Why do you come to the BDF? (Not a rant. Real question.)

[Depleted]

Basically, I have about given up trying to learn anything in the BDF as it is mostly a lot of fighting and name calling. I do enjoy a lot of the posts from members sincerely attempting to share their knowledge but these are few and far between. Some to the topics I find meaningful but these are quickly side-tracked and then the fighting and name calling starts. There are a few members who I truly respect, and despite what I have written, may have learned a thing or two but for the most part, the BDF is a battle ground. What I'm really trying to say is that I have found the BDF to be, for the most part, disappointing. Yes, this is indeed sad.

Then why do you come? (And, yes, it is disappointing, and yet I keep coming back. So it is a hard question to ask.)

 

[NayborBear]

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?

For me? UNTIL, The "GREAT White Throne Judgement!?"...YEP! Just as there is NO such thing as an "Ex-Marine?"...Yeah!...God has His own version of "marines!" Tis a tough duty, and not everyone is up for it, let alone up to it. Kinda like that verse where they are mounted on eagles wings, and swift of foot, and never tire? Yeah....It be like that!

 

[Depleted]

I come here to see how far everyone else has strayed from the word of God. I thought that was why everyone else comes here.

It would be nice to have a few actual studies (not critiques) of the scripture.

Tongue-in-cheek I presume?

You do come more often than you participate. Why?

And, if you'd like actual studies, are you up to be the faciliator or teacher? (I supsect you are, but you don't, so I'm asking why it is that you don't give what you want to get? And, I really am asking, not demanding.)

This seems quite a lesson in how much people would like this forum to be different, and yet, it's never different. It's never different, yet we keep coming back. I know why I keep coming back, (in hope of gleaning something I want. It rarely happens, but it is a gleaning, occasionally a kernel of what I want does show up, so I keep returning.)

I'm asking why everyone else comes here though, and, in this case, I think you could give me something worth coming for, but you don't. So, I'm thinking you're smart enough to know why you don't and can tell me. (I'm naive. I don't learn lessons quickly. Maybe you learn faster than I do and have learned not to give what you could give. At least, that's what I suspect anyway.)

 

[Depleted]

Lynn if I said I came to hunt wolves....how many people would believe me?












Lol. No I come for fellowship and to learn about different denominational views on the Bible. Prayers and like Dcon said...iron sharpens iron.

Actually, I've seen you not-so-afraid to hunt down a wolf a time or two also. But you feel wolf-hunting is as alien to you as teaching is to me. Funny thing, God has used us to do both, but we still think we're not that.

We're not that. It's not an office to us, it's a momentary gift God gave us that surprises the living daylight out of us.

I have to say though, as many reasons as I've seen here for why people think they come here, you're the first person who seems to truly know most, if not all the reasons, you come here. As in, I see the reasons you come as the same reasons you think you come.

 

[DustyRhodes]

To find out that the world is flat and stationary...i never knew that.

 

[Depleted]

I concur completely with your estimation. For the record, I consider you one of the good guys who are truly sincere. possess spiritual wisdom and offer practical examples that can be applied in one's life. There are others also, but like you have said, there are also the few miscreants who have reached such a lofty, morally and spiritual height that you and I and the other unfortunate few cannot ever hope to obtain.

Not an "Us and Them" thread. I'd like people to answer from what they see about themselves, not about anyone else.

 

[Depleted]

Yes I do think there are people like that though non of them would be honest about that

Isn't that the pot calling the kettle black? You seem to think less of educated and knowledgeable people -- why? Because you think you're more knowledgeable?

"I know better because I get my info from God." Isn't that exactly what everyone thinks? Isn't that as haughty as whoever you're blaming for being haughty? Are you that honest yourself?

 

[tourist]

Then why do you come? (And, yes, it is disappointing, and yet I keep coming back. So it is a hard question to ask.)

I come here to get a better understanding of my fellow members and to observe how they conduct themselves, especially when someone is trying to tear them down. In my first post I mentioned that I have yet to learn anything in this forum and yet, at times, it's been educational. Yes, a paradox, or perhaps it's an enigma.

 

[Depleted]

I've learned a lot here about a great diversity of doctrinal views.

I'm not sure that was ever my intent.

: )



Sometimes when you're busy being a smart aleck... learning just happens.

It does, doesn't it? lol

 

[Willie-T]

I think one of the largest fallacies we operate under is that we actually DO convince ourselves that we are truly discussing "Scripture", when, in actuality, that almost never happens.

