1. dagazz
   Member

   I though it would be helpful to discuss concepts of meeting on internet sites.
   This site has had times of great unity, encouragement and power, and it is my hope to see it grow in this regard.
   As with any Christian activity it will meet resistance, I just believe we as believers can be an example in how to conduct ourselves online.

   I think people learning to actually interact as a community, and learning and growing in this is also a good way to improve things.
   Some may argue that this is the internet, it's not the same, etc... but I still see people gathering in Jesus' name, sharing His word and at times ministering to each other.

   If everyone posting here could imagine they have gathered in a home to share, and related on that basis, a great deal of the bullying, dominating, accusations, rudeness, and other things this site has gone through while I have been here could be put to an end.

   Ask yourself this... you are "in the room" finally feeling comfortable to share something with the group, and pour out your heart, contribute an answer you have been wrestling with for weeks, or contribute in some other way.
   Your heart misses a beat... the group briefly pauses, then carries on as though nothing has happened, totally ignoring you... or worse, they go on the defensive, launch attacks against you or take offense.

   Would you go back to the group? I wouldn't
   Yet I see this happening here often... It would not be tolerated in a cell group, actually I have seen such behavior nearly ruin some promising groups. Sometimes on the "faceless" WWW we feel free to act in ways that we never would face to face.
   What do people think?
   thanks
   G

   Posted 1 year ago #

2. nicole
   Member

   While the turkey is in the oven and things are now quiet for a while, I would love to see this.

   Actually I have shown and shared a "few" of these responses to a couple of people and they were literally apalled and could see nothing but flesh, and much opinions or anxiety from a few that was so out of line trying to prove a point .

   One person asked "why are you even trying to write on this" (they didn't know that it took me a year to write on it and only few posts that the Lord truly guided my hands and thoughts and words) but another asked "are these Christian adults writing some of these things? They sound like some bullies in a play yard at recess time , and what value are they portraying on a website that many might come to and say "If this is Christian brothers and sisters, I don't want anything to do w/ them."

   Some topics are good, even great and some comments are just the same, but many times I have seen "the bullies push around , or even bleep out others because it didn't fit well w/ them.

   None of this is of Christ, yes, there will always be those that disagree w/ us, and that is human.

   Many have been "out of church" in the "wilderness" for so long that some of these "social skills" have been lost and sometimes the monitors are allowing people to just "duke it out" and I have heard it all, "we try to give lea way" but truly seeing childish stuff, is more than leeway, when someone that has never seen this sight remarks at what "they are viewing" as not of the Lord Jesus Christ.

   Thank you for posting this and may we all truly search our hearts , let go of more of "self" and just because we don't agree w/ one another TAKE IT TO THE LORD, and Maybe HE will open your eyes, or give you what HE THINKS. Or get a computer buddy and voice your concerns to them. I have gotten some good feedback when I have done that and it ministers greatly.

   Thanks for this thread and I hope it "stays alive"!!

   Posted 1 year ago #

3. thos
   Member

   Dagazz,

   This is a very important topic, I will contribute a bit later on when I have time.

   Blessings,

   Carl Emerson.

   Posted 1 year ago #

4. Anonymous
   Unregistered

   Gary, I loved reading this the first time, and even more so now.

   It is a good idea to imagine being in a literal room with one another here.

   How about going even further and imagining that you are actually adressing some people in their 70's here... Would that not bring more respect?

   I have often thought that people would not say certain things if they were actually face-to-face with others here.

   A friend of mine had a vision of a woman sitting outside a supermarket shivering with cold, blood oozing out of wounds, some hair pulled out, and crying... Her soul immediately reached out to this woman and she asked the Lord who it was, where could she find her, and what could she do? The Lord replied that that was how He saw the hearts of people, and she passed them in the street every day.

   Most people we are conversing with on the net are beaten up, wounded, broken, starving, crying, and out in the cold...

   Our respect towards them would be very different face-to-face if they were literally that on the outside.

   Let us bind up eachothers' hearts.

   How about picking one person from here (the one who means the least to you) and pray something each day for them that you would want for yourself...?

