Is it possible for a “backslider” to return to faith? Hebrews 6:4-6 seems to say no. I’m a returned “backslider” myself, so this passage of Scripture has always been painful and confusing for me. How can I be sure I am restored? Doesn’t the message of these verses cancel out everything the New Testament has …
Family Q&A
What does the Bible have to say about conservationism and environmental concerns? I’ve noticed lately that several well-known Christian leaders have decided to make “global-warming” a key issue. Other evangelicals suggest that the “climate change” movement is primarily political and ideological in motivation. That’s the way I’ve viewed it, but I’m also aware that God …
Does the Bible verse that warns against “friendship with the world” relate to being friends with non-Christians? I’ve heard it said many times that Christians need to be intentional about developing friendships with non-believers and resist the temptation to spend all their time with like-minded people in the “Christian ghetto.” But James 4:4 says, “Do …
How does God respond to intercessory prayer? I haven’t seen much fruit from my faithful prayers on behalf of a wayward child, and I’m just about ready to give up. Am I missing something? Should I be looking elsewhere for the answers I need?
Why do Christians say human pride is sinful? I don’t understand what’s wrong with a little self-satisfaction and self-confidence. If I feel good about myself for serving at the local soup kitchen or helping a neighbor in need, does that mean I’m going to hell? Aren’t we always telling our kids that it’s important to …
If Christianity is true, why are there so many different religions? There are things about the Christian faith that I find winsome and attractive, but I can’t bring myself to accept it all. It’s difficult to take a step like that in the modern world, where we know so much about so many other belief …
Where did God come from? This is something I’ve always wondered about. When I look at creation, from the astronomical to the cellular level, it’s impossible for me to think that such beauty and complexity is the product of mere chance. But that still leaves one question unanswered: Who made God?
Is “self-forgiveness” a scriptural idea? This isn’t the place to go into details, but certain events and circumstances have left me carrying a heavy load of guilt. I believe in Christ and His death on the cross, but in this case my beliefs don’t seem to have the power to change my feelings. If you …
Why has teen suicide has become such a huge problem in recent years? Several young people in our community have taken their own lives over the past year and a half. What’s causing this and how can the trend be reversed?
Can you give me one good reason why I should go on living my rotten life? My parents got divorced last year, and now my boyfriend wants to break up with me. School is a joke. My friends don’t care. Things have been bad before, but never this bad. I keep thinking that I’d be …
As an adult who grew up in a home with an alcoholic parent, what do I need to know about the potential impact of my past upon my present life? What are the biggest challenges faced by adult children of alcoholics? Can you direct me to some resources that provide help and guidance in this …
What are some biblical principles and guidelines that will help me understand God’s perspective on money and finances?
What does the Bible mean when it says that “godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6)? How do I apply this to the way I manage my finances? And why does Paul go on to state that “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil?”
What are the tell-tale signs of alcoholism? I’m worried about my husband, but I’m not sure if I have grounds for insisting that he do something about his drinking. When football season comes around, it’s five months of him and his friends sitting in front of the TV drinking beer. That doesn’t happen every night, …
Do you have any suggestions as to how I can come alongside someone who is grieving the loss of a spouse? A dear friend’s husband just died. My spouse and I would like to be available to comfort her in any way we can. How can we best support her during this time of loss?
What do you think about references to wizardry, sorcery, spells, and magic in storybooks, films, TV shows, and various other forms of entertainment? It seems our children are being bombarded with this, not only in Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings, and The Hobbit, but even in relatively innocent Disney movies. To complicate matters, …
What do we need to do to make our home as safe and comfortable as possible for my elderly mom? She’s not coping well on her own, so we’re arranging to have her come and live with us. Can you offer any suggestions, especially when it comes to preventing falls?
Do you think there’s something wrong with a senior citizen who doesn’t enjoy the freedom of the so-called “golden years?” After decades of looking forward to retirement, I find the promised carefree lifestyle isn’t quite what I expected. I worked hard to attain this goal, and now I’m struggling with discontentment. What do you suggest …
How do I know when it’s time to take on more personal responsibility for the physical well-being of my aging parents? They’re getting older, and I can already see that I’m going to have to assume a larger portion of their care in the very near future. What can I expect as they age?
How can I know if my child has Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)? I’m an adoptive parent of a high-risk child. I’m beginning to think that some aspects of her behavior might be explained by SPD. In particular, it seems that some of her otherwise unexplainable outbursts and meltdowns might be triggered by sensory overload. How …