What's on your mind?

Literally exhausted.

The atmosphere in this area has been problematic for some time and contributes to reduced engagement and departures. This is largely the result of smaller numbers and a gender imbalance. Which permitted brooding and complaints and the inevitable arrival of bitterness.

You can't dwell on unpleasantness without consequences. You'll draw likeminded persons and spirits that infest the environment and make it worse. For people who believe in God there's excessive discussion about what's amiss and few solutions.

That's why it's toxic. You have to move beyond what ails to find the answers and ask yourself what am I doing? How am I making a difference? Who is bettered because you're bothered? That's what it means to be Christ's hands and feet. You show up in the problem. Not sit around discussing it.

Some of your challenges are missions in disguise. Opportunities for greater work if you'd lift your eyes beyond your circumstances.

Your inability to find a companion is a ministry.
Your inability to make friends is a ministry.
Your mental, physical and emotional struggles are ministries too.
As is your passion for dating, relationships and gender bias.

Everything that bothers you is an opportunity to bring God in the picture. It's up to you to ask how can I serve? And maybe that's what He's waiting for. Maybe you're the solution.

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

If you want a better forum you have to do the things that cultivate a better atmosphere. It will never exceed its participants.

~bella

bèlla said:

The atmosphere in this area has been problematic for some time and contributes to reduced engagement and departures. This is largely the result of smaller numbers and a gender imbalance. Which permitted brooding and complaints and the inevitable arrival of bitterness.

You can't dwell on unpleasantness without consequences. You'll draw likeminded persons and spirits that infest the environment and make it worse. For people who believe in God there's excessive discussion about what's amiss and few solutions.

That's why it's toxic. You have to move beyond what ails to find the answers and ask yourself what am I doing? How am I making a difference? Who is bettered because you're bothered? That's what it means to be Christ's hands and feet. You show up in the problem. Not sit around discussing it.

Some of your challenges are missions in disguise. Opportunities for greater work if you'd lift your eyes beyond your circumstances.

Your inability to find a companion is a ministry.
Your inability to make friends is a ministry.
Your mental, physical and emotional struggles are ministries too.
As is your passion for dating, relationships and gender bias.

Everything that bothers you is an opportunity to bring God in the picture. It's up to you to ask how can I serve? And maybe that's what He's waiting for. Maybe you're the solution.

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

If you want a better forum you have to do the things that cultivate a better atmosphere. It will never exceed its participants.

~bella

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This is spot on. Instead of focusing on what is wrong with everyone else, ask yourself what you are doing to fulfill the great commission. Are we trying to edify others and bring honor to Christ's name? That is every Christian's personal responsibility.

One of my favorite quotes by John Wesley is such a good reminder of what our outlook needs to be:

bèlla said:

Are you sure you aren't an ambivert? They're a bit of both as needed.

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Oh, possibly. I don't tend to take such terms to heart anyway, it's only a rough guide.

Thank you for your prayers, I'll report back in time with another receipt .

ReesePiece23 said:

Oh, possibly. I don't tend to take such terms to heart anyway, it's only a rough guide.

Thank you for your prayers, I'll report back in time with another receipt .

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You needn't thank me. You know that. But I'd like a report on your travels when time permits.

With regards to earlier comments about bad dreams, I have re-lived old forgotten memories while under the influence of THC and have been able to put an entirely new spin on things - thus in some sense, eliminating some of the PTSD that surrounded past traumas. I made the choice to view them through a different lens and have in essence, turned them on their head into something truly inspiring.

I'll get it in the neck now from some of you for being "a drug user" - but bear in mind, alcohol (the stuff you can legally buy right now - 24hrs a day I might add) will NEVER do this. All it'll do is poison you very slowly if consumed at the rate a lot of folk do.

Under strict moderation, THC is a wonderful thing. Just so long as you don't view it as a recreational drug.

The weather is still not warm even though it's Spring. >_<

GodJesusAndChocolate said:

I've been reading Manga again!! ^w^ =3

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Hadn't bought one of those since college, I think. It was Magic Knight Rayearth. ^-^

bèlla said:

*smiling in the shadows @venksta*

It's been far too long since we've been blessed with your presence and input. I hope you're well and the Lord has kept and prospered you in your time away.

