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To learn.
It wasn’t till I joined CC (or should I say driven..) and viewed the BDF that I was aware of the great debate regarding salvation i.e. faith only versus faith plus works to summarize it in its most basic terms. I do learn from these debates and have crystallized/confirmed my leanings in this matter ….and …..yes…I now know I’m an only faith kindoffa bloke.
I’m not much interested in other momentous issues (at least not now..) such as the Rapture, Arminianism, etc. I figure it’s all in God’s hands – I’m confident in the final outcome.
I generally don’t read the longer posts – brevity and getting to the point is what gets my attention. No offence.
I also like what a member here said a long time ago regarding using scriptural references – it’s holy – and great care should be exercised in not using it to wound.
I’m more of a reader than a writer here. I generally check in every day – have for the last 2 years or so…
To learn.
It wasn’t till I joined CC (or should I say driven..) and viewed the BDF that I was aware of the great debate regarding salvation i.e. faith only versus faith plus works to summarize it in its most basic terms. I do learn from these debates and have crystallized/confirmed my leanings in this matter ….and …..yes…I now know I’m an only faith kindoffa bloke.
I’m not much interested in other momentous issues (at least not now..) such as the Rapture, Arminianism, etc. I figure it’s all in God’s hands – I’m confident in the final outcome.
I generally don’t read the longer posts – brevity and getting to the point is what gets my attention. No offence.
I also like what a member here said a long time ago regarding using scriptural references – it’s holy – and great care should be exercised in not using it to wound.
I’m more of a reader than a writer here. I generally check in every day – have for the last 2 years or so…
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I like reading some of the threads in the BDF. They are interesting to me and on topics that I am curious about. Recognizing my own ignorance and my dislike of verbal discourse (except, of course, when I decide to troll someone here for my own sick amusement), I am merely a passive spectator.
I like to read a person's position, then see what verses they use to back up their position. I look those up, and then read on both sides of the verses in question to make a determination whether or not it's just being taken out of context. I then do the same thing for the "other" side of the debate and then I compare the two. After all of that, I've got some info and some studying under my belt and I am more informed and can begin to ponder "what do I (empahsis) think about {insert topic here}".
So long as I keep my hands off the keyboard and my mouth in neutral when I read, it all works pretty well for the most part.
I like to read a person's position, then see what verses they use to back up their position. I look those up, and then read on both sides of the verses in question to make a determination whether or not it's just being taken out of context. I then do the same thing for the "other" side of the debate and then I compare the two. After all of that, I've got some info and some studying under my belt and I am more informed and can begin to ponder "what do I (empahsis) think about {insert topic here}".
So long as I keep my hands off the keyboard and my mouth in neutral when I read, it all works pretty well for the most part.
I have always found it odd that people speak of "going to" or "coming to" the BDF.
I doubt that in the couple of years I have been here on CC, I could actually tell you, with any accuracy, which particular forum room I might be on at any given time. All I ever "SEARCH" under is the heading, "New Posts."
I honestly would have to scroll up to the top to see whatever room I might happen to be in at any specific time.
I doubt that in the couple of years I have been here on CC, I could actually tell you, with any accuracy, which particular forum room I might be on at any given time. All I ever "SEARCH" under is the heading, "New Posts."
I honestly would have to scroll up to the top to see whatever room I might happen to be in at any specific time.
I have it in my head what I think BDF is all about. I just heard from a couple of friends on what they wish this forum was about. And, I just read someone else's opinion about what this forum is all about. Everyone's idea of what it is about doesn't match anyone else's concept.
So, I'm really asking, why do you come here? What service does this forum provide? What service do you wish it supplied. What service do you think you supply on here? And what do you -- personally -- get out of it?
Warning: This is not a thread to attack "them." This is not a nostalgia thread. ("I remember when BDF was about...") This is not an "I'm right and your wrong" thread. And, I'm very bored with the "If y'all would just realize how to behave," particularly from people, like me, not known for behaving. (I hope no one was drinking something when reading that, or it probably went out your nose.)
I honestly would like to know why you come, what you hope to give, and what you hope to get. Because it is so diverse, maybe if we start understanding each of us have different wants and different needs, then maybe we can start realizing, what "I want" isn't the end all/be all of what BDF offers anyway. Maybe not, but I really am curious what you are up for when you come on to this particular forum the first time on any given day.
So what do you want from coming here, what do you want to give, and what keeps you coming back? Basically, why do you come to BDF?
So, I'm really asking, why do you come here? What service does this forum provide? What service do you wish it supplied. What service do you think you supply on here? And what do you -- personally -- get out of it?
Warning: This is not a thread to attack "them." This is not a nostalgia thread. ("I remember when BDF was about...") This is not an "I'm right and your wrong" thread. And, I'm very bored with the "If y'all would just realize how to behave," particularly from people, like me, not known for behaving. (I hope no one was drinking something when reading that, or it probably went out your nose.)
