What's on your mind?

SarahsKnight said:

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

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

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No, it is not, unfortunately. But that is definitely a good one—one of my favorites. It is actually Uptown Funk.

GodDoesListen55 said:

No, it is not, unfortunately. But that is definitely a good one—one of my favorites. It is actually Uptown Funk.

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For some reason I like that one, too (not normally my style). ^-^

Happy Birthday @mojoboy31 ! May your day be full of vintage hats, strong coffees and chuckle worthy memes!

SarahsKnight said:

For some reason I like that one, too (not normally my style). ^-^

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Because it is an upbeat, catchy little tune, lol.

TheRealAriel said:

Happy Birthday @mojoboy31 ! May your day be full of vintage hats, strong coffees and chuckle worthy memes!

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You just listed 98% of my personality xD

The church group I went to in college the first 2 years was great. I thought they were welcoming & taught right. The leaders were passionate about the faith & I loved that.

After summer break into year 3, the Group was radically different. Suddenly instead of the Gospel there were giant banners about Diversity. The music was repeat of ‘He loves. He loves. He loves’ over & over. Half the worship was in Spanish. They had a Bible but it was off (all about diversity? You will be successful? Love love love love? Not really about God? I don’t really remember).

The Group I had known was not the same. I think they were so focused on getting people to join the group, proper teaching was lost. Looking at the first 2 years, I can see the cracks: too focused on getting people to join (just a numbers game to them), a lack of discipling new leaders (we’ll take anyone who signs up to be a leader), worship based on emotion, & a large number only in it for being social.

My best buddy who loved the group agreed & we left. We found a different group. It was better. It still felt off, but was an improvement.

DragonFox91 said:

My best buddy who loved the group agreed & we left. We found a different group. It was better. It still felt off, but was an improvement.

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I'm glad you found alternatives. It seems this is common whether you're in college or beyond. Finding a place that meets your needs is challenging.

I spent many years seeking the truth. I wouldn't say I was a sojourner. But I explored faith in many corners. There were moments when I walked alone or relied on likeminded people elsewhere. I was fellowshipping with kindred spirits long before social media's inception. Mailing lists and forums were our medium.

I learned important lessons during that period. Most notably the necessity for patience and endurance. My hunger for the truth outweighed the impediments and opened doors on my behalf. I developed an ability to be content. Whether my blessing arrived in nuggets, books, unexpected resources or individuals. What remain unchanged was my reliance on God throughout. I didn't have all the answers but I trusted the process and found my way to Him.

As a result, I don't have grand expectations. You'll never hear me speak of the lack of this or that in a building. Nor will you hear a complaint. Not that I'm suggesting it's wrong to share your experiences. But the Kingdom is greater than any group or setting. If we genuinely seek the things we lack He'll provide them.
But it may not occur as we expect and that's okay.

We must be willing to be uncomfortable to walk with God. We must be able to embrace the unexpected and change to flourish. Life has seasons as do we. Nothing remains the same forever. How we address it matters most.

~bella

I cannot do this!

GodDoesListen55 said:

I cannot do this!

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Yes you can, Chelsea!

bèlla said:

We must be willing to be uncomfortable to walk with God. We must be able to embrace the unexpected and change to flourish.

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And that is exactly what I made the decision to do at last yesterday, Bella. To do something and make a change that is probably going to feel uncomfortable for a while, even anxious. But I ask that the Lord be with me through it.

SarahsKnight said:

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

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Five days down! Just two more!

SarahsKnight said:

And that is exactly what I made the decision to do at last yesterday, Bella. To do something and make a change that is probably going to feel uncomfortable for a while, even anxious. But I ask that the Lord be with me through it.

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That sounds promising and mysterious. You'll do well. You're a knight after all. We'll be cheering and praying for you along the way.

YouTube has really grown on me. I came to the platform late but I've grown to like it. Social media feels like a journey in someone's head. You're bombarded with thoughts and feelings constantly. I don't enjoy that. I don't know if others feel the same.

Don't get me wrong. It isn't perfect. But it's the one place where show don't tell is plentiful. And I like that. Because sometimes words aren't required. You can tell a story through pictures, movement and music in ways words can't convey.

That's the stuff that pulls the heart. The one that makes you laugh, smile and contemplate. More often than not you feel relaxed afterward. I shared a post of a woman building a garden recently. She created a time lapse that captured her work.

Little by little it comes together. Much like projects and things we're working towards. Bit by bit we get there one step at a time. She adds one thing then the next and blooms follow. We see flowers and wonders spring to life and the wonders of God's creation unfolding before our eyes.

The harvest arrives and she gathers her treasures lovingly and then it happens. The moment you didn't expect. The table is laid and ready and she kneels beside. And I'm struck. Struck by the beauty and gifts coalescing in that moment.

Vision, discipline, diligence, generosity, gratitude and so on. It took many things to bring her to that point. And the crescendo was wonderful. Memories shared between mother and daughter. Father and family. Neighbors and friends. They'll never forget.

The first time I watched my eyes teared in response. You can't get that in a sound bite.

What she didn't say spoke loudest and that's why I was touched. She didn't tell me she was content. Loved to garden. Treasured her family and shared with her neighbors. I didn't hear about her equipment or how she composed the shoot. Or hardships either.

She's in her element and you know it. Not because she told you or shared her latest purchase. You see it in her attention to detail. The care she takes in her creations. You see it in her movements and inclusion of her daughter. Life unfolds and she captures it. One moment at a time.

In a recent video she retrieves branches a neighbor removed from a tree and brings them home. Some are placed in vases with promises of petals in the coming weeks. And a bouquet becomes a backdrop for something else. She removes the petals and presses them until they're dried. They're artfully applied to candlesticks and placed in different settings.

I can't help thinking how we'd fare if we followed suit. An integral part of showing is noticing. How much do we walk beside and never take note of? How often do we lament what's lacking and rarely see what's there? Do we see...truly see what God has done?

That's what I take away from pieces like hers. It helps me to look beyond the obvious. Go deeper. Slower. And be more appreciative. Perhaps we need more of that.

bèlla said:

That sounds promising and mysterious. You'll do well. You're a knight after all. We'll be cheering and praying for you along the way.

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Thank you.

@RileyG, I didn't realize you played The Sims. We have for first three and expansions and didn't get the 4th due to changes. How do you like that version?

Truly...

And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.

When the devil tries to shut a door God blows another open its place! His will won't be thwarted.

SarahsKnight said:

Yes you can, Chelsea!

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Thanks; I needed that!

SarahsKnight said:

Five days down! Just two more!

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And now just one day ....

Of course it just got turned from a 12-hour into a 15-hour shift. Well, at least next week's paycheck will be nice and fat (it'd better be, anyway ).

I go back in at 2pm. About to try to get to sleep. Please pray for me to make it through just fine, everyone. Thank you.