What's on your mind?

[LoveDivine]

I enjoy His Voice in your writing.

Thank you I'm hopeful that soon we can start some Bible discussion threads that will be uplifting for everyone here. Maybe even some discussions about the scriptures that apply to singleness.

 

[Tranquil Bondservant]

You can have the conversations you seek. But some are best ignored for your peace of mind.



You can have offensive posts removed as well as off-topic discussions that derail the thread. If the latter is numerous you can ask support to create a new thread for the subject. I did it recently.



I have no qualms with you and accept your apology. I hope you'll reconsider your decision to step away and put the troublemakers on ignore. You and @LoveDivine have made several contributions to the church history thread which is very informative. It's edifying and engaging. I hope you continue.

~bella

I've thought about it a lot today and I am going to delete my post and stay. What you said here:

If you want a better world...a better life...a better environment. You have to work at it. It doesn't happen automatically.

was a really good point and I'm going to try and approach it this way. However, I'm not wired in a way that will put people on ignore, nor report them unless they're overtly breaking site rules or harming others. I'm probably going to make some more threads and resurrect some good older ones and see how that goes.

 

[GodDoesListen55]

Perhaps pray to the Spirit to guide you in finding that out, Chelsea.

Trying my best!

 

[bèlla]

However, I'm not wired in a way that will put people on ignore, nor report them unless they're overtly breaking site rules or harming others.

I don't view it as a question of wiring but the realities of spiritual warfare. You will never have a 'Christian' setting devoid of his influence. He directs people to this site and towards specific persons. Some influence conversations and keep certain topics alive while others falter. Some stir the pot. They make jabs and goad one another which affects the atmosphere.

But singles draws a different sort and you'll understand when younknow he operates. The devil doesn't care about you discussing God. I hinted at this in my response to @venksta. He cares when action follows your statements through works or prayer because there's spiritual laws involved. When they're invoked things happen.

If he cannot thwart your belief he makes you ineffective. The best way to do that for singles is to have you focus on your circumstances. Which inspires posts about gender wars, negative experiences, and anything that makes you hopeless. He doesn't want you to join arms or focus on the things you could overcome by working together.

I always found it strange that a group of people desiring marriage who professed belief in Christ weren't actively praying for one another on one accord.

I found it equally strange that a group of people with a similar struggle weren't praying against it collectively. When you share a burden you'll pray for it with greater ferocity than one who doesn't.

Thriving communities require vision and a willingness to look beyond your circumstances. You have to add to the conversation and don't treat it like a drop in clinic. The Christian response to problems is prayer. Not complaints, rants or moaning sessions. When a demographic isn't willing to walk in those truths it opens the door for other elements.

I've participated in those communities for years and one of the key qualities is balanced discourse. There's a continual flow of interesting topics coupled with questions and a smattering of posts related to challenges. But the latter differed in its approach.

When problems were shared it wasn't a coddle session. There were expressions of empathy followed by questions and differing degrees of input. If the topic arose later on the previous thread was cited with additional remarks on what they've done since that period. We're looking for progression and a visible display of effort.

The most distinctive element of the community was the propensity for action. We were doing the things we discussed which lent a level of expertise and growth because we shared our experiences. When newcomers arrived they had a lot to draw from. Theories were discussed but we always returned to application. Which kept conversations going and inspired engagement.

We were the number one site on that subject on the Internet for years. We were passionate and had a thirst for learning and the dominant voices shared those qualities. We had troublemakers too but they couldn't get a foothold because the population was invested. When they tried to derail a thread we shut it down and got the mods involved. We valued our community.

We were fortunate to attract a gathering of people who were leaders, visionaries and creatives gifted in communication with a shared passion for the subject and togetherness. And you couldn't usurp our interests. We didn't allow off-topic subjects to become the dominant theme. We protected our space.

We were on one accord but we weren't believers. Everyone did their part (the thing they were good at) and we learned from one another. There was a lot of give and take. But when everyone is doing their own thing and there's no unity it's not a community.

