What's on your mind?

[Toro]

I'm NOT including you guys in this, but I've come to realise - that in general, with a few exceptions, that I don't really get on with (or even like in some cases) other Christians.

I especially don't like it when someone is going through turmoil, or a spiritual crisis and that person reaches out, only to be morally bashed and told that they're a sinner. I'm seeing this a LOT in certain areas of CF. I've seen it in churches too which is why I don't go.

I think I have a problem, but I just can't get on with the vast majority of Christians for love nor money. I'd sooner hang out with a Buddhist or a Hindu.

I know that sounds bad, but... Seriously. I can count on one hand how many Christian folk I resonate with. (Most of them exist in this sub-forum)

You arent the one with the problem. Its the world.

The world has pushed, twisted and in some cases even gone fully against the words of Jesus..(Yes, een those that claim salvation).. because in this world..... its better to feign niceness than to actually love another human being as yourself.


In todays world of Christianity it is FAR MORE "important" to feign kindness than to actually LOVE your brother or sister.

Which is were we get people saying something such as someone saying to another "I hope you get kicked in the face by a mule.... God bless "

Because when you feign kindness you can judge and ridicule all you like..... as long as you say "God bless" God doesnt notice that you're being a self righteous jerk.....*eye roll*

The truth isn't always kind, so to be loving isn't always sweet words....... but there IS a difference between guiding/correcting a fellow brother or sister out of love, wanting to help someone...... and just being a judgemental jerk cause thats always easier than dealing with whats in your (General your, not speaking to you RP) own eye.

I try to worry about my own walk with Christ rather than waiting to judge others on theirs. Sadly, there are those that like their ears tickled and love to hear "You are made righteous" and they think "Yay, I get to judge others cause Im better than them now"

 

[OcifferPls]

I really hope nobody gets kicked in the face. Well, not most people.

Thanks giving was nice. Long drive... lots to think about.

 

[OcifferPls]

I made a Chocolate Eclair cake.

Unfortunately I didn't think to take any pics of it, but this is how one looks:

That does look really good. I was going to guess Tiramisu for some odd reason.

 

[Jack of Spades]

I'm NOT including you guys in this, but I've come to realise - that in general, with a few exceptions, that I don't really get on with (or even like in some cases) other Christians.

I especially don't like it when someone is going through turmoil, or a spiritual crisis and that person reaches out, only to be morally bashed and told that they're a sinner. I'm seeing this a LOT in certain areas of CF. I've seen it in churches too which is why I don't go.

I think I have a problem, but I just can't get on with the vast majority of Christians for love nor money. I'd sooner hang out with a Buddhist or a Hindu.

I know that sounds bad, but... Seriously. I can count on one hand how many Christian folk I resonate with. (Most of them exist in this sub-forum)

I know what you mean. One of the feelings that has yet again ended up draining my desire to even seriously try to do the effort to reconcile my faith with mainstream Christianity is the constant nagging feeling of ending up being on the wrong side, and ending up building something I don't want to build and what I would much rather fight against, than try to build.

Ending up feeling like becoming 'one of the bad guys' doesn't exactly motivate to go through all the emotional and philosophical crisis of such reconciling effort and it tends to make it a lot easier to do the exact opposite and seek from some place else.

I read an interview of a pastor while ago where he said that people nowadays don't anymore ask him to prove is there God or not, but they ask him how they can be sure that Christianity is a force of good in the world. It somehow resonated with me, and to be honest, I haven't been convinced of that.

 

[SnowyMacie]

Well, today I find out if I am having a niece or nephew...we need a word that just simply means "child of my sibling" without specifing the gender. I'm tired of saying "My niece or nephew".

Well, I'm having a nephew.

 

[OcifferPls]

I know what you mean. One of the feelings that has yet again ended up draining my desire to even seriously try to do the effort to reconcile my faith with mainstream Christianity is the constant nagging feeling of ending up being on the wrong side, and ending up building something I don't want to build and what I would much rather fight against, than try to build.

Ending up feeling like becoming 'one of the bad guys' doesn't exactly motivate to go through all the emotional and philosophical crisis of such reconciling effort and it tends to make it a lot easier to do the exact opposite and seek from some place else.

I read an interview of a pastor while ago where he said that people nowadays don't anymore ask him to prove is there God or not, but they ask him how they can be sure that Christianity is a force of good in the world. It somehow resonated with me, and to be honest, I haven't been convinced of that.

