| 2/6/2023 | How can we explain the senseless acts of violence that seem to happen almost every day? I was brought up to believe we all have a conscience, and therefore we all should know the difference between right and wrong. But this doesn’t seem to be the case with some people today. |
| 2/5/2023 | I know I’m supposed to worship God when I go to church, but I can’t say I always do. My thoughts wander, or I get to thinking about the people around me and I come away disappointed in myself for not really worshipping. How can I keep from being distracted? |
| 2/4/2023 | Two years after our mother died our father remarried (someone he’d known in high school). But he never discussed it with us, and he just can’t seem to understand why my sisters and I are having such a hard time accepting her as part of our families. Are we wrong to feel this way? |
| 2/3/2023 | Someone in our family is always having a crisis, and all of their problems end up in my lap. I get so tired trying to deal with them. They mostly ignore my advice anyway. Sometimes I just wish I could leave. Why is our family so messed up? |
| 2/2/2023 | I have given my heart to Jesus but I have questions about Heaven and whether it is real or not. I want to believe it is real. Can you shore up my confidence that Heaven is a real place and that I will go there when I die? |
| 2/1/2023 | I admit I’m angry at God, because all my plans for my retirement years have fallen apart. I’ve just been diagnosed with a disease that will seriously limit my mobility, and the doctor says it will only get worse. Why is God doing this to me? |
| 1/31/2023 | I love my pets very much, and they seem to love me also. Do they have souls the same way we do? Sometimes I think they must, because they all have such expressive and affectionate personalities. |
| 1/30/2023 | I gave my grandson a nice Bible for his high school graduation, but his parents got upset and told me in his presence to quit shoving religion down his throat. I knew they didn’t go to church or anything, but why would they react so strongly? Was I wrong to do this? |
| 1/29/2023 | I am a new believer and am anxious to share the gospel with my friends but how can I convince them that Jesus was resurrected on the third day? |
| 1/28/2023 | We don’t know what to do, because the doctor says our mother has terminal cancer, and yet she refuses to admit it or do anything she ought to be doing (like making a will). How can we help her? She gets angry if we even mention it. |
| 1/27/2023 | We don’t understand our son-in-law. We had a close relationship at first (especially since he and our daughter live nearby), but now he tells our daughter that we irritate him and he wishes we’d just back off. What have we done wrong? We pray about this every day, but nothing changes. |
| 1/26/2026 | I know it is an age-old question, but why does God allow people to suffer so much in this world? |
| 1/25/2023 | I know I made a lot of bad decisions over the years, but I always hoped my children would learn from my mistakes. Well, I’m afraid that hasn’t happened, and now my family seems to be coming apart at the seams. Why won’t they learn to do what’s right? |
| 1/24/2023 | My cousin doesn’t want anything to do with God. The reason, she says, is because she had a bad experience in a church when she was growing up, and it really soured her on religion. What can I say to her? |
| 1/24/2023 | I am a new believer and I want to share my beliefs with my family and friends but I am afraid to because I don’t know what to say. The few times I have tried sharing the Gospel nothing has happened. Am I doing something wrong? |
| 1/23/2023 | I’d like to become a better Christian during the coming year, but how can I make it happen? Every year I make the same resolution, but when I look back at the end of the year it doesn’t seem like much has really changed. |
| 1/22/2023 | I know the angels were very much a part of Jesus’ birth (for example, in making the announcements to Mary and the shepherds), but do they still do anything? Or are angels no longer active? |
| 1/21/2023 | We’re in shock because we usually have a large family gathering every Christmas, but this year one of my cousins isn’t coming because she’s gotten involved in a religious group that says she shouldn’t have anything to do with her family. Is this a cult or something? |
| 1/20/2023 | We’ve been invited to a family reunion this summer, and to be honest I’m dreading it. Some in our extended family haven’t spoken to each other in years, and instead of being a happy time I’m afraid it could be tense. Should we even go? |
| 1/19/2023 | I am a new believer and want to be obedient to my savior. How do I know what God wants me to do? |
| 1/18/2023 | I grew up in a home filled with chaos: no structure, no teaching. I am amazed that I became an adult that had any ability to discern right from wrong, but thank God neighbors took interest in me at special times. Now as a young mother, what are some of the lessons I can pass on to my children to better prepare them for life? |
| 1/17/2023 | Families and homes that were once the backbone of society have become victims of society. Is there any hope of restoring what has been lost? |
| 1/16/2023 | I read in the New York Times and other articles about a movie entitled “Apostasy.” Several ministers have commented on it so it must have something to do with religion but what does apostasy really mean? |
| 1/15/2023 | What Does It Mean to “Die to Self”? |
| 1/14/2023 | I am elderly, but when I see the way the world is today, it seems nearly impossible for young people to ever know what purity is. I have to say that the older generation has not set a very good example. The language alone that comes from our politicians and entertainers has deposited utter filth in young minds. What does the Bible mean when it says that people should be “pure in heart”? |
| 1/13/2023 | We are living in an age of complete lawlessness. Is this what it means to transgress against God’s law? |
| 1/12/2023 | I know God is supposed to be all-powerful, but why doesn’t He do something about all the misery and suffering in the world? Maybe He isn’t so powerful after all. |
| 1/11/2023 | I know this life is not supposed to be easy for anyone but I would like to understand why do people suffer? And why do they die? If God is good and loving, how could He allow that? |
| 1/10/2023 | What does it mean when the Bible says we should walk the narrow way? What does that really mean? |
| 1/9/2023 | I used to laugh at religious people when they would talk about the end of time. But as I witness the volume of storms that pound the world and health scares that paralyze the world, I am reconsidering what they’ve had to say. Exactly what does the Bible say about these things and why doesn’t God intervene for the sake of mankind? |
| 1/8/2023 | We live in a world that provides so many different choices: religions, careers, and relationships. Even the Bible commands that we make choices, right?? |
| 1/7/2023 | If angels are real, then why can’t we see them? I know you often see pictures or figures of them with wings and halos and everything, but how do we know what they look like, or even if they exist? |
| 1/6/2023 | I’ve heard many predictions of when the world will end. I am a believer and know I will go to heaven but I am too afraid to even think about it. What is going to happen and when and how can I keep from being so afraid? |
| 1/5/2023 | I am a new parent and seem to struggle trying to understand why it is so hard to be a parent. I have questions I need answers to. |
| 1/4/2023 | I am a believer but with all of the evil that fills this world I am overcome with fear and anxiety and constantly worried about the future. What can I do? |
| 1/3/2023 | The internet is filled with more danger than good things. It just seems that modern technology has given a platform for everyone to talk about themselves and some say that people’s obsession with it is dangerous. Does the Bible address this? |
| 1/2/2023 | I am a new believer and have been going to church regularly and reading my Bible daily but I want to grow closer to God. What else do I need to do? |
| 1/1/2023 | What does the word “apostasy” mean Biblically and is it even a relevant word in today’s society? |
| 12/31/2022 | I hear so much preaching about how God loves everyone. Does God really love me … even with all the things I have done? How much does God love me? |
| 12/30/2022 | I have recently become a new believer and want to know more about the Bible. Where do I start? |
| 12/29/2022 | Why do churches keep asking for money all the time? I am a Christian and have been told that I should tithe? What is that? Isn’t tithing just for rich people? What if I can’t afford to give? |
| 12/28/2022 | When parents and children disagree, aren’t parents ultimately responsible for bringing matters to the right conclusion? |
| 12/27/2022 | What Is the secret to building a happy home? |
