What are you dreams/goals in your life?

What are you passionate about in relation to spiritual gifts?

Hope to adopt some day since I can't get pregnant

I would not say I have a passion. However, I have noticed, at least somewhat, a concern for new believers and, oddly enough for this jaded and darkish fellow, a tendency to want to encourage people.

This sounds very similar. I believe you should do a deep study into discipleship and see what God is wanting to speak to you.

I don't know if I have the spiritual maturity to disciple anyone... but I will raise it in prayer.

I have heard it put this way. Discipleship is just one begger leading another to the table to be fed.

You know enough to know the table is Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit inspired teachings. The New Testament being towards the Christian today.

James in the Bible was a newly convert to John the Baptist but as soon as he saw Jesus, he ran to get his brother Peter to bring him to meet the Messiah.

That is the discipline we need. Fetch those who will respond and then the Spirit will do the heavy lifting. Every Christian is hypocrite in some way as no one will be perfect on this side of eternity. God wants you to be honest you but you who is honestly seeking Him.

People would rather see an honest hypocrite than a concealed hypocrite. We must remember that God set the bar for moral perfection as to why we needed a Savior because none of us could fulfill the law. But in grace and the imparted atonment, righteousness, and justification through Christ we are forgiven and set free from the curse of sin and eternal death the judgment of sin.

This sets us free to seek a higher love than the love of sin. Works will never defeat sin, but a higher love will.

Thank you.. I've started praying about this last night.

"People would rather see an honest hypocrite than a concealed hypocrite."
Your statement caused me to stop and ponder, it's rather profound. If this statement is false then there can be no Christian ministry whatsoever. Our Father is a very wise creator indeed.

It is ironic if you turn it around. People would rather see a concealed hypocrite than an honest one.

The data research organizations have often recorded some shocking but honest statements from our pastors.

For example,

A Barna research study found most pastors (57%) and youth pastors (64%) admit they have struggled with porn, either currently or in the past. But less than 1% recommended telling their congregation.

And this is the percentage of those who were honest. But less than 1% recommend telling their congregation. I wonder why is that?

Sure some sins disqualify a pastor but it reminds me that if the data is true, over half of pastors statistically deal with addiction or habitual sins.

I think many people especially women would leave if the pastor admits this especially if this is an ongoing or recent addiction.

Oh, no doubt as to why 1% would tell the congregation. But what creates an environment where the pastor or congregants are not comfortable in sharing the struggle of sin?

Looking at scripture almost every main character had many or a few major sins but yet God not only used them but recorded them as well. Think of Abraham, Moses, King David, or Peter's denial.

God is forgiving but I often wonder if we knew to the full extent of our fellow brothers and sisters sins, would we be as forgiving? As loving? As willing to help them? Or would we leave them?

Of course, in leadership positions, certain sins do carry reason for them to step down but if they truly are repentful then there should be reconciliation at least as a fellow brother or sister in Christ.

But this often doesn't happen as they are not forgiven or loved into reconciliation. They often feel the need to leave and then to not be labeled a black sheep, they return to being an concealed hypocrite.

The concealed Christian will often be the one to cast the first stone or to pluck the speck out of another's eye. While comfortably hiding their sins.

Just an aside... you can only be a "hypocrite" if you have standards. It's easier to fall than to fly.

I read it is worthwhile to make a list of 100 things you want to accomplish before you die, kind of like a bucket list. I think it is possible to make such a list from a Christian perspective, something more meaningful and less superficial. For instance, visiting the Holy Land would make this list, but perhaps not a trip to Hawaii.

I think any kind of goal that isn't sinful is fine (though I think it's important to have spiritual items in the mix), but it's good to bring it before God and ask for His guidance and will regarding it.

Another thing I'd like to do is take a road trip across the US, and see places I never have, places that one doesn't often think about. For example, Boise, Monument Valley, the Arizona crater, Tennessee, Arkansas, the Carolinas, Montana... are among my desired destinations.

how far ahead do you want this
Also depending on how old you are...when you are young, even depending on your circumstances, your goal might be just to make it to tomorrow!

As someone who wasnt that keen on sports to begin with, goal keeping hasnt really been my aim.

When you are on a christian walk, its the narrow path we need to take that leads to eternal life, not the distractions of the world. So its hard to really think of specific things that are often unknown in the future except your eternal destiny.

I do understand the mentality though, 1000 cemeteries (or churches) to visit before you die kind of thing. Though Im wary of becoming one of those travel bores that boast Ive been to hundred different countries and lived a peripiatic life. I think whats important for me spiritually is cultivating friendships and maybe connections, or asking God for wisdom, which He gives liberally.

There is a book called "What If God Wrote Your Bucket List?: 52 Things You Don't Want to Miss" that is worth reading!

That, and also conquering my fears. Although I am not a thrill seeker interested in skydiving, scary roller coasters, etc., I can see why someone may put them on their list if they want to push/challenge themselves outside their comfort zone...and to an extent trust God on this. It may be more than just bragging/impressing others.

Of course what a Christian does in this life matters. We should dream and be intentional. With a Christian worldview of eternal life though I struggle making logical sense of the cultures -bucket list thing. Going on this frantic pace to experience all these experiences before we die. The funny part is most of culture is so stressed about capturing the moment with their smartphones to show their friends are they really there enjoying and taking in the moment? I had this happen before. I went on some vacation and a person asked me how it went. I said good, let me show you. The guy goes you don’t have to show me, just explain what was so good? I was left speechless. I spent so much time and energy capturing the memorable things on phone my mind could not recall anything specific without the picture or video prompting me. it was a wake up call to at least slow down and put the phone away.
We’re assured in scripture that at the end we’re not going to miss out, that we get it all back. That the former things won’t be remembered. Experiences are nice but should a Christ follower really put so much pressure on themselves as the world does to “get it while you can” aren’t we supposed to rest in the fact at the end it all comes back 100times more?

I've raised a family, traveled the world, been to every state but 3, been involved in numerous ministries with various churches, did missionary work. Now I'm old, my body is increasingly broken... and I just want to live out the remainder of my life quietly.

People's bucket lists or wishes may change with different phases of life. The more curious someone is, even as a Christian I believe they will want to do more things like read, travel, pursue new hobbies, etc. The more adventure-seeking, similarly, they might want to travel, skydive, climb mountains, etc. The younger someone is, perhaps they are more curious or adventure-seeking before they set into the routine of life. However, this is not necessarily a good thing that one becomes less curious as they get older.

The world's bucket list may be a bit different, such as getting rich, getting a fancy car, becoming famous...things related to money and fame. Travel and experiences do top most people's bucket lists generally. I wouldn't be surprised if people have personal items but these items just do not make it on popular bucket lists...such as reconciling with someone.

As a Christian, I think travel and experiences are fine but we should also have more meaningful items on the list. Travel and experiences, unless they are meaningful in some way such as visiting homeland, conquering fear, bonding withing someone during the trip/experience, etc. may only produce fleeting moments of happiness. I see what you mean some people have the "get it while you can" mentality such as visiting all countries or visiting all monuments, but perhaps they have some reasons. Personally though, when I limited my bucket list to meaningful items, I don't have a long list.

I know God will wipe away bad memories, but based on some commentary I read we may still remember the good times.