Hai! I’m Reid

[andy700700]

Ephesians 6:12
New International Version
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

John 8:12
New International Version
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Colossians 1:13-14
New International Version
For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

 

[Levib]

Welcome Reid.

I saw a testimony last year of a famous rock singer who transitioned. Before he transitioned he spoke to everyone he knew and told them his plan. His family, his close friends, his coworkers, his church and his pastor. Not one of them had the courage to tell him anything other than “do what feels good to you”. But the bible says “There is a way which seems right to a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” How can a person do right if everyone is too cowardly to point the way?

The gospel is not a message of hate or condemnation. It is a message of deliverance and healing. You have already seen there is both flattery and friendly truth available here. I hope you will realize the people who offer direction, are not the ones who hate you. The people who reinforce ‘worldly knowledge’, are not the ones who care about you.

Proverbs 28:23 KJVS
He that rebukes(corrects) a man afterwards shall find more favor than he that flatters with the tongue.

Proverbs 27:6 KJVS
Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

Proverbs 29:5 KJVS
A man that flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.

 

[TransGuyReseekingChrist]

Welcome Reid.

I saw a testimony last year of a famous rock singer who transitioned. Before he transitioned he spoke to everyone he knew and told them his plan. His family, his close friends, his coworkers, his church and his pastor. Not one of them had the courage to tell him anything other than “do what feels good to you”. But the bible says “There is a way which seems right to a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” How can a person do right if everyone is too cowardly to point the way?

The gospel is not a message of hate or condemnation. It is a message of deliverance and healing. You have already seen there is both flattery and friendly truth available here. I hope you will realize the people who offer direction, are not the ones who hate you. The people who reinforce ‘worldly knowledge’, are not the ones who care about you.

Proverbs 28:23 KJVS
He that rebukes(corrects) a man afterwards shall find more favor than he that flatters with the tongue.

Proverbs 27:6 KJVS
Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

Proverbs 29:5 KJVS
A man that flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.

Yes that makes total sense! My mom would 100% talk me out of it and share gospel; Which maybe that’s why I never told her because I knew in my heart the truth. It’s just hard when your flesh desires something different

 

[Levib]

Yes that makes total sense! My mom would 100% talk me out of it and share gospel; Which maybe that’s why I never told her because I knew in my heart the truth. It’s just hard when your flesh desires something different

People are remembered for the difficult things they accomplish. (Heros, Inventors etc..)

 

[andy700700]

Galatians 5:16-17
New International Version
16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.

Matthew 13
New International Version
The Parable of the Sower
That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.”
10 The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?”
11 He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. 12 Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 13 This is why I speak to them in parables:
“Though seeing, they do not see;
though hearing, they do not hear or understand.
14 In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:
“‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.
15 For this people’s heart has become calloused;
they hardly hear with their ears,
and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.’
16 But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. 17 For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.
18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”
The Parable of the Weeds
24 Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. 26 When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.
27 “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’
28 “‘An enemy did this,’ he replied.
“The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’
29 “‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’”
31 He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 32 Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”
33 He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.”
34 Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. 35 So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet:
“I will open my mouth in parables,
I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world.”

John 16:33
New International Version
33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

James 1:2-4
New International Version
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

James 1:12
New International Version
12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

 

[Jesusgirl777]

Be encouraged, dear sister-in-Christ. You have several of us here praying for you. Others have shared such wonderful messages. I don't think I can add anything else apart from saying:

I like how open you are to receive advice and desire to change. Praise Jesus. Humility is powerful. The Lord bless and keep you always.

 

[TransGuyReseekingChrist]

That’s a very precious of you! I’m trying my hardest to come back to myself and God. The prayers mean a lot to me.

 

[TransGuyReseekingChrist]

Galatians 5:16-17
New International Version
16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.

Matthew 13
New International Version
The Parable of the Sower
That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.”
10 The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?”
11 He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. 12 Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 13 This is why I speak to them in parables:
“Though seeing, they do not see;
though hearing, they do not hear or understand.
14 In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:
“‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.
15 For this people’s heart has become calloused;
they hardly hear with their ears,
and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.’
16 But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. 17 For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.
18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”
The Parable of the Weeds
24 Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. 26 When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.
27 “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’
28 “‘An enemy did this,’ he replied.
“The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’
29 “‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’”
31 He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 32 Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”
33 He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.”
34 Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. 35 So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet:
“I will open my mouth in parables,
I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world.”

John 16:33
New International Version
33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

James 1:2-4
New International Version
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

James 1:12
New International Version
12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

Thank you! I’m doing my best to withstand this hardship and come back to myself and the Lord

 

[Jesusgirl777]

That’s a very precious of you! I’m trying my hardest to come back to myself and God. The prayers mean a lot to me.

We can do anything that we need to do only with God's help, His grace. Rest in Jesus. Take it one day at a time. I find praying worship music, instrumental or others and being still is so rejuvenating. It is not always easy to be still, but we need to be determined and God does the rest.

 

[dkontner]

... and God does the rest.

Amen! In mysterious ways I might add.

 

[Jesusgirl777]

Amen! In mysterious ways I might add.

Amen!