| 12/26/2022 | Looking back over this past year I have struggled with everything. My job, my marriage, my family, and my finances. It seems to have been a futile year. Is there any advice you can give me that there is hope this coming year will be better? |
| 12/25/2022 | My brother and I would like to do something special for our mother this Mother’s Day. She hasn’t had an easy life, and to be honest we haven’t always been as thoughtful as we should have been. We’ll take her out to dinner or something like that, but can you suggest anything else? |
| 12/24/2022 | Many say that science doesn’t support God’s existence because it can’t be proven through a chemical formula or some other complex equation. How can I really know that God does exist? |
| 12/23/2022 | Parenting in today’s world is harder than it used to be. What is the key to being a good parent? |
| 12/22/2022 | I hear people talk about having a personal relationship with God, but I don’t understand what they mean. I believe in God, but I can’t say I feel like I’m particularly friendly with Him. |
| 12/21/2022 | My boyfriend and I are discussing marriage. We’ve known each other since grade school and are meant for each other. But he’s started dabbling in drugs that ignite his bad temper, taking it out on me. Because I love him, I’m committed to helping him overcome, and believe I can do this better as his wife. Wouldn’t this please God? |
| 12/20/2022 | I spent years in the military and served in many wars, but the hostility that is happening right under our feet in the good old US of A sometimes seems more violent to me. What’s the solution? |
| 12/19/2022 | I have been taught my whole life that our God is a God of love, mercy and forgiveness. If that is so, why would we need hell? |
| 12/18/2022 | I’ve always been a fiercely independent person, feeling I could solve all my problems on my own (and I usually have). Well, last year I became a Christian, and now people are telling me I need to change and become meek and mild. Does God expect me to change my whole personality? |
| 12/17/2022 | It seems that lately no matter what I do I don’t feel good about it. There is disquiteness in my soul and I just can’t seem to find peace about my job, my marriage, and my life in general. What can I do to get peace back into my heart? |
| 12/16/2022 | I know it is an age-old question, but why does God allow people to suffer so much in this world? |
| 12/15/2022 | One of my uncles says God is like a stern judge, just waiting to punish us when we do wrong. But another uncle says he’s wrong, because God is like a kindly father who loves us and forgives us, no matter what we do. Who is right? |
| 12/14/2022 | You often tell people to ask Jesus to come into their lives with a simple prayer of faith. But how do I know if I’m saying the right words? Maybe I haven’t said enough, or I’ve said the wrong things. How can I be sure God has heard me? |
| 12/13/2022 | When my grandfather died, he willed the old family Bible to me (we have a large family, and none of us got much of value). I don’t know what to do with it. It’s too big for me to read (although I know he read it every day), and the language is very old-fashioned. Why keep it? I guess I’m not a very sentimental person. |
| 12/12/2022 | No one likes to invite my aunt to family gatherings because all she does is talk about herself. She never listens or shows any interest in what’s happening to anyone else, and it’s hard having her around. What can we do about this? |
| 12/11/2022 | Our pastor preached about idols the other day, and he said that an idol can be anything—our money, our job, or anything like that. I guess I always thought idols were just carved religious figures. Was he right to label all these things as idols? |
| 12/10/2022 | I have had girlfriends in the past that I thought I loved but the relationships did not work out. Now I am married and I am worried it might not work out either. I am not sure I know what real love is. What is real, true, genuine love? |
| 12/9/2022 | I know we should be Holy unto God but I am not sure just what that means. What is Holiness? |
| 12/8/2022 | Why do some people have a strong faith in God and others have a weak faith? Ten years ago, a friend and I became Christians at the same summer camp in high school, but my faith is so weak compared with his. Does God just give some people a strong faith, and the rest of us will always be weaker? |
| 12/7/2022 | I’ve been told that I’m supposed to be growing in my faith but I don’t think it’s happening. Maybe I don’t understand what it means. Am I missing something? |
| 12/6/2022 | If God is in control of everything, why do bad things happen to us? I’d like to believe in God, but I just can’t understand this. |
| 12/5/2022 | My heart is full of anxiety and fear and I am so worried about everything. What can I do to restore peace and calm in my life? |
| 12/4/2022 | If I had to make a list of my faults, the first thing on the list would have to be “impatience.” I wish I was a more patient person, but I’m afraid it just isn’t in me to be that way. Does the Bible say anything about this? |
| 12/3/2022 | I am worried about the fact that so many marriages end in divorce. What advice can you give me so that mine will not? |
| 12/2/2022 | Does God love me? |
| 12/1/2022 | My parents criticize me all the time, saying that I spend more time with my friends than studying or helping around the house. I am active in my church. Why can’t they understand I need to have my own life? |
| 11/30/2022 | We went to a lot of trouble to have some of our relatives stay with us this Christmas, and after all these weeks have gone by, not a one of them has bothered to thank us—no notes, no phone calls, nothing. Why are people so thoughtless? |
| 11/29/2022 | You don’t actually believe the devil is real, do you? |
| 11/28/2022 | My sister and her husband are always praying about decisions they have to make, but I think they just need to use their brains to decide what to do. After all, why did God give us a brain if He didn’t expect us to use it? |
| 11/27/2022 | Why can’t a prosperous nation like America resolve the conflict of hate and violence? Is there hope for a nation that is seeing more outrage and more mass killings than ever before? |
| 11/26/2022 | My cousin is trying to talk me into giving my life to Jesus, but I’m afraid I’ll have to give up some of the fun things I enjoy doing. And anyway, I don’t see what advantage it would be for me. Maybe you can talk me into it. |
| 11/25/2022 | Who is Jesus? |
| 11/24/2022 | Why can’t families get along? My five siblings and I got together for Christmas dinner this year, and all we did was argue. I’m afraid we hardly ever have contact. This concerns me, but I guess it’s just been easier to go our separate ways. |
| 11/23/2022 | I heard from a religious friend of mine that Jesus is going to come back to earth someday. But how will we know if He does? Maybe He’ll be born in some remote part of the world and we’ll never even hear about Him. |
| 11/22/2022 | Where can I find Peace Of Mind? |
| 11/21/2022 | What is the Point Of Life? |
| 11/20/2022 | What is the best way to respond in time of crisis? |
| 11/19/2022 | Why didn’t someone tell me how hard it is being a parent? We have three children, and it seems like all I do all day long is try to keep them from fighting. Will it ever get any better? |
| 11/18/2022 | Why can’t people get along? My parents had five children, and for the most part, we’ve never gotten along. Today, we hardly have anything to do with each other. Now that I’m a Christian, I’d like to do something about this but I don’t know how. Any suggestions? |
| 11/17/202 | Why can’t people live life the way they want to when it comes to their own personal morality? Why is it anyone’s business? |
| 11/16/2022 | Is it wrong to be successful and make lots of money and have nice things? My parents were always poor, and I don’t want to be like that if I can help it. But maybe God doesn’t want us to be successful. |
| 11/15/2022 | Why does God allow suffering in the world? |
| 11/14/2022 | It has been said that sexual relations is a gift from God. How can God condone something that is so destructive, particularly when we see the obsession with pornography, child abuse and sexual immorality used as the most popular form of entertainment? |
| 11/13/2022 | I’ve gone through life making bad decisions about almost everything—marriage, money, health, jobs, you name it. I always hoped my children would wise up and learn from my mistakes, but it isn’t happening. Why haven’t they learned from my bad example? |
| 11/12/2022 | What is grace, in your view? I hear a lot about the grace of God, and amazing grace, and things like that, but I’m not sure I know exactly what it means. |
| 11/11/2022 | Why Does Evil Seem to Be Winning in the World? |
| 11/10/2022 | Why Is Family Prayer Important? |
| 11/9/2022 | Do All Things Work Together for Good? |
| 11/8/2022 | Billy Graham on Questions About Prayer |
| 11/7/2022 | If we read the Bible and are obedient to Scripture, why is it important to pray? |
