...Before anyone else leaves this forum

[Time2BCounted]

I would like to say i understand your anger and your sentiments, and i believe we would agree in opinion, but i question the wisdom of leaving.

Bear with me and realize first that i dont want to offend any of you because generally speaking, many things here are angering and saddening i agree. We do see darkness taking new strongholds.

Now let me ask you, when does the room need the lights lit, in the day with the windows open, or at night when darkness has taken over the light outside?

I think you may be leaving at the wrong time. I understand your protest, but there are ways that protesting together can have positive results, and if you leave, you also leave the burden on fewer and fewer shoulders... and the less shoulders to carry the burden, the weaker our overall strength and influence here.

It is ENTIRELY BECAUSE OF the darkness taking new strongholds, that YOU remaining is even more important... now not just holding the fort, but guarding souls and standing together as one powerful body.

We can do this imho

With God for us how can we not roar like a lion with the meekness of a lamb? I dont know if you are considering the light we can truly be when people see us stop fighting amongst ourselves and uniting as one powerful body simply to say 'enough is enough' change. But to be this voice we need to all stand together, each one is all important to create a strong voice.

God charged Ezekiel, telling him he was a watcher on the wall, and that is was his responsibility to warn the people. I believe we still have this same obligation to stand as watchmen... also, understand i am not personally judging anyone, but isnt it the hireling that flees? We need shepherds who will stand against the wolves for the sake of the flock.

[3girls2dogs]

My heart hurts...my stomach hurts.

:cry: :cry:

I came back to CF swearing that I would never let it get to me again. :sigh:

[Time2BCounted]

My heart hurts...my stomach hurts.

:cry: :cry:

I came back to CF swearing that I would never let it get to me again. :sigh:
It really is ok sis. You see evil and it bothers you, this is a good thing, and youre not alone. Many here all feel and see the same.

I believe in life you are strong, having to live up to that nic lol, even in troubled times. This forum and these people need the strongest stand possible and youre part of this. Every one here is truly and sincerely NEEDED.

How can the eye tell the hand it is not important, and why should the intestine feel of less value than the nose?

How would the body work without every one of its members?

Trust your need here is great, and standing, youll be strengthened, we are a body and Christ is our head

[Andy Broadley]

I'm staying and I'm fighting for CF

Foru.mess it may be now, but I'll fight

In fact to badly misquote the founder of the Salvation Army, General William Booth....

While CF suffers, as it does now, I'll fight.
While people are forced out, as they are now, I'll fight
While all we hold true is swept away, as it it is now, I'll fight.
While Satanists & Pagans plunder our beloved CF, while Christians are marginalised, while there yet remains one dark soul without the light of God, I'll fight.
I'll fight to the very end.

[rrguy]

Yeah I almost think like it is a way of letting what you disagree with win?

[Time2BCounted]

Yeah I almost think like it is a way of letting what you disagree with win?
Amen

And who wants to hand him the board? No onward christian soldiers, the time of the battle is not the time to flee the fight

[Andy Broadley]

Amen

And who wants to hand him the board? No onward christian soldiers, the time of the battle is not the time to flee the fight

1.
Be strong in the grace of the Lord,
Be noble and upright and true,
Be valiant for God and the right,
Live daily your duty to do.
Be strong! Be strong!
And God will your courage renew.

2.
Be strong in the grace of the Lord,
For wholehearted service prepare;
Be thoughtful for all who are weak,
And hasten their burdens to share.
Be strong! Be strong!
Be eager to do and to dare.

3.
Be strong in the grace of the Lord,
Be armed with the power of his might;
Be daring when dangers abound,
Courageous and brave in the fight.
Be strong! Be strong!
And victory will be your delight.

[Rhamiel]

I like it in CF, I might not leave OBOB though, because of recent events when I go to other sub-forums and the recent events with the unchristian element of this site. This sub-forum seems nice but you have to make something of it, I will stick around here for a bit

[3girls2dogs]

I'm leaving.......
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Ok, just to go hang out with my doggies and watch some Scrubs (because it makes me laugh and I need that right now)

Fooled ya!!

Thanks for the thread Time2be....it was nice to read :hug:

[Time2BCounted]

Hey Look at the strength already here, amen.