After arriving in Jerusalem, Nehemiah set out in the night to investigate the city’s condition. It was in bad shape, probably worse than he had imagined. The work ahead was massive, and it would require many hands. As the saying goes, many hands make light work. Even still, one might easily have looked at the job and said, it’s too big!

Nevertheless, the people offered up willing hearts and ready hands, and God can work with that. In any great task you need leadership, a vision, and some skin in the game. Nehemiah was clearly the leader - he had a burden from the Lord, and a plan in place. This was necessary, but what was most necessary was people. People are always the way in which God advances his plans on the earth.

It was the people who had to say, “Let us rise up and build.” Without everyone involved, the task was too great.

The people worked with all of their hearts, side by side. Families worked together to build the section of the wall just in front of their own home. Because, individually protected homes adds up to make a collectively protected community. When those with more skill and energy finished their own section, they went on to help others. The things that are too much for just one person or even a few are achievable when everyone rises up and gets involved.

~bella

 

[Tranquil Bondservant]

I don't view it as a question of wiring but the realities of spiritual warfare. You will never have a 'Christian' setting devoid of his influence. He directs people to this site and towards specific persons. Some influence conversations and keep certain topics alive while others falter. Some stir the pot. They make jabs and goad one another which affects the atmosphere.

But singles draws a different sort and you'll understand when know he operates. The devil doesn't care about you discussing God. I hinted at this in my response to @venksta. He cares when action follows your statements through works or prayer because there's spiritual laws involved. When they're invoked things happen.

If he cannot thwart your belief he makes you ineffective. The best way to do that for singles is to have you focus on your circumstances. Which inspires posts about gender wars, negative experiences, and anything that makes you hopeless. He doesn't want you to join arms or focus on the things you could overcome by working together.

I always found it strange that a group of people desiring marriage who professed belief in Christ weren't actively praying for one another on one accord.

I found it equally strange that a group of people with a similar struggle weren't praying against it collectively. When you share a burden you'll pray for it with greater ferocity than one who doesn't.

Thriving communities require vision and a willingness to look beyond your circumstances. You have to add to the conversation and don't treat it like a drop in clinic. The Christian response to problems is prayer. Not complaints, rants or moaning sessions. When a demographic isn't willing to walk in those truths it opens the door for other elements.

I've participated in those communities for years and one of the key qualities is balanced discourse. There's a continual flow of interesting topics coupled with questions and a smattering of posts related to challenges. But the latter differed in its approach.

When problems were shared it wasn't a coddle session. There were expressions of empathy followed by questions and differing degrees of input. If the topic arose later on the previous thread was cited with additional remarks on what they've done since that period. We're looking for progression and a visible display of effort.

The most distinctive element of the community was the propensity for action. We were doing the things we discussed which lent a level of expertise and growth because we shared our experiences. When newcomers arrived they had a lot to draw from. Theories were discussed but we always returned to application. Which kept conversations going and inspired engagement.

We were the number one site on that subject on the Internet for years. We were passionate and had a thirst for learning and the dominant voices shared those qualities. We had troublemakers too but they couldn't get a foothold because the population was invested. When they tried to derail a thread we shut it down and got the mods involved. We valued our community.

We were fortunate to attract a gathering of people who were leaders, visionaries and creatives gifted in communication with a shared passion for the subject and togetherness. And you couldn't usurp our interests. We didn't allow off-topic subjects to become the dominant theme. We protected our space.

We were on one accord but we weren't believers. Everyone did their part (the thing they were good at) and we learned from one another. There was a lot of give and take. But when everyone is doing their own thing and there's no unity it's not a community.

After arriving in Jerusalem, Nehemiah set out in the night to investigate the city’s condition. It was in bad shape, probably worse than he had imagined. The work ahead was massive, and it would require many hands. As the saying goes, many hands make light work. Even still, one might easily have looked at the job and said, it’s too big!

Nevertheless, the people offered up willing hearts and ready hands, and God can work with that. In any great task you need leadership, a vision, and some skin in the game. Nehemiah was clearly the leader - he had a burden from the Lord, and a plan in place. This was necessary, but what was most necessary was people. People are always the way in which God advances his plans on the earth.