The same can be said of so many religions, but I get your point. On one hand I probably wouldn't take any religion very seriously, if it were only about showering people with help and good deeds (that would be nice, but it's just not what I look for in a religion). On the other hand, religious people can sometimes be very clearly in the wrong, and a bad force in the world.

What's more important to me, is what is true or false about religion. If I were convinced the truth of christianity was that it is not good, I might believe it, but I would try to escape. The only reason I remain as a christian is because I lean toward christianity being good, albeit, very misunderstood by most including its own adherents.

Edit: and just to be as honest as possible here, that hasn't always been the case. I have tried to escape lol. But, often I just come to the realization that X belief associated with christianity is completely wrong, and I eventually come to remember the good things I believe in.

 

[Jack of Spades]

The same can be said of so many religions, but I get your point. On one hand I probably wouldn't take any religion very seriously, if it were only about showering people with help and good deeds (that would be nice, but it's just not what I look for in a religion). On the other hand, religious people can sometimes be very clearly in the wrong, and a bad force in the world.

If you think that being a force of good in the world means "only about showering people with help and good deeds" and also that being a force of good in the world is somehow irrelevant for the question of discerning whether something is the divine truth given by God, let me assure you that there is no reason for us to try to have a meaningful discussion about the topic.

 

[alsughasoughaiuyfygh]

On My Mind:

I got back from my father's house. We spent the day reconciling with each other by going shopping for a few things, going through photo albums, eating pizza and chatting with his new girlfriend about various things, including memories of my family life back in the day. I greatly approve of his new girlfriend as she seems to be having quite a positive influence on my father. She said that my father has stopped smoking in the house, started recycling (he was pretty wasteful before) and he did not crack open a single beer during my visit, just drank pop and iced tea instead. What's more is that his new girlfriend works as a teacher for special needs students and has taught my father a great deal about my condition, saying that what I did as a child was normal. She gave him a deeper understanding of me and he seemed to have come to terms with the son I was.

I walked into my childhood home for the first time in seven years. A surge of memories rushed into my head to the point where I was tearing up. I visited each room there was, recollecting the good times where I had innocence. The house was messy as my dad is a pack rat but they are in the process of cleaning out the house. I got most of my childhood things back such as half my Lego, books, cub scouts items and whatnot. I plan to go back to his house next weekend to claim the rest and further bond with him.

Before parting, this happened...

While this may be early, I think I have my old father back.

 

[OcifferPls]

If you think that being a force of good in the world means "only about showering people with help and good deeds" and also that being a force of good in the world is somehow irrelevant for the question of discerning whether something is the divine truth given by God, let me assure you that there is no reason for us to try to have a meaningful discussion about the topic.

Well, it doesn't exclude the possibility of christianity being true, and being a negative force in the world. God could want to destroy the world and most people on it. I do not believe that, but some do.

 

[EyesOfKohl]

I survived, and I don't even have any battle scars. Fun experience. I would do paintballing again.

 

[ReesePiece23]

I try to worry about my own walk with Christ rather than waiting to judge others on theirs. Sadly, there are those that like their ears tickled and love to hear "You are made righteous" and they think "Yay, I get to judge others cause Im better than them now"

One thing I can guarantee is that the same people who are filleting the young lad in Christian Advice for having "impure thoughts", are the same people who are downloading vile porn whilst the wife bakes in the kitchen.

But you're absolutely right, why should anyone judge others on their walk when we ALL need to vastly improve our own? Now, I want to clarify absolutely here that you don't have to be a bad person or a regular sinner to work intensively on your own walk.

I for one believe that the Christian journey ages like a single malt or a fine wine. It can be initially good (excellent in some cases) but maturation, time and patience will refine it to a fine art - and that is what we should all be aiming for. Not perfection, but consistency towards this refining and craftsmanship.

I want to be able to look back when I'm 70 and see all of the minor details come together, and all of the mistakes ironed out, worked through and rectified. I don't want to be sat on a sanctimonious pedestal condemning people.

I know what you mean. One of the feelings that has yet again ended up draining my desire to even seriously try to do the effort to reconcile my faith with mainstream Christianity is the constant nagging feeling of ending up being on the wrong side, and ending up building something I don't want to build and what I would much rather fight against, than try to build.

Ending up feeling like becoming 'one of the bad guys' doesn't exactly motivate to go through all the emotional and philosophical crisis of such reconciling effort and it tends to make it a lot easier to do the exact opposite and seek from some place else.