Its time now we all think and talk about where and how to focus this strength.

Goals?

I think one is to stand for the enforcing of the rule prohibiting promotion of things against Christ.

If we stand together we can get this.

Another goal is to draw actual lines, for instance, is declaring a satanic sonnet beautiful 'promotion'? If not 'why not'? Give us strict standard for this, or tell us it is a loose anything goes standard, but lets get it out on the table.

Ask why this board took a sudden turn left and let it be known all we want is an honest answer.

Ask if we are going to be the butt of future changes as well. If every turn thus taken has been a turn against the gospel and against the conservative christian thus far, what guarantee to we have we arent just going to be eventually swept under the carpet, or chased form here by banning techniques, or ridding us of our own mods only to replace them with mods who arent quite representative os us as conservatives.

We need to draw things up now and come together on them and develop our strategies to get these things across.

I'll bet you can come up with some direction here too

Calling forums which reject the term 'christian' as 'christian'

[soblessed53]

Wow, I can't understand why anyone thinks this "pit of hell" is worth fighting for?

I knew within months of joining this site back in '05 that this was no Christian site! So it's not like Christians are losing something that this place never was to begin with!

It isn't like there are not more "genuinely" Christian forums around!

Now while browsing here on your threads,I find out about the secret satanic forum right here on this For.Ums site!

http://foru.ms/t6141640-outrageous-support-ruling.html
http://foru.ms/t6142238-refuge.html#post39050746

I only stopped in to check my PMS from folks I have notified of my leaving,and to lurk and see what has been happening,but I could not resist expressing my amazement at this way of thinking that this devil's playground is, or ever was anything but a deceptive farce,and there is not even any longer any excuse about being deceived about it! :eek: :sick:

Why on earth would folks think God WANTS to save this EVIL place,instead of listening to Him trying to tell you to get AWAY from it?:confused: :scratch:

My prayers are with you.:prayer: :prayer: :prayer:

[Criada]

God doesn't save places, He saves people.
And there are many here who need to hear what we can tell them !
I've tried to leave several times - but God won't let me.
And He has done and can do wonderful things here!

[KarenJoy]

God doesn't save places, He saves people.
And there are many here who need to hear what we can tell them !
I've tried to leave several times - but God won't let me.
And He has done and can do wonderful things here!

Amen Sis

I'm staying here

We need to stand (or sit) together to encourage and support one another

[~free~]

I won't be going anywhere. Like Criada, I've tried leaving...and it ended up just being a break. I have seen so many people here being uplifted...there is no doubt in my mind that God is working through this forum. And with my experiences, when strife comes on strong, it means great things are being done.

[bill16652]

Hey Look at the strength already here, amen.

Its time now we all think and talk about where and how to focus this strength.

Goals?

I think one is to stand for the enforcing of the rule prohibiting promotion of things against Christ.

If we stand together we can get this.

Another goal is to draw actual lines, for instance, is declaring a satanic sonnet beautiful 'promotion'? If not 'why not'? Give us strict standard for this, or tell us it is a loose anything goes standard, but lets get it out on the table.

Ask why this board took a sudden turn left and let it be known all we want is an honest answer.

Ask if we are going to be the butt of future changes as well. If every turn thus taken has been a turn against the gospel and against the conservative christian thus far, what guarantee to we have we arent just going to be eventually swept under the carpet, or chased form here by banning techniques, or ridding us of our own mods only to replace them with mods who arent quite representative os us as conservatives.

We need to draw things up now and come together on them and develop our strategies to get these things across.

I'll bet you can come up with some direction here too

Calling forums which reject the term 'christian' as 'christian'Good luck wioth that, I will help you fight the good fight but in case you havent noticed in the past Erwin does not get pinned down much and even if he does he is the owner and can change or do anything he wants. This is not the first nor probably the last crisis this site will go through, just this IMO is the most serious crisis we have faced as a Christian board

[rmw8855]

I'm not leaving. I have prayed about this frequently and I honestly feel that this is where I am supposed to be. The light must shine in the darkness.

My concern is that we must not sink to the same level as those who walk in darkness - name calling, fighting, etc. is not the way to touch hearts and help change minds. We are God's embassadors here and we need to act appropriately by walking in love.