| 11/6/2022 | Uprisings on university campuses, turmoil around the world and hostilities within families and homes seem to scream louder by the day. What can the average person do? |
| 11/5/2022 | Answers to many questions about life and living for a Christian. |
| 11/4/2022 | Why were the towns of Sodom and Gomorrah places of great sin and judged so harshly? |
| 11/3/2022 | Will Graham On The Judgment Seat of Christ |
| 11/2/2022 | I have been encouraged by others to pray for my unsaved family that they will come to know the Lord as their Savior. Does this really happen very often? |
| 11/1/2022 | I have terrible pain all the time from a bad back, and the doctors can’t seem to do anything about it (except to prescribe strong drugs, which I don’t want to get hooked on). What good is God to me, if He won’t relieve my pain? Is it wrong for me to ask Him to take it away? |
| 10/31/2022 | What is Heaven like? Is it just like this world, only more perfect? Or will it be something entirely different from what we see around us? I’ve often wondered about this. |
| 10/30/2022 | Does God love me? |
| 10/29/2022 | There is so much injustice in the world. Has it always been this way, and is it too late for us to experience another revival era? |
| 10/28/2022 | Billy Graham on Love, Intimacy & Relationships |
| 10/27/2022 | Billy Graham on What It Means To Be Born Again |
| 10/26/2022 | Billy Graham on Absent and Abusive Fathers |
| 10/25/2022 | Billy Graham on Tough Relationships |
| 10/24/2022 | I enjoy my friend’s company, but sometimes he gets off on racial issues, and his intolerance and bigotry really make me very uncomfortable. I tried to say something to him about it once, but it just made him angry. How should I handle this? |
| 10/23/2022 | Billy Graham on Life Lessons he Learned from His Mother |
| 10/22/2022 | Our five children are grown and live all over the country, but when we suggested we get together for a family reunion they said they weren’t interested. I’m really sorry that we never were a close family, but is it too late to change this? |
| 10/21/2022 | Billy Graham on How To Make Your Heart Right With God |
| 10/20/2022 | Billy Graham on Marriage: A Sacred Institution |
| 10/19/2022 | Are Christians supposed to be happy all the time? I’ve heard people say this, but I just don’t think it’s possible. I can’t avoid getting in the dumps when things aren’t going right. |
| 10/18/2022 | Adoption Q&A with Edward and Kristy Graham |
| 10/17/2022 | In recent years we’ve seen an attack on the Ten Commandments. Now there are even prominent pastors who are calling the Old Testament that contains the Ten Commandments to be thrown aside. As an American—and a Christian—this is shocking. Is such a significant portion of the Bible irrelevant today? |
| 10/16/2022 | We have legal custody of our son’s children, because he’s in prison for another 20 years, and his wife’s left him and is into all sorts of bad things. But now she’s threatening legal action if we don’t give them back. We love them, and we can’t stand the thought of giving them up. Is it morally wrong for us to want to keep them? |
| 10/15/2022 | Billy Graham on whether you are Surviving or Thriving in Your Empty Nest |
| 10/14/2022 | We spent Christmas with our son and his wife, and I came away wondering if she’s really the right wife for him. She’s so different from us, and we just didn’t feel comfortable around her. They seem happy, but should I say something privately to him? |
| 10/13/2022 | How can I control my thoughts and get rid of all the junk that passes through my mind? I know God must be appalled at some of the things I think about, but I can’t seem to get rid of them. |
| 10/12/2022 | We’re having a big family reunion this summer, and I admit my husband and I are kind of nervous because most of our relatives aren’t religious. We don’t want to come across as self-righteous killjoys, but I guess we ought to take a stand somehow for Jesus. Should we just not go? |
| 10/11/2022 | How can I be a good mother-in-law? Our son got married a few months ago and they live fairly near us. It’s hard for me not to call them every day, but I don’t want to be an interfering mother-in-law. How can I avoid this but still let them know I care? |
| 10/10/2022 | Billy Graham on Advice for Families Who Have Been Staying Home |
| 10/9/2022 | Billy Graham on the Prayers and Influence of His Mother |
| 10/8/2022 | Billy Graham on What Makes a Happy Home |
| 10/7/2022 | Billy Graham on What Makes A Christ-Centered Home |
| 10/6/2022 | I always thought it would be exciting to live in a big city, and after I graduated last year I took a job in one. But I never realized how lonely I’d be. I can’t afford to go home for Christmas this year, but I hate the idea of sitting alone in my apartment. Is God telling me I ought to quit my job and move back home? |
| 10/5/2022 | We are facing yet another ugly election. Many articles are written about the fact that our nation is on the brink of collapse. Can a great nation like America really collapse? |
| 10/4/2022 | I am reading a book on the total liberation of society, stating that man can be free from everything and operate within their own realm. There are people who really believe this, including my own minister who quotes from the book. Who stands for truth? Should I stay in a church with this kind of teaching? |
| 10/3/2022 | Are science and religion opposed to each other? I’ll be entering college in a few weeks, and I hope to become a doctor someday. But I’m a committed Christian, and I’m wondering what kind of problems I might have to face in some of my science classes. |
| 10/2/2022 | My husband has a long-term medical condition, and I’m his only caregiver. I wish he’d understand how hard this is, especially when all he does is complain. He reads your column, so maybe you could say something about this. |
| 10/1/2022 | I admit I was a lousy father, and after I dumped my wife I lost all contact with my kids. Now, 30 years later, for some reason, I really want to reconnect with them, but they’ve made it clear they don’t want to see me. Should I keep trying, or just forget it? |
| 9/30/2022 | My sister and I had a falling out a few years ago and haven’t spoken since. But this Christmas we ran into each other at a party, and she said it was silly for us to keep on like this. However, she also made it plain that she wasn’t going to apologize, and I’m certainly not going to, either. What would you say to us? |
| 9/29/2022 | If angels are real, then why can’t we see them? I know you often see pictures or figures of them with wings and halos and everything, but how do we know what they look like, or even if they exist? |
| 9/28/2022 | I used to laugh when I saw associates of mine go through a so-called midlife crisis—new convertible, new girlfriend, new attempts to turn back the clock, etc. Well, now it’s happened to me, and I don’t know what to do. I’ve already destroyed my family, and I don’t even care. Any advice? |
| 9/27/2022 | A few weeks ago, a fast-talking salesman got my elderly mother-in-law to sign an expensive contract for something she doesn’t need and can’t afford, and certainly will never use. Why are some people so cruel, taking advantage of someone like this? |
| 9/26/2022 | My late father was mostly in prison when I was growing up, and the one thing I always said was that I’d never end up like he did. But now I have (I’m in jail for the first time), and it’s really depressing me. Did God make me so I’d be just like my father, and there’s nothing I can do about it? |
| 9/25/2022 | Society today teaches that the classroom is where our children should learn what they need in life. Is this true? |
| 9/24/2022 | My father is in prison. I want him to have a happy Christmas, but I don’t know how. We can only visit him every few months. I miss him a lot. I am nine years old. |
| 9/23/2022 | I admit we never paid much attention to the television programs and films our children watched, but I’m beginning to wonder if we made a mistake. I guess we thought they’d learn how they ought to live by watching us, but now I’m not so sure. Have we missed something? |
| 9/22/2022 | I suppose I’ve given my life to Jesus dozens of times, but I still worry about my salvation. I don’t really feel like I’m going to go to Heaven when I die. Am I always going to be like this? |
| 9/21/2022 | I know the Bible says we’re not supposed to be thinking about money all the time, but I’ve been fairly successful in my business and I admit it’s all I think about. But why is that so wrong? Doesn’t God expect me to take care of my family? |
| 9/20/2022 | We’re debating whether or not to invite my aunt for Christmas dinner. We normally do, but last year she was so sharp-tongued and critical about everything that no one wants to be around her. We don’t want our Christmas spoiled. What should we do? |
| 9/19/2022 | We’re facing some hard decisions about my mother. She’s getting more feeble and confused, and we don’t think she ought to be living alone. But we have a very small house and just don’t have room to take her in. To make things worse, she refuses to admit she even needs help. What should we do? |
