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?

“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?”

I like the New Testament, but to be honest, I've never been able to understand the Old Testament. Every time I try to read it I get bogged down in all the laws and things, and I finally give up. Is the Old Testament worth bothering with today?

“I like the New Testament, but to be honest, I've never been able to understand the Old Testament. Every time I try to read it I get bogged down in all the laws and things, and I finally give up. Is the Old Testament worth bothering with today?”

I was taught when I was growing up that God is very strict and angry, and is just waiting to punish us if we get out of line. Now, I hear people saying God isn't like this but is kind and loving and merciful. Which is true? They can't both be right.

“I was taught when I was growing up that God is very strict and angry, and is just waiting to punish us if we get out of line. Now, I hear people saying God isn’t like this but is kind and loving and merciful. Which is true? They can’t both be right.”

My uncle just laughs when I say something about the Bible, because he says it's full of errors and contradictions. How can I answer him? It's hard to talk to him about religion because he doesn't feel any need for God.

“My uncle just laughs when I say something about the Bible, because he says it's full of errors and contradictions. How can I answer him? It's hard to talk to him about religion because he doesn't feel any need for God.”

Do you think computers will take over the world some day? I admit I don't understand them very much (although I'm learning to use e-mail, which is pretty good for someone in their late 70s!). But they seem to have taken over so much of our lives that I worry about this.

“Do you think computers will take over the world some day? I admit I don’t understand them very much (although I’m learning to use e-mail, which is pretty good for someone in their late 70s!). But they seem to have taken over so much of our lives that I worry about this.”

If Christianity is true, then why are most of the so-called "Christians" I know hypocrites? I'd rather be a complete unbeliever (which is what I am) than someone who claims to be a Christian but doesn't act like it. At least I try to be a good person, and they don't.

“If Christianity is true, then why are most of the so-called "Christians" I know hypocrites? I'd rather be a complete unbeliever (which is what I am) than someone who claims to be a Christian but doesn't act like it. At least I try to be a good person, and they don't.”

Dealing with grief over the loss of a loved one

“My husband died several months ago (of cancer), and they have been the hardest months of my life. People try to cheer me up by saying he’s in heaven now, and I believe it, but it doesn’t take away the hurt. How can I get over this?”

I've had severe back pain for over a year (after two unsuccessful surgeries), and now I'm afraid I might be getting hooked on my pain medicine. But I'm afraid to tell my doctor for fear he'll take me off it. I need your prayers.

“I’ve had severe back pain for over a year (after two unsuccessful surgeries), and now I’m afraid I might be getting hooked on my pain medicine. But I’m afraid to tell my doctor for fear he’ll take me off it. I need your prayers.”

I know I ought to tell others about Jesus and urge them to believe in Him, but the last time I tried I failed so miserably that I haven't attempted it since. I couldn't answer their questions, and I know they must have thought I was a fool, but I couldn't help it.

“I know I ought to tell others about Jesus and urge them to believe in Him, but the last time I tried I failed so miserably that I haven’t attempted it since. I couldn’t answer their questions, and I know they must have thought I was a fool, but I couldn’t help it.”

Did people in Old Testament times go to heaven when they died? Or is heaven reserved only for people who lived after Jesus came? I haven't found anything about heaven in the Old Testament.

“Did people in Old Testament times go to heaven when they died? Or is heaven reserved only for people who lived after Jesus came? I haven't found anything about heaven in the Old Testament.”

What is your definition of a Christian? If someone were to ask them, most of my friends would say they are Christians, and most of them go to church (at least occasionally). But I'm not sure they really measure up to what Jesus expects of them.

“What is your definition of a Christian? If someone were to ask them, most of my friends would say they are Christians, and most of them go to church (at least occasionally). But I'm not sure they really measure up to what Jesus expects of them.”

One of my New Year's resolutions this year was to read some of the Bible every day. But like most of my resolutions, I've failed to keep it. I found some of it interesting, but I didn't really understand most of it, so I stopped. Was I doing something wrong?

“One of my New Year's resolutions this year was to read some of the Bible every day. But like most of my resolutions, I've failed to keep it. I found some of it interesting, but I didn't really understand most of it, so I stopped. Was I doing something wrong?”