It was the people who had to say, “Let us rise up and build.” Without everyone involved, the task was too great.

The people worked with all of their hearts, side by side. Families worked together to build the section of the wall just in front of their own home. Because, individually protected homes adds up to make a collectively protected community. When those with more skill and energy finished their own section, they went on to help others. The things that are too much for just one person or even a few are achievable when everyone rises up and gets involved.

~bella

What I meant by the wiring comment is that as an individual I'm personally content to take the blows and let the offender be (not like a doormat though as I will respond), however when someone is impacting others then I feel the need to do something. But thank you for what you wrote and I definitely agree in regards to looking after the community, that makes a lot of sense and I appreciate your input.

 

[Multifavs]

Happy Easter to all! I hope you enjoy celebrating this Christian holiday honoring Christ's resurrection. Have a wonderful day!

 

[LoveDivine]

Happy Easter to all! I hope you enjoy celebrating this Christian holiday honoring Christ's resurrection. Have a wonderful day!

Thank you. Same to you It's nice to think about all the Christians around the world who are celebrating Christ's resurrection today.

 

[DragonFox91]

I got to talk some theology w/ my parents today! We never do it so it made me smile!

 

[DragonFox91]

@GodBeMercifulToMeASinner

I'm sure you don't like the eggs decorating CF?

(I have mixed thoughts on them)

 

[GodDoesListen55]

I just want to live, thrive, and truly survive so that I can always live my very best life. (P.S. @.Mikha'el. and @SarahsKnight: This is a line from one of my latest poems, and yes, I will be posting them soon. )

 

[bèlla]

I'm sure you don't like the eggs decorating CF?

(I have mixed thoughts on them)

I would be mindful of a few things related to your comment.

You don't know who runs this site or owns it. They aren't always one in the same. Many have been sold and the public face is there for operational purposes but they're not running the show. I've been part of communities significantly larger than this with tremendous traffic and the owner posted frequently. In both instances they lived the things we discussed.

In respect to eggs, you're broaching three topics. Natural associations with the changing of seasons which are apropos. Spring is the period when things begin to grow once more. Lambs are born and chickens resume laying. Hence the eggs.

The oft mentioned pagan affiliations are a mishmash of cultures. They aren't one in the same and the practices differed. The majority who mention it are recounting things they've read, heard or watched. They have no firsthand experiences to substantiate what's been said.

Most of the things they share are exoteric. Things that are permitted for public consumption. Esoteric knowledge differs. It's delivered within the community and the information is layered. Which is usually the case in oral and initiatory traditions.

Unless you've explored other religions and practiced them your knowledge is limited. That isn't good or bad. It's just the way it is. Copying and pasting material doesn't make you an expert. The information would be presented in a different guise in light of the setting. You can talk about pre-Christian practices but you're going to hit a wall at some point.

It's impossible to address mixture without running afoul of the rules or stepping on toes. This is an example of working out your own salvation. You aren't required to set it aside if the subject interests you. But you can't ignore the realities of the discussion and the likelihood of offense.

I've covered much in my spiritual walk prior to my homecoming and afterward. But I keep the majority to myself. It isn't for everyone and if the Lord desires to enlighten them He will. As you mature in the spirit you become more tight-lipped. Knowledge has a price. You're subject to spiritual hardships others aren't.

Be wary of those who are information rich and spiritually poor.

If you're aligning teachings and practices to demonic influences what comes next? If you're right do you stop and that's all? Were instructions provided on its correction?

That's the difference between head knowledge and experience. You don't make that charge without addressing the rest. You're entering the domain Paul spoke of in respect to "all things are lawful." Once the conviction takes root you have to act lest you condemn yourself.

I follow a biblical calendar for many reasons. It isn't rabbinic for a reason. I mention the moon phases for a reason. I created a prayer matrix for a reason. But I'll never say why.

To whom much is given much is required. When you walk in deep truths your life bears witness. You don't acquire great insight with limited fellowship and revelations bring related challenges.

