r/askapastor

What the title says. I’ve loved this artist since I was 9, her music has really been a big part of my life. I’ve turned 18 now and her newest album is literally called “Hades,” but she never really talks about the devil, so it’s easy to overlook. Until one song, which is all about mocking Christianity and religion in general. She uses the Spanish prayer in a mocking way, talks vulgarly about Mary, but this is something nobody is surprised of from her, even though she hasn’t made a song like this before. I really want to hear her songs live. Is it okay if I attend the concert and leave the stadium for that song? I really am scared God will punish me and make me get in a wreck on the way home or something. I truly don’t want to hear the song, it makes me uncomfortable because I love God, but I feel like I’m finding a loophole for sin? Help!

I’ve been having doubts about whether a marriage would work with a certain girl. We are both Christian and have gotten along well so far, but we are very different, she’s more introverted, while I’m more extroverted, and I’m not sure if I could meet her expectations emotionally or physically.

One of my biggest concerns is around intimacy. Due to medications I’m taking and some mental health challenges I’m dealing with, I don’t feel as sexual as I think she might be. This makes me worry about whether I could meet her needs in that area.

I’m also unsure about timing, should I bring up these kinds of topics before marriage, or is it something to discuss later? It’s something that weighs on me, especially the fear of not being able to fulfill what I feel are my responsibilities as a partner.

What if she has a higher level of sexual desire than I do? How do I navigate that, given my current situation?

I know the general consensus is yes, and I've read leviticus 20 13 and context of it. There are multiple questions I have on the matter. First, is there a difference between sin and abomination, they are distinct words so is it a different meaning biblically? Also, a few verses before in leviticus 19 ot states the same about sowing different seeds together, wearing mixed fabrics, and crossbreeding animals, and after in leviticus 21 about cutting your hair and trimming your beard. If homsexuality is so sinful why are these never harped on?

The widely accepted definition of lust is "objectification", with the proposition in mind that "sexual desire" on the other hand is "noticing a woman as beautiful".

But we know that the Greek word for lust: epithumeó means to "desire" or "long for" or "crave".

With this said, if a man wanted to date a woman, wouldn't he be allowed to desire her without objectification?

What if a person first notices another man's wife as beautiful?

The person then fantasises about having her as his wife, without objectification or jealousy. He possibly even imagines having relations with her consensually, again without objectification.

The fantasiser doesn't intend adultery towards the wife in the fantasy.

Do you see what I'm saying?

Is this scenario theoretically acceptable?

What about thinking this way about a celebrity whom I'll never meet, whom I don't intend ill towards the husband of, let alone not being able to commit the act of adultery with?

for context I’m currently in situation where I should be stressed and I’ve prayed about it but I feel lazy and not very empathetic about it when I pray because the situation I’m in is very life changing and would effect my family and me. I genuinely want this to change also Im sorry if I’m repeating myself Im just not sure how to word how I’m feeling because I’ve never felt like this befor.

I previously posted this in the r/TrueChristian sub but I also wanted to bring it here.

I am struggling with forgiveness and what it truly means. If I forgive someone do I have to say it to them? Do I still have to keep them in my life? Or can I just work on forgiving them in my heart? I am new to this is and I will try to be brief with context but it is a long story. Basically, last year my husband and I went through the worst season in our entire 7 year relationship. During that time I had to move home with my mother, pregnant and with our toddler. I won’t go into too much detail on my husband for privacy reasons but he is ok now and we are back together. But during that time my father, who is divorced from my mother, tried rekindling more of a relationship with me. He and I had barely talked in probably 10 years because I had distanced myself from him. He can be very angry, aggressive and very disrespectful not just to me but everyone in our family and I had gone basically no contact with him. I shared what had been going on with my husband and he was initially very supportive and wanted to help. There wasn’t much to help with honestly I was just waiting to hear from my husband and for him to come back so we could decide what we were doing moving forward. I ended up having our second child and that was the first time I saw my husband in 3 months. I sent pictures to him and the rest of the family. But apparently that was not good enough for my father. He had his friend post on social media that he had never seen pictures of the baby basically begging someone to send my dad a picture since it’s his grandchild. I asked her to remove the post and I asked him to also ask her to. It was embarrassing and I was already having to raise my children with out my husband and all the other things that came along with it. By the end of the conversation my dad basically said no and there was nothing he could do because that friend was there for him when I wasn’t. And how can I want to forgive my husband for what he had done but not him. So I blocked him because at the time I was 1 week post partum and dealing with a lot. So my previous questions at the top I guess? How do I forgive? And do I have to tell him? There’s obviously 27 more years of context when it comes to my dad but I think it’s self explanatory that he is not kind nor has he been a good father.

Hello everyone,

I already have a degree and I’m finishing up an apprenticeship next month, so I’ll be getting my journeyman card. I mention that just to say I don’t need more schooling for my career, but I still have my GI Bill available.

My family and I have been getting more involved in our local church and small groups, and we’ve really been enjoying it. Lately I’ve been thinking about using the GI Bill to take some classes more for personal growth and a bit of accountability. I’ve noticed I tend to focus on things from my own perspective instead of stepping back and seeing the bigger picture.

So I guess I’m just looking for some insight. Do you think something like this would actually be beneficial? I feel like in person would be ideal, but realistically I’d have to do it online due to time.

I feel as I’m a natural leader and great at teaching people in the wild like at work or friends groups. When it comes to Jesus I feel like I’m at an elementary level and would love to have facts and confidence when I speak!

Appreciate any thoughts.

Wesley Seminary, The course description:

“Build a strong foundation in Christian ministry through an associate degree designed to equip students with biblical knowledge, ministry leadership skills, and practical training. This degree program prepares you to serve effectively in church and community settings while developing a deeper understanding of Christian faith, theology, and biblical principles.”