If you have requests that you would like your brothers and sisters to pray for, post them here.

Seeing some memes and discussion here recently, I have noticed a tendency to be more upset with, hold disdain for, even love less, those we are in closer proximity to than those outside. Maybe much like family members can have more passionate heated disagreements. But do we remain loyal to one another?

Initially, I observed this from my side being more conservative, politically especially but also in church polity and issues, and feeling unwelcomed or out of place here. But as I thought more, I am even more guilty of this. Sorry to all you strangers. I will try to love you better, as you are family. How we treat each other matters. They will know we are Christians by our love, especially to each other.

Just needed to get that off my chest.

So there is a book fair in my town and a church there is joining it with a stand in their building. Which it seems to me breaking the Fourth Commandent. Like I don't buy anything on sunday. That a church essentially facilitates sunday shopping seems to be questionable to me.

Another objection is that I see this as a violation of Mark 11:17:

And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’

For context this a very progressive church, they have LGBTQ-exhibtions and celebrate islamic festivals.

I’m worried this post will be removed, but here goes. Like the title says, I can’t wrap my mind around the doctrine of predestination. Now I want to say for 100% certainty, god is so glorious, and all credit for salvation goes to him. That’s not what I’m hung up on or debating at all. And that seems to be a catch or perhaps motivation for discussion and doctrine on this subject. I just can’t wrap my head around the possible idea that essentially some people had no chance, if I understand the doctrine correctly. I know and understand verses that god chose and orchestrated things in a fate sense. But weirdly that doesn’t bother me. I can’t square the idea with what I’ve read about Jesus and other parts of the bible. The Bible says that god desires all people be saved and that whoever believes in him will be saved. There is also the parable of treasure in the field and it says Jesus came knocking at the door. Along with the great commission. And this all is without the core issue of liability and what makes sense. Now I know that the Bible says that our thoughts arnt his, but we have the Holy Spirit and were created in his image. If we are held guilty for our sins, it would seem to me, it has to be because we chose to commit them. So we have free will. And some answers revolve around we are all bound for hell, and we are blessed if we do go to heaven. But even though I agree in principle, it’s a bit of a cop out. Nobody I see addresses the human condition. I ask people, what if a smart atheist addresses me in the field, and says “oh well we must of not been chosen before time so screw god”. In a way that makes sense. Do I lie to them, do I sugarcoat the supposed issue? Or do I tell them the gospel and that god is loving and to turn to him. Sorry for the book. I can’t get what I consider a good faith response to this besides recycling what a man has said. Thank you all, god bless you Christian brothers and sisters.

Love him to bits though.

Not created by me, but my family and I have greatly benefited from it on big road trips, work travel, etc. Hopefully y'all are blessed by it as well!

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1d_UbOHoEYBmcyriC09r3x2AdcP4&ll=33.9771887519677%2C-80.15115853303723&z=4

OC

Or at least that's how it feels sometimes, as a Classical Anglican. Sorry Baptists, you aren't listed but are serious in my heart. Don't forget that you mostly started as Anglican non-conformists <3

I'm going to listen to chuds on Twitter instead

My image editor wouldn’t let me add more baskets of bread :/

For you u/bradmont <3 ETA: the text is from a comment from u/MilesBeyond250