I read an interview of a pastor while ago where he said that people nowadays don't anymore ask him to prove is there God or not, but they ask him how they can be sure that Christianity is a force of good in the world. It somehow resonated with me, and to be honest, I haven't been convinced of that.

I sympathise completely, I'm always (and probably always will be) the bad guy. I'm always offering "worldly" opinions and deceptive advice. All I do is talk common sense, I'm sorry if my practical and realistic way of thinking is sinful to you (when I'm trying to talk round someone who is clearly in deep distress)

When I start hearing things like "God must hate me, I hate myself for what I've done" and "Am I going to burn in hell for this?" I just have to make them see sense. I will then ALWAYS have some jumped up moron quote me and say that I'm wrong, and that we should all remind them of how sinful and displeasing to God their actions are.

I don't blame people for not wanting to become Christian if THAT is the sort of thing they see, I really don't.

 

[Jack of Spades]

I sympathise completely, I'm always (and probably always will be) the bad guy. I'm always offering "worldly" opinions and deceptive advice. All I do is talk common sense, I'm sorry if my practical and realistic way of thinking is sinful to you (when I'm trying to talk round someone who is clearly in deep distress)

When I start hearing things like "God must hate me, I hate myself for what I've done" and "Am I going to burn in hell for this?" I just have to make them see sense. I will then ALWAYS have some jumped up moron quote me and say that I'm wrong, and that we should all remind them of how sinful and displeasing to God their actions are.

I don't blame people for not wanting to become Christian if THAT is the sort of thing they see, I really don't.

I don't know if you meant that "sorry if it's sinful to you" - part for me? Of course I don't think it's a bad thing to be down to earth and relatively nice when someone is having hard time.

And that's just the individual level. To me it looks like all the religious revivals end up at some point developing a political wing which then starts promoting theocratic legislation. If there is one thing in the world I'm bitterly opposed to, it's theocracy. And theocratic agendas seem to categorically be the result whenever people become religious in large enough numbers.

As a young Christian, I used to wish that there would be a revival, but nowadays if I think about the possibility of a large scale religious revival, one of the first things that pops in my mind is, "and after the revival, there would be a Bible-politics party, so maybe it's better if people stay secular...".

 

[Swan7]

I sympathise completely, I'm always (and probably always will be) the bad guy. I'm always offering "worldly" opinions and deceptive advice. All I do is talk common sense, I'm sorry if my practical and realistic way of thinking is sinful to you (when I'm trying to talk round someone who is clearly in deep distress)

Well that makes no sense. If you're the bad guy, that would make Jesus the bad guy. He spoke in parables (worldly things, as you've stated) so they could understand the heavenly Kingdom. So... you cannot be the bad guy since Jesus was not.

I don't blame people for not wanting to become Christian if THAT is the sort of thing they see, I really don't.

Agreed. I still feel that way too. Humility and humbleness are certainly key in the walk of Christ.

 

[alsughasoughaiuyfygh]

Hoo boy, it's coming back. I was just walking around the kitchen and suddenly I had another dizzy spell. It was bad enough for me to fall to the ground and lay there for a couple minutes.

I'm not hurt and I'm fine for the moment. I've been lowering my medication to see if that's the cause so this sort of thing can be expected. Sooner or later this had to end.

 

[Travelers.Soul]

Sick...and stuff. I hope everyone is having a pleasant Saturday.

 

[TheGirlOnFire]

Sick...and stuff. I hope everyone is having a pleasant Saturday.

Hope your ok sending hugs and prayers xxx


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[Journey.In.Grace]

How much I really want left overs from Thanksgiving.

 

[TheGirlOnFire]

I have wine


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[Travelers.Soul]

Hope your ok sending hugs and prayers xxx

Thanks. Just a nasty cold....

 

[CodyFaith]

Those moments when God gives you an immeasurable amount of joy in your heart... like, wow... feels like I could be took right up to heaven.

All started just by looking at Christmas lights : ) (I love Christmas lights so much y'all don't even know lol, haven't seen them in quite some time)

Hoo boy, it's coming back. I was just walking around the kitchen and suddenly I had another dizzy spell. It was bad enough for me to fall to the ground and lay there for a couple minutes.

I'm not hurt and I'm fine for the moment. I've been lowering my medication to see if that's the cause so this sort of thing can be expected. Sooner or later this had to end.

Sick...and stuff. I hope everyone is having a pleasant Saturday.

Sorry to hear peeps. : ( Prayers your way.