   Posted 1 year ago #

5. Roger Souden
   Member

   Gary - I have had thoughts about this - the 'internet/forum environment' versus a 'room of people' or a 'one on one' situation.

   The forum reminds me of the old telephone 'party line' where you were never sure who was or wasn't 'listening in' to a private phone conversation. So, in that respect, a forum is open to the world (literally), for any one to chime in with comments and advice.

   In a 'closed room', or 'one on one' situation, you have the privacy and personal contact for sharing on a deeper level.

   I suppose the important thing for everyone to remember is that Almighty God hears every word, see's every action, knows every thought, and discerns every heart - no matter what environment, or how the conversation is shared.

   So, whilst we can hide from other people, behind a computer link, and a nickname - none of us can ever hide anything from God.

   Early on in my 'forum' involvement, God gave me a very clear understanding (awareness) of a 'gallery of watchers' who read these words we write, and are influenced by the attitudes presented in this, or any other forum.

   This God given 'awareness' has influenced the words that I use, as does waiting on Him to see whether I should comment, and how.

   In my short time here I too have seen various ones come and go, and I know that I have had input into some leaving by the questions that I have asked.

   Would I have asked those questions if I had been in the same room with that person..? Yes, I believe that I would.

   The advantage of the forum environment is that one can be asked a question and not have to give a response the same hour, or even the same day :-)

   One can, (maybe should..?), go before the Lord Jesus and wait on Him as to whether and how one should answer.

   In His love,
   Roger

   *

   Added: this post took a while to type, and I have now just seen yours Intercessor - a huge Amen to the 'respect' of others. I see this as 'me' following Christ Jesus as His servant to others :-)

   Posted 1 year ago #

6. Kevin
   Member

   I posted this here http://www.johnthebaptisttv.com/bbpress/topic/2957 and I believe this needs to considered on this thread as in the online environment the following issues can cause much strife .

   It was as follows;

   DISCERNING the works of the enemy

   Discernment; What is it ? What isn't it ? Who does it come from ?

   Discernment is not a function of human intellect, emotions or feelings , nor is it judgements made from our feelings about the way a person expresses themselves in written form.

   True discernment comes from the Spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ.
   It is the ability to see/know what is spiritualy behind what we see or hear in the natural realm.

   When we humans walk with a mixture of our own feelings and the Holy Spirit, we become canon fodder for our enemy satan, who will use every wrong feeling from self to cause division and suspicion , and use every time we are guided by the Holy Spirit to validate the parts of self that are still walking by feelings and wrong judgements.

   Being offended, defensive, justifing ourselves, are any of these feelings the fruit of the Holy Spirit ?
   Do any of these feelings come to us from our Lord Jesus Christ ? see Galatians 5:16>>26

   Many followers of Lord Jesus Christ today, walk in a mixture of self that is yet to be transformed along with the presense of the Holy Spirit.
   When self starts to use the presense of our Lord in our lives, to justify and defend the works of self, we easily fall into the traps that our enemy sets to snare us , to keep us in a holding pattern, so we wont mature to become effective servants for our Lord Jesus Christ.

   See Mark 16:16>>18 and Luke 10:17>>20 for the words of our Lord Jesus Christ to his effective servants.

   We can't keep allowing the enemy to come amoungst us in all forms of fellowship , to cause divisions in the body of Christ.

   We must all do all that we can to lay down every bit of self that would bind us and blind us making us ineffective servants for our Lord Jesus Christ.
   It is only by His power in us, that true transformation takes place. Self can not transform self.

   In His love

   Kevin

   Posted 1 year ago #

7. dagazz
   Member

   Thank you all for your responses.
   Nicole, good point, I think healthy disagreement and discussion is a skill we need to grow in.

   Intercessor, I love the image that you presented, how easily we forget the struggles and hurts of others... I will not be offended in the slightest if people want to imagine I am in my 70's, unlike the world, in God's kingdom, with age comes honor and wisdom, not just grey hair.