I honestly would like to know why you come, what you hope to give, and what you hope to get. Because it is so diverse, maybe if we start understanding each of us have different wants and different needs, then maybe we can start realizing, what "I want" isn't the end all/be all of what BDF offers anyway. Maybe not, but I really am curious what you are up for when you come on to this particular forum the first time on any given day.
So what do you want from coming here, what do you want to give, and what keeps you coming back? Basically, why do you come to BDF?
I really don't come in here to "socialize", to very much of a degree. Although, I do like to every now and again. The main reason I don't, I reckon, is cuz to me? This is very serious spiritual business1 The first 17 years of my life were wasted "PLAYING Church"!....Hence, the attitude that seems to permeate some of my postings in here. Another reason, I don't tend to "socialize", in here, or most everywhere else, is I believed Jesus' words, when he warned about "Let NO man/woman DECEIVE you!" However, this is still done, in many ways, usually in the misusing and mispracticing "Love covers a multitude of sins!" Usually, where Philo (brotherly) love, and Agapeo (unconditional) love tend to become mixed up with each other, as well as Eros (not necessarily erotic/romantic love, but rather anything that "pleasures the flesh", so to speak).
Anyways, I digress, as I usually do, when trying to provide a fuller understanding, of why I come here to BDF.
Cheers!I came to BDF originally with two, now obviously naive, assumptions:
1. Most of the members would be Christians, solid in their doctrine, and understanding of their Bible; and
2. Others on the site would be sincere seekers.
There are definitely plenty of #1.
#2 are very rare.
So instead of there being measured discussions of doctrine and Biblical theology between informed believers, I found a Wild West type atmosphere with lots of members holding strange, commonly heretical, beliefs, with those true believers contending vigorously for the faith.
I did come to learn, and I have, from many dear brothers and sisters, who contend for the faith under very adverse circumstances. I mentioned in another thread recently that this forum could easily be renamed "Mars Hill" due to the diversity of philosophy and belief present here.
My position comes down to this:
2 [FONT="]Preach the word! Be ready in season [/FONT]and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching 2 Tim 4:2
1. Most of the members would be Christians, solid in their doctrine, and understanding of their Bible; and
2. Others on the site would be sincere seekers.
There are definitely plenty of #1.
#2 are very rare.
So instead of there being measured discussions of doctrine and Biblical theology between informed believers, I found a Wild West type atmosphere with lots of members holding strange, commonly heretical, beliefs, with those true believers contending vigorously for the faith.
I did come to learn, and I have, from many dear brothers and sisters, who contend for the faith under very adverse circumstances. I mentioned in another thread recently that this forum could easily be renamed "Mars Hill" due to the diversity of philosophy and belief present here.
My position comes down to this:
2 [FONT="]Preach the word! Be ready in season [/FONT]and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching 2 Tim 4:2
I come to be sharpened. I come to be tested. There are many here who are well versed in the Word of God, these are the ones I wish to talk with. I have strong views on many issues and wish to subject them to others in order to test my understanding. I desire to be challenged. BDF is a great platform to do this. It is easy to think you are correct when you are surrounded by those who agree with you.
There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. (Proverbs 14:12)
There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. (Proverbs 14:12)
D
This, indeed, is a honing stone. Definitely iron sharpening iron. But is that all it is?
I'm not a weapons person, by nature. (As in, I get a kick out of there being both a gun and knife thread on Misc. forum specifically because I consider both things about as often as I consider pillbugs and silverfish -- not very often at all. Not that it's "wrong," just comes under "stuff I don't consider often.") And, yet, somehow, I keep reading both fiction and nonfiction things that reference weaponry. Among it is a chick-lit series that had a flint-napper as one of the main characters.
But he really was a flint-napper back in the days of cave dwelling Man, so he was literally sharpening and hardening flint. He did know how to harden it enough to use the spearheads to penetrate mammoth hide, so it wasn't a weak substance. But he was constantly making more spearheads, because they chip.
Iron chips as a weapon. All metal chips. Minutely, but they chip. They don't really get "dull" so much as they get micro-chips in them when used, that have to be honed away until the instrument is sharp again.
Hubby's favorite instruments in the kitchen is his knife set. (Butcher knives, not merely steak knives.) He uses. He hones. I wash. They're steel, so I have to wash enough to get rid of rust and that black corrosion that's on them.
And, after 30+ years of doing that, I've noticed the middle of the knives -- the part most often used -- is thinner than the rest now. And, if you look closely, it's beginning to curve inward.
He's honed it often enough that there is less knife than there used to be. Iron sharpens iron by chipping away at each other. But God's word said he would turn swords into plow sheaths. (Which, for the record, are also sharp.) Is there any concept of sometimes it's good to get out the sword for a good fight, but sometimes it's good to get out the sword to rest on?
Do you ever sit by the fire at night with your fellow warriors and enjoy the company, instead of look forward to the next battle?
Now, I'm a chick who doesn't consider weaponry all that often, so I'm really asking that too. It is quite possible you are all about the battle and not the campfire at night, and that's okay. I'm just curious if it is always only about the battle for you?
