Open Season Answers from Brent

Answers from Brent

mya asked:
Okay I REALLY need help with this, my friend from youth group (been a Christian All his life) Says he has feelings for another guy, he knows it's wrong but he says he can't help it, when he does have those thoughts he cuts himself...he really is a great guy.. and A good friend And I want to help him..but I don't even know what to say.. HELP!

If you are his age, it's probably not your place to say anything.

With problems this serious you most likely lack both the experience and the maturity to deal with such things. You need to find a godly, mature Christian or Christian couple who can help your friend. There simply to little detail in your question for me to give any specifics and even if there were, it would be very difficult to give advice of this nature on a blog because they're too many variables.

Please find one of your Christian leaders or parents and tell them the situation.

Kristi.Guillory asked:
Id actually like to ask for your prayers. I am 25 years old and certainly don't have the means to accomplish it yet, but I've been having the strongest urge to start the journey to create my own- I don't want to call it a business, but just to start something on my own. I'd like to open an indoor park since it's been 100 degrees here every day, that way kids can still enjoy the pleasures of a park without baking in the heat. I need some guidance to make this happen. Prayers/advice appreciated!

I always encourage people to take some risks and to get out there and try things in life. However, we also must be realistic so that we do not waste our time.

If you have neither the money, resources or experience to start a business as high risk and speculative as a skate park or an indoor park, then you would be wise to put off such a project until a later time. The business world is a cruel and unfeeling taskmaster. No matter how sincere our motives or how strong our passion, a bad idea, or a bad plan (or no plan) or bad timing can SINK you.

Find yourself some godly Christian businessmen and women and let them help shepherd you in your desire to create something.

Berlinerin asked:
Have you read books by Philip Yancey? If yes, what do you think of his writing?

I haven't read any of his books in a long time but I have read several. He is a good writer (at least in his older books from what I can remember) but was not someone who caught my long-term attention. That may be just an oversight on part. I've not heard anything except positive about him.

James 1:27 Family asked:
Here's a random question... Every time I read Genesis 19 I get upset and get the heebie-jeebies! Why would Lot offer his two virgin daughters to the men of Sodom who were trying to rape the angels?!? I cant imagine a father doing this and I can't see what God has for me to learn. I pray each time this comes up for God to show me what I am not understanding, but I haven't had any clarity yet. Thanks for always standing firm for Jesus and for the great example you set in loving your family!

I answer this over at www.seriousfaith.com here:
http://www.seriousfaith.com/asr/question.asp?questionid=3378

Leslie asked:
As Christians, are we supposed to allow God to have full control over how many children we have? Is using birth control demonstrating a lack of faith in God and his promise that He won't give you more than you can handle?

I haven't seen this question before so I'm not sure how it was missed. But anyhoo, since the Bible does not directly and specifically give us a command about birth control then it falls squarely in the lap of personal liberty much to the chagrin of those who bellow otherwise. '

Each couple must pray and ask God to give them guidance and they should be fully convinced in their own mind of what God would have them to do. At that point, we don't push our convictions off on others but we also allow them to exercise their Christian liberty in the absence of plain and clear commandment in Scripture.

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