   Thanks for the wise comments Roger, sometimes just waiting and praying is a good idea, usually the rapid fire responses can lead to hurt and misunderstanding.
   I was recently thinking about church gatherings, but the same thing applies here... we need to realize every gathering is attended by the Holy Spirit, therefor we need to have a "sense of occasion" about such things, what you wrote helps me with this, thanks Kevin,
   Bless you all G

   Posted 1 year ago #

8. Peter Lawrence
   Member

   It all sounds good Gazz along with the suggestions of others but as we all know often these battles for unity are spiritual.

   For example I am very upset right now with Nicole for telling me her turkey is in the oven. I'm so hungry for a nice roast turkey dinner, roast potatoes, gravy, carrots, peas.

   Enjoy your Thanksgiving all you guys in the US.

   Posted 1 year ago #

9. Hope
   Member

   Lol, Peter, thou shalt not covet :D :D :D I think that is exactly the nice touch of humanity Dagazz and Nicole were talking about. It's just the sort of comment you probatbly would make to Nicole if you could see her. It brings us all closer together as real people.

   I do know what you all mean, I have at times posted things, they may not mean a lot to others, but generally I have felt I had a relevant point to offer, and at times its is ignored, and while I don't get offended, I always have a warm feeling of acceptance when it is acknowledged.

   And perhaps if we did show a little more awareness of being surrounded by 'watchers' as Carl said we would feel closer to the people we were posting to. And as Kevin said not being so easily offended, instead producing the fruit of longsuffering, we could actually all be quite friendly. I would like that.

   I like it when people speak a little of themselves, it helps to 'who' the posters are.

   I do LIKE this thread.

   God Bless
   Hope

   PS here is a little snippet about myself. I am in my early 50's and gave up dyeing my hair, so it is grey. I cut it myself, which horrifies some of my workmates, so that I can afford to buy paints and such. I am an artist, sell most of my paintings in Dunedin. I love painting the sea, and clouds and such. But most consitantly sell my fat people paintings.

   Would love to hear some snippets about others

   Posted 1 year ago #

10. dagazz
    Member

    Peter, I definitely believe the enemy is terrified by the power of a unified group of people sharing Christ and seeks to "train wreck" any such movement ASAP. I can think of a few times on this site where this has happened. As you say we do well not to be ignorant of this.
    I also must confess to coveting the turkey... assuming of course the turkey being roasted by Nicole was of the bird species.

    I agree personal details can help put a face to the words as you said Hope. It is also sometimes hard to discern attitude in the people posting, I try to believe the best about others posting and try to hear their input in a positive tone, and not picture them with fangs out hissing at me or taking a bite out of me. Maybe my imagination is way to active sometimes, then again I am a writer.
    Hope... you should scan and post some paintings... I would love to see them, I would also love to see more creative things like that on the site.
    blessings
    G

    Posted 1 year ago #

11. nicole
    Member

    Hey guys, and gals,

    To those that commented on the turkey. It was and is delicious. My dad, years and years ago, when I was growing up would always "dress the turkey" and then put it in a big brown paper sack/bag , tie the bag up , put it in the oven in a huge baking pan and it would turn out absolutely moist and wonderful. I am the only one in the family that continues to cook it this way,

    I tried tofukey , one year, and that was the only year. No peas and carrots and no mashed potatos. Those come tonight. It was just a very simple meal of yummy turkey, no dressing, We had gravy and sweet potatoes and a delicious salad w/ as much organic in it as possible and later, baked apples w/ whipping cream.

    In days past we had the whole feast, but now adays we have scaled down. This year it was just me and my husband , the grown kids are making their own traditions but at Christmas time it is all the family and we travel elsewhere. Being of Greek decent we do allot of greek cooking during the holidays and this year my husband and I decided NO SUGAR , so we will reap others cooking this year for one day and be glad to come home to peace and quiet after being around approximately 70 family members and their families.

    Which rounding this back up to the "topic" I think what has been suggested is great, mainly because we all need these skills. We tend to see "one side" or even misjudge a person by what they are writing. I have found that many of us have left the mainstream and were knocked continually at different times. And they come to a blog and see the same pattern and just want to shun it.

