Reflections from the community: 

The Valley of Dry Bones based off of Ezekiel 37, I love the symbolism and imagery used here to help us understand His plan for us, how in the last days He will save us and bring us back unto Him.
This piece took me approximately 10 hours, and I spent nearly a quarter of that time listening to Ezekiel 37 on repeat!

We say we’re a religion of love and tolerance and then the nationalist scum come around

John 13:34 “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another”

Please pray for them, they do not represent the true essence of Christianity

They do not love others, they instead want to impose their hateful agenda on others and that doesn’t sit well with me

there are people out there who preach evolution is fake and the earth is flat and space doesnt exist and it makes the real Christians look bad on all of them

why do people think being Christian and not being an idiot are mutually exclusive? you can believe in the big G without being a total dumbass

Coming from an Agnostic who feels sorry for the good Christians out there

I've noticed many Atheists and Christian Fundamentalists have this one thing in common. They think Christians who don't believe in the entire Bible are fake Christians, and that one must be a fundamentalist to qualify as a "true" Christian.

I use my concept of natural moral law to analyse the Bible, and that means I throw out all of the immoral things in the Bible (as I don't think they can be from God). I am working on releasing a free online Bible that has none of the immorality in there, along with removing most contradictions of physical law (except some miracles and parables), like the firmament.

When I tell Christian Fundamentalists this, and when I tell atheists this, I will end up getting the same response from many of them, where they tell me I'm not a true follower of Jesus. Because in their minds, the only true Christians are the ones who are Biblical Fundamentalists who follow every jot and tittle of "scripture."

Has anyone else noticed this? It's very interesting.

One point I'd like to add: When I speak of atheists, I'm talking about the ones who are active in their promotion of atheism and activism against religion. There are many atheists that don't fall into this category. Pretty much all Christian Fundamentalists fall into the category of being active in their promotion of Christianity, so I don't really have to make such a distinction for them.

Granting for the sake of argument that there was indeed a wooden ark Noah used 4000 years ago, why do people expect that it would be intact and findable? I don't know much about wooden ships but it seems unlikely there would be anything left of it after all this time. The oldest ship that's been found was 4400 years old and there was no ship left, just remnants of its cargo.

Title, its a rare position where the manager is enthusiastic about having someone willing to learn. I already have experience in a lot she is looking for but want an opportunity where I can grow without feeling like I am disappointing my manager for not already knowing stuff or making mistakes LOL

Plus the company just seems really respectful of work life balance etc. Would be great and a relief aftera year long job search to have this job. I will work hard on my end to help make it happentoo! If you need someone praying for something for you mention it, happy to speak to the Lord about your troubles too.

A couple of minutes ago, I was thinking about the song chop suey by System of a Down, because I knew Serj got inspiration from the Bible. So then I went and picked up my Bible for the first time randomly because I was feeling down and asked God for a sign. This bible has over 2000 pages. I randomly flip and open to Matthew 27:46. "And about the 9th hour (three o'clock) Jesus cried with a loud voice, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? --- that is, My God, My God, why have You abandoned Me [leaving Me "helpless, forsaking and failing Me in My need] ?" Which is the EXACT verse that inspired the song. I'm in shock.

So, according to my catholic church, halloween is celebrating "darkness, fear, monsters and death" as a mockery and proposes that we dress up as saints instead. I was questioning if therefore watching a horror movie also applies this...but regardless.

I've celebrated Halloween my entire life (My family is catholic too and have raised in this faith), it has been nothing but sane fun with me and my friends where we just dress up as fictional beings, no different than roleplaying. So im quite unsure of what to do.

