2005-04-16T06:50:00.000-07:00

Being a Christian is cool but can sometimes be confusing! If you have a question, send it to Patch at thebendingriver@hotmail.com!

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Questions:

2005-04-16T06:29:00.000-07:00

Dear Patch,
I have a girlfriend, she lives in Ulverstone, but, I asked her out and she turned me down, HOW CAN I GET HER TO LIKE ME?!!
Mitch from Mountagu.

Dear Mitch,
Unfortunately there is nothing you can do about it but don’t worry to much, there are plenty of more fish in the see.
If you really do like this girl though, use Patches 1# hint. Be yourself. God created you the way he wanted you to be and to him you are spot on! If you start acting like someone else she isn’t really in love with you is she? Good luck mate!
Your Friend,
Patch.

Dear Patch,
What is a Christian and how do you become one?
Bennie from Burnie.

Dear Bennie,
It’s good to see your asking the right questions. To start off, a Christian is someone who believes God, wants to have a relationship with him and wants to live their life the way God wants us to.
Secondly, becoming a Christian is easy! All you have to do is tell God that you’re sorry for the way that you were living and ask him into your life.
After that, all you have to do is live your life like God would want you to. If you want to find out more on that, check out the 10 commandments. Below is a prayer that you could say.
Your friend,
Patch.

Dear God, I believe that you are there and I am sorry that I have spent so much of my life ignoring you.
I think it’s amazing that you care about me and want to relate to me as a friend. At the moment it feels like I hardly know you but I really want to get to know you better.
I know that in the years I spent ignoring you I’ve really screwed up a lot of things in my life. I wished they never happened and I want you to know that I’m sorry.
THANK YOU, Jesus, that you were willing to die on the cross for ME. I now give you control of my life. I want to trust you completely with every part of my life and put you first.
Help me to live a new life in a relationship with you and give me the strength to know you better as each day passes.
Amen.

Dear Patch,
Can you be a really good person and not be Christian but still get to heaven?
Haylee from Hobart.

Dear Haylee,
This is a very hard question but the answer is really simple.
Christian = Heaven
Non-Christian = Hell
Heaven is a place only for people who want to be friends and hang out with God. Just being a nice person and helping old ladies across the road isn’t enough.
Hope this answers your question, your friend,
Patch.

Dear Patch,
I’m overweight and I have a big nose. I hate the way I look! I can’t loose weight and I can’t afford plastic surgery. What do I do?
Wendy from Wynyard.

Dear Wendy,
The teen years can be unkind to a persons looks. Some parts grow faster than others and hormones do a job on complexions and weight. But don’t feel inferior because of the way you look. The Lord sees you in a different light! He sees what’s important – what is in your heart.
As an experiment, look at some of your favorite celebrities, the ones you think are good looking. Study each of their faces. Do any of them have big noses? Are any of them really short or really tall? Do there ears stick out. Chances are you’ll find their not perfect either.
So hold your head up with confidence because God has made you special!
Your friend,
Patch.

Dear Patch,
I am 12 years old and I just became a Christian but I find church so boring. What can I do?
David from Devonport.

Dear David.
It’s great to hear that you have accepted Jesus into your life buddy! When you’re young, church can be a bit boring and if you really don’t want to go, there are other things you can do like join a youth group or a local boys or girls rally.
If you’re not sure where to find out about these things, ask your parents or an older person at your church.
Your friend,
Patch.

Dear Patch,
I am a Christian and I get bullied at school every day. Why doesn’t God stop everyone from bulling me?
Frank form Forest.

Dear Frank,
Sorry to hear that you are getting bullied. It’s not a nice thing to go through but its important that you don’t blame God for what you’re going through. Bulling has always been around. In the bible days and even now people were killed for being a Christian. Why does this happen? Because God gives everyone the right to do what they want. If they want to be a Christian or not. If they want to bully or not.
There are things you can do though. Talking to a teacher or an adult does not make you a sook. Also, talk to God about what you’re going through. He will always be there for you through the good times and the bad.
Your friend,
Patch.

Dear Patch,
I’m confused. If God says that I’m meant to love everyone, should I love criminals and people that do mean things? Please help me out!
Isabel from Irishtown.

Dear Isabel,
I see why you’re confused, but really you’re dealing with two different issues. God wants you to love everyone as you would love yourself. That means caring about them as people God created. But it does not mean you have to approve or get involved in what they do wrong.
Your friend,
Patch.

Dear Patch,
What’s the big deal with obedience? Isn’t it just another way to make kids feel guilty?
Rhys in Redpa.

Dear Rhys,
What would this world be like without rules? Imagine if there were no speed limits, if stealing and murder was legal, if kidnapping was ok. We would be living in a world of chaos.
If you really think about it, most rules are made to protect you. If you look at rules from that viewpoint, maybe you’ll see them as protection more than a roadblock. Is it possible that some of your parent’s rules are there to keep you safe?
God promises to bless obedience and to discipline disobedience.
Your friend,
Patch.

Dear Patch,
Why did Jesus have to die so we could go to Heaven?
Sarah from Smithton.

Dear Sarah.
You answered your own question! Jesus had to die for us so we could go to heaven. God saw that there was so much sin in the world and we wouldn’t be able to go to heaven because of that sin. Jesus took the punishment of that sin by dieing on that cross for us and we were forgiven.
Your friend,
Patch.

Dear Patch,
I have a problem controlling my anger. Afterwards I’m sorry, but what’s been said cant be changed. How do I learn to be in control of my feelings?
Lachlan from Launceston.

Dear Lachlan,
Your problem is not uncommon. You probably realize that anger is a choice. Everyone gets a bit ticked off every now and then. How you choose to react makes the difference.
Instead of lashing out at someone when you think your going to loose control, try doing something physical like running or riding your bike. Count to 10.
Plan ahead and ask God to help you with your anger so next time you get angry you’ll have some options to try besides firing up.
Your friend,
Patch.

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