| 9/18/2022 | I agree that people ought to be legally free to believe in God and follow whatever they think He wants them to do. But since I don’t feel any need for God or religion myself, then I ought to be just as free to live any way I want to, shouldn’t I? |
| 9/17/2022 | Every Christmas, my brother and his wife always give expensive gifts to our family, and it’s always made us feel like we have to do the same for them. But this year we don’t have the money to spend that we once did. How can we tactfully suggest to them that we cut down on our gift giving this year? |
| 9/16/2022 | Everyone in our family feels sorry for my aunt, because her husband is just about the most selfish person you’ll ever meet. This is obviously very hard on her, and some of us even wonder if we ought to encourage her to divorce him. Would this be wrong? |
| 9/15/2022 | Families have spent more time at home in the past few months than in recent years. Generations ago this wasn’t so unusual. What has changed? |
| 9/14/2022 | I get upset whenever anyone refers to God as their Father, because my father was terrible—selfish, abusive, finally abandoning us. If God is anything like my father was, then I don’t want anything to do with Him. |
| 9/13/2022 | How do you deal with someone who’s just plain obnoxious? My brother-in-law never lets anyone else talk when he’s around, and if they do say something, he immediately argues with them because he thinks he knows everything. Should we just ignore him? |
| 9/12/2022 | Is it wrong to be proud of your accomplishments? I’ve been very successful in my business and I admit I’m proud of what I’ve been able to accomplish, but I’ve also heard that it’s wrong to be proud. Is this true? |
| 9/11/2022 | I guess you’d say my sister-in-law is kind of “high maintenance.” She’s always calling me because she’s gotten her feelings hurt by what someone said or did (or didn’t do) to her. How can I help her? I get tired of just being a convenient shoulder for her to cry on. |
| 9/10/2022 | Is the business of rioting in the streets the outcome of preoccupation of “self,” an obsession with satisfying every whim that crosses a person’s mind? |
| 9/9/2022 | I’m headed to college next year, and I plan to major in science. Can a person be a dedicated scientist and still be a Christian? I’ve given my life to Jesus, but most of the scientists I’ve met don’t seem to believe in God. |
| 9/8/2022 | We’ve had some hard times since my husband lost his job and has only been able to find part-time work. Does God still expect us to give something to our church? I don’t want God to get mad at us, but money is really tight right now, and I don’t see how we can give anything. |
| 9/7/2022 | I have been hurt badly by someone in my own family Why would they do that? We are supposed to be close as a family. |
| 9/6/2022 | What does it mean to honor my mother and my father? |
| 9/5/2022 | What does it mean to harden the heart toward God so that he gives us up, and is there a point of no return? My friend told me the remedy is to hunger for the things of God. What does that really mean? |
| 9/4/2022 | My parents are both together in a nursing home and they have difficulty communicating with the nurses and even each other. I am desperate to find a way to comfort them in their last days. It’s bad enough to have strangers caring for them but I am in bad health also and cannot help them in any physical way. I feel guilty and weak myself in this sad time of life. |
| 9/3/2022 | Christmas is almost here, and already I’m overwhelmed because of all the family that’s coming. We get along fine, but just getting ready is so demanding that I know I’ll be exhausted before they even get here. How can I keep up the Christmas spirit with so much work to do? |
| 9/2/2022 | My husband and I are preparing to have our first child. Suddenly I am afraid of the responsibility that faces us. What is the secret to having assurance that we will help our child get through life well? |
| 9/1/2022 | I worry about what my children learn in school but I am not able to send them to a private school. What can a parent do to make sure that children learn the right things that bring them true happiness? |
| 8/31/2022 | How can two people from the same family be so different? My sister never worries about anything, while I’m the proverbial worrywart. I wish I could stop being like this, but I can’t. |
| 8/30/2022 | My parents got divorced several months ago, and I feel confused. I love them both, but they don’t love each other and that makes it very hard for me, especially when they trash each other and try to get me on their side. How can I deal with this? I’m only 14. |
| 8/29/2022 | Why is my faith so unstable? Sometimes it’s very strong, but sometimes it’s so weak I’m not even sure it’s still there. Is this common? |
| 8/28/2022 | This counselor I’ve been going to tells me I shouldn’t feel guilty over some of the things I’ve done, because everyone does them. And anyway, she says that what’s wrong for one person isn’t necessarily wrong for someone else. But I still feel guilty. Why? |
| 8/27/2022 | Our friends have two teenagers with severe behavioral problems and claim that it is due to mental illness, but neither child has been diagnosed with any particular disorder. Having been close with this family through the years, the problem to me seems simple—the parents don’t discipline them and lets them have their own way. Doesn’t this seem dangerous that their children will never be able to appropriately assimilate into society? |
| 8/26/2022 | I know Jesus said we ought to love people, but how do you love someone who’s really hard to get along with? My aunt is like this, always criticizing everyone and in general just being disagreeable. We dread it when she comes to visit. |
| 8/25/2022 | All my friends are sexually active and having a good time, so why shouldn’t I? You’ll probably tell me that God wants me to say no, but doesn’t He want us to enjoy life? |
| 8/24/2022 | It seems America has drifted far from its traditional values of God, family and country, even to the tragic accounts of ministers once respected and looked up to as people who speak for God. How does this happen? |
| 8/23/2022 | I would have never thought that “sheltering at home” could be a blessing to me. While I ache for those who suffered with illness and saw loved ones die, I was able to care for my grandchildren since they were out of school and their parents served the country in the hospital system. I was able to get to know my grandchildren because their “busyness” ceased. We made Bible stories and memorization fun. I hope others made the best of this dire situation and turned their hearts to God. |
| 8/22/2022 | Our son (who’s in his mid-20s) just announced that his girlfriend has moved in with him, and when he comes home for Christmas he’ll be bringing her along. We didn’t raise him this way and as Christians we don’t approve of what he’s doing, but how do we tell him she’s not welcome? We don’t have an extra bedroom. |
| 8/21/2022 | I admit we’re mainly ‘Christmas and Easter’ Christians, since those are the only days we go to church. But what’s wrong with that? Weekends are the only free time we have, and God wouldn’t want us to neglect time with family, would He? |
| 8/20/2022 | I always promised my mother I’d never put her in a nursing home but would keep her with us if she couldn’t take care of herself. But now she has serious dementia, and it’s almost impossible for us to give her the care she needs. Will God be angry at me if I break my promise? |
| 8/19/2022 | I Am Studying Biology and Learning About Impurities in the Blood. What Does the Bible Say About Impurity? |
| 8/18/2022 | Why doesn’t God let me win the lottery? It sure would solve my family’s financial problems, but so far I’ve won very little and I’m actually in the hole for the year. |
| 8/17/2022 | I’ve gotten myself into a mess, and I don’t know how to get out of it. I didn’t have a happy home, and maybe that’s why I took up with the first man who said he cared about me. Now I’m pregnant and he’s vanished. I wish I could start over. What can I do? |
| 8/16/2022 | I feel terrible because my grandmother raised me after my parents’ divorce, and after she died I realized I never even thanked her for all she did for me. How could I have been so thoughtless? Will God forgive me? |
| 8/15/2022 | How can I keep my mind focused on God when I have so many distractions? I start each day saying I’m going to stay close to Christ, but then I get so caught up in my work that I hardly give God a thought the rest of the day. I know I shouldn’t be like this, but I am. |
| 8/14/2022 | I guess we’re what you’d call “Christmas and Easter Christians,” since those are about the only times we make it to church. But what’s wrong with that? We head to our lake cottage most weekends, and isn’t the Sabbath supposed to be a day of rest? |