I'm not a weapons person, by nature. (As in, I get a kick out of there being both a gun and knife thread on Misc. forum specifically because I consider both things about as often as I consider pillbugs and silverfish -- not very often at all. Not that it's "wrong," just comes under "stuff I don't consider often.") And, yet, somehow, I keep reading both fiction and nonfiction things that reference weaponry. Among it is a chick-lit series that had a flint-napper as one of the main characters.
But he really was a flint-napper back in the days of cave dwelling Man, so he was literally sharpening and hardening flint. He did know how to harden it enough to use the spearheads to penetrate mammoth hide, so it wasn't a weak substance. But he was constantly making more spearheads, because they chip.
Iron chips as a weapon. All metal chips. Minutely, but they chip. They don't really get "dull" so much as they get micro-chips in them when used, that have to be honed away until the instrument is sharp again.
Hubby's favorite instruments in the kitchen is his knife set. (Butcher knives, not merely steak knives.) He uses. He hones. I wash. They're steel, so I have to wash enough to get rid of rust and that black corrosion that's on them.
And, after 30+ years of doing that, I've noticed the middle of the knives -- the part most often used -- is thinner than the rest now. And, if you look closely, it's beginning to curve inward.
He's honed it often enough that there is less knife than there used to be. Iron sharpens iron by chipping away at each other. But God's word said he would turn swords into plow sheaths. (Which, for the record, are also sharp.) Is there any concept of sometimes it's good to get out the sword for a good fight, but sometimes it's good to get out the sword to rest on?
Do you ever sit by the fire at night with your fellow warriors and enjoy the company, instead of look forward to the next battle?
Now, I'm a chick who doesn't consider weaponry all that often, so I'm really asking that too. It is quite possible you are all about the battle and not the campfire at night, and that's okay. I'm just curious if it is always only about the battle for you?
D
I wonder how many people will honestly say I come here to show knowledgeable and righteous I am
Besides, this is about why each of us comes here, not a "what's wrong with you" thread.
D
Sooo, occasionally you enjoy the bickering. That doesn't tell me why you usually come, unless you usually come to see the bickering and most of the time it's not enjoyable, so you leave disappointed.
You don't see opinions change. Okay? So, if you come to see opinions change, that's up there with watching paint dry on a 100% humidity day.
And, if you come for the laughs, that's kind of like going to a grocery store to buy tires. It's possible. It does get funny on here occasionally, but not the first place to turn to to find a tire or to laugh.
So, you basically told me what you don't get from coming on here. What do you get from coming on here? Because you do come. (And, I'd ask what you give on here, but I already know what you give, so don't need to ask. It often is a good thing you give.)
You don't see opinions change. Okay? So, if you come to see opinions change, that's up there with watching paint dry on a 100% humidity day.
And, if you come for the laughs, that's kind of like going to a grocery store to buy tires. It's possible. It does get funny on here occasionally, but not the first place to turn to to find a tire or to laugh.
So, you basically told me what you don't get from coming on here. What do you get from coming on here? Because you do come. (And, I'd ask what you give on here, but I already know what you give, so don't need to ask. It often is a good thing you give.)
Iron sharpening iron was directed at believers, not those who spread false gospels that lead to hell......and we are told numerous times to fight the good fight, stand as prepared for battle, take the whole armor of God and the SWORD of the spirit which is double edged and to CONTEND for the faith once delivered unto the saints......
Having said that...sure I am also about the campfire.....note the bolded in my quote sis
Originally Posted by dcontroversal
Iron sharpens iron.....I come to read what people believe and to post my view as well.....there is fellowship here, as well as heated discussions.....no matter....it is all good.......love it and most people in here......and for the record...I hate no one and I know I make very sharp pointed comments concerning what I perceive to be false dogmas......just as others do to me....yet I do not get offended and or mad and keep pluggin away.....the bdf rocks!!!!!!!
Having said that...sure I am also about the campfire.....note the bolded in my quote sis
Originally Posted by dcontroversal
D
That seems familiar to me. I watch football highlight shows to avoid watching football but I can talk about it with the guys. I really don't like football, but hubby does, so it's good, for him, sometimes that I know what he's talking about.
Is that about how I can sum up your relationship with God? Not really interested in him, but like to hang around folks who seem interested in him.
One thing I know is football highlights are biased to the particular team the commentators are promoting. The same footage in an Eagles/Cowboys game can be used to tell why the Eagles are far superior or why the 'boys are far superior. I wouldn't trust the footage to find out the real deal.
Heads up: The real deal is in the Bible, not how people interpret parts of the Bible.
Is that about how I can sum up your relationship with God? Not really interested in him, but like to hang around folks who seem interested in him.
One thing I know is football highlights are biased to the particular team the commentators are promoting. The same footage in an Eagles/Cowboys game can be used to tell why the Eagles are far superior or why the 'boys are far superior. I wouldn't trust the footage to find out the real deal.
Heads up: The real deal is in the Bible, not how people interpret parts of the Bible.