“Our two children are getting very excited about Christmas right now (which is understandable, of course). But how can we help them also see the real meaning of Christmas, without sounding like we’re against all the things that excite them about the holidays?”
“I wish I understood myself better, because I’d like to work on my faults and become a better person. For instance, I often get myself into trouble because I don’t like people telling me what to do, and when they do, I react and do the opposite (even if they’re right). Why am I like this?”
“Every year about this time, we get lots of letters from charities and religious organizations asking for money. I’m sure most of them do good work, but how can we know which ones we ought to support? We aren’t wealthy, but we do try to give as much as we can.”
“My wife and I were married for 53 years before her death last spring. I know she’s in heaven, but I don’t think I’ll ever get over it because we were so close. I feel like something has been ripped out of me, and I’m very lonely. I don’t have a question, I guess, but I’d sure appreciate your prayers.”
“I know God is supposed to be able to do anything if we'll let Him, but can He turn something bad into something good? My husband and I broke up our first marriages in order to get married, and although that was years ago I still feel guilty over the heartache we caused our families.”
“What good does it do for me to pray for someone I hardly know? Our church (which is fairly large) has an active prayer chain, but often I don't even know the people they are asking me to pray for.”
“I have a friend who has no use for God. When I asked him if he ever worried about going to hell, he just laughed and said he looks forward to it because all his friends will be there and they'll have one big party. Is he spiritually hopeless?”
“If I commit a sin just before I die, and I don't have time to confess it to God or get His forgiveness, does that mean I won't go to heaven?”
“I've been on a spiritual search most of my life, and I've tried just about everything. A couple of weeks ago, however, I gave my life to Jesus, and I really believe my search is over. But does this mean I ought to stop living with my boyfriend? We've been together for over a year but he's made it clear that he isn't interested in Jesus.”
“I know Christmas is still weeks away but already I'm dreading it. It's such a busy time for our family, and we always end up spending more than we should. I know you'll probably say we ought to keep Christ in Christmas, but how can we?”
“I've ruined my life because of some stupid things I did, and now I'm in prison. I feel so hopeless. Even my family doesn't want anything to do with me when I get out in a few months. If you could give me just one piece of advice, what would it be?”
“What's the difference between feeling guilty over your sins and feeling regret for them? Or is there any? Several of us were discussing this in our Bible class the other day, but we didn't come to any conclusion.”