That's the part no one admits. All secrets come with battles. You may not make the connection with your hardships but you should be able to. You need to understand cause and effect to pinpoint the source. That's a fundamental part of your preparation for higher things. The vessel is made ready for receipt.

Bigger level bigger devil is true. You don't walk in that height and battle the minions. You're a threat to that realm. If you haven't developed the prayer and spiritual life to accommodate that knowledge you'll have problems.

All knowledge is purposeful in the Kingdom of God. If the Lord enlightened you there's a reason. It may involve a work or a stance in prayer He wants you take.

That differs from self-enlightenment. This is the domain of the curious types. I call them collectors. They're incessant gatherers. Always accumulating but rarely applying what they've learned. Which results in a spiritual imbalance. Disharmony of this sort frequently reveals itself through infirmities, vices, and relational struggles.

As you're contemplating these topics you need to ask the Lord for input. Ask Him what He desires you to do with it and pray about the things you're learning while you wait. If it would affect the church negatively pray against it. Don't allow curiosity to carry you places you're not prepared for. When you open that door you must be ready for what's behind it. Many have gotten themselves into situations by exploring topics over their heads.

~bella

 

[venksta]

For the majority, marriage is a union of flesh. It never traverses the spirit. You enter that space through prayer and fellowship and lay the foundation before the union occurs. That's when you learn how to pray and fast. That's when you encounter His sustaining power.

One of the things God brought to mind, is that for us Christ followers, who are seeking another who also follows Christ, Jesus is our foundation to build our relationship upon. Before anything, if you truly view the other person as a brother or sister in Christ, it changes the whole perspective on how to build the relationship. Patience is a trait hard to endure, and learn. However, God can gift you patience. It is needed to take each step of a relationship and develop it around Christ. Wanting something more right away, will make one or both lose experiences and God's best as he prepares you both, for what He has planned.

He'll arrange opportunities and connections that provide the lessons and experiences that shape your character. Which may include interactions with the opposite sex but the majority won't. The more you respond to His counsel the more pointed it becomes. He'll start addressing the desires of your heart and the things you need to do and lay down. He'll groom you for the role if you let Him. But you have to listen.

God recently did that with me. At my church, we've been lacking in sound techs. I've been basically the only one for the past 3 years. As we kept putting in the announcements for the need of help, God stirred the heart of a sister to step up and offer to be trained. The interesting part is, we've been attending the same church for the longest of time, however, I never noticed her until then. I also prayed for her training, that God would give her, and a younger brother, the same wisdom and even greater than I've been given. As part of the training for the sound board, I tested the sister by leveling the sliders down to zero, and allowing her to mix the worship team's sound by ear. She ended up having a superior vocal mix than I would set. I now incorporated it into my own sound mix. The prayer for God to help them ended up being a double blessing for me as well.

 

[DragonFox91]

I used to not like the word ‘religious.’ It made it seem just another man-made belief

Now I actually prefer the word ‘religious.’ I’ve heard too many false teachers say ‘we don’t want to be like those religious Christians’ or ‘we don’t want to be like those religious churches.’

 

[SarahsKnight]

Going to be off to Houston in the morning to get several hours of electrolysis done (remember when I started out doing that, like, three years ago, @bèlla ? And when you heard, you seemed quite amazed that a guy like me does any kind of grooming like waxing, manicures, etc. )

If you would please pray for my safety to and fro on the trip. Even after living there myself for almost three years back in 2015 to 2018, the traffic in many parts of Houston seems a little scary to navigate, to me.

 

[bèlla]

Going to be off to Houston in the morning to get several hours of electrolysis done (remember when I started out doing that, like, three years ago, @bèlla ? And when you heard, you seemed quite amazed that a guy like me does any kind of grooming like waxing, manicures, etc. )

If you would please pray for my safety to and fro on the trip. Even after living there myself for almost three years back in 2015 to 2018, the traffic in many parts of Houston seems a little scary to navigate, to me.

I wasn't surprised about your interest. I'm accustomed to men attending to themselves. But it isn't a subject mentioned often by your sex in Christian circles. Nor did you give inclinations you had that disposition.

