samesies
1mo ago
I find myself thinking of this comment often. I am having a hard time not being happy about the misfortunes of the people I consider “my enemies” and the “bad guys.” I know it’s wrong, and I catch my thinking, but it comes so naturally, almost like an instinct.
I also struggle with my temper. I’m not hot tempered, per se, but I get aggravated easily and have a hard time controlling it.
Finally, I am having a hard time praying and easing Scripture daily. I am attempting to pray the Daily Office but finding the time and effort is hard.
Sorry, I really only meant to post the first paragraph, but it turned into me whining and venting.
samesies
2mo ago
And don't even get me started on phone gambling. The idea of people losing huge sums of money without ever leaving their house or talking to anyone is horrifying to me.
The widespread legalization of sports betting, and to a lesser extent the ubiquity of fantasy sports, have largely ruined sports media coverage. You can’t watch ESPN or listen to a sports talk show or podcast without seeing or hearing numerous gambling ads. Most networks have at least one show dedicated to gambling. Even normal sports coverage (NFL Sunday and similar) is constantly scrolling lines and prop bets as they talk about each team.
It used to be that just some people would talk about it, and they always seemed insufferable. Now it’s a major topic of sports talk, to the point where the actual games and outcomes are largely considered secondary to the lines and the spread.
samesies
2mo ago
If you’re a Browns fan, you gotta be feeling down. Since they came back into the league in 1999, it’s been nothing but a slog. They’ve played three playoff games in that time. And they think that maybe, finally, this is their time. And then this past week happens and Watson happens and it’s just the same old Browns.
samesies
2mo ago
I don’t have major hopes for the Patriots this year. I’d like them to be competitive, and I’d prefer that to stinking up the joint again and getting a good draft pick. I’d rather see them try, and to build a winning attitude, and use that to attract talent and keep building.
That said, if they get to 2-0, I’ll start to get excited. Again, they’re not winning a title (okay, in my heart of hearts I want that to be the case and a part of me will always believe it can happen), but if they can compete for a playoff spot and play spoiler, while I pig out on wings and beer, I will take it.
samesies
2mo ago
Men get PTSD flashbacks to all the normalized relational violence they've suffered.
Can you please expand on this a bit? I’m not sure what you mean.
samesies
4mo ago
This is amazing and very insightful. I think you hit the nail on the head with the idea of being aware of the choice to sin just before it happens, so you can address it. Thank you.
samesies
4mo ago
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.”
This is an aside, but as an extremely imperfect Christian who is trying to be better, how do you do it? I don’t think I hate anyone, but I certainly have a hard time loving and praying for my enemy. I’ll take any advice you got.
samesies
4mo ago
fewer red hats that aren't for the Phillies
Bryce Harper for President! I’d say Rob Thomson, but he’s Canadian.
samesies
1yr ago
I took a few breaths, checked out a he more videos, and now I agree with you. He is smart, for sure, but he also seems to be sort of full of himself.
samesies
1yr ago
He’s basically saying that there is a huge mental health crisis (I agree) and it will lead to deaths at a scale comparable to the Black Death. This also ties in with his other theories that the West is basically in for a reckoning in the next few decades in line with the fall of Rome and that life is going to be hard. Honestly, after I watched, I took a few breaths and started to realize that he’s probably a bit over dramatic. He’s very smart, and he knows it, and he likes it, too. I like some of his stuff but I think he’s a bit overdoing it.
samesies
1yr ago
I realize this is low effort, but I’m a bit freaked out and could use some perspective. I just watched this video:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=s0K0sI5XiP4?si=01DQ1uWFpMr_UmtM
My own experiences, knowledge, and my gut tell me this is largely correct, if not 100% accurate. What do you all think?
samesies
1yr ago
Thank you! I’m give some of these a listen. As for me, I’m pretty open with music. I tend to love folk, singer-songwriter stuff, power-metal, pop-punk/emo, country, alt-country, and whatever The Police count as.
samesies
1yr ago
This was a great suggestion! I only knew his Christmas music, which I loved, and I knew that he was a Christian, but that’s about it. I listened to Carrie and Lowell and it blew me away. Beautiful and sad and haunting. I actually listened to a good chunk of it while on a walk on a beautiful day that led me to a church I hadn’t known was there. I don’t want to be cliche, but I had a bit of a “religious experience,” in a way. I’m going to keep listening to other albums he has done. Thank you!
Good morning. I have two questions:
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Any suggestions on good websites/forums on Christianity that are by and for Christians? The subreddits (Christianity, Christian, and TrueChristian) aren’t very good for a variety of reasons.
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Is there any good Christian music (rock, folk, country) out there? I hear songs here and there, but a lot of it isn’t very good.
Thanks!
Edit: THANK YOU EVERYONE! Great suggestions. Already started listening.
samesies
1yr ago
Dunno if this is the place but needed to complain about that roughing the kicker call against SF. Insane. Eagles player blocked him into the punter. Wild.
samesies
1yr ago
Not sure how many Mottizens care, but I’m interested in your Super Bowl predictions. I think it’ll be San Francisco and Cincinnati. Cincy is really good with a QB that’s on fire and has ice water in his veins, and they’re PISSED at the NFL. SF just seems good, especially that D and especially if they get Jimmy G back. Plus, other than Philly, I think the NFC is kind of weak. I don’t trust Dallas or Minnesota to actually get very far.
It could also be the Bills for the AFC: great team, emotional, have the support of most of the country. But I am sticking with Cincy.
As far as winner, it’s a tough call. I’m inclined to Cincinnati but let’s see.
samesies
2yr ago
I’m a recently re-reborn Christian. I was raised a mix of Protestant, agnostic, and none. I later became a non-Catholic Catholic, then a Catholic convert, then nothing, then somewhat Episcopalian, and nothing. Recently, I’ve really rediscovered my faith. I’ve started reading the Bible, and reading/listening/watching a lot of apologetics stuff. I’ve tried a couple churches, too. So, I have some questions:
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I attended a non-denominational church this morning for the first time. From their website and what I’ve seen about them, it seems to me like it is of the conservative and evangelical variety. That’s good. That’s what I want. But the more I didn’t, I can’t find anything firm beyond the “sola scriptura,” Grace by faith, stuff. No comments on LGBT issues or abortion. By contrast, there are some local churches that are very explicitly evangelical and conservative, though they approach it in a conservative way. Is this lack of clarity the norm for non-denominational churches? I’ve looked up reviews for the church, but those are all over the place.
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With that said, how much does denomination really matter? Of course, if a church is Catholic, Orthodox, Reformed, etc it matters. But within, say, Arminian Protestantism (meaning non-reformed) does it REALLY matter as long as you believe the basics?
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Any book recommendations (or podcasts or articles) on apologetics, denominational difference, converting, or similar topics?
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Any denominational recommendations? I want a Bible-believing, conservative-ish, evangelical-ish, church. I like churches with groups. I like ones that help the community. I like both traditional and contemporary services, too.
Thanks in advance.
Interesting. I wonder if there will be any push from the international community to either boycott or move the Olympics and World Cup. I don’t think it will succeed, but I wouldn’t be surprised at some push for it.
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