Possitive Future for Conservative Christians

[JimfromOhio]

I believe it is time for us to bury our negative behaviors in the past and start looking into positive future.

Learning our mistakes are signs of two things.
First, it is a sign of God's working in our lives
Second, it is a sign that God wants us to do it differently next time

Quotes about "Learning from History".
"What I am great advocate of looking into the past, I could warn everybody against living in the past. The only justification for looking to the past is that we may learn great lessons from it and apply them" (Martyn Lloyd-Jones)

By avoiding the mistakes of the past: "Those who fail to remember the past are condemned to repeat it" (George Santayana)

By repeating the victories of the past: "Those who fail to remember the past are condemned not to repeat it" (David B. Calhoun)

Romans 14:19
Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.

1 Corinthians 10:23All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify.

1 Thessalonians 5:11
Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

Let's find ways to promote "Conservative Christians" with better reputation and that we are not closed minded.

We are not closed minded. I am open minded however, at the same time, I hate what God hate. I am not one of those who is "worldly minded". I am one of those who are "spiritually minded". The spiritual knowledge is received by faith. This knowledge consists of data given by divine revelation and received by the believing mind without proof that by faith, I trust based on God's Character and God's great faiths in the Biible.

We ourselves must keep in mind, and those we disciple, that truth is greater than our understanding of it. Our spiritual outlook is to be on God and trust that God's glory that will be revealed. We have to remind ourselves that if we frequently relive our reasons for discouragements, we will lose our positive spiritual direction. We need to focus in following God today and tomorrow. We just press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God called us heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14)

Let's start talking about to "improve" Conservative Christians forum.

 

[JimfromOhio]

No one wants to find ways?

 

[Voegelin]

The OP is based upon points which I do not concede. I am not going to explain why I am not "closed minded". I am not going to abase myself.

Hier steh’ ich

 

[Nadiine]

honestly, I think we need to just let this go right now & just BREATHE.
People are emotionally spent imho.

 

[edie19]

honestly, I think we need to just let this go right now & just BREATHE.
People are emotionally spent imho.

letting go is a step forward sometimes

 

[Nadiine]

letting go is a step forward sometimes

sorry I should have been more clear, I was mostly referring to his last paragraph:

Let's start talking about to "improve" Conservative Christians forum

We've already been this route for days and each thread pretty much ends in blowout right now.
I'm a little pooped & drained to start "talks" again.

 

[free2be]

When I'm going through a really difficult time, I have a hard time seeing any solution to an end or change while in the midst of it. After a bit of time tho, looking back on the situation, I see what happened, why it happened and usually what I could have done different. I think we need to take some time for that to happen here.

 

[Nadiine]

When I'm going through a really difficult time, I have a hard time seeing any solution to an end or change while in the midst of it. After a bit of time tho, looking back on the situation, I see what happened, why it happened and usually what I could have done different. I think we need to take some time for that to happen here.

At least some of us need that time... I agree.
To be honest, I'm unsure of what I want to do here in this section right now.
I don't know what Lee will change yet (if anything), I still don't think we came to a conclusion on WHAT the actual source of the problem is... (and am I ready to delve back into THAT mess again? No I'm not).

I don't know what direction I want to go right now - I'm 'floating' along right now. I'm waiting for the Lord to lead me.
So if people here want to try these talks again... I may just sit on the sidelines this time.
I just don't know, I only know i'm not ready to FIX things that I don't even know what part is broken.
Let alone how to fix that.

 

[free2be]

At least some of us need that time... I agree.
To be honest, I'm unsure of what I want to do here in this section right now.
I don't know what Lee will change yet (if anything), I still don't think we came to a conclusion on WHAT the actual source of the problem is... (and am I ready to delve back into THAT mess again? No I'm not).

I don't know what direction I want to go right now - I'm 'floating' along right now. I'm waiting for the Lord to lead me.
So if people here want to try these talks again... I may just sit on the sidelines this time.
I just don't know, I only know i'm not ready to FIX things that I don't even know what part is broken.
Let alone how to fix that.

I agree, Nadiine. Trying to fix things hasn't been helping. I think that Jim is saying he things we should learn from this and move on from it. I agree.

 

[Nadiine]

I agree, Nadiine. Trying to fix things hasn't been helping. I think that Jim is saying he things we should learn from this and move on from it. I agree.

Ok, I didn't entirely grasp everything he was saying in all that.
Then again, different sides will probly "learn" different things LOL
HELP US LORD~~~

 

[RobNJ]

Then again, different sides will probly "learn" different things

Actually, as long as we keep looking at it as "sides" , we've learned nothing.

That "US" against "THEM" is the main cause of the sorry state of affairs, around here.

 

[Nadiine]

Actually, as long as we keep looking at it as "sides" , we've learned nothing.

That "US" against "THEM" is the main cause of the sorry state of affairs, around here.

Yet we all hold them - we all see a view. If you're neutral, it's still taking a side of neutrality.

The truth is, we can agree to disagree on things that aren't essential to salvation -- but the rub comes when a whole section is vying to set standards for itself.

Look at what happened to CF ~ 4U when it changed. It forced us into setting new rules and guidelines & statements of beliefs for EACH section that was being created or reestablished becuz Erwin yanked them.

When a group is forced to invent itself, you cannot just sit back & say "I'm neutral" and at the same time make guidelines, wiki's & rules to govern the area.
If a group of people are wanting to force something new or make a standard upon ALL members of an area, then how does one stay "neutral" if they differ from the viewpoint of those pushing another agenda that affects them (negatively)?