Without being married, the only way for a guy to satisfy his sexual desires is having premarital sex or masturbating. Maybe the key is just getting married right away. Curious to hear what you have to say. TIA

Update everyone. I officially quit nicoteine. Yes it is a stronghold. I have gone through quitting drugs, alcohol, self harm and the final one nicoteine. Yes it did supress the Holy Spirit in me and it was alot to even try and feel him. Now its so so much more peaceful and just quiet. Nicoteine is a very clever tool for the enemy. Got me finding ways i could chain smoke and it be ok or some excuse, aswell as vapes, it was an IDOL. Went almost two weeks dull no dopamine. Wouldnt look back now never thought this would be possible but i should know better. Was leaning into the flesh miserable. Then i realised. I need Jesus to be my strength. I cannot do it in my weakness. Its got alot easier. Just wow. For those asking is Nicoteine bad. If it becomes addiction yes, the devil will convince you.as to why its not. You are supplying dopamine receptors with artificial happiness when all you need to do is go to worship songs, psalms, scripture. Lean into JESUS. I thought id be permanently depressed. He is the new DOPAMINE, even when im feeling down, he has saved me. My soul is saved. Im out of the dark death and he revived me. So CRUCIFY THE FLESH, DIE DAILY, DAILY SURRENDER PICK UP OUR CROSSES. Much love to you all its a spiritual battle, talk to Our LORD like he is in the room with you listening because he is. Love you all 🙏✝️🙏

If God's all loving and can prevent or help soften the blow of an innocent person's suffering without taking away anyone's free will, why wouldn't He? Please don't give me the "he has plans for you". Some suffering is so devastating that it's difficult to see how it develops anything.

I can't stop look at porn and I feel after doing it cuz I know it's wrong, its like I'll stop for a day or 2 then its right back. Any tips would be great

I just came out of a really powerful youth service at church this evening.

Since I have surrendered my sin completely to God and do his will he has helped me with my mental health, I still struggle but it's not like before where I was severely depressed/hopeless.

The devil is so angry he has tried to stop me or frighten me from going to church but I still went anyway.

But here's the thing...

I've been coming to the services this week at a different church, one on Monday and one today but for whatever reason something deeply rooted within me does t like the idea of coming to church on a Sunday even though church is usually on a Sunday globally.

The fact that I even came was a move of God because I didn't want anything to do with God a few months ago or possible 1 or 2 months ago.

I need help, I get worried that I will still go to hell because I backslid but I've repented from it all but I still feel unsure or my spiritual condition/security in Christ.

Please help me, I don't want to go to hell for eternity. :/

For those of you who are waiting for your future spouse, how do you seek the Lord and grow in your relationship with Him during your singleness while also navigating the desire for marriage?

I genuinely desire marriage and a meaningful connection with someone who shares my faith. I want to build a relationship that honours God, but I also want to be careful that my desire for a husband doesn’t become greater than my desire for Jesus.

How do you surrender that desire to God without pretending it isn’t there? How do you remain hopeful and pray for your future spouse without becoming consumed by the thought of when you’ll meet them, who they’ll be, or what your future together will look like?

I’d love to hear from Christians who have struggled with this themselves. How have you learned to enjoy your current season, pursue the Lord wholeheartedly, and trust His timing without feeling as though you’re constantly waiting for your life to begin?

I want to desire marriage without making it the centre of my life, and to genuinely believe that Jesus is enough for me, whether marriage comes sooner, later, or differently than I imagined.

I’ve been reading through the essays included in the Oxford Press Catholic Study Bible. With copious highlighting and note-taking, I’ve written up what I’ve taken away from the essay The Bible in Catholic Life by Daniel J. Harrington. I’d love to hear your thoughts!

The Catholic Church teaches that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, possessing divine authority and communicating without error the truth God intended to reveal for the sake of our salvation. To understand this teaching, however, it is important to recognize how the Church understands Scripture’s divine origin, human authorship, and purpose.

As the Second Vatican Council explains in Dei Verbum (Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation), Scripture is “the words of God, expressed in the words of men.” The Bible is both genuinely divine and genuinely human. God chose human authors who made full use of their own abilities, experiences, literary styles, and historical circumstances. Through their work, guided by the Holy Spirit, God communicated what He intended to be written. Scripture is therefore neither merely a human collection of religious reflections nor a text mechanically dictated by God.

