What's on your mind?

[DragonFox91]

View attachment 343549

The tote contains all of the books that my IRL friends have given me that I haven’t gotten around to reading or finishing. It is traumatizing to look at.

I will be telling my friends to stop giving me more books. What a mess.

My friends are like that too, constantly giving me stuff to watch / read / work on. Then they wonder why I'm 'behind.'

It's just what people do, I guess.

I also find it overwhelming.

Then you tell your friends stop, they get upset you're not interested, so you say 'fine, I'll take it' & your pile gets bigger. Then you decide to watch / read / work on something from the pile & get happy you're putting a dent in it, then they give you 5 more things. Then they ask why you're behind on what they gave you, & you tell them you haven't gotten to what they've given you already, but it doesn't matter, they have more things to give you. (I'm speaking general you here). Most of the time I'm genuinely interested in what they're giving, it's just, I don't have unlimited time, so I just take it & throw in the pile really w/ 0 intention of doing it even tho I would be genuinely interested if I had unlimited time.

 

[bèlla]

Eviction update

I was given my summons for eviction today, have 5 days to respond. I already viewed the case file and pulled the law library information for the case, and I have a draft of an answer to the case. If all goes well, I'm confident that I can win this case. Please pray for: 1. Clarity for me, so...

www.christianforums.com

Soon after that, my dad started losing his job, so I shall not receive much further trouble from him for now until he figures out where his new job is and where he is going to live. The Lord has protected me.

I’m not about to throw them away, rather to read my way through and then decide whether to keep or sell them. Most of those books are spiritual, theological, or business titles. The wheat must be culled from the chaff.

The literature that is there I probably will hang on to. I most certainly would not casually throw away a work on the Celts. They are important people in church history, and their music is beautiful.

I'm glad things worked in your favor. I'd still do the altar prayers for your parents. It clears the slate and puts you in good stead for your marriage. Whatever they've said or done doesn't belong in your union. Nor should you be subject to their errors spiritually.

The Celtic books were part of a larger collection related to paganism. It included titles on the Scots, Picts and Welsh. I remember them all. It isn't difficult to acquire them again.

I've felt a kinship with them long ago. The spirit knows even when we don't understand. Much like my connection to France and the English countryside. It was written on my heart by the Father for a reason.

In all likelihood that will be my road spiritually. It speaks like none others do. Though I've enjoyed the exploration of various traditions for the most part. I appreciate the community spirit the Amish and Mennonites embody. But I don't think I could live that way. But fellowship is possible.

~bella

 

[DragonFox91]

I remember reading an article in one of their journals that the older generations know the Old Testament better than the younger generations. I've realized later that that claim is not true.

I have tried to get a job with Answers in Genesis a few times. They don't want any of their workers arguing about true teachings vs. false teachings. They think it's okay if someone has an unbiblical belief about water baptism.

It really made their lecture seem like a con b/c they were unwilling to answer challenges. So disappointing. I remember loving reading their articles, especially when I was going thru a rough time, & this was my first exposure to them in person, so when they were like that, it was a let-down. Their lecture was good too.

Your experience w/ them, it makes me wonder if they are really controlling at the top, where the leaders really need to filter whatever's said.

 

[GodDoesListen55]

I made a new CD for my mom, and I really hope she likes it.

 

[SarahsKnight]

I made a new CD for my mom, and I really hope she likes it.

Music, you mean? If so, what songs are featured, may I ask?

 

[SarahsKnight]

Also, that six days just turned into seven nights in a row. Well, I am able to look at this way this time: I get one extra OT day's worth of money on my next paycheck, and it eliminated that nasty 24-hour turnaround.

Gotta say this about Albemarle: working at Dr. Pepper before this didn't pay nearly this well, either. ^-^

Well, one night down ... six to go.

 

[RileyG]

Good evening all

 

[TheRealAriel]

The guy I like met my son today and spent the evening with us. He was so perfect… and now that’s all that’s on my mind.

 

[GodDoesListen55]

Music, you mean? If so, what songs are featured, may I ask?

Well, the CD has 17 tracks on it, and it is for her car. The main artists on the CD are the Rolling Stones. There are four songs by them. Um, there are quite a few rock tracks on there as well, like Queen, Collective Soul, and Awake At Last, for example. There are also a couple of pop songs on there, too, like Kelly Clarkson, Pink, Bruno Mars, and Train. It is just a little something that is going to be fun to jam out to while running errands, lol.

 

[SarahsKnight]

Well, the CD has 17 tracks on it, and it is for her car. The main artists on the CD are the Rolling Stones. There are four songs by them. Um, there are quite a few rock tracks on there as well, like Queen, Collective Soul, and Awake At Last, for example. There are also a couple of pop songs on there, too, like Kelly Clarkson, Pink, Bruno Mars, and Train. It is just a little something that is going to be fun to jam out to while running errands, lol.

Bruno Mars? Oh! I hope it's "Treasure", then.
^-^

I remember dedicating that song to Miss @Somber, once.