    We all have testimonies, we all want to help others and most of all Glorify God Almighty. But sometimes the "gorifying God Almighty, gets second or third fiddle, because someone gets stuck on "an occupation, that they think is wrong, or a church, that maybe God really wants them at , for HIS PURPOSES AND TEACHINGS, or they just plainly have a spirit and bad attitude and will argue w/ a fence post.!!!!-- That is when it is not a glorification to our Lord , our growth, or communicating w/ others. We become "the secular world inside a Christian blog."

    On a couple of other threads there has been talk of "the new age concepts and the evils of certain things".

    I know much about this because I was and am a licensed massage therapist and I know that God, Our Lord , Father Almighty Gifted me w/ hands that helped many and I am talking about several thousand during my 20 years career. I also know that because of having to take certain coarses I was exposed to more new age, and DID NOT KNOW that it was a cult, at that time. I have an awesome testimony and one that so many can learn from, but what I won't tolerate, is condemning anyone for being involved in the field of alternative medicine when it is to help others and God and Lord Jesus is there and Holy SPirit is guiding them. He Led Me and Taught me and I was faced w/ a lot of things .

    This like many other topics can help others , I hope it can bring unity , the true unity of our Lord and understanding and most of all give back skills that we probably all once had w/ communication w/ others (which I am seeing is a lost art, just like LISTENING )--

    We have allot to learn and this can be great if we will not allow satan to derail things or his demons/spirits.

    There is a movement, actually 3 of them , One Dominionism, /NAR/Joels Army/Latter Rain/ Two --- Christian New Age, and Three - Emergent Church. We all need to know about this and study it and understand it, because this is where the majority of "christians in the Churches are at and where they are "coming out from" when the Lord opens their eyes. Yet, people want to focus on "why in the world were you in there and didn't you see the deception" ---------that is not how to help people. The Lord wants us to help the broken hearted and the wounded and give people the truth. Ans at times that takes much patience and the Holy SPirit really has to be a part of it.(those that will listen and want HIM more than anything else will at least be exposed to the truths and maybe if they have not exited their situation or they still don't understand then maybe they will look for "certain things") I think this is a great opportunity to help others. People start from the bottom, and learn and work themselves to growing and learning more and more. ANd I think sometimes, people that have been Christians for a long long time, forget sometimes how hard it was for them , in the beginning of their walk"

    I guess I had to listen to so so many people and their lives and stories and help them see things differently , that I finally learned "to listen" . And to grieve w/ others as they walk thru their situations.

    So, I plan on doing a thread , but right now, I have other things that are happening and I will, when I can and I am led to. There must be a "safe haven" for people to go and yes, put their opinions in and thoughts, but also to be able to feel safe and share as much as they can /or feel they can /(trust)

    Hey Hope, I too, do not put anything in my hair. Years ago, I stopped that and it still has pigmentation of my natural brown in it, and the grey kinda blends nicely w/the brown making it look highlighted. Even that I praise the Lord!!!!!

    Kevin has some excellent points and so do the rest of you,
    May God bless you all that take this journey. There are times I can comment and as you see, I have been "locked away" for so long, I tend to write allot.

    Blessings ,
    Nicole

    Posted 1 year ago #

12. Hope
    Member

    I like the sound of your Turkey Nicole, its amazing the paper dosn't catch fire. We don't eat Turkey much in NZ, and the first Turkey I ever ate was a wild one my husband caught when he went fishing. They were roosting in the dark, and my husband and friend just reached up and grabbed one each by the feet. I didn't really know how to cook it, and I forgot to take out the crop, so it wasn't and entirely positive first experience, and I do find them a bit dry.

    I have wondered sometimes about the alternative medicine, and owndered how safe it was. My tendency would be to stay away from acupuncture and hypnotism and such, but I haven't really put massage into that catagory. I would try to be careful, in the WHO was doing it, but that can apply even to you own GP.