| 8/13/2022 | I guess you could say I burned my bridges with my family over 20 years ago. They weren’t perfect, but I have to admit I was the main problem. Now that I’m older (and hopefully wiser), I’d like to get back in contact, but they aren’t interested. Should I just forget it? |
| 8/12/2022 | I’ve tried to talk to my cousin about Jesus, but she says it doesn’t really matter what we believe about God as long as we’re sincere. What can I say to her? |
| 8/11/2022 | I know I’m supposed to worship God when I go to church, but I can’t say I always do. My thoughts wander, or I get to thinking about the people around me and I come away disappointed in myself for not really worshipping. How can I keep from being distracted? |
| 8/10/2022 | When I got out of prison last year (after seven years for armed robbery) my family made it very clear that they didn’t want anything to do with me. I didn’t even get invited to my daughter’s wedding. I know I’ve messed up my life, but why can’t people be more forgiving? |
| 8/9/2022 | I know the Bible says somewhere that we ought to honor our parents, but how can you do that when they’ve hurt you and even said they don’t want anything more to do with you? I want to do what’s right, but I’m not sure what it means in my case. |
| 8/8/2022 | How do you know the Bible is true? People living many centuries ago thought it was true, but we live in a scientific age, and we know a lot more about the world than they did. |
| 8/7/2022 | I know you’ve said that the Bible doesn’t tell us exactly what Jesus looked like, but isn’t there a description of Him in the book of Revelation? It seems like I’ve heard this somewhere. |
| 8/6/2022 | I don’t want to offend you, but why should I bother with God? My life is going along just fine without Him. In fact, He’d probably make me stop doing a lot of things I enjoy doing if I did turn to Him. |
| 8/5/2022 | It is shameful to admit that I am jealous of my own sister who is beautiful, successful and sweet. I’m miserable when we’re together, yet I love her. How can I overcome this horrible conflict that depresses me? |
| 8/4/2022 | I usually don’t have a hard time talking with people about almost anything, but I just can’t seem to talk with my relatives about God. I seem paralyzed when it comes to talking to them about my Savior. Why is this? |
| 8/3/2022 | I think I’ve heard you say that salvation is a free gift, but how can that be? Doesn’t God expect us to try to get our lives in order before He’ll let us into heaven? |
| 8/2/2022 | My wife says I could be a better example to my children. She faults me for stopping after work for a drink with the guys after a stressful day. I am working hard to provide a living for my family so they can have more than I did when I was a boy. Is this so wrong? |
| 8/1/2022 | I was adopted as a baby, and while I know my parents loved me, I’ve always had a deep yearning to hear my own father say he loves me also. So far, however, my attempts to find him have failed. Why won’t God let me find him? |
| 7/31/2022 | My Christian friends are constantly telling me I need to depend on God. This offends me, because I think we have the ability to run our own lives. It’s insulting to imply that we’re stupid and weak, so we need to depend on God instead of ourselves. |
| 7/30/2022 | I never got along very well with my parents, and when I rebelled and left home I thought I was finally free. Well, I’ve done everything I ever wanted to do, but now I’m miserable and almost broke. I ought to go home, but I can’t bring myself to do it. I don’t know why I’m writing, but I guess you could pray for me. |
| 7/29/2022 | I’m 16 years old and would like to become a Christian. But I’m afraid of what my family might do because they’ve always been very antagonistic toward religion. My father, especially, is very opposed to God. Can I be a secret Christian? |
| 7/28/2022 | I am a new Christian with a desire to live a different life than I have the past 40 years. I struggle to break bad habits like using bad language. I say things I don’t realize until someone points it out to me. Does the Bible address this subject? |
| 7/27/2022 | I’m in my 50s, and recently I found out my parents weren’t married when I was born (they put me up for adoption anyway, and I never knew them). This has been hard for me, and now I’m even wondering if God will reject me for being illegitimate. Is this possible? |
| 7/26/2022 | I met a wonderful man whose wife died, leaving him to raise their young handicapped daughter. I love them both but finally reached my career potential that I value. He has asked me to marry him but I know that I cannot be committed to this relationship and keep my position that requires me to travel most of the time. How can I resolve this conflict of love for my work and love for them? |
| 7/25/2022 | I’ve always enjoyed getting together with family for Thanksgiving, but to be honest, I’m dreading it this year. It’s been a tough year for me and I don’t have any reason to be thankful. I’ll put on a happy face and act like I’m glad we’re together, but down inside I’ll hate myself for being a hypocrite. Have you ever felt this way? |
| 7/24/2022 | I have been a sort of black sheep in my family and brought heartache to my parents who are now deceased. I have a lot of regret but can’t do life over again or ask forgiveness from them. How can a person find relief? |
| 7/23/2022 | I am preparing my will and I fear my children will not realize the impact of what I am leaving to them. How can it be emphasized that a person’s legacy is much more than money? |
| 7/22/2022 | Why does the Bible record that God calls people fools? |
| 7/21/2022 | We have become a secular society yet there are those who continue to fight for keeping the Ten Commandments as monuments. It seems such a contradiction, doesn’t it? |
| 7/20/2022 | I’ve had a rocky relationship with my mother most of my life, and in fact we’ve hardly spoken in the last year. But recently, the mother of a close friend of mine died, and it’s started me thinking if I ought to try to change this. But how do I go about it? Or is it even possible? |
| 7/19/2022 | Does God ever get so tired of us that He just decides to leave us alone? We do this with other people sometimes, so I guess I wouldn’t be surprised if God did it to us. I wouldn’t blame Him if He did. |
| 7/18/2022 | A friend and I were discussing the Bible the other day, and we got to talking about how to observe the Sabbath. Why did God tell us to set aside one day out of seven? Is it supposed to be a day of rest, or is it supposed to be for worship and other church activities? |
| 7/17/2022 | I’ve always been taught to stand by the right convictions and be willing to stand alone if necessary. I’m finding more and more that this is exactly what I must do—stand alone. How does a person determine if their convictions are right, and is there a difference between standing on conviction and being unwilling to compromise? |
| 7/16/2022 | I used to think that some day we’d live in peace and harmony with each other, once we learned to be friends and accept each other. But now I’m beginning to have my doubts. Does the Bible say anything about this? Will we ever see a better world? |
| 7/15/2022 | My five siblings and I never have been very close (in fact, to be honest we’ve never gotten along very well). Now out of the blue, one of our sisters has invited all of us and our families for Christmas dinner. How can we keep it from turning into another family fight? |
| 7/14/2022 | We’re having a big family reunion this summer, and I admit my husband and I are kind of nervous because most of our relatives aren’t religious. We don’t want to come across as self-righteous killjoys, but I guess we ought to take a stand somehow for Jesus. Should we just not go? |
| 7/13/2022 | I have a habit of making snap decisions about things, and then realizing later that I didn’t really think it through and it’s only gotten me into trouble. What’s wrong with me? Other people don’t seem to have this problem. |
| 7/12/2022 | I know I ought to think about God more, but I simply don’t have the time. I’m so busy that it’s all I can do to concentrate on what’s happening at the moment. I suspect lots of people have the same problem. Do you think God understands this? |
| 7/11/2022 | Is it a sin to be depressed? The doctor says I have a chemical imbalance in my brain that he can treat with medication, but a friend of mine says I shouldn’t do this because I just need to pray and have more faith. Who is right? I can’t stand this much longer. |
| 7/10/2022 | I’m a high school science teacher, and I don’t doubt that some kind of Higher Power must have created the universe. I can’t believe everything just happened by chance. But I also can’t believe that this Higher Power cares about us. The universe is just too big and we’re just too small. |
| 7/9/2022 | I’ve been told that to live in peace mankind should not fight with one another. Is this reasonable and why do Christians think it is okay to challenge others’ beliefs? |
