What Should I Do Regarding Desolation in the Church?

By Pengbo, US

Dear brothers and sisters of Christian Q&A,

Greetings! A question has been puzzling me for quite a while. I have sought the help of some pastors and elders, but even they have failed to resolve it. I am writing to share and discuss the matter with you, and hoping you can help.

I am a preacher. I used to have the enlightenment and illumination of the Holy Spirit when I read the Lord’s words, I never ran out of things to preach about, and the brothers and sisters of my church enjoyed my sermons and gained some benefit. But somewhere along the line, I no longer felt the Lord’s presence, my sermons became repeats of old topics, and I had nothing new to preach, so my brothers and sisters dozed off during our meetings. Preaching at meetings actually became something I was afraid of doing. Although I continued to preach and work, I was unable to practice the Lord’s words in my life, I didn’t have forgiveness or patience when I dealt with others, and most of my brothers and sisters became busy with business, work, and family. Their faith gradually grew cold and they were unwilling to attend the meetings anymore. When I see so few people coming to the church for the meetings, as a preacher, knowing that I can’t help my brothers and sisters in their spiritual lives makes me feel terrible and indebted to the Lord. We’ve tried to arrange meal activities, group fasting and prayer…but all to no avail. We still can’t feel the Lord’s guidance. So, I want to discuss this problem with you. Why our church has become like this? What should we do to bring the church back to its former self?

Xunguang

With the Grace of God I Found a True Home

By Xiaolin, United States

I Hate Dad—He Ruined Our Family

Crash … Bang …

“Dammit, say that one more time and I’ll make you sorry! …”

The clamor of fighting broke through the peaceful silence of the night, startling my sister and I awake. We realized our parents were fighting again. Since our mom found out that our dad was seeing another woman, she smiled less, and at any mention of him her eyes filled with discontent and sorrow. From then on they never stopped fighting—I couldn’t even remember how many times they had argued. When my sister and I ran into their room crying, we just saw dad reaching out to hit mom. Crying, I dragged at dad’s arm as hard as I could, but he was too strong and I couldn’t hold him back. That night, he broke two of her ribs. She couldn’t withstand such a life of suffering any longer, so after she healed she left home and got a job in another area.

I No Longer Worry About My Son’s Doing Homework

By Zhang Heng

I Made Plans for My Son

My son is 12 this year and he is in Grade 5. In the past, regardless of whether on holiday or at the two-day weekend, both the specific time when he did his homework and the amount of his homework each time were organized by me. He was very obedient and every time he could finish on time as planned. So, over time, I thought my plans were quite reasonable and that only by listening to me could he finish his homework on time.

God Heals the Pain of Infidelity and Brings Me Hope of Living

By Meiling, United States

My Happy Marriage Destroyed by My Husband’s infidelity

Ever since I was a child I have enjoyed watching romance series, and I had high hopes for love and marriage. I hoped that once I grew up, I would be able to spend my whole life with the person I loved, that we would never be apart, and that we would care for each other in our old age. When I turned twenty, my colleague introduced me to my husband. He was handsome, tall, made every effort to take care of me and look after me, and it seemed we had endless things to talk about. Though I was certain that he was my other half and I wanted us to be husband and wife, my parents were deeply opposed to us being together. I disregarded my parents’ opposition and married him anyway. After that, my husband did all that I asked, and the love between us grew. Before long, I gave birth to a child and our lives became even more wonderful. I felt that my initial choice had been correct, and that there was no greater happiness than a life with someone who loved me and who I also loved.

The Chief Priests Bribing the Soldiers to Fabricate Rumors: Matthew 28:11–15

The Report of the Guards
(Matthew 28:11–15)

11 Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and showed to the chief priests all the things that were done. 12 And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money to the soldiers, 13 Saying, Say you, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. 14 And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. 15 So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.

God’s Blessing and Wrath Upon Solomon

By Chunyu

God approved King Solomon and gave incomparable abundance to him.

After Solomon was born, he received Jehovah God’s favor. Just as it is written in the Bible, “And he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet; and he called his name Jedidiah, because of Jehovah” (2Sa 12:25). When he started to become king of Israel, he didn’t ask God for more wealth or a longer life expectancy, but for wisdom so that he could rule his kingdom better. And moreover, he accomplished the lifelong desire of his father King David—building a temple for Jehovah God and leading the people of Israel to worship God there. Therefore, Jehovah God gave him blessings. As a result, under his government, Israel became extremely strong, to the point that it was beyond compare. So, many kings of Gentiles came to render plenty of treasure and rare wood to him and hear his words of wisdom, and thus he was admired as the wisest king. This is just as Jehovah God said to him: “And if you will walk before me, as David your father walked, in integrity of heart, and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded you, and will keep my statutes and my judgments: Then I will establish the throne of your kingdom on Israel for ever” (1Ki 9:4–5).

Guided by God’s Words, I Become Good Friends With Gaming Addicted Son

By Liu Mei

On a summer night, the park was quite lively. There were children playing around, adults chatting casually, and some others dancing to the music.

With a worried look on face, Zhao Fan sat on a bench alone, thinking: When my son was a baby boy, he always clung to me and chatted with me without reservation. However, as he grows up day by day, he gradually has his own pursuits, hobbies and lifestyle, and becomes ill-tempered. Every time I tried to have a heart-to-heart talk with him, we would part in discord after exchanging a few words. I feel we are farther and farther away from each other. Besides, he becomes addicted to computer games. I’ve exhorted him for many times, but he never listened to me. Now I am both mentally and physically exhausted. What should I do?