    Living in canterbury there is a lot of static in the air, and I often get shocks off cars, and sometimes even people, so obviously there are electrical cureents in the body, as a lot of practitioners say. But the new age element have stolen this information and the treatment of it so that you can't get one without the other. My mother studied herbs and their remedies years back, and came across the same problems, yet God gave us the herbs for our use. So much of what we could use to help each other has been stolen by Satan and corrupted, so we can't offer it. Your testamony and your insights sound interesting, I would like to hear them when you feel lead to contribute.

    My hair used to be what your's sounds like, but its just grey now, altho almost silver on the temples and hairline....according to the bible that makes me very wise. :P

    Dagazz I haven't got a scanner, but will try and put some paintings up somewhere with a link. The strangest commission I have ever done was to paint red roses on a ladies black coffin. She is still alive, but large, and was having an oversize coffin made to save her family the trouble of finding one at the time. Since she was doing that much, she decided to have it just the way she wanted it. It lookes quite nice. Many people thought that was aweful, but I like the idea. I think this is another area where faith makes a huge difference to the way we view death. I don't look forward to the process, going in my sleep when I am old sounds good. But the ultimate goal is one to look forward to.

    There are many threads involving many depths of study, keeping one to get to know each other is a great idea.

    God Bless
    Hope

    Posted 1 year ago #

13. eaglelife
    Member

    I have appreciated all your comments. It creates room for the heart and calls all of us to reach out to God more and make way for growth.

    I really enjoy the forum on one side of the coin but it doesn't come without its challenges and as we all know, that's life in any endeavor. Those challenges can be very time consuming maybe more so for some than others. I am one of the some. I generally get a feeling on an issue or post but I can't put it into words till I sit down and write. It typically does not come fast. On occasion it can be fast. Deeper issues, confrontations, or the dealings of God in my life take the longest. So for me the forum is a very time consuming entity. Just reading the posts and reflecting on what I read is in and of itself time consuming let alone responding.

    In the past I have allowed it too much time because I love how writing draws it out of you. And I really appreciate connecting. It is uplifting to hear peoples hearts. A dessert is what it is and when flowers bloom in the dessert they are highlighted with a greater emphasis because of the background of difficult circumstances. Their aroma seems to be more apparent. The imprint of its beauty and truth on our heart appears to be a little deeper or stronger. For me it makes the forum unigue and it can be very special in my heart. God has used it deeply.

    If I get the time I am praying for this winter then I have time to seek God in the way He has put on my heart and as well to be on the forum. I only have some time now because of thanks giving.

    This thread encourages me regarding the forum. We all know God's call to conform us to the image of the Lord Jesus and I sense a unity of hearts on this thread for that purpose. That is my ultimate bottom line as I believe it is yours.

    I appreciate all of ye

    In Him eaglelife

    Posted 1 year ago #

14. Meredith
    Member

    eaglelife...

    my two cents......I sure appreciate all that you have said on the forum. I enjoy and am encouraged by your words.

    M

    Posted 1 year ago #

15. Hope
    Member

    eaglelife you write beautifully, I pray you get the time this winter too.
    God Bless
    Hope

    Posted 1 year ago #

16. poppie
    Member

    I do think that everyone here has made very good points, and I do think that acknowledgement is one of them.

    If we do not acknowledge another when they contribute, then that is a hurtful thing, and something that we should be avoiding.

    To be one who uplifts and encourages others is no small thing.
    There are so many who do just the opposite of that, and all the time.

    Longsuffering, patience, kindness, these are fruits of the spirit to be sought and nurtured into maturity.
    Can't go wrong with those.

    Personal details?
    Am a painter too, love it.
    Play a piano accordian and a keyboard and love the old scripture in song music.
    Love to garden and as Hope said have a longtime interest in the healing powers of herbs.
    Can't remember just at the moment where this scripture is, but it says, that....'he created the grass for the cattle and the herb for the use of man.'.

    Gotta go, we have a general election today, and my man is waiting in a hurry, he thinks that it is time we went to do our bit!

    God bless all...poppie

    Posted 1 year ago #

17. dagazz
    Member

    Thanks Poppie
    I always appreciate your perspective on things... I hope you voted for the right party, I just got back from doing the same. Sad to see so few christians among the candidates.

    Posted 1 year ago #

RSS feed for this topic