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Hi @bèlla . Didn't realize people had noticed me when I was some what active awhile back, lol. I've been mostly lurking here. If I were to share anything from the time away, that is God has given me much insight on the strengths of being single, and the opportunities it presents to serve Him. Compared to a situation if I was already in a relationship, or married. I'll chime in perhaps in the other thread, as you pointed out something God has put in my heart, which is courting versus dating, for Christians.

bèlla said:

The atmosphere in this area has been problematic for some time and contributes to reduced engagement and departures. This is largely the result of smaller numbers and a gender imbalance. Which permitted brooding and complaints and the inevitable arrival of bitterness.

You can't dwell on unpleasantness without consequences. You'll draw likeminded persons and spirits that infest the environment and make it worse. For people who believe in God there's excessive discussion about what's amiss and few solutions.

That's why it's toxic. You have to move beyond what ails to find the answers and ask yourself what am I doing? How am I making a difference? Who is bettered because you're bothered? That's what it means to be Christ's hands and feet. You show up in the problem. Not sit around discussing it.

Some of your challenges are missions in disguise. Opportunities for greater work if you'd lift your eyes beyond your circumstances.

Your inability to find a companion is a ministry.
Your inability to make friends is a ministry.
Your mental, physical and emotional struggles are ministries too.
As is your passion for dating, relationships and gender bias.

Everything that bothers you is an opportunity to bring God in the picture. It's up to you to ask how can I serve? And maybe that's what He's waiting for. Maybe you're the solution.

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

If you want a better forum you have to do the things that cultivate a better atmosphere. It will never exceed its participants.

~bella

Click to expand...

Being a follower of Jesus, means we give up oneself. However, it seems there is still much of a wilderness we walk through, as we put off the old man, and become the new man in Christ. The apostle Paul talks about a race. We don't know where the finish line is for each of us, and some tend to get lost and find their current place in the race, as if it is the finish line. Christ is always ahead of us, and as Christ showed himself to be a servant, so must we seek God to have a servant's heart. We're each given gifts, and are a part of the body of Christ. I believe if one truly desires God's best for themselves, and that includes a relationship with someone who you might one day wed, God will speak to you, and show you His ways. Which are much better than the ways man's wisdom tells us.

You make great points here @bèlla . These opportunities we have right now to serve, are God's way to prepare us, for the one He has planned for us as a partner and spouse.

I have been doing a lot of self-reflection recently, and I am just trying to figure out who I truly am.

GodDoesListen55 said:

I have been doing a lot of self-reflection recently, and I am just trying to figure out who I truly am.

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

venksta said:

Hi @bèlla . Didn't realize people had noticed me when I was some what active awhile back, lol. I've been mostly lurking here. If I were to share anything from the time away, that is God has given me much insight on the strengths of being single, and the opportunities it presents to serve Him. Compared to a situation if I was already in a relationship, or married. I'll chime in perhaps in the other thread, as you pointed out something God has put in my heart, which is courting versus dating, for Christians.

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Of course you were noticed! I've always enjoyed your exchanges with @GospelS and her presence is missed much like you were. You brought a richness and spiritual depth to our discussions that I appreciate.

I have a different perspective on time due to previous illnesses. I see hours differently and grasp the necessity of making the most of our moments. They go faster than we realize. I'm delving deep on seasonality and see parallels in His movements. There are things we're meant to do and accomplish during certain periods. Attuning myself to His cadence is a priority.

It's pleasing to hear you've had similar insights and I look forward to your feedback. The more edifying discourse we have the more we're bettered spiritually.

venksta said:

I believe if one truly desires God's best for themselves, and that includes a relationship with someone who you might one day wed, God will speak to you, and show you His ways. Which are much better than the ways man's wisdom tells us.

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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.