 

[bèlla]

Bruno Mars? Oh! I hope it's "Treasure", then.
^-^

I remember dedicating that song to Miss @Somber, once.

You listen to Bruno? I'm surprised!

 

[SarahsKnight]

You listen to Bruno? I'm surprised!

I never bought any of his albums or anything, but I have heard probably ten or so different songs from him on the radio over the years, and offhand the only one of those songs I thought were bad was "The Lazy Song".

 

[.Mikha'el.]

Bruno Mars? Oh! I hope it's "Treasure", then.
^-^

I remember dedicating that song to Miss @Somber, once.

Just the Way You Are has reminded me of @Squeakers for years.

 

[linux.poet]

Reminds me of the haul I spontaneously brought in from Barnes&Noble while I was out of town the other week. (Hadn't shopped at a physical bookstore location in probably six years before that. )

I like bookstores for sewing books. Those are excellent time savers for solving problems in sewing, and so it’s faster just to go to the bookstore and get the most current book or magazine than to try to dig through the Internet or library collections. It’s a shortcut.

For example, I benefited extremely from Bernadette Banner’s Make, Sew, and Mend. It took me a huge amount of self-discipline just to buy that book and not also a quilting book and a few others along with it. This is not to say that I am adverse to old sewing books, but the new ones are more accessible and easier to follow.

Then you tell your friends stop, they get upset you're not interested, so you say 'fine, I'll take it' & your pile gets bigger. Then you decide to watch / read / work on something from the pile & get happy you're putting a dent in it, then they give you 5 more things.

Sometimes “upset” is not an obstacle to be avoided, but a sewer you have to wade through. Walk through the upset. Why are they mad? Do they want control of your spiritual life?

To overwhelm someone and never let them win or make progress, it’s like Sisyphus and the rock. It’s a strategy for control.

Previously I noted that you needed stronger spiritual supports to build your confidence, but is seems that these friends are not exactly helping in the confidence area right now. I would encourage you to stand up to them and continue to build your abilities.

I'd still do the altar prayers for your parents.

I’ll look into your references to Francis Myles International and figure it out. I’d like to figure out what he means by “altar”. I thought the need for that equipment was abolished at the cross.

As for the marriage, it is probably at least 6 months to a year in the future realistically. We’ve made a ton of progress from our very ugly starting position, but we still have so much work to do. Some of our dates have been going through some church training classes on marriage, trauma, and human development. We basically have to learn God-honoring marriage from zero. Other “dates” have included a lot of non-Myron-Golden-approved manual labor like cleaning and moving storage units and repairing physical items and selling them. (We’ve also had a lot of ordinary ones with movies and church and chess.) We’ve discovered that we work well together.

Honestly, though, my marriage will be nothing less than an absolute miracle, God’s work in my life after 12 years of struggle.

Under three things the earth trembles;under four it cannot bear up: a slave when he becomes king,and a fool when he is filled with food; an unloved woman when she gets a husband, and a maidservant when she displaces her mistress.

The earthquake is coming.

 

[bèlla]

I never bought any of his albums or anything, but I have heard probably ten or so different songs from him on the radio over the years, and offhand the only one of those songs I thought were bad was "The Lazy Song".

I've heard one song and that was through my mother! I don't listen to music too often when I do it's usually instrumentals. I've been craving Celtic and Scottish themes as of late. There's a neat channel that has heaps. I like the medieval tunes and enjoyed the Witcher one too. They're light hearted and upbeat.

 

[bèlla]

I like bookstores for sewing books. Those are excellent time savers for solving problems in sewing, and so it’s faster just to go to the bookstore and get the most current book or magazine than to try to dig through the Internet or library collections. It’s a shortcut.

I get mine from Amazon during 2-for-1 deals or Thriftbooks instead. I buy digital copies when they're on sale. The majority aren't advertised and you have to look.

For example, I benefited extremely from Bernadette Banner’s Make, Sew, and Mend. It took me a huge amount of self-discipline just to buy that book and not also a quilting book and a few others along with it. This is not to say that I am adverse to old sewing books, but the new ones are more accessible and easier to follow.

Bernadette is a hoot! I discovered her a few years ago. The book is good. She's very knowledgeable. Alabama Chanin is another source. I'm unlikely to embellish things to that degree but I enjoy sewing by hand. V. Birchwood does it exclusively.

I’ll look into your references to Francis Myles International and figure it out. I’d like to figure out what he means by “altar”. I thought the need for that equipment was abolished at the cross.

He's referencing a dedicated place within the home for fellowship with the Lord. It could be a chair, room, closet, etc. Something you set aside for you Him. That's what he means by personal altars.

The other is spiritual and he explains the significance of altars and what occurs. They're like landing strips. He discusses them in depth. Why they were built. What happens on the spirit plane and so on.

One of the most important spiritual technologies in the Bible is the subject of altars, what they are and how they affect people and nations. Every person of significance that God has ever used in the Bible has had to build altars to the Lord. In the same manner every evil man or woman in the Bible that Satan has used to oppose the purposes of God has done so after building demonic or evil altars.