[SunMessenger]

I got the private message on this but I can not read it all right now. I am now subscribed. I will catch up and read all this later.

Thanks Time2BCounted ...

Sun

[ladybug1980]

I joined the forum after the changes so I guess I can't tell much difference at the time between how it is now and how it was then. I used to lurk a little when it was called Christian Forums.

I don't really care for the fact that Christian Forums was renamed though. Is it some form of political correctness going on? It seems that political correctness comes at the expense of being truly open about Christianity sometimes. Not that we can't be open HERE, but I'm talking about otherwise.

[~*Lady Trekki*~]

God doesn't save places, He saves people.
And there are many here who need to hear what we can tell them !
I've tried to leave several times - but God won't let me.
And He has done and can do wonderful things here!

Amen Sis

I'm staying here

We need to stand (or sit) together to encourage and support one another

I won't be going anywhere. Like Criada, I've tried leaving...and it ended up just being a break. I have seen so many people here being uplifted...there is no doubt in my mind that God is working through this forum. And with my experiences, when strife comes on strong, it means great things are being done.

I'm not leaving. I have prayed about this frequently and I honestly feel that this is where I am supposed to be. The light must shine in the darkness.

My concern is that we must not sink to the same level as those who walk in darkness - name calling, fighting, etc. is not the way to touch hearts and help change minds. We are God's embassadors here and we need to act appropriately by walking in love.

Amen! :hug: I agree and stand with you all. :)

[ladybug1980]

Even with any changes (that I may not be totally aware of right now), this place for me is pretty habit-forming. It didn't use to be, but it became that way after I registered and started posting. There seems to be so many interesting posts here from so many different kinds of forums to choose from. I really love going to the Congregation section and sometimes I like to go to the Life Stages section but frankly that section can give me the blues.

[ladybug1980]

although as a conservative I don't care for the Liberal forum! :sigh:

[ContentInHim]

Time2B - I'm reading the hundreds of emails that get backed up in my inbox and came across this essay in a Prophetic Newsletter I get. There's no way to click for the whole thing so I'm just going to drop it in here for us all!