On revelation and inspiration

Divine revelation is fundamentally God’s self-communication: He reveals Himself and makes known His will for humanity’s salvation. Although God can be encountered through creation, history, and reason, Scripture is a privileged means through which He reveals Himself. The Bible does more than convey commandments or historical accounts; it invites us into a relationship with the living God.

Inspiration means that the Holy Spirit guided the human authors in composing Scripture, so that God is its principal author while the human writers remain true, instrumental authors in their own right. The Church consequently receives the biblical books, in their entirety and with all their parts, as sacred and canonical. The canon is the collection of books recognized as authoritative for the faith and life of the Church.

On inerrancy and infallibility

Catholic teaching affirms biblical inerrancy, but the meaning of this doctrine must be understood in light of Scripture’s purpose. Dei Verbum 11 teaches that the books of Scripture “firmly, faithfully and without error teach that truth which God, for the sake of our salvation, wished to see confided to the sacred Scriptures.”

This does not mean that the Bible should be treated as a modern scientific textbook or that every passage must be interpreted as straightforward historical reporting. Biblical authors employed different literary forms, including poetry, parables, symbolism, genealogies, historical narratives, and prophetic writing. Reading Scripture faithfully requires attention to these genres, the intentions of its authors, and the historical and cultural contexts in which it was written.

Infallibility is closely related to the Church’s teaching that God’s revelation, as faithfully communicated in Scripture, is trustworthy and does not lead us into error concerning the truth He intends to reveal. Inerrancy concerns Scripture’s truthfulness; infallibility is often used more broadly when discussing the reliability of divine revelation and authoritative teaching. These terms should not be confused with a claim that every interpretation of the Bible, or every statement made by a Christian about it, is automatically correct.

On the authority of Scripture

The Bible possesses authority because it bears witness to God and His actions in human history. Its authority is not primarily coercive, like the power of the state, or merely argumentative, like a mathematical proof. Rather, it is compelling: Scripture presents the testimony of those who encountered God and witnessed His work.

The Old Testament reveals God’s relationship with Israel, prepares for Christ, and provides wisdom, prayer, and insight into humanity’s relationship with God. The New Testament proclaims Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of God’s revelation. The Gospels hold a particularly important place because they are the principal source for the life and teaching of Jesus. The Church affirms their historical and apostolic character while recognizing that their composition involved the faithful transmission and interpretation of the apostolic witness. The Epistles likewise communicate the significance of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection for the early Church.

Catholics understand Scripture within the living Tradition of the Church, recognizing both as essential to the transmission of divine revelation. Scripture is not detached from the community that received, preserved, and proclaimed it.

Ultimately, the Bible’s authority rests in God Himself. Its purpose is not simply to provide information but to lead humanity toward faith, hope, love, and salvation. To read Scripture faithfully is to encounter God’s self-revelation, understand His saving work, and allow His Word to shape our lives.

"Now John answered and said, Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow with us. But Jesus said to him, Do not forbid him, for he who is not against us is on our side." Luke 9:49-50

How many times have you heard a person from a certain denomination say "We are the true church" We see here in Jesus words that what really matters is if we our on Jesus side.

I was raised with very strict parents and of course Halloween was evil. You shouldn't have anything to do with it. Our church always had harvest festivals on Halloween, which I kind of thought was still celebrating Halloween. But what I want to know is what's the difference between dressing up and going from house-to-house and dressing up and going trunk to trunk in a church parking lot? Isn't that the same exact thing?

I hope everyone is having a manageable day. I know this is an entire sub Reddit but I really just wanted to pop in and say hello. I’m 20 and in college, and I’ve had a couple of messed up semesters due to health problems and not so great people in my life, but I’m trying to get back to the Lord and live in his image the best I can.

Thank you all for being here, God bless.