| 7/8/2022 | I don’t believe parents can really love their children when they heap on them rules and regulations that steal the fun away from life. Isn’t life to be enjoyed? |
| 7/7/2022 | Our pastor gave a sermon recently about how we ought to thank God for everything. But how can we be thankful when bad things happen to us? I’m fighting cancer right now, and I admit I don’t feel very thankful. If anything, I feel angry and depressed. |
| 7/6/2022 | Why is my faith so unstable? Sometimes it’s very strong, but sometimes it’s so weak I’m not even sure it’s still there. Is this common? |
| 7/5/2022 | Many people say that loving the world is the same as following the devil rather than God. Is this true, and how does the devil lead us? |
| 7/4/2022 | Is Our Nation in Danger of Losing Itself? |
| 7/3/2022 | The old saying “live and let live” sounds irresponsible. My friends say that I take life too serious and I’m missing out on all that the world has to offer. It seems that people who live loosely end up with a lot of regret. |
| 7/2/2022 | I know God wants us to love everyone, even people that aren’t very lovable. But I just can’t bring myself to love some of the people I have to deal with at work, no matter how hard I try. In fact, I’ve just stopped trying. Am I wrong? |
| 7/1/2022 | I have a growing family and worry about them constantly, asking God to meet their needs and make them happy, but I don’t feel like God hears. Is there a specific way to pray for those you care about? |
| 6/30/2022 | Some say that the name Jesus is offensive, but I don’t understand that. Doesn’t that name represent love? Isn’t it powerful to pray in His name? |
| 6/29/2022 | How do you know if you’re actually helping someone or if they’re just taking advantage of you? My cousin is an alcoholic, and last year she moved in with us after her family threw her out. But nothing has changed and I’m not sure we’re doing her any good. |
| 6/28/2022 | Sexual obsession is destroying our nation and way of life. Society is throwing out the Ten Commandments to make room for vulgarity in every form. Why can’t our society see this destruction and stop calling it freedom of speech? |
| 6/27/2022 | I’m dreading Thanksgiving this year. It’s been a hard year for me, and when all our family gets together I’ll just feel like a hypocrite pretending I’m thankful for anything. I’m even wondering if I ought to go. What would you say to someone like me? |
| 6/26/2022 | Many years ago, my sister and I had a sharp disagreement about something and haven’t talked to each other since. But recently I realized this wasn’t the way God wanted me to act, and since then I’ve tried to reach out to her (without success). My Christmas card to her even came back unopened and refused. Should I just give up? |
| 6/25/2022 | Mother’s Day is always a painful time for me, because my mother gave me up for adoption when I was a baby and I never knew her. I’m thankful for my adoptive family, but I still have this hurt inside me, knowing that I’ll never know my real mother. Why did God do this to me? |
| 6/24/2022 | My adoptive parents are great, and I couldn’t have asked for a more loving and generous family. But I’ve always felt that their families looked down on me because I’m not a blood relative, and that’s very hurtful. Can I do anything to get them to accept me? |
| 6/23/2022 | My aunt has a lot of personal problems, but whenever I try to get her to deal with them, she refuses. She says she’ll soon be in heaven anyway and then all her problems will be gone. But if we have problems, shouldn’t we go ahead and face them? |
| 6/22/2022 | Every year we debate whether or not to invite my aunt for Thanksgiving. She’s a very negative person who spends her whole time complaining and criticizing everyone, and it gets very unpleasant. Would she get the message if we didn’t invite her this year? |
| 6/21/2022 | My baby sister died when she was only a few months old, so I barely remember her (I was 6 at the time). Do you think I’ll recognize her when I get to heaven? It may sound strange, but I’ve always felt lonely without her since I didn’t have any other brothers or sisters. |
| 6/20/2022 | Years ago I did something that was very, very wrong, and I’ll never get over my burden of guilt. Not only was it wrong, but I disappointed a lot of people. I know you’ll say God is willing to forgive me, but I just can’t believe it. |
| 6/19/2022 | What is Heaven like? Is it just like this world, only more perfect? Or will it be something entirely different from what we see around us? I’ve often wondered about this. |
| 6/18/2022 | My brother and sisters don’t have much to do with me because they’re all real religious and I’m not. You’ll probably tell me I need God, and maybe I do, but aren’t Christians supposed to be kind and loving? They sure aren’t that way with me, so why should I be like them? |
| 6/17/2022 | My brother never wanted anything to do with God, and always got angry if we tried to talk to him about his soul. But now he’s very sick and probably doesn’t have much longer to live. Should we try talking to him about God — and risk making him angry at us? Or is it too late, because God has already given up on him? |
| 6/16/2022 | My brother rebelled against our parents and against God as a teenager. He’s in his 50s now and has really messed up his life, but he won’t even talk with me about it. Why do two people from the same family take such different paths? |
| 6/15/2022 | My children and grandchildren keep asking me what I want them to give me for Christmas, but truthfully, at my age, I don’t need anything. How can I tell them this without sounding like I don’t care for them or don’t want them to bother me? |
| 6/14/2022 | My cousin has lots of personal problems, and whenever I see her she spends hours telling me about them. I’ve tried to advise her, but now I’m wondering if maybe she doesn’t really want to solve her problems but just wants to be the center of attention. Is this possible? |
| 6/13/2022 | I understand why God is important, and I understand why Jesus is important, but what about the Holy Spirit? Where does it fit into my faith? It’s all some people talk about, it seems, but I’m not sure what I’m supposed to believe about it. |
| 6/12/2022 | My family doesn’t believe in God and is very opposed to religion. Well, last month I met some Christians at my school and I ended up giving my life to Jesus. I’m afraid to tell my parents because I know they’ll be upset. What should I do? |
| 6/11/2022 | My family has been torn apart by drugs, divorce and other things, and I worry all the time about what’s going to happen to them. I feel so helpless, and no matter what I try to do it doesn’t seem to make any difference. Pray that I’ll know what to do. I just don’t have any hope. |
| 6/10/2022 | My family never had anything to do with religion, and they’ve always made fun of people who did. Well, recently I became a Christian, and now I’m the butt of their jokes. I feel so alone. I admit I don’t like being an outcast from my own family. Have I done something wrong? |
| 6/9/2022 | My father abandoned my mother when I was 4, with no money or anything else. I’m about to get married, but I’m worried that I’ll end up doing the same thing because someone told me the Bible says a father’s sins will be passed on to the next generation. Is that true? |
| 6/8/2022 | Our father bailed out of our lives when I was 10, and neither my sister nor I have seen him in over thirty years (although he’s tried to make contact occasionally). Why should we bother with him? All he ever gave us was trouble and heartache. |
| 6/7/2022 | My sister and I had a falling out a few years ago and haven’t spoken since. But this Christmas we ran into each other at a party, and she said it was silly for us to keep on like this. However, she also made it plain that she wasn’t going to apologize, and I’m certainly not going to, either. What would you say to us? |
| 6/6/2022 | My father has always been a very prejudiced person, although I got over my prejudices long ago. But now he’s saying things around our children about people of other races that I don’t like for them to hear. How should I handle this? |
| 6/5/2022 | My father has always been a very strong, independent person, and I think that’s why he never felt any need for God or Jesus. But now he’s got terminal cancer, and I’m very worried about his spiritual condition. Should I say something to him? I don’t want to alienate him or make him mad. |
| 6/4/2022 | My father called the other day for the first time in over 10 years. He says he feels bad over the way he treated us and wants to reconnect, but how do I know he’s telling the truth? He’s always been a very manipulative person. It’s hard to forget how he walked out on Mom and left us on our own. |
| 6/3/2022 | Does the Bible say that money is the source of all evil, as I’ve heard people say? I’m not sure I agree. I know money can make people do wrong things, but money also can accomplish a great deal of good, can’t it? |
