My last Detroit Friend...

[Chrystal-J]

This is the last friend I had in Detroit. (That's me and him outside a bar.) I heard that he moved far away to live with his daughter. I was driving around yesterday and realized that I literally had no one to hang out with. Most of my friends have died and others moved far away and we lost touch. I'm not that close to my family, so I relied on my friends for support.
I have people who are friendly at church, but they're in their 80's and don't hang out anymore. Just asking for a prayer request that I find friends around Detroit who are decent and I can begin to have friendships again.
Thanks!

 

[AlexB23]

View attachment 348640
This is the last friend I had in Detroit. (That's me and him outside a bar.) I heard that he moved far away to live with his daughter. I was driving around yesterday and realized that I literally had no one to hang out with. Most of my friends have died and others moved far away and we lost touch. I'm not that close to my family, so I relied on my friends for support.
I have people who are friendly at church, but they're in their 80's and don't hang out anymore. Just asking for a prayer request that I find friends around Detroit who are decent and I can begin to have friendships again.
Thanks!

Well, the only we can do from our end of the keyboard as forum members is to pray for you. Do you have a husband? He can be your friend. But even still, couples need friendships as well. Sadly, in these end days, assuming we are in those times, friendships are not prioritized as much as they used to be, as people are overworked in America, and many folks sadly prefer to sit in front of screens or keep with their own clique (which is individuality, a toxic byproduct of the 20th-21st centuries, as the Bible states we should be focused on community as Christ's body).

 

[Chrystal-J]

Well, the only we can do from our end of the keyboard as forum members is to pray for you. Do you have a husband? He can be your friend. But even still, couples need friendships as well. Sadly, in these end days, assuming we are in those times, friendships are not prioritized as much as they used to be, as people are overworked in America, and many folks sadly prefer to sit in front of screens or keep with their own clique (which is individuality, a toxic byproduct of the 20th-21st centuries, as the Bible states we should be focused on community as Christ's body).

I had a husband, but he died a long time ago. I've dated, but nothing really panned out. I'm just looking for someone I can go places with or just hang out. That seems to be in short supply these days. (Like you said, most people just work, then watch TV.) They are having a bus trip to a casino at my church in a few months, but I don't really have the money to gamble. But, I am going to the BBQ-party they're having on church grounds next month. (At least I could chat with the elderly people who will probably attend.) I'm trying to go places to meet people, but I don't really want to go to bars anymore because I've mainly met people there who are pretty heavy into the alcohol.

 

[AlexB23]

I had a husband, but he died a long time ago. I've dated, but nothing really panned out. I'm just looking for someone I can go places with or just hang out. That seems to be in short supply these days. (Like you said, most people just work, then watch TV.) They are having a bus trip to a casino at my church in a few months, but I don't really have the money to gamble. But, I am going to the BBQ-party they're having on church grounds next month. (At least I could chat with the elderly people who will probably attend.) I'm trying to go places to meet people, but I don't really want to go to bars anymore because I've mainly met people there who are pretty heavy into the alcohol.

May your husband rest in peace with God in Heaven above.

Gambling is actually a sin, so stay away from that. You might want to tell your church about this warning from 2 Timothy 4:3, as you must publicly rebuke the worldly church leaders, as stated in 1 Timothy 5:20. We need to live in a more communal society, where people can just hang out, without having to spend money or drink alcohol, but this is something America and part of the Western world has lost. Maybe, you can befriend the younger people, such as those in their 40s, but try not to befriend those that are excessively young (<30).

Please take my advice, and call out your church leadership for planning a trip to the casino, using Proverbs 13:11 as your source. This is the work of evil making a nest at your church.

Timothy 5:20 (ESV): "As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear."
Proverbs 13:11 (ESV): "Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it."

Date	May 12, 2024 | Cafeteria Christianity
Verse	2 Timothy 4:3 (ESV): "For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions"
Explanation	2 Timothy 4:3 is a warning from the Apostle Paul to Timothy about the end days and the attitude of people towards sound teaching. The passage suggests that as the end times approach, people will become increasingly unwilling to hear and accept the truth, instead gravitating towards teachings that cater to their own desires and passions. This verse relates to the concept of Cafeteria Christianity, where people pick and choose which teachings they want to follow based on their personal preferences or desires, rather than submitting themselves to the whole truth of the gospel. The passage suggests that this tendency will become more prevalent as the end times approach. Using the analogy of a buffet, we can understand this concept further. Onions represent the truth, which can be stinging or uncomfortable at times. Firm steak represents the reading and understanding of the gospel, which can be challenging and requires effort. Nutrient-rich vegetables such as spinach represent the growth in faith that comes from embracing the truth and applying it to our lives. On the other hand, avoiding fish represents disregard for Jesus, who is the source of our salvation and the foundation of our faith. Consuming excessive amounts of sweet junk food or desserts such as cake represent the ungodly teachings that cater to humanity's selfish desires, rather than leading us towards a deeper relationship with God.

 

[FaithT]

View attachment 348640
This is the last friend I had in Detroit. (That's me and him outside a bar.) I heard that he moved far away to live with his daughter. I was driving around yesterday and realized that I literally had no one to hang out with. Most of my friends have died and others moved far away and we lost touch. I'm not that close to my family, so I relied on my friends for support.
I have people who are friendly at church, but they're in their 80's and don't hang out anymore. Just asking for a prayer request that I find friends around Detroit who are decent and I can begin to have friendships again.
Thanks!

Does your church have a Bible study that has some people around your age? I recently joined one at my church because I want to study more and meet more people closer to my age. One of the friends I met at church long before the Bible study is nearing 80. We sit together at Mass and socialize outside of church but I want to meet more people closer to my age. (63). I have another friend from church who is a few years younger than me but her husband is close to my age. I have other friends/neighbors who go to my church also and we socialize occasionally but there’s a lot of drinking going on and I rarely drink these days.