 

[Jesusgirl777]

We can do anything that we need to do only with God's help, His grace. Rest in Jesus. Take it one day at a time. I find praying worship music, instrumental or others and being still is so rejuvenating. It is not always easy to be still, but we need to be determined and God does the rest.

To add, sometimes your tears while you wait in Jesus' presence can be the only communication that you need.

1 Samuel 1:12-16


12As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. 13Hannah was speaking in her heart; only her lips moved, and her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli took her to be a drunken woman. 14And Eli said to her, “How long will you go on being drunk? Put your wine away from you.” 15But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord. 16Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for all along I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation.”

 

[TransGuyReseekingChrist]

We can do anything that we need to do only with God's help, His grace. Rest in Jesus. Take it one day at a time. I find praying worship music, instrumental or others and being still is so rejuvenating. It is not always easy to be still, but we need to be determined and God does the rest.

Amen

 

[seoulsearch]

Hello! As the title says, I am Reid. I’m a new member but not new to believing in Christ. I’m a 21y.o. transman (please no hate; We all struggle with one sin or another!) and am currently trying to re-seek out a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. I’ve been good at reading a bit of the bible everyday and praying.

I would love to make some female Christian friends and hopefully figure out how to deal with my identity. Anyways, feel free to DM! Thanks!
View attachment 293468

Hi Kayla!!

I was just reading your profile and I think it's amazing that you are interested in both forestry AND aerospace engineering!! That's incredible, and I pray that God will bless you in your studies and career path.

It's great to have you here and I pray we can assist you on your journey with the Lord.

If I may share something with you, I was adopted as an infant from Korea into a small white town with a very small town mindset. This all-white area was next to a town that was all-black, with very few people from any other races.

Being Asian in a white family and mostly white society, I always felt like I was having a multi-faceted identity crisis.

I obviously didn't totally fit in with white people; I most certainly didn't fit with any Asians I did meet (and that wasn't until I was an adult,); and while I made a few friends of varying race and backgrounds, I surely didn't fit in with the black community either.

No matter what I did or how hard I tried, I never felt like I belonged anywhere -- I was always the puzzle piece that never fit, always searching for the whole puzzle I was supposedly meant to be a part of.

My username here, Seoulsearch, is a reflection of my lifelong search for who I am, and wanting to help other people discover who they are in Christ as well. (Seoul, pronounced "soul", is the name of the Korean city I was found in.)

I understand how it feels to never feel like you belong to one group or side you're "supposed to," and yet you can't fully integrate with the other side either, leaving you to wonder where, or if, you're ever going to find family or community.

The truth is, as I'm now older, I realize I most likely will never "fully" "fit in" anywhere, but I think more and more that God designed it that way on purpose. I'm almost always "in-between" race, class, and other extremes, but the advantage is that once I get over a few initial hurdles, God helps me talk fairly easily to people of all backgrounds.

My whole point in telling you all this is that I just wanted to say, I know you probably feel like you're in-between most everything right now -- I definitely know what that feels like. I know my situation is different, but I have a lot of sympathy for people struggling with identity issues in all forms, because I've lived it all my life.

I hope you'll be encouraged that God can still use what you're going through for His purpose!

I know you're struggling "in-between" gender right now... Can I tell you a secret? I have always struggled with feeling "in-between" races -- if I had a choice, I would probably be white, because that's what I've been raised with and know.

Of course, that's never going to happen (though these days, there are all sorts of scary surgeries where people do try to turn themselves into another race. When I was young, I wanted a blonde wig and blue contacts, but I'd seen other Asians do this and they just looked like zombies.) Now, if they had some magic, fool-proof serum that would automatically turn me into a white person, would I consider it? Yes.

But I'm pretty sure that wouldn't be God's will, so I've done my best to accept the way God has made me, and trust that it's for a reason.

It's not always easy, I know.

But you being Kayla is definitely not a mistake, and I'm so glad you feel God calling you into His love and acceptance (just the way He created you!)

I can't say that I've been able to accept this for myself perfectly at all, but it's a daily walk and I thank God for the opportunity to keep learning as I go.

Many blessings to you, Kayla, and I hope you'll find comfort and encouragement here within the community of Christ!

Please keep us posted on your journey.

P.S. You are a beautiful young woman; I hope God gives you peace and joy in who you are!

 

[TransGuyReseekingChrist]

Hi Kayla!!

I was just reading your profile and I think it's amazing that you are interested in both forestry AND aerospace engineering!! That's incredible, and I pray that God will bless you in your studies and career path.

It's great to have you here and I pray we can assist you on your journey with the Lord.

If I may share something with you, I was adopted as an infant from Korea into a small white town with a very small town mindset. This all-white area was next to a town that was all-black, with very few people from any other races.

Being Asian in a white family and mostly white society, I always felt like I was having a multi-faceted identity crisis.

I obviously didn't totally fit in with white people; I most certainly didn't fit with any Asians I did meet (and that wasn't until I was an adult,); and while I made a few friends of varying race and backgrounds, I surely didn't fit in with the black community either.

No matter what I did or how hard I tried, I never felt like I belonged anywhere -- I was always the puzzle piece that never fit, always searching for the whole puzzle I was supposedly meant to be a part of.

