I can look back over my Christian life and can see how much I’ve grown in my knowledge of scripture. But recently, I’ve noticed that there is something missing now. I prayed about it and God revealed that it is my intimacy with Him that’s missing. I can remember when I was younger in the faith and didn’t know as much as I have learned over the years, but I was so passionate and Christ felt as close as ever! Now I’m not even sure how to get that passion and intimacy back. It feels as if I’m at a standstill. I confess my sins daily. What do you think? How do I get that closeness back with my Savior?

Re: Matt. 27:52-53. Who were the many saints who came out of their graves? I thought all that were saved before the cross were in Abraham’s bosom. It appears they received their body (was it the old or new) because they appeared unto many. Is there any indication that they ascended to heaven with Jesus, or did they die again? Was this told to give us a glimpse of the rapture?

The more I know, the more I learn, the more I confirm through knowledge that God exists and the Bible is true. Does this lessen my faith? Christ said to Thomas that those who believe but haven’t seen will be blessed. My question is by gaining more information about this world, like the discovery of the Ark, the evidence of Intelligent Design, end times, does this lessen my faith?

I’ve been reading a series by a well known pastor whom I respect very much. But on the issue of election I disagree with him. He says that we can’t say that God foreknew who would choose Him and then elected people according to that foreknowledge because if that were true then God can’t be sovereign. He also says that if God chose some for heaven and lets others go to hell by not choosing them, then He is right because He is God, and His ways are higher than our ways. We are not to question Him– you know, the clay talking back to the potter. I feel like it makes God into an unfair tyrant and humans into some type of pawns in a game, basically worthless. Why would God even create the human race since He would be condemning some to hell without them ever having a choice?

I had an abusive father. When he was on his death bed in the hospital he requested that I come see him by having a nurse call me. I did not go to see him. I thought now you will know some of the pain I endured when I was growing up and could not protect myself. I’ve come to regret very much that feeling of anger and have asked God to forgive me for it, but I don’t know if I’ve ever really come to a place of truly forgiving my father. Whenever I believe I have forgiven him another thought appears at some point and I’m angry all over again. Is forgiveness more of a process?

I just read your answer about cremation which confirmed what I always thought about cremation being okay, but wanted to know what your beliefs were on organ donation. I would be an organ donor if I could get over the feeling that when the Lord resurrects our bodies, I will have given away part of mine. I know this must sound ridiculous, but was wondering what your studies have led you to believe. I would greatly appreciate your thoughts.

Do you think the rapture happens as the dragon is cast out of heaven? I wouldn’t want to be around when he is cast down and confined and angry. It’s interesting that Jesus comes with the archangel but it doesn’t say with a great host of angels. Perhaps the angels are kicking butt and clearing the rebel angles out and getting things ready for us. When Jesus said He saw Satan fall like a lightening bolt, how does that fit in to the war in heaven when He is confined to earth?

I have a question about something that was thrown into the middle of the conversation between Jesus and the centurion in Matthew chapter 8. In 8:11 and 12, Jesus goes from marveling at the faith of the centurion to telling His followers about people eating with Abraham Isaac and Jacob (the Jewish people) in the Kingdom of Heaven but those that already live there (the children of the Kingdom) will be tossed out. Is this referring to the angelic realm? I’m really confused.

The Bible says, “In my Fathers house are many mansions.” Who lives or will live in those mansions?

I was wondering your thoughts on God testing us. I’ve only heard this taught one time, Deuteronomy 8:2 says that God tests us in order to know what is in our heart, whether or not we will keep his commands. If taken literally, or at least the way I take it, the LORD brings things across my path to see how I will respond… Will I chose to act in faith on his word, or be in fear. Will I choose to obey or not and so on and so forth. Is this correct? If so it would give a different outlook on “problems” we encounter on a day to day basis.