What's on your mind?

peaceful-forest · May 7, 2025

DragonFox91 said:
We've talked about this section being less active than in the past from what it was a long time ago.

Do you think this is a sign of the times, or message boards just not being a thing as much anymore? I s/ scout the message boards I used to post at before coming here

Based on what I've seen, I believe the Singles forum is less active because something or certain people have run off others.

bèlla · May 7, 2025

DragonFox91 said:
We've talked about this section being less active than in the past from what it was a long time ago.

Do you think this is a sign of the times, or message boards just not being a thing as much anymore? I s/ scout the message boards I used to post at before coming here

Message boards decreased in popularity with social media’s arrival and didn’t recover. Many migrated to those mediums instead. Areas focused on seasons of life usually have turnover. You see comparable examples in other sections on the site. People mature, shift their focus or complete related goals (like school) and move on to something else.

peaceful-forest · May 9, 2025

It shouldn't be hard to find a community. I've been lonely lately, it hurts.

SarahsKnight · May 9, 2025

Grace Abounding by theologian John Bunyan was a book that was recommended to me and I read through in desperation back in the year that I suffered from a terrible case of religious obsessive-compulsive disorder. I went back just and read the last few paragraphs, trying to remember what it was at the end of his own journey through a similar mental illness that John Bunyan recalled from Scripture, that seemed to finally give him lasting peace, that heralded the end of his constant suffering. It was apparently Hebrews 12, or at least the latter half of it. I myself see that entire chapter in a new light. It's difficult to say how exactly, but basically I see it now as more of a promise that we are truly His through the cross, than a threat that we might not be His if x-y-z scenario occurs like I once did.

I have been using the MEV version of the Bible the last few times I have read through it, for almost 8 years now, but of course use whatever version you have at your disposal as I encourage you all to read through Hebrews 12 as well when you see this post.

LoveDivine · May 9, 2025

peaceful-forest said:
It shouldn't be hard to find a community. I've been lonely lately, it hurts.

It is hard to find like minded friends and other Christians to fellowship with. I know it can be hard to find a decent church too.

In the past, forum members used to organize group chats and other activities to get to know each other better. It's not a substitute for in person fellowship and friendships, but it was something that was beneficial for some of the members. Perhaps we could try to resurrect something like that for anyone who is interested.

peaceful-forest · May 10, 2025

LoveDivine said:
In the past, forum members used to organize group chats and other activities to get to know each other better. It's not a substitute for in person fellowship and friendships, but it was something that was beneficial for some of the members. Perhaps we could try to resurrect something like that for anyone who is interested.

That sounds cool. I'd like to do a group chat! Not so sure if others would like to do it.

It is hard to find like minded friends and other Christians to fellowship with. I know it can be hard to find a decent church too.

Yes, it is.

When I said this, one of the things I was thinking about was social media. It's all bad. I stay away from Facebook (and other sites they have like Threads) because I don't trust them and I never forgot about their "misinformation" campaign back in 2020.

I used to think Gab was legitimate, but the owner recently changed the website to block anyone using a VPN. The Gab team kept insisting that they were getting scammers on their website via VPN, but I don't believe that story at all. They kept using outdated charts to "back up" their claims. They've run off a lot of legitimate accounts over this VPN and "upgrade to the Pro membership" stuff.

I've tried Bluesky (an alternative to Twitter) but I'm not happy with it. I like how there are Christians on there I like (like Sheila Wray Gregoire), but I feel out of place there. There's also been some scammer following me. They make an account, follow me, then it either gets deleted or banned, then they do it all over again. It's maddening and disgusting.

bèlla · May 10, 2025

SXSW 2025 featured a cross dressing gospel singer. The group is called Big Freedia's Gospel Revival.

LoveDivine · May 10, 2025

peaceful-forest said:
That sounds cool. I'd like to do a group chat! Not so sure if others would like to do it.

Yes, it is.