When you have difficulty being alone you're not praying enough. Not enough as in communion with God. But the appropriate ferocity to address the problem. The bigger the issue the more stamina (spiritual) you require. You can apply the same to any situation.

The person who desires to marry whose longings are deep must spend more time on their knees. Not asking for a spouse or raging for lack of opportunities. You have to ask Him to prepare you and teach you how to love, serve and give and be receptive to His input.

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.

venksta said:

You make great points here @bèlla . These opportunities we have right now to serve, are God's way to prepare us, for the one He has planned for us as a partner and spouse.

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If you wanted to spend the rest of your life with someone why wouldn't you prepare? Why wouldn't you become a prayer warrior? Why wouldn't you be conversant in the word? Why wouldn't you pray for your future spouse on a daily basis? Why wouldn't you work through painful experiences? Why wouldn't you learn new skills that would benefit the union? Why wouldn't you address your impediments? Why wouldn't you improve your communication?

When words and actions (faith + works) match we get heaven's attention. When we back it up with prayer we get heaven's involvement. The one you seek isn't in a cradle. They're walking around.

We should be praying in the things we seek in our marriage and praying out the things we don't. Start with the person and their lifestyle and walk with God. Move to their environment, connections, work, family, etc.

We can make a world of difference while we wait.

~bella

Tranquil Bondservant said:

Sorry if I've contributed to the combative atmosphere amongst the sub-forum recently, I have been trying my best to have productive and meaningful discussions but I have been butting heads too much.

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

Tranquil Bondservant said:

I've tried to make friendly threads that people might get something out of and contribute to ones as best I can without being argumentative, however even in these instances I find no matter what I do it ends up getting corrupted and turns into an arguing fest.

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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.

Tranquil Bondservant said:

I have tried to mind my own business and post in one of my favourite threads (the Bible verses one) but even there the contention followed me and I was hounded for no real reason. I apologise to @bèlla specifically (and anyone else to whom it applies) if I have allowed my engaging with more antagonistic elements to corrupt any discourse I have had with you, it was never my intention to disagree in such a manner.

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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

bèlla said:

with @GospelS and her presence is missed much like you were.

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Thank you, Bella.

I had some major disruptions in my home. I'm fulfilling the roles of a husband and a father. I must say it's Him fulfilling these roles through me. It has been seven years on this journey and I hear Him say, "Well done, good and faithful servant!"

Concerning the topic of marriage and relationships, some have entered into His glory and I think it is a dangerous thing to speak anything against Christian weddings. Some recent posts on this forum reveal people's lack of insight into the feasts of the Lord.

GospelS said:

Thank you, Bella.

I had some major disruptions in my home. I'm fulfilling the roles of a husband and a father. I must say it's Him fulfilling these roles through me. It has been seven years on this journey and I hear Him say, "Well done, good and faithful servant!"

Concerning the topic of marriage and relationships, some have entered into His glory and I think it is a dangerous thing to speak anything against Christian weddings. Some recent posts on this forum reveal people's lack of insight into the feasts of the Lord.

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I agree with you. Christianity is a faith of joy and celebrations. That is what heaven will be: an eternal celebration of Christ in his glory. It's also very comforting to think of our departed loved ones who are now partaking in that bliss and joy.

Hi, Miss @GospelS .

The rather enchanting lady in your avatar kind of reminds me of so many portrayals of Diao Chan from the numerous Dynasty Warriors games.

bèlla said:

@SarahsKnight

This is appeared on my feed and I thought of you. The channel is devoted to Studio Ghibli music.

BGM Totoro Studio

Welcome to BGM Totoro Studio .While you are here I will try to bring you the best, latest and most emotional Ghibli piano music.❤ Thank you for visiting my channel. ⏩ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdg_xadHqcIT40t-rgwuSZg

m.youtube.com

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Was listening to this one last night from that channel. Thanks, Bella.

SarahsKnight said:

Hi, Miss @GospelS .

The rather enchanting lady in your avatar kind of reminds me of so many portrayals of Diao Chan from the numerous Dynasty Warriors games.

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Well, I think I found something for you! It's from the Howl's Moving Castle.