So I know what you're trying to say, but it's actually moot to say there shouldn't be sides... there HAVE to be sides in order to establish rules & guidelines in the format of the forum.
If you want to stay neutral, then you have to take whatever comes from the 2 involved "sides".

I also know of a church right now who's top leadership is in SIN - and is violating the regulations of church leadership - all who stand to oppose what they are doing GET FIRED from their positions as "usurpers" and "dividers".
Staying neutral in an environment isn't always the best thing. Sides are not always "bad". Why do we tend to see it that way? If one side is wrong (ie. what's being proposed is harmful in some way or unbiblical), then I'd HOPE we take a side and not be neutral.

The issue becomes disagreeing in a GODLY MANNER. Even the bible writers disagreed amongst themselves - and split up.

 

[~*Lady Trekki*~]

When I'm going through a really difficult time, I have a hard time seeing any solution to an end or change while in the midst of it. After a bit of time tho, looking back on the situation, I see what happened, why it happened and usually what I could have done different. I think we need to take some time for that to happen here.

Amen.

I agree, Nadiine. Trying to fix things hasn't been helping. I think that Jim is saying he things we should learn from this and move on from it. I agree.

That's what I think he's saying too.

 

[Albion]

A day of two ago, I got into a tiring and timeconsuming discussion about all the "sides" -- Liberals, Fundamentalists, CCs, and so on...

...and finally came to the conclusion that most of it was based upon misunderstanding.

How to resolve that, I haven't any idea, but I get the thought that we're not as divided as we think. If so, maybe just taking a "time out" IS the best way forward.

One problem I've always noticed is that there are few issues to discuss and yet we are a group that wants to deal in ideas. If someone could just put up a few "meaty" topics for discussion, we could work on them instead of organizational concerns.

 

[~*Lady Trekki*~]

A day of two ago, I got into a tiring and timeconsuming discussion about all the "sides" -- Liberals, Fundamentalists, CCs, and so on...

...and finally came to the conclusion that most of it was based upon misunderstanding.

How to resolve that, I haven't any idea, but I get the thought that we're not as divided as we think. If so, maybe just taking a "time out" IS the best way forward.

One problem I've always noticed is that there are few issues to discuss and yet we are a group that wants to deal in ideas. If someone could just put up a few "meaty" topics for discussion, we could work on them instead of organizational concerns.

 

[free2be]

A day of two ago, I got into a tiring and timeconsuming discussion about all the "sides" -- Liberals, Fundamentalists, CCs, and so on...

...and finally came to the conclusion that most of it was based upon misunderstanding.

How to resolve that, I haven't any idea, but I get the thought that we're not as divided as we think. If so, maybe just taking a "time out" IS the best way forward.

One problem I've always noticed is that there are few issues to discuss and yet we are a group that wants to deal in ideas. If someone could just put up a few "meaty" topics for discussion, we could work on them instead of organizational concerns.

I agree!!

 

[Nadiine]

A day of two ago, I got into a tiring and timeconsuming discussion about all the "sides" -- Liberals, Fundamentalists, CCs, and so on...

...and finally came to the conclusion that most of it was based upon misunderstanding.

Misunderstanding... according to what or whom tho?
There WERE some misconceptions in some issues that I did see in the fundamentalist discussion specifically.

How to resolve that, I haven't any idea,

No one really does - & that's a problem.

but I get the thought that we're not as divided as we think.

It's like the political divide (in general) - liberals and conservatives mostly agree together on WHAT the problems are, the divide is in the actual paths taken to resolve those problems.

This is where genuine Christians can have real divides

If so, maybe just taking a "time out" IS the best way forward.

It seems to be since the result of 'lets fix it' threads have errupted into battle zones.

One problem I've always noticed is that there are few issues to discuss and yet we are a group that wants to deal in ideas. If someone could just put up a few "meaty" topics for discussion, we could work on them instead of organizational concerns.

worth a try if people are interested in chatting about them.
Who knows how they would turn out.

 

[Albion]

Misunderstanding... according to what or whom tho?
There WERE some misconceptions in some issues that I did see in the fundamentalist discussion specifically.

I don't think it would be helpful to go over that ground now. Suffice it to say that my conclusion after reading and re-reading and asking posters for clarification, etc. was that most of the "sides" thinking was based upon misunderstanding. Of course, someone else could well disagree with my conclusion, but that's mine.

worth a try if people are interested in chatting about them.
Who knows how they would turn out.

Alas, I'm not thinking of any good ones myself at this moment, or else I'd follow my own suggestion. Hopefully, someone else will do it, though. You know, questions about public policy and morals or some religious developments recently in the news, etc.

 

[Nadiine]

I don't think it would be helpful to go over that ground now. Suffice it to say that my conclusion after reading and re-reading and asking posters for clarification, etc. was that most of the "sides" thinking was based upon misunderstanding. Of course, someone else could well disagree with my conclusion, but that's mine.

Ok, thanks for clarifying that. Now I know what you're assessing & what it's based on.
I tend to agree on that too - I read the one on fundamentalism & saw some stuff that was concerning to me.

Alas, I'm not thinking of any good ones myself at this moment, or else I'd follow my own suggestion. Hopefully, someone else will do it, though. You know, questions about public policy and morals or some religious developments recently in the news, etc.

Ya... we're all kind of at a loss and I'm personally gunshy about starting all that up!! lol
*ducks for cover* lol

 

[free2be]

Ya... we're all kind of at a loss and I'm personally gunshy about starting all that up!! lol
*ducks for cover* lol

I think a lot of us are...afraid of debate I think.