| 6/2/2022 | I admit that not seeing my three children after I divorced and moved away didn’t bother me much. But over 20 years have passed and now they’re married and having children, and suddenly I’d love to reconnect with them. But they’re still angry and don’t want anything to do with me. Is this a hopeless situation? |
| 6/1/2022 | I am fearful that my husband and I may not be able to provide the right kind of home for our children. We both came from broken homes and don’t have any experience in knowing how to create the right environment. Is there a formula? |
| 5/31/2022 | My mother and I do not get along. Our personalities clash. When Mother’s Day comes around I struggle with how to respond to her because she always wants me to spend the day with her, but it is dreadful. What is the answer to difficult relationships? |
| 5/30/2022 | My mother (who had a strong faith) passed away from cancer recently, and I don’t know what to say to our 4-year-old daughter. She’s looking forward to visiting her this Christmas, but how am I going to tell her this isn’t going to happen? |
| 5/29/2022 | My mother and I always had a difficult relationship, and for the last 10 years we didn’t even speak. Now she’s gone, and I’d give anything to have just one minute with her to tell her I’m sorry. I hope you’ll tell people not to wait until it’s too late to try to mend a broken relationship. |
| 5/28/2022 | I own a small business that hires a lot of young people, but I’m frustrated because I can’t find very many who are reliable and actually want to work. Doesn’t the Bible say we’re not supposed to be lazy? |
| 5/27/2022 | My fiancé and I are getting married this fall. We’ve been nervous about taking this step, because so many of our friends have already been through at least one divorce. We don’t want that to happen to us, but how can we avoid it? |
| 5/26/2022 | How could Jesus have been equal to God (as Christians claim), when He was only a man? I can understand why you’d want to try making Him into something great, but claiming He was God doesn’t make any sense to me. |
| 5/25/2022 | It’s suddenly hit me that my relationship with God isn’t much different today than it was 30 years ago, when I first joined my church. Have I been missing something? |
| 5/24/2022 | My mother was always an angry, critical person who never got along with anyone, and while I was growing up I vowed I’d never be like her. But now I find that sometimes I’m just like she was, and it alarms me because I don’t want to be that way. What’s wrong with me? |
| 5/23/2022 | What’s the best way to deal with difficult people? I know my sister hasn’t had a very easy life, but the main reason is because she’s so hard to get along with. She’s coming to visit us in a few weeks, and I honestly dread it. |
| 5/22/2022 | Why did God even bother to create us? He must have known that we were going to sin and turn against Him. This has always puzzled me. |
| 5/21/2022 | I hear preachers say that we need to accept Jesus, but I’m not sure I understand what that means. I’d like to be sure that I’m a Christian, but I don’t know if I really am. |
| 5/20/2022 | My mother’s sister hasn’t had anything to do with our family or with God for years. Mother prayed and prayed for her, that she’d visit us and also turn back to God. But when Mother died a few months ago, she didn’t even come to the funeral. Should we just give up on her? |
| 5/19/2022 | What’s wrong with getting involved in things that are usually labeled occult practices? My late aunt was a great believer in things like out-of-body experiences, talking with the dead and so forth, and I admit I also feel a strong pull in that direction. What’s wrong with these things if they actually exist? |
| 5/18/2022 | I know God wants us to love everyone, even people that aren’t very lovable. But I just can’t bring myself to love some of the people I have to deal with at work, no matter how hard I try. In fact, I’ve just stopped trying. Am I wrong? |
| 5/17/2022 | My nephew has broken the hearts of his whole family, because he got involved in some very bad things and has just been sentenced to prison for at least seven years. I don’t even know how to pray for him, because it seems like it’s too late. |
| 5/16/2022 | I’m not trying to be difficult, but if Jesus paid the price for all our sins, then why should we bother to keep the Ten Commandments? After all, the Bible says we can’t be saved by keeping God’s laws, doesn’t it? |
| 5/15/2022 | My parents waited until I was in college to divorce. It devastated me. I didn’t think anything could be more painful. Then my father remarried. I found myself wishing for only the agony of their divorce, but a stepmother on top of it is too much! I don’t think she is such a bad person, but seeing another woman in my father’s house is more than I can bear. How can I handle the pain? |
| 5/14/2022 | We moved to a new town recently, and we seem to be the only family in our neighborhood that goes to church. Those I’ve talked with say they don’t think it’s important, and anyway they say they have better things to do on weekends. How should we react? We don’t want to come across as conceited or holier-than-thou. |
| 5/13/2022 | My daughter, not yet a teenager, is going through a rebellious stage and I am at my wits end. She threatens to leave home if I don’t let her do what she wants. She says I am denying her happiness. As a parent I cannot go along with the things that she is pursuing to find happiness, yet if I dig my heels in she will run away. What is a parent to do? |
| 5/12/2022 | I’ve heard people say that we ought to love God, but how can I love God when I know He’s keeping a record of all the bad things I’ve done and will punish me severely when I die? I’m afraid of God, but I don’t love Him. |
| 5/11/2022 | I respect the Bible and I suppose it has things to teach us, but isn’t it kind of out of date, since it talks about people who lived a very long time ago? At least that’s what it seems to me whenever I’ve tried to read it. |
| 5/10/2022 | My sister and I always had kind of a rocky relationship, but now she’s gone and I feel terrible because I didn’t visit her or try to patch things up, although I knew she was dying. I wish I could tell her how I feel, but it’s too late now. Will God forgive me, even if she can’t? |
| 5/9/2022 | My sister and I had a falling out almost 30 years ago and we never spoke again. Now, I’ve learned that she died a few weeks ago, and I feel terrible that I didn’t do anything to heal our relationship. I don’t have a question, but maybe someone will learn from my mistake. |
| 5/8/2022 | My sister and I said some pretty hurtful things to each other about a year ago, and we haven’t spoken since. I’ve apologized to her, but so far she hasn’t shown any inclination to apologize in return. Doesn’t she need to apologize, too? |
| 5/7/2022 | My sisters and I never got along, and it’s been many years since we’ve even tried to get together. But I understand one sister just survived breast cancer, and I’m beginning to regret all those lost years. Is there anything I can do to make up for lost time? Or should I even try? |
| 5/6/2022 | I don’t think we have to look to God to find out how to deal with our problems. After all, hasn’t He given us the ability to deal with them on our own? We just need to use our minds and approach our problems logically to find the answers. |
| 5/5/2022 | My teenage granddaughter has lost her eyesight and is devastated. I am at a loss to know how to encourage her. She is a Christian but doubts that she will ever be of use to the Lord. |
| 5/4/2022 | My wife walked out on me a few months ago and left me with our three young children. How can I be a good father to them when it’s all I can do to keep my head above water? |
| 5/3/2022 | I remember giving my life to Jesus in Sunday school when I was about 10 years old. I was sincere at the time, but eventually I drifted away from God and the church. If I died tonight would I still get to go to Heaven? This worries me now that I’m older. |
| 5/2/2022 | Are science and religion opposed to each other? I’ll be entering college in a few weeks, and I hope to become a doctor someday. But I’m a committed Christian, and I’m wondering what kind of problems I might have to face in some of my science classes. |
| 5/1/2022 | Our daughter’s husband walked out on her and it’s really been hard, especially since she has two small children and has to work. We’d like to help somehow, but we’ve not had the best of relationships with our daughter (especially since we urged her not to marry this man), and we don’t know what to do. Any suggestions? |
| 4/30/2022 | If you were to ask me what I believe about God, I’d probably have to say that I’m an atheist. I know some atheists are very belligerent and aren’t open to believing in God, but I’m not like that. Can you give me any reason to believe in God? |
| 4/29/2022 | I stole some money from my employer (a doctor) over 40 years ago, and I still feel very guilty over it. I’d pay it back (with interest), but neither he nor his medical practice is still around. What does God want me to do? Or does it make any difference now? |
