idea what she means by "lost books". The only thing we have found is the Babylonian Genesis, which is just a different interpretation of Genesis. Please help if you can. I would like to know for myself if there are any other books of Genesis. -Susan
Q/A: For over 3 years now, I have been struggling with pornography and lust. I have been seeking an accountability partner, because I realize that the real power of sexual sin is often it’s secrecy. I have found no one I would feel comfortable talking to about this issue. I have had friends who try to justify pornography by distinguishing "erotica" and "pornography." I want another male to confide in, but frankly most of my "Christian" brothers are either too touchy and uncomfortable to deal with the issue openly, or are in sexual sin and see no real reason to get out. How do I determine who I can confide in with this painful sin? - CN
Q/A: About five years ago, I was involved very heavily in bicycle racing. It took up all my time including time I should have devoted to God. One night at a Bible study I looked at my friend and said, "I feel in my heart that God is telling me to give up cycling or he is going to get me off the bike himself. It was not a mystical experience, just a deep feeling in my spirit. Well, I must not have believed it because I kept on racing and one day – bang! I herniated a disk in my back and that was it. .... I am drawing close to God as best I can and have been without pain in my back for nearly three years, but the constant irritation and stiffness always reminds me of why I am in the shape I am in (not heeding God to begin with). Can you provide me with any insight into what is happening to me, and should I call upon the elders of the church to pray and anoint me with oil? - Joe
Q/A: Can a person overcome self-defeating issues that they have grown up with by believing in Christ, i.e. lack of self confidence, fear of success etc.?- Jamie
Q/A: ...When I first became a Christian, I had zeal that just motivated me in a wonderful, joyful, and fulfilling way. The "fire" in my heart and mind was evident to everyone around me. That was about six or seven years ago. Most recently though, I feel that all that is gone. I don’t feel God’s presence in my life anymore. No longer do I feel the joy in my heart like I used too. When I pray, he seems so distant and I feel that my prayers are set aside when he has the time... - Jamie
Q/A: This might sound weird but it is an actual question. My mom thinks that I am rebelling because I choose to wear baggy pants. Does that effect my relationship with God? Is wearing the latest "fashion" wrong in any way? I hope I am not being too much trouble.- John
Q/A: I’m back! Seems this is the only place I feel comfortable coming back to. My question today is one that I am confused about and I hope you can share some light on the subject. Our 20 year old son and his girlfriend just recently had a little baby girl and I seem to have a problem accepting it as my grandchild being born out of wedlock. How should I handle this situation? - Dennis
Q/A: We pray "Our Father in heaven…" and we are told that God wants to be our Heavenly Father, and believers base that relationship with their loving earthly fathers. People who were raised with abusive parents have trouble with that. My father left my mother and me before I was born, thus I never knew a relationship with an earthly father (and no stepfather). I believe in God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, but the "heavenly Father" is as "distant" as my earthly father. You love your earthly father and draw on that relationship with your Heavenly Father. What do I do? There is no earthly father figure in my life. I hope you can help because I need it. - Damon
Q/A: ... Recently I have encountered a problem with the youth minister of my parish. The problem evolves around a T-shirt slogan that she approved for our youth to don at their convention this summer. The shirt says, "body piercing saved my life," on the front and it has a pierced hand of Jesus on the back. The association of body piercing to the crucifixion to me is sacrilegious to say the least, and a wrong message for our youth. I associate "body modification," as self-mutilation, satanic, and a form of perverted hedonism. My question is – am I blowing this out of proportion? Am I looking deeper into this than there is? Should I be concerned? - Tim