• Starting today August 7th, 2024, in order to post in the Married Couples, Courting Couples, or Singles forums, you will not be allowed to post if you have your Marital status designated as private. Announcements will be made in the respective forums as well but please note that if yours is currently listed as Private, you will need to submit a ticket in the Support Area to have yours changed.

  • CF has always been a site that welcomes people from different backgrounds and beliefs to participate in discussion and even debate. That is the nature of its ministry. In view of recent events emotions are running very high. We need to remind people of some basic principles in debating on this site. We need to be civil when we express differences in opinion. No personal attacks. Avoid you, your statements. Don't characterize an entire political party with comparisons to Fascism or Communism or other extreme movements that committed atrocities. CF is not the place for broad brush or blanket statements about groups and political parties. Put the broad brushes and blankets away when you come to CF, better yet, put them in the incinerator. Debate had no place for them. We need to remember that people that commit acts of violence represent themselves or a small extreme faction.

Eternally embraced

MadFingerPainter

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What does fellowship mean to you?
The dictionary says:
1. a. The condition of sharing similar interests, ideals, or experiences, as by reason of profession, religion, or nationality.
b. The companionship of individuals in a congenial atmosphere and on equal terms.
2. A close association of friends or equals sharing similar interests.
3. Friendship; comradeship.

Due to social issues that stem from childhood I am not the most sociable person. I have difficulties a lot of times with just basic conversations. Depending on the individual of course. But all of us are different. For this reason I spend a lot of time putting around the house by myself. I spend 90% of my time alone. And it's become terribly noticable to me that anymore it isn't easy to meet people and make friends. I've met so many people that will not say a word to you or even acknowledge that you've spoken to them if they don't know you. Or they look at you like you're nuts for trying to have a bit of conversation with them. Sometimes I begin to wonder if I'm the one with the problem anymore or if it's them now. I can go to church and socialize there but what happens after church? What happens between Sunday's? Nothing. I never see these people until the next Sunday. So they aren't really friends. They're aquaintances. To me fellowship is much deeper than just "Oh yeah I know her." To me fellowship involves actually getting to know others and maybe forming friendships to keep the heart and soul happy and healthy between Sunday's and every day. Thankfully, I have the companionship of Christ. Someone asked me one day if I ever get lonely. I'm human. Of course I do. But having the friendship and companionship and love of Christ makes it bearable. Many times He fills those lonely and empty places in my spirit and makes life something I can cope with even if I'm here by myself. I spend a lot of time talking to Him now and it looks like I'm talking to myself. ~LOL~ I came here with the hopes of meeting other Christians to maybe form friendships with so I don't have to walk alone every day. Yes...God is with me all the time but I honestly believe He wants us to be together as human beings to make this life a little easier to swallow. :angel:
 

MadFingerPainter

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I seem to be getting blessed lately by ChrisBot. ~Grin~ Very sweet. Thank you to whoever is doing this. ~Sends hugs~
I was gonna hang out in my jammies all day but then I remembered I have no food in the house and I don't think that 10 oreos will quite do the trick for the day. ~Hehe~ Soooooooo...I'm gonna go out for a pizza after a bit. Haven't had any pizza in like forever. My homework is done for the day. I wanted to come in here and hang out with everyone for a bit.
Wanted to share an email with all of you.

So many commitments!
Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

One of my favorite ministers of the Gospel is D.L. Moody. He tells a story about having heard Pastor Henry Varley once say that, "The world has yet to see what God will do with and for and through the man who is fully and wholly consecrated to Him."
As Moody pondered the pastor's words, He realized something. Pastor Varley did not say that God would use an intelligent person. He didn't say an educated person, nor did he say a person who was ultimately gifted. What the wise pastor said was that the person with whom God will work with and for and through will be the person "who is fully and wholly consecrated to Him".
This radically changed Moody's ministry... and ours too, for that matter. We realized that God isn’t looking for people with amazing minds or hands or voices or computer skills. He’s not looking for those who are wearing the nicest suits or dresses at church. And He’s not looking for the people with the highest grade point averages at the local Christian College. What God is really looking for, are people who are simply sold out for Him!
One of the great secrets to a successful walk with the Lord, is understanding total commitment to Jesus. But being totally committed requires us to daily take up our cross -- leave the past behind us -- and despite all the obstacles the enemy tries to throw in our path, press forward for the Lord and His work! Let's consecrate ourselves to the Lord again today. There’s so much work to be done!
--
One doesn't have to be smart or gifted to be used by God. God often times chooses those who are more simple I believe in order to get through to a certain group or type of persons. Whoever will be the most effective for the message He wants conveyed. In a way it is similar to when we're at work. Our boss uses us in whatever position we will serve the business best with. We have to be suited for certain things I believe in order for our own personal ministries to be the most effective.
Be blessed and have a great day! :hug:
 
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christianmomof3

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Thank you. I also enjoy DL Moody.
I see fellowship in the Lord as sharing our enjoyment of Christ with one another and sharing our experiences of Christ and our need for more of Christ with one another. It is not merely being friends, but because we share the same heavenly Father, it is being brothers and sisters in Christ with one another. I am lucky to have many dear saints in the Lord in the church that I meet with. I am built up with some of them more than with others of them. The Lord often puts me together with some that I would not choose on my own to be with so that my natural man can be exposed and I can turn to Christ and gain more of Him and grow more in His life as I am being built up with my brothers and sisters in Christ.
 
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MadFingerPainter

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I understand that it is more than just friendship. And it is nice to have other christians to talk to and share with. Others to enjoy God with. The one true christian friend I had that I could sit and talk to and study the bible with and discuss God with passed away recently and now I really don't have anyone to share this kind of relationship with. I will miss that terribly. Natural man? I don't quite understand that particular term. Can you explain that to me please?
 
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christianmomof3

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Our natural man is our self - who we are without Christ - I think it is also called the old man in the Bible.
I am sorry that your good Christian friend passed away. I am sure that you feel very lonely now. Just keep praying and God will bring you more companions in Him. He does not want us to be just individual Christians. God wants us to be built up with other Christians in His Body. Just pray and be open. It may be that the Lord will bring someone to you as a companion in Him that is someone who you would not have expected or chosen on your own - He often works that way. :hug:
 
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kisstheson

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Hello and welcome!

Jesus understands you need for companionship. Like you, I live alone. Jesus is certainly my Companion and my first and true love, but even He had friends, John being His best friend.

There is a wonderful scripture that reads "God places the solitare in families." I can't give you chapter in verse. I think it's in the psalms. It's good you have your relationship with Him. I would also encourage you to believe Him for some really close friends that will hang out with you during the week. Why not call the your acquaintances just to cheer them up or whatever God leads you to do?

Most important of all is knowing that Jesus will meet this need for friends or a family that will treat you as their own. I had to wait on His timing. I too knew many tearful afternoons after Church where everyone seemed to be connected but me. But now, praise God, all that has changed.

The key is that no matter where we find ourselves single. married, with many friends, few friends or maybe no friends, we lean on Jesus and trust Him that He understands us completely. He must always be first, at the top of the list. Priase Him for the grace He gives us to love Him first and foremost!
 
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MadFingerPainter

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i like this verse from Psalms because to me it seems like an invitational verse...
Psa 34:8O taste and see that the LORD [is] good: blessed [is] the man [that] trusteth in him.
i keep this on my front door so that anyone that is unsaved might see it and take it as an invitation to accept Christ.

what are some of your favorite verses?
 
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