When I said this, one of the things I was thinking about was social media. It's all bad. I stay away from Facebook (and other sites they have like Threads) because I don't trust them and I never forgot about their "misinformation" campaign back in 2020.

I used to think Gab was legitimate, but the owner recently changed the website to block anyone using a VPN. The Gab team kept insisting that they were getting scammers on their website via VPN, but I don't believe that story at all. They kept using outdated charts to "back up" their claims. They've run off a lot of legitimate accounts over this VPN and "upgrade to the Pro membership" stuff.

I've tried Bluesky (an alternative to Twitter) but I'm not happy with it. I like how there are Christians on there I like (like Sheila Wray Gregoire), but I feel out of place there. There's also been some scammer following me. They make an account, follow me, then it either gets deleted or banned, then they do it all over again. It's maddening and disgusting.

I know. I'm not a fan of Facebook either. I deleted my account during Covid and created a new profile a couple years later. I don't really post anything. I mostly use the account to message some members from my church. I also have an Instsgram account to follow some art accounts and to share some of my drawings. Threads is really liberal and most of the discussions on that platform do not interest me. I'm not sure what the best apps are for group chats. I also use WhatsApp for keeping in touch with friends. I'd be open to any apps that others like. Another option is to try to create group messages right here on CF.

peaceful-forest · May 12, 2025

I have heard from others of another free speech platform called Bastyon. I should investigate it.

bèlla · May 13, 2025

I just heard a report from a customer at Walmart who shared a strange experience. Imports are down and trucks are arriving to stores half full and both will continue. My sources say we’ll have similar deficits like we did in 2020 and receive 86% less than the norm.

Plan accordingly but be mindful of the setting and the people around you. Inflation and price increases are squeezing consumers and purchases are being watched. Someone was approached in the store by three people. She had 10 things in her cart but they considered it a lot and responded that it must be nice. She went to another aisle and had a similar incident.

Please remember, everyone in the store isn’t shopping. If pickup or delivery is possible choose the safest option if you can. Look for stores with security in the parking lot. Don’t shop at night or during an hour where there’s less foot traffic unless it’s early. If you’re going to stock up choose a store like Costco or a buying club like Azure Standard. There’s no cost to join and orders are placed online and delivered monthly at a designated location. Amish and Mennonite stores are another option and their prices are good.

Be careful and safe. God bless.

.Mikha'el. · May 13, 2025

Great news from MLB about the "permanently ineligible" list being no more and converted to a flat lifetime ban for all players on it. I think it's 100% the right call.

LoveDivine · May 13, 2025

bèlla said:
I just heard a report from a customer at Walmart who shared a strange experience. Imports are down and trucks are arriving to stores half full and both will continue. My sources say we’ll have similar deficits like we did in 2020 and receive 86% less than the norm.

Plan accordingly but be mindful of the setting and the people around you. Inflation and price increases are squeezing consumers and purchases are being watched. Someone was approached in the store by three people. She had 10 things in her cart but they considered it a lot and responded that it must be nice. She went to another aisle and had a similar incident.

Please remember, everyone in the store isn’t shopping. If pickup or delivery is possible choose the safest option if you can. Look for stores with security in the parking lot. Don’t shop at night or during an hour where there’s less foot traffic unless it’s early. If you’re going to stock up choose a store like Costco or a buying club like Azure Standard. There’s no cost to join and orders are placed online and delivered monthly at a designated location. Amish and Mennonite stores are another option and their prices are good.

Be careful and safe. God bless.

I'm guessing this is the result of the tariffs. I am hoping things don't get worse. I live in Canada and things have been so uncertain for the last few months. It's been stressful

.Mikha'el. · May 13, 2025

LoveDivine said:
I'm guessing this is the result of the tariffs. I am hoping things don't get worse. I live in Canada and things have been so uncertain for the last few months. It's been stressful

I feel like the constant "on again, off again" is worse than if he had put them on and left them on.

