Single mom, Christian. Dating. Not sure if scripture is realistic and I'm feeling frustrated. Christian advice?

1. On one level, leaning on God and yearning for closeness to him does not get rid of all our troubles. Think of Jeremiah weeping, Job on his ash heap, and even (strangely) Paul and Silas singing at midnight -- while in chains.

When I was in high school, before even thinking of dating, there were times when I was plagued with great loneliness. I would sometimes take a long walk and yell at the sky, yell at God, in a kind of agony. But ask for the filling of the Holy Spirit, Michael.

Ask Christ for more joy. 2. Hmm, you say that every time you pray for help, you get "tested", yet, you also say that every time you pray for help, you get messages (from films, friends, other Christians, internal feelings) that being gay is not a sin.

Well -- has it ever occurred to you that when you pray, God is simply *answering* you? A message that homosexuality is not bad is not necessarily a test, but rather a gentle comfort from on High -- letting you know that you don't have to be alone forever. 3.

We depend on God, but (at least when not fasting) we still need food. We depend on God, but we still need money or at least shelter, clothing, daily work and play. We depend on God, but we still need companionship ("It is not good for the man to be alone").

We depend on God, but we still need good health and require exercise, seeing the doctor, etc. I don't think your love for God excludes love for other people -- or for a special guy. Peace!

I'm not a Christian, but as a former Christian, I know a good bit about the religion. When you say you get answers through friends, films, internal feelings, etc., you might consider the possibility that these do not depend on the existence of a god that heard your prayer. Something is on your mind, and various external stimuli influence you.

That does not demonstrate anything supernatural in itself. I know it sound like an overly simple answer, but you really are not being tested: your faith in God is being tested. That means you need to be open about whether or not such faith is reasonable.

I understand the fear that goes with such questioning. You think if you are wrong, you are condemning yourself to hell for even questioning. But if you believe your god gave you a working mind, then certainly you are expected to use it.

And whether or not there is a god that gave it to you, in fact you have it. Doubting, questioning, and thinking about the assumptions you have held are proper human things to do. No god worth worshiping would deny you that.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.