I meet with the Lord at my altar. That's where we commune. We talk beyond that space but that's where I go for prayer and guidance. When I studied paganism the first thing they did was establish an altar. A dedicated space where they fellowshipped with their deities. The concept wasn't odd for those reasons and others I've encountered supernaturally.

When I decided to homestead that was the first thing I thought of. Not the house, crops or other things I wanted. My first delight was raising an altar at a dedicated spot like men of old. I didn't know why it appealed. It was on my heart. Now I understand.

As for the marriage, it is probably at least 6 months to a year in the future realistically. We’ve made a ton of progress from our very ugly starting position, but we still have so much work to do. Some of our dates have been going through some church training classes on marriage, trauma, and human development. We basically have to learn God-honoring marriage from zero. Other “dates” have included a lot of non-Myron-Golden-approved manual labor like cleaning and moving storage units and repairing physical items and selling them. (We’ve also had a lot of ordinary ones with movies and church and chess.) We’ve discovered that we work well together.

Honestly, though, my marriage will be nothing less than an absolute miracle, God’s work in my life after 12 years of struggle.

Congratulations on your engagement. I don't think it's a miracle. You've had difficulties but that doesn't mean you're tethered to them always. God can redeem the hurt and give us beauty for ashes and you've experienced the same. It was bound to occur. He declares a thing and it's done (set in stone in the spirit realm) then He goes back and does it. He intended you to marry all along. Satan had other ideas but the Lord's will prevailed. Your testimony will encourage others with similar experiences and the Lord is glorified.

I asked Him once if He wanted me to do xyz why He gave me to them (my parents)? He didn't respond. But I mentioned it the other day and phrased it differently. I acknowledged He knew who they were beforehand and didn't intend for me to experience the things I did. And He isn't responsible for their mistakes. But because He placed me there and some things are lacking I require His assistance to fill the gaps. And I told Him what I needed afterward and He replied.

I'm in a different place now as are you. The past holds no sway. You'll have a wonderful marriage and more joy than you can imagine. There's nothing too hard for God.

~bella

 

[bèlla]

I should be in bed. I'm blaming @linux.poet and @timewerx. I started writing them and lost track of time!

 

[DragonFox91]

The increase in the number of people not raised in the church & don’t go to church s/ leave lots of opportunities to witness – you no longer have to go overseas to witness.

 

[ReesePiece23]

I'm convinced that my sister is an idiot.

She fell out with my mother about two years ago after a pretty standard argument, and has cut all contact with her ever since. It's actually driven my mother to suicidal thoughts and severe depression with my sister's spiteful comments and nasty letters to other family members addressing her. And NOW she's come after me saying that our relationship was only ever a convenience for me and that I've been gaslighting her (honestly, I'm so sick of hearing that word, especially when it's used wrong.)

She needs to:

- Grow up
- Stop watching amatuer psycology videos on YouTube
- Stop reading too much into my non-replies (I have an extremely busy life with a very wide circle of friends)
- To not watch Dr Phil all day when she should be looking after her child
- Own her mistakes and roll with them
- Get a job
- Actually leave the house once in a while

She'll get away with it once. But if she ever tries to manipulate me again with a half-baked psychoanalysis, then we're going to have a major problem.

I'm not someone who has ever been easy to manipulate, don't try it.

 

[bèlla]

I'm convinced that my sister is an idiot.

She fell out with my mother about two years ago after a pretty standard argument, and has cut all contact with her ever since. It's actually driven my mother to suicidal thoughts and severe depression with my sister's spiteful comments and nasty letters to other family members addressing her. And NOW she's come after me saying that our relationship was only ever a convenience for me and that I've been gaslighting her (honestly, I'm so sick of hearing that word, especially when it's used wrong.)

She needs to:

- Grow up
- Stop watching amatuer psycology videos on YouTube
- Stop reading too much into my non-replies (I have an extremely busy life with a very wide circle of friends)
- To not watch Dr Phil all day when she should be looking after her child
- Own her mistakes and roll with them
- Get a job
- Actually leave the house once in a while

She'll get away with it once. But if she ever tries to manipulate me again with a half-baked psychoanalysis, then we're going to have a major problem.

I'm not someone who has ever been easy to manipulate, don't try it.

I'm sorry you're having difficulties with your sister and for the pain your mother is wrestling with. Parent/child relationships can be challenging and fractures impact everyone including the one who breaks the connection. Whether they admit it or not. I've severed my share over the years.

Familial bonds have their own nuances. Mistakes occur and some handle it better than others. Separation doesn't always imply an omission of concern or unwillingness to forgive. Everyone has a breaking point and sometimes leaving brings a measure of peace remaining won't. With time and prayer reconciliation may be possible. That is my hope for your sake and your loved ones.

In the meantime, I'll hold you in prayer and suggest you allow others to do the same. Make a prayer request and give everything to Him. You'll have others laboring on your behalf and for your loved ones. Every petition helps.

May the Lord grant you peace and heal the hurt.

~bella