LoveDivine · May 13, 2025

.Mikha'el. said:
I feel like the constant "on again, off again" is worse than if he had put them on and left them on.

I agree. It's created more confusion and it's hard to plan for anything due to the uncertainty.

bèlla · May 14, 2025

LoveDivine said:
I'm guessing this is the result of the tariffs. I am hoping things don't get worse. I live in Canada and things have been so uncertain for the last few months. It's been stressful

It’s a combination of layoffs, higher prices and inflation. Tariffs just exacerbated the problem and they’re always borne by consumers. Higher production costs means less stock and greater demand. Since you live in Canada, you should review the footage of the meeting he had recently with your Prime Minister.

bèlla · May 14, 2025

LoveDivine said:
I agree. It's created more confusion and it's hard to plan for anything due to the uncertainty.

I would look at it less about planning for things but addressing the new normal and covering your bases in that respect then tackling the rest. I can go into that if you’d like.

LoveDivine · May 14, 2025

bèlla said:
It’s a combination of layoffs, higher prices and inflation. Tariffs just exacerbated the problem and they’re always borne by consumers. Higher production costs means less stock and greater demand. Since you live in Canada, you should review the footage of the meeting he had recently with your Prime Minister.

I did see it. We will see what happens. I'm not a fan of the new PM, and I think his party used the tariff threats to distract voters from domestic issues. We've had years of poor economic policies and inflation. My biggest concern with our PM is his committment to the carbon tax and net zero carbon emissions. We are essentially facing tariffs plus carbon tax ( although he did temporarily remove the consumer carbon tax). Regardless of the tariffs, prices wont go down unless the carbon tax is removed. Just the increase on our gas alone from the carbon tax is staggering. I also do not think our response of retaliatory tariffs was wise. We can't afford a trade war with the US. And yet, here we are. My hope is that they can renegotiate our trade deal and remove the tariffs. The UK just came to an agreement with the US. Hopefully Canada will follow suit soon. Also, if Canada is able to build a pipeline and develop our energy sector more we will be okay and have more leverage in our negotiations with the US. Our PM made a lot of election promises; now we will see if he actually commits to making them happen.

LoveDivine · May 14, 2025

bèlla said:
I would look at it less about planning for things but addressing the new normal and covering your bases in that respect then tackling the rest. I can go into that if you’d like.

Sure. That would be an interesting discussion.

bèlla · May 14, 2025

LoveDivine said:
I did see it. We will see what happens.

The most important part of that discussion were the references to “the line” and how both would benefit from its removal. Starmer was mentored by Obama and that wasn’t revealed until last year. This is a trifecta. They’re not at odds.

What you’re experiencing economically are birth pangs. You have to phase out the old to bring in the new. And the digital economy is certain.

.Mikha'el. · May 15, 2025

LoveDivine said:
I did see it. We will see what happens. I'm not a fan of the new PM, and I think his party used the tariff threats to distract voters from domestic issues. We've had years of poor economic policies and inflation. My biggest concern with our PM is his committment to the carbon tax and net zero carbon emissions. We are essentially facing tariffs plus carbon tax ( although he did temporarily remove the consumer carbon tax). Regardless of the tariffs, prices wont go down unless the carbon tax is removed. Just the increase on our gas alone from the carbon tax is staggering. I also do not think our response of retaliatory tariffs was wise. We can't afford a trade war with the US. And yet, here we are. My hope is that they can renegotiate our trade deal and remove the tariffs. The UK just came to an agreement with the US. Hopefully Canada will follow suit soon. Also, if Canada is able to build a pipeline and develop our energy sector more we will be okay and have more leverage in our negotiations with the US. Our PM made a lot of election promises; now we will see if he actually commits to making them happen.

I don't take issue with retaliatory tariffs, but it always feels like whenever Canada does this in trade disputes with countries, the countermeasures seem to amount to pennies on the dollar in comparison to what is levied against us. I don't think American businesses or consumers are going to notice or care about anything we do against them in return.

What's on your mind?

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