Are You Guarding Your Gates - by Clarence H. Wagner, Jr.
In ancient times, the city gate was the busiest place in the city. Near or just inside the gates, there were courtyards or a broadening of the street where much of the city’s social, business and legal interaction took place. There is where we find the reading of the Law and proclamations taking place (Joshua 20:4; II Chronicles 32:6; Nehemiah 8:1, 3); where justice was administered as the elders judged legal cases and business transactions (Deuteronomy 16:18; II Samuel 15:2; Amos 5:10-15); where news was exchanged and discussed (Genesis 19:1), and local gossip was spread (Psalm 69:12). It was a place where markets flourished, e.g. the Fish Gate (Nehemiah 3:3) or the Sheep Gate (Nehemiah 3:1) in Jerusalem, and where trading centers for imported items (Isaiah 3:18-24) were established.
Prophets and priests delivered admonitions and pronouncements at the gates (Isaiah 29:21; Amos 5:10: Jeremiah 17:19, etc.). Criminals were punished just outside the gates (I Kings 21:10, Acts 7:58). The city gate was even the place where one could attract the attention of the sovereign or dignitary (II Samuel 19:8; I Kings 22:10; Esther 2:19, 21; 3:2). It was where strangers who were visiting the city passed the night, if they had no place to stay.
To be chosen as an elder to sit at the gate of the city was an honorable position (Proverbs 31:23; Daniel 2:49), although it became a curse for Lot who chose to be an elder at the gate of Sodom where he compromised his stand for the Lord (Genesis 19:1).
Defending the City Began at the Gates
Since the gates of a city were the only way in or out of the city, the large doors of the gateway, which were made of metal and wood (Psalm 107:16; Isaiah 45:2), were secured at night with iron or wooden cross bars (I Kings 4:13; Nehemiah 3:13) for the protection of the inhabitants. The main gate of each city was large enough for the entry of chariots and carts. It was carefully designed and built to deter the entrance of enemy soldiers, as this was the most vulnerable place in the walls of a city. The gates were often flanked by towers (II Samuel 18:24, 33) on which watchmen stood, day and night.
Some gates were built in a zigzag design, like the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem. This caused a man on horseback to slow down and open the defensive stance of his body as he maneuvered his horse through the passage, making it easier for defenders to kill him. Other gates allowed straight passage into the city, like those of Solomon’s great walled cities. They had multiple chambers in the passageway from which soldiers could attack intruders as a first line of defense, e.g. David awaited Absalom’s army in one of these chambers (I Samuel 18:24). Most gates had vertical and horizontal openings, above and around the doors, through which to throw boiling liquids, spears, rocks, arrows and other sharp objects upon enemy soldiers. The Lord promised strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate (Isaiah 28:6).
The Gate Signified Authority
In the Bible, the gate was more than the entrance and exit to a city. Figuratively, it represented the place of authority and the glory of the city (Isaiah 3:26; Jeremiah 14:2). Like "fringes of the garment," which represented the authority of a man, so too, the gate represented the place of authority of a city, where the elders sat. Scripture even refers to supernatural authority as the "gates of heaven" (Genesis 28:17) and the "gates of hell" (Matthew 16:18). The biblical term, "to be within the gates," referred to being under the authority of the elders of the city who presided in the gates (Deuteronomy 15:7; 31:13).
In battle, to "possess the gates" is a biblical term meaning to possess the city (Genesis 22:17; 24:60). In the story of Samson, he took this quite literally. In his day, Israel was under the control of the Philistines, a cruel and hateful people. Samson went down to the Philistine city of Gaza, where they had laid a trap for him and waited in the city gate to kill him. At midnight Samson tore their city gates, doorposts and cross bars from the walls of the city (the symbol of their authority), and carried them off to Hebron, an Israelite city. This was a symbolic act of triumph for Israel and of humiliation for the Philistines (Judges 16:2-3).
The Israelites were instructed to establish this authority with judges at the city gates (Deuteronomy 16:18), as a place of judgment to insure justice and obedience to God’s laws by the people. Another function of the elders at the gate was to protect the city and their people from the outside world. The gate was the most vulnerable point in these ancient, walled cities, and it was necessary to place judges there to interview those entering the city to be sure their presence was welcomed. Evildoers who might cheat, steal or break the laws of the city were not allowed to enter or stay in the city (Deuteronomy 17:2-5). When archaeologists uncovered the main city gate at Tel Dan, they discovered the seat of the chief elder–a throne-like platform where he and the other elders interviewed and evaluated those coming into the city and also heard and judged the grievances of those within the city.
Honoring the Gates of Our Homes and Our Lives
While we may not have any control over who enters our cities today, we personally do have that authority in our own homes, which God places under our authority. You see, the door of the home is also a gateway. In Hebrew, a gateway or doorway is the same word, sha’ar, and the Bible has much to say about our responsibility to keep the focus of our homes on the Lord.
Deuteronomy 11:18a-20a, says: "Therefore you shall lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul . . . you shall teach them to your children, speaking of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, that your days and the days of your children may be multiplied . . ."
Ever since Moses spoke these words, the Jewish people have literally placed God’s Word on the gates of their cities and on the doorframes of their homes–on the doorframes of the entrances to the house and on the doors to each room in the house used for living purposes. The scriptures from Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and 11:13-21 are rolled up and placed inside a mezuzah, which is a small metal, stone, wooden or ceramic box nailed on the right doorframe. Throughout the ages, faithful Jews have touched the mezuzah upon entering and exiting buildings, homes and individual rooms, which has the effect of keeping them focused on the Lord, whom they serve. Believe me, paying that kind of attention to the Lord, if done sincerely, would cause you to consider deeply the kinds of activities and thoughts you would engage in.