| 4/28/2022 | Our extended family is getting together for Christmas this year, and I have to admit I’m not looking forward to it. Some of our relatives don’t get along with each other, and I’m afraid we’ll just end up squabbling. Any suggestions? |
| 4/27/2022 | Our extended family is showing up for dinner this Christmas, and I’m really dreading it — not because of the work, but because some of them are very hard to get along with. Should we just be gracious and pretend everything is OK, or should we confront them if they start getting out of hand? |
| 4/26/2022 | Our marriage finally ended after 18 years. The sad thing is, our two children (both teenagers) are taking opposite sides, with our son sticking up for his dad and our daughter taking my side. I hate this. Is there any way to overcome it? |
| 4/25/2022 | Our mother had some nice things — and after she died, the arguing over who would get what became very bitter. I know she would’ve been shocked at the way some family members acted. Why are people so greedy? Most of it wasn’t worth much anyway. |
| 4/24/2022 | Is it possible to lead a sinless life, if we just try hard enough? I hope so, because I want to please God and go to heaven someday. But I’m not sure I can measure up, at least not right now. |
| 4/23/2022 | Our nation was once known by strong families. Why are so many homes shattered by disappointment, grief and pain? |
| 4/22/2022 | Our son and his wife just had their first son, and we’re very excited. Does the Bible say anything about what we ought to do to be good grandparents? |
| 4/21/2022 | Our son divorced his wife two years ago, and now we get to see our grandchildren (who are with her) only a couple of times a year. This breaks our hearts, but neither our son nor his ex-wife seem to care. Can we do anything about this? |
| 4/20/2022 | Our son got engaged over Christmas. I suppose we should be happy, but we honestly wonder if our future daughter-in-law is right for him. Should we say something, or is it best to keep out of it? They seem to be deeply in love, and they both feel God brought them together. |
| 4/19/2022 | Our son got hooked on drugs, eventually got caught dealing drugs and now is in prison. This has broken our hearts, of course, but what hurts almost as much is that no one in our church ever asks about him or says they’re praying for him (or us). Shouldn’t they be concerned? |
| 4/18/2022 | Why is my faith so unstable? Sometimes it’s very strong, but sometimes it’s so weak I’m not even sure it’s still there. Is this common? |
| 4/17/2022 | Our son has been living with his girlfriend for over a year, and now they’re going to have a baby. He wasn’t brought up this way, and as Christians we don’t know how to deal with it. My husband says we ought to just cut them off until they get married (which may never happen), but I hate the idea of never knowing my grandchild. What should we do? |
| 4/16/2022 | Our son no longer believes in God. He’s been influenced by his high school science teacher, who says we should only believe in things we can prove, and we can’t prove God exists. What can we say to him? I’m afraid it’s causing a lot of conflict in our family. |
| 4/15/2022 | Our three grandchildren live in a different part of the country and we almost never get to see them (maybe once or twice a year, at most). We’d like to be a good influence on them (especially spiritually), but how can we when they’re so far away? |
| 4/14/2022 | My brother and I are only two years apart, and our parents were very devout. Over the years, my faith has meant much to me, but my brother has always been very rebellious and hasn’t wanted anything to do with God. Now he says it’s too late to change. Why did we take such different paths? |
| 4/13/2022 | Years ago, my brother and I had a conflict over our father’s estate, and he vowed he’d never speak to me again, and he hasn’t. I feel terrible about this and have tried repeatedly to reach out to him, but nothing changes. Should I just give up? |
| 4/12/2022 | All my close relatives have passed away, except for my youngest sister. I really wish we could get along, but she’s a very critical person, and every time she comes to visit she tells me what a bad housekeeper I am, and things like that. Why are some people so negative? |
| 4/11/2022 | Recently, I tried to contact my kids because I’d heard they have children now, but they don’t want anything to do with me. Can you suggest anything to make them change their minds? |
| 4/10/2022 | I read an article the other day about a woman who had been a committed atheist, and somehow she became a Christian. But I have some friends who are atheists, and I can’t imagine any of them ever believing in God or becoming Christians. Could they ever change? |
| 4/9/2022 | My mother and I always had a rocky relationship, but I’ve been filled with remorse ever since her death. I’d give almost anything to be able to tell her that I’m sorry for all the hurt I caused her, but it’s too late. Please encourage people to make things right while they can. |
| 4/8/2022 | My parents got divorced two years ago, and I chose to go with my father. Now I’m not sure I did the right thing, because he doesn’t really want me around. Sometimes I wish I could just run away somewhere. What should I do? |
| 4/7/2022 | I get amused when my Christian friends quote the Bible. Don’t they know it’s thousands of years old, and we live in a totally different world today? How can anyone claim it’s of any use to us? |
| 4/6/2022 | My mother remarried last year and now we have what’s supposed to be a blended family — four kids from my stepfather and me — but it’s not working. I don’t think my stepfather likes me, and I don’t get along with his children. I want to run away. I’m 14. Do you have any advice? |
| 4/5/2022 | On the outside, everyone thinks I’m good — I’m active in our church’s youth group, have no bad habits, etc. But sometimes I can’t wait to get away from home and leave all this behind. I know it’s probably wrong, but can you understand how I feel? |
| 4/4/2022 | How could Jesus have been equal to God (as Christians claim), when He was only a man? I can understand why you’d want to try making Him into something great, but claiming He was God doesn’t make any sense to me. |
| 4/3/2022 | How do you keep bad thoughts from taking over your mind? I’ll be fine for a while, but then something will trigger my imagination and I’ll start dwelling on things I know I shouldn’t be thinking about. God must be very disappointed in me. How can I break this cycle? |
| 4/2/2022 | My work is rewarding to me, but my employer is asking me to do unethical things that make me uncomfortable. I am wondering if I should look for another job before I get fired for insubordination. What’s the answer? |
| 4/1/2022 | My children are fast becoming adults and I fear that as they begin to make important decisions, they will make wrong ones. Is it wrong to advise children when they begin to make life-changing decisions? |
| 3/31/2022 | My family never got along very well, and over the years we just drifted apart and don’t have anything to do with each other. Now that I’m older I’d like to do something about this, but I’m not sure they even care. Should I try, or just leave it alone? |
| 3/30/2022 | My wife and I have been married 10 years and she is reluctant to have children because of the terrible condition the world is in now. I can’t say that I disagree with her, but I feel that we are cheating ourselves of having, and raising, a family. Am I wrong? |
| 3/29/2022 | Did people in Bible times celebrate special days like we do, such as Father’s Day? I’m not close to my father (my parents divorced when I was 10), but I want to do whatever the Bible says I should do for him. |
| 3/28/2022 | What’s so wrong with pride, which you preachers seem to criticize so much? In my opinion, pride is a good thing, because if you don’t have pride in what you do, you’ll never accomplish anything worthwhile. Why is the Bible against pride? |
| 3/27/2022 | I fear for the attack on our homes, our families and our children—the future of our country. What can we do to combat the assaults? |
| 3/26/2022 | The Influence of a Mother |
| 3/25/2022 | I’ve heard that the present generation is filled with more knowledge than at any time in history. If this is true, how can society be so messed up? Is knowledge the same as wisdom? |
| 3/24/2022 | I know God expects us to love everybody, but how can you love people who aren’t very loveable? Many in our extended family are coming to our house for the Fourth of July, and I dread it, to be honest. Some of them are simply obnoxious. |
| I guess we’re what you’d call “Christmas and Easter Christians,” since those are about the only times we make it to church. But what’s wrong with that? We head to our lake cottage most weekends, and isn’t the Sabbath supposed to be a day of rest? |
FaithByTheWord Ministries