My username here, Seoulsearch, is a reflection of my lifelong search for who I am, and wanting to help other people discover who they are in Christ as well. (Seoul, pronounced "soul", is the name of the Korean city I was found in.)

I understand how it feels to never feel like you belong to one group or side you're "supposed to," and yet you can't fully integrate with the other side either, leaving you to wonder where, or if, you're ever going to find family or community.

The truth is, as I'm now older, I realize I most likely will never "fully" "fit in" anywhere, but I think more and more that God designed it that way on purpose. I'm almost always "in-between" race, class, and other extremes, but the advantage is that once I get over a few initial hurdles, God helps me talk fairly easily to people of all backgrounds.

My whole point in telling you all this is that I just wanted to say, I know you probably feel like you're in-between most everything right now -- I definitely know what that feels like. I know my situation is different, but I have a lot of sympathy for people struggling with identity issues in all forms, because I've lived it all my life.

I hope you'll be encouraged that God can still use what you're going through for His purpose!

I know you're struggling "in-between" gender right now... Can I tell you a secret? I have always struggled with feeling "in-between" races -- if I had a choice, I would probably be white, because that's what I've been raised with and know.

Of course, that's never going to happen (though these days, there are all sorts of scary surgeries where people do try to turn themselves into another race. When I was young, I wanted a blonde wig and blue contacts, but I'd seen other Asians do this and they just looked like zombies.) Now, if they had some magic, fool-proof serum that would automatically turn me into a white person, would I consider it? Yes.

But I'm pretty sure that wouldn't be God's will, so I've done my best to accept the way God has made me, and trust that it's for a reason.

It's not always easy, I know.

But you being Kayla is definitely not a mistake, and I'm so glad you feel God calling you into His love and acceptance (just the way He created you!)

I can't say that I've been able to accept this for myself perfectly at all, but it's a daily walk and I thank God for the opportunity to keep learning as I go.

Many blessings to you, Kayla, and I hope you'll find comfort and encouragement here within the community of Christ!

Please keep us posted on your journey.

P.S. You are a beautiful young woman; I hope God gives you peace and joy in who you are!

Thank you so much! You’re the sweetest person I’ve talked to yet. It feels so good to have someone understand the not fitting in on either side. I like your point that God might be using us to talk to diverse groups of people because I’ve always found it easy to talk to people of all backgrounds, same as you! I’ve always been able to connect with people of all types. I will continue to pray for myself and others and accept prayers from others for my journey of identity back to Christ! I’m glad you found community in Christ that’s the most important part!!

 

[seoulsearch]

Thank you so much! You’re the sweetest person I’ve talked to yet. It feels so good to have someone understand the not fitting in on either side. I like your point that God might be using us to talk to diverse groups of people because I’ve always found it easy to talk to people of all backgrounds, same as you! I’ve always been able to connect with people of all types. I will continue to pray for myself and others and accept prayers from others for my journey of identity back to Christ! I’m glad you found community in Christ that’s the most important part!!

Thank you so much! I'm so glad my testimony could help.

It's wonderful that you are already recognizing some of the gifts God has given you, such as being able to talk to all kinds of people!

Because you experience some of the struggles from both sides of the coin, you can understand and sympathize with a wide variety of people. You offer compassion whereas some would be quick to judge first, because you know firsthand what it's like to be immediately judged.

I'm sure you've also experienced times when diverse friends want you to "pick a side," and how uncomfortable that can be, because you want to see everyone get along, and come to the love of Christ.

The thing is, your challenges have given you a special key to approach people where they already are, which is an awesome blessing.

I know life is never sunshine and rainbows, but I pray that God will blanket you in comfort, peace, and direction as you continue on your journey.

Looking forward to hearing more about you!

 

[andy700700]

Psalm 23
New International Version
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.

 

[passion84god]

Hi, Kayla, and welcome to CC. I am so happy that you found us. I know that you said you're looking for female friends, but I hope you don't mind if this friendly guy asks you a question. Can you tell us when your gender crisis started? Was there some sort of rejection or traumatic event that might have triggered it? I'm asking because sometimes things that we struggle with are the offshoot of something else. Whatever the case may be, I am happy that you're here.​

 

[TransGuyReseekingChrist]

Hi, Kayla, and welcome to CC. I am so happy that you found us. I know that you said you're looking for female friends, but I hope you don't mind if this friendly guy asks you a question. Can you tell us when your gender crisis started? Was there some sort of rejection or traumatic event that might have triggered it? I'm asking because sometimes things that we struggle with are the offshoot of something else. Whatever the case may be, I am happy that you're here.​

Hi! Well it started last summer but it went berserk and I started taking hormones for it after I tried to erm end things. I felt like the only me is dead and I still feel that way. Like I’m a different me that survived. I’ve always struggled with depression

 

[TransGuyReseekingChrist]

Hi! Well it started last summer but it went berserk and I started taking hormones for it after I tried to erm end things. I felt like the only me is dead and I still feel that way. Like I’m a different me that survived. I’ve always struggled with depression

Also, thank you for the welcome