We have a place of responsibility before God and to our families to uphold the precepts of God and "guard the gates" of our homes–guarding against negative outside influences that would detract from a God-centered environment (Deuteronomy 17:2-5; 21:18-19). God will honor this commitment to him.
A striking example of this is found in the story of Passover. Moses told the people to slay a lamb and place the blood on the doorposts and lintel of their home. Then the angel of death would pass over the door and not allow the destroyer to come into their houses to strike any who were in the home, Israelite or not (Exodus 12:22-23). Those who obeyed were spared.
Being responsible over the "door" of our home also includes those who come into our home and how they behave. Deuteronomy 31:12-13 says, "Gather the people together, men and women and little ones, and the stranger who is within your gates, that they may hear and that they may learn to fear the Lord your God and carefully observe all the words of this law, and that their children, who have not known it, may hear and learn to fear the Lord your God as long as you live in the land which you cross the Jordan to possess."
Not only does "guarding the gate" involve who and what comes into the front or back door, but through other vulnerable access points, or gateways, into our home. This would include television, radio and even reading material. Just as the ancient elders of the cities of Israel were to keep unsavory things from entering the city to protect their people, we have that charge over our place of authority. The prophet Isaiah spoke sharply to Israel about the sinful practices that went on in their homes (Isaiah 57:8).
What are we watching on television, or listening to on the radio? What magazines and books enter our home? In a world that has moved far from the values of the Bible, it is easy to find the influences of the world creeping in upon us and chipping away at our biblical values, right in our own homes. A chip here and a chip there, and before you know it, we are guilty of the same sin as Israel who flirted with the things of the world in opposition to the biblical precepts of God.
That spelled disaster for ancient Israel, and it will spell disaster for us, as well. None of us is immune, and we find we have to be a true "watchman at the gate" of our home, daily. Old-fashioned or not, I find it exciting to take a stand and glorify the Lord in our home, bringing up our children in the "nurture and admonition of the Lord." (Ephesians 6:4), and then watching how the Lord blesses this effort. For those of us who are parents, it is our responsibility to "train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6). This all begins in our homes.
Finally, out of our mouths come forth what is in our hearts. Your words reveal your heart which speaks evil, or righteousness that leads to salvation (Matthew 15:18; Luke 6:45; Romans 10:10). Our mouth is the "gateway" that proclaims what is really going on in our lives. So the Psalmist cries out to the Lord, "Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips" (Psalm 141:3). The Lord expects us, with His help, to guard every aspect of our lives under our authority.
Setting Up the Defenses
Just as the ancient walled cities defended their inhabitants against the "enemy" who would seek to destroy them, we need to stand guard in our home and guard our lips for the Lord. Just as the gate was configured in a way to deter outside attack, so we need to be prepared, through prayer and action to protect those "within our gates," our families and those who visit us. We need to set and maintain a standard that we can defend our families from ungodly, un-biblical influences.
Jesus uses the image of the gate to express how we need to conduct our lives: "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it" (Matthew 7:13). We can do this by establishing a biblical home environment that imparts the love, joy and wisdom of the Lord through following biblical values. Then, when compared with the standard of the world, a home set apart for the Lord will prove itself to be the "higher ground" that will be sought after by family and friends and will produce the fruit of righteousness for the Lord.
Let’s encourage each other in creative ways to protect the gates of our homes and hearts. We can impart the Lord within our gates, rather than simply letting the world take over via TV, video, radio and magazines, and by the people who visit there. Let’s be pro-active like the elders at the gate. Check out who and what comes into your home and make it a little corner of the Kingdom of God that attracts others because of the joy, life and light of God that is expressed there.
We who dwell in the Kingdom of God need to live righteously and thankfully before the Lord. To be found in His presence, "within His gate," we will have joy and gladness. "This is the gate of the Lord, Through which the righteous shall enter" (Psalm 118:20). "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name" (Psalm 100:4).


If we are not permitted to guard our gates, then perhaps the city has already been taken over!

[Time2BCounted]

I would say in essence you are right, the enemy has taken over and just as prophesied we see the foreshadowing of the power of the saints being broken.

Excellent word on guarding the gates, amen.

Now though, even if the city is already taken, does it really matter which side of the gate we are on, as long as we have to fight for it? There is a strategy for every battle that allows us to stand and make the most of what we have available to battle with.

We are christians can battle to retake the gates, if we would only drop all divisions among us and be one voice. :)

[bill16652]

I think on this issue we are pretty much one voice but it does no good when one can overrule a thousand. There are areas that Christians agree on although not as many as I would like but the fact remains that we can rally forces together and have but when one can overrule then the problem is not coming together but rather what does this site really want. How many staff have you seen disappear it is almost impossible to keep up with the changes, let alone knopw the reasons for them. Many staff resigned over conviction and simple burnout after one to many dramas that could be prevented by direct talk as to the site itself and decisions being open.