The main problem is I’m kind of shy…..which is weird because I used to be very outgoing. I just feel uncomfortable and self conscious around people I’m not close to.

 

[RileyG]

May God bless you with his peace and help you find many friends

 

[Chrystal-J]

Does your church have a Bible study that has some people around your age? I recently joined one at my church because I want to study more and meet more people closer to my age. One of the friends I met at church long before the Bible study is nearing 80. We sit together at Mass and socialize outside of church but I want to meet more people closer to my age. (63). I have another friend from church who is a few years younger than me but her husband is close to my age. I have other friends/neighbors who go to my church also and we socialize occasionally but there’s a lot of drinking going on and I rarely drink these days.

The main problem is I’m kind of shy…..which is weird because I used to be very outgoing. I just feel uncomfortable and self conscious around people I’m not close to.

My church doesn't have a bible study, but they do have events like church parties and picnics. I also want to meet someone closer to my age. I had an 87 year old man ask me on a date--but, that's not happening.
I don't drink much either. I used to go to bars, but since becoming a Christian, I don't want to be around heavy drinkers anymore. I'm shy too--the way I used to make friends was to have someone latch onto me and I'd just go with the flow. I've never been the outgoing type that 'made the first move'.
I definitely need to make more of an effort in finding friends. I'm just having a hard time figuring out how to do it.

Thanks for your post! And thanks to all who prayed for me.

 

[AlexB23]

My church doesn't have a bible study, but they do have events like church parties and picnics. I also want to meet someone closer to my age. I had an 87 year old man ask me on a date--but, that's not happening.
I don't drink much either. I used to go to bars, but since becoming a Christian, I don't want to be around heavy drinkers anymore. I'm shy too--the way I used to make friends was to have someone latch onto me and I'd just go with the flow. I've never been the outgoing type that 'made the first move'.
I definitely need to make more of an effort in finding friends. I'm just having a hard time figuring out how to do it.

Thanks for your post! And thanks to all who prayed for me.

So your church does not have a Bible study, but the church itself chooses to live in sin as a edifice and community for God by hosting gambling parties? You might want to find another church which uses discernment, but I am not the one to tell you this.

 

[Chrystal-J]

So your church does not have a Bible study, but the church itself chooses to live in sin as a edifice and community for God by hosting gambling parties? You might want to find another church which uses discernment, but I am not the one to tell you this.

All the Catholic churches around here have either Bingos, raffles or some type of gambling to raise money since parishioners don't give enough in tithes to support the church.

 

[AlexB23]

All the Catholic churches around here have either Bingos, raffles or some type of gambling to raise money since parishioners don't give enough in tithes to support the church.

Umm, this gambling still does not sound very Christian, my friend, as the Bible says that money gained quickly is not good. It might be time for the churches to pool their resources instead, and introduce cost saving measures. But I am not a church leader. All churches should have Bible studies, instead of this worldly stuff.

 

[Chrystal-J]

Umm, this gambling still does not sound very Christian, my friend, as the Bible says that money gained quickly is not good. It might be time for the churches to pool their resources instead, and introduce cost saving measures. But I am not a church leader. All churches should have Bible studies, instead of this worldly stuff.

They've already combined churches. We all have "sister churches" now who share a priest and have the same budget. We just started fundraising for Catholic Services Appeal. It's a collection for the Archdiocese of Detroit, another financial burden for our little church to bear.

 

[AlexB23]

They've already combined churches. We all have "sister churches" now who share a priest and have the same budget. We just started fundraising for Catholic Services Appeal. It's a collection for the Archdiocese of Detroit, another financial burden for our little church to bear.

That is sad. Hopefully the Vatican can pitch in or something, to help rejuvenate your churches.

 

[RileyG]

They've already combined churches. We all have "sister churches" now who share a priest and have the same budget. We just started fundraising for Catholic Services Appeal. It's a collection for the Archdiocese of Detroit, another financial burden for our little church to bear.

Praying God will provide the archdiocese of Detroit with many more priestly vocations and resources,

 

[RileyG]

All the Catholic churches around here have either Bingos, raffles or some type of gambling to raise money since parishioners don't give enough in tithes to support the church.

Yeah, I don’t think there is anything wrong with that. All in moderation.

 

[FaithT]

All the Catholic churches around here have either Bingos, raffles or some type of gambling to raise money since parishioners don't give enough in tithes to support the church.

Ours has a raffle right now for the upcoming picnic.

 

[FaithT]

Yeah, I don’t think there is anything wrong with that. All in moderation.

I dont either. And Ithink most parishes do something similar. Our picnic has a beer booth too.

 

[RileyG]

I dont either. And Ithink most parishes do something similar. Our picnic has a beer booth too.

I prefer vodka cocktails but I’ll drink beer

 

[Chrystal-J]

My church always has beer at their social functions. As long as you don't overdo it, I don't see a problem with it.

I just went to a restaurant and chatted with someone I didn't know, and it was nice--maybe I'm making progress.

 

[FaithT]

I prefer vodka cocktails but I’ll drink beer

I don’t drink much anymore but when I do, I like a good Margarita.

 

[Diamond72]

I definitely need to make more of an effort in finding friends. I'm just having a hard time figuring out how to do it.

There is a book on how to make friends and influence people. The advice is to find out what people are interested in and talk to them about that. It could be golf or their grandchildren. Often people find common ground of subjects that are of interest to both of them. My mom was the mayors daughter and she was popular with many people. The main thing she taught us is that you have to be like a duck and let the water roll off of your back. You can not be offended by what people say. You have to overlook it when people do or say something inappropriate Her dad was re elected and served the community for 22 years.