I've always felt that a man who attends to himself will do that and more for his lady. That's proven true over the years. ;-)

I'll pray for you during my quiet time in a few hours. Enjoy your trip and rest in the certainty of the Lord's presence.

 

[SarahsKnight]

I wasn't surprised about your interest. I'm accustomed to men attending to themselves. But it isn't a subject mentioned often by your sex in Christian circles. Nor did you give inclinations you had that disposition.

I've always felt that a man who attends to himself will do that and more for his lady. That's proven true over the years. ;-)

I'll pray for you during my quiet time in a few hours. Enjoy your trip and rest in the certainty of the Lord's presence.

Thank you.

 

[GodDoesListen55]

Sighs... I am tired inside and out, and I know that makes no sense, but it is literally how I am feeling right now... I'm sorry.

 

[SarahsKnight]

Sighs... I am tired inside and out, and I know that makes no sense, but it is literally how I am feeling right now... I'm sorry.

No need to be sorry for that, Chelsea.


Thought I'd catch the new remake of Roadhouse on Amazon Video before I went to bed. .... Of course it can never capture the almost smugly 80's charm of Patrick Swayze and Sam Elliot bar-fighting baddies in the original, but I'm enjoying it so far. Not familiar with this Jake Gyllenhaal fellow but he doesn't make a bad modern Dalton at all.

 

[bèlla]

One of the things God brought to mind, is that for us Christ followers, who are seeking another who also follows Christ, Jesus is our foundation to build our relationship upon.

For the most part, I think the majority spend too much time on the subject which inspires longings and discontentment. I've always felt more energy should be invested in preparation and prayer for their intended.

In respect to marriage, I view desire differently. I don't give emotion equal weight with action. If I desire a spouse what am I doing in that respect? How am I moving closer to my goal? What's working or not? Do I need to shift gears, try something different, etc.

Patience isn't stationary or the absence of intention from my perspective. It's actively waiting while other things are in play and making adjustments as needed and reviewing my strategy. If something isn't working I don't persist hoping it will change. I go back to the drawing board and try a different approach.

Most things don't take a long time to accomplish if you're committed. What slows you down is your unwillingness to change. You drag your feet and it takes 10 years to do what you could have done in 5 or less with greater effort.

God recently did that with me. At my church, we've been lacking in sound techs. I've been basically the only one for the past 3 years. As we kept putting in the announcements for the need of help, God stirred the heart of a sister to step up and offer to be trained. The interesting part is, we've been attending the same church for the longest of time, however, I never noticed her until then.

That's wonderful. Why didn't you notice her? You want a wife. ;-)

I also prayed for her training, that God would give her, and a younger brother, the same wisdom and even greater than I've been given. As part of the training for the sound board, I tested the sister by leveling the sliders down to zero, and allowing her to mix the worship team's sound by ear. She ended up having a superior vocal mix than I would set. I now incorporated it into my own sound mix. The prayer for God to help them ended up being a double blessing for me as well.

It's nice when you're in the company of someone who shares your passions. You'll have the richest conversations about a subject others won't entertain. I met someone who shared my interest in fashion a few years ago. He sent a photo of him at shoot with a model. Then he shared a clip from an event he worked at and his bio. I stared at the screen in shock and laughed. When we crossed paths I wasn't aware I'd met a kindred spirit. But over the years I've learned he's my number two. The meeting wasn't coincidental. I was pursuing my purpose.

I'm always astounded when people desire the Lord to bring someone in their lives and they're sitting on a computer or playing video games and never consider their success in those mediums. Oftentimes when a door refuses to open it's probably not the one. You need to try something else.

That wasn't for you but our conversation provided an opportunity for it to be said and someone needs to hear it.

~bella

 

[DragonFox91]

I hear a lot the way you dress has no indication of your standing w/ Christ. I’m not sure how accurate that really is. At least there’s exceptions. Many groups that specifically reject the Gospel dress in ways to show the world they reject it. It is he who clothes you. If you don’t let him clothe you, you could dress differently then when you let him clothe you.