From way back in the days of the Ancients, what has really been discussed, has been interpretations of Scripture.... whether that was rather "limited" understandings, or more widely accepted "traditional" interpretations.

It doesn't change. Each of us initially believes OUR interpretations are the correct ones, and it is a rare thing, indeed, to see anyone actually "discussing" Biblical Scriptures with an eye to more perfectly understanding the other person's point of view.

 

[Depleted]

.
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…

No offense taken. If everyone in the world was as long-winded as I am, it would look like an Ent Convention. (it would take us 24 hours just to say Hi.)

 

[Depleted]

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.

Ohhhh! That's what you do when you're being quiet. Good idea! I wish I was that smart.

 

[Depleted]

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.

But you still come here. Does it matter how you got here? Do you stay or immediately click back to "Newest Post" page? If you stay, you got here. And then what? Why do you stay?

 

[Susanna]

If people don't agree with me I assume they are hating on me and my way of seeing things. This makes me rightfully angry, and I will start name calling people spicing it up with general insults.

If that doesn't help, I'll kill a bottle of JB, which will make me see things clearer...haha.

Thats why Im coming here.

 

[Depleted]

I usually don't post over here for personal reasons... but when i do post over here, i am posting just truth, and scripture.

And why is that? What do you get? What do you give? Why do you come?

(I think 99% can say they are posting only truth and/or scripture. It just doesn't tell the why of it. The what they want out of it.)

 

[Ariel82]

Actually, I've seen you not-so-afraid to hunt down a wolf a time or two also. But you feel wolf-hunting is as alien to you as teaching is to me. Funny thing, God has used us to do both, but we still think we're not that.

We're not that. It's not an office to us, it's a momentary gift God gave us that surprises the living daylight out of us.

I have to say though, as many reasons as I've seen here for why people think they come here, you're the first person who seems to truly know most, if not all the reasons, you come here. As in, I see the reasons you come as the same reasons you think you come.

I don't come to hunt wolves but if I feel stalked or see them stalk a weak brother or sister, I do know how to use my slingshot and I got a few smooth river rocks in my back pocket.

I like it better when I don't have to use them.

I do go to the prayer forum when I feel weak and want support or just want to pray with people.

I go to the family forum when I feel confident enough to offer advice and prayers (not so often recently) or have a family thing I need help figuring out

I get a laugh from some threads on the singles forum or the miscellaneous forum.

This one keeps me humble and tells me that no matter how much I have learnt and study...God still knows more and the world makes up more puzzles and holes to trip folks up with.

 

[Ariel82]

However I believe that the mods gets rid of most of the wolves after a time.

 

[Willie-T]

But you still come here. Does it matter how you got here? Do you stay or immediately click back to "Newest Post" page? If you stay, you got here. And then what? Why do you stay?

I think you missed the entire point.

I am not specifically "going to", nor "staying in" any particular 'room' of CC. I am simply replying to the next post in a list of usually about 40 posts that I found to seem they might be interesting. If any of the posts (from a dozen or more rooms) gets boring... turns out to be the same old nonsense.... gets to be too stupid... or whatever... I just click on "NEW POSTS" again, and see what else comes up.

 

[Depleted]

Me?...One of the reasons I come in here, is to fight the unseen war against the tares! I know most people on here, fight the devil, or tare planter. I come, in part, as I am still growing myself, trying in the bringing of discernment, as to the government that is on the shoulders of Jesus Christ. Ya see, there is a difference between the "Creator God" of the universe, setting the stars, and planets, on their course/s, etc., and the "Creator God of His Children! Same God, different Covenant! Many people never get past the "Cross of Christ", or are afraid, to be confessed before His/our Father in Heaven? Or? Have been confessed before the Father, been judged, convicted, and incarcerated, and the "Judge" is just waiting for the "fine" to be paid!...EVERY PENNY! Therefore? Are not able, to go beyond the Cross of Christ! Paying this "every penny", is not as easy as it sounds! So, one of the things I do, is fight against the tares, that choke out, the "wheat", so to speak, thus freeing up the wheat in thier conntrating more effort/s in the "paying every penny" to the Judge! So, that they may mature in the Spirit that is growing inside of them.

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!

So you come to rip out tares? Funny thing about tares. You can't tell them from wheat, until it's all harvested and being willowed. That's why tares are allowed to grow with the grain, because God doesn't want the grain ripped out just to get rid of the tare. He doesn't even rip out a bruised reed.

 

[Susanna]

I have to admit I don't often post in BDF. I just don't get how you people can type out lengthy posts so fast??? When I've finally manage to write a post the original debate is long gone haha....guess I'm not too smart.