Streams of Consciousness & Thoughts~~~

[Misty77]

My uncle (married to my aunt who homeschools my son) has shingles. I was just informed of that fact this morning. To protect the EX HUSBAND who has a compromised immune system, travels internationally, and has never had chicken pox, I tried offered him alternative arrangements. I organized everything except one part, and he is refusing to compromise because he is too much of a whiny brat to take care of it himself. Also, he brought my son unprepared for PE.

Me: "so run to Walmart and buy him something."
Jerk who just put a racing strip on his stupid Mini Cooper: "I can't afford that right now."
Me: "you have over $30,000 of available credit on your credit card."
Whiny Dictator (aka., the aforementioned jerk): "I spent that all on my attorney."
Me: "then don't you think that we as responsible adults should learn how to raise our son together?"
Litigious monster (aka., jerk or dictator): "That's never going to be possible. We need to have a judge decide everything. I'll have my attorney put this exception in the permanent order."

When I realized I was about to lose control of my volume and my vocabulary, I hung up and quickly walked out while the tears started overflowing. Of course, I ran into my boss on the way out.

Attorney: "What's wrong?"
Me: "My exhusband is just being a [donkey]."

I then curled up and bawled in the upstairs bathroom. I may be out of that marriage, but I don't know if my son and I will ever be free of that monster.

 

[Fenner]

Yikes Misty, I'm so sorry. He doesn't have priorities straight that's for sure. I'm also always surprised when someone wants a judge to decide what is best for their child. I'm praying for you and your son.

 

[Fenner]

Have you ever met anyone that might be addicted to addiction programs? I know that doesn't make a lot of sense, but I think I met someone recently who fits that criteria.

 

[wwjd_kilden]

*lights some candles and finds some peppermint chocolate*

Aahhhhhhhhh

 

[lil_christian]

*lights some candles and finds some peppermint chocolate*

Aahhhhhhhhh

Ooooh can I join? I'll make tea or coffee, whichever you prefer. lol

 

[lil_christian]

Have you ever met anyone that might be addicted to addiction programs? I know that doesn't make a lot of sense, but I think I met someone recently who fits that criteria.

I wonder if there's a rehab program for that...

 

[wwjd_kilden]

Ooooh can I join? I'll make tea or coffee, whichever you prefer. lol

of course!
Hmm, I like both, but I think I'll have tea now, please There's both, plus cocoa in the cupboard

 

[zeroturbulence]

My uncle (married to my aunt who homeschools my son) has shingles. I was just informed of that fact this morning. To protect the EX HUSBAND who has a compromised immune system, travels internationally, and has never had chicken pox, I tried offered him alternative arrangements. I organized everything except one part, and he is refusing to compromise because he is too much of a whiny brat to take care of it himself. Also, he brought my son unprepared for PE.

Me: "so run to Walmart and buy him something."
Jerk who just put a racing strip on his stupid Mini Cooper: "I can't afford that right now."
Me: "you have over $30,000 of available credit on your credit card."
Whiny Dictator (aka., the aforementioned jerk): "I spent that all on my attorney."
Me: "then don't you think that we as responsible adults should learn how to raise our son together?"
Litigious monster (aka., jerk or dictator): "That's never going to be possible. We need to have a judge decide everything. I'll have my attorney put this exception in the permanent order."

When I realized I was about to lose control of my volume and my vocabulary, I hung up and quickly walked out while the tears started overflowing. Of course, I ran into my boss on the way out.

Attorney: "What's wrong?"
Me: "My exhusband is just being a [donkey]."

I then curled up and bawled in the upstairs bathroom. I may be out of that marriage, but I don't know if my son and I will ever be free of that monster.

Well if he does get the shingles, at least it won't be your fault. And maybe he deserves it..

 

[just_monicat]

Have you ever met anyone that might be addicted to addiction programs? I know that doesn't make a lot of sense, but I think I met someone recently who fits that criteria.

unfortunately, i know the type.

some people have so little sense of balance in their life, that they crave rigidity and constant guidelines or structure. they're the same group of people that i notice seem to gravitate toward the "rules" and order that legalism provides.

they usually lack self-confidence, big time, and need others to validate them as well. sound familiar?

also, misty, i am so sorry about *that* mess. i really am. *hugs*. praying for you sister.

 

[MH818]

Since the time I moved here in September of 2012, I have been going to my parent’s church in the mornings. They helped plant it. I have helped, have seen it grow and change. I love hearing my dad preach. At the moment, we only have services on Sunday mornings. Starting in February of 2013, I started also going to a different church on Sunday nights because there were way more people my age (my parents’ church is mainly mid-age to older people). I have made some great friends there. I also went to a Thursday night young adult study that the church had, and earlier this winter I was part of a female study/outreach project. It worked out well, that I could go to my parent’s church in the morning and go to my other church Sunday nights as well as the different studies.

Now, my Sunday night church’s pastor has decided to cancel Sunday night services and have only Sunday morning services, as well as dissolved the ladies group, young adult group (as well as two other groups, the married one and the men’s study). We now have an all-church study on Thursday night and Sunday morning services. This means that I now have to choose where to go on Sundays. I hate that I will either have to choose one or the other, or split them.

I have no idea why he’s doing this. There are MANY young adults who went to their parents church in the morning and came to his church on Sunday night. There were people who drove from an hour away in order to come to the Sunday night service. We had a large crowd (well, large for us and large for the space) of about 70 people or so. It’s not like we were hurting. I wonder if he’s trying to force commitment for those who attended a different church on Sunday mornings. It just seems like we’re moving backwards instead of forward, taking away small groups and making Sunday only one service when he 100% knows how many that negatively affects.

I know there are many others who are not happy about it. I’m considering talking with him on Thursday, though what I’ll say I’m not sure. I will have to ask my dad (a pastor) how he would want to be approached if someone had an issue with a decision he made. I don’t want to seem argumentative, because the reasons I’ve heard behind the decision are weak. He told me in person about the changes, but he didn’t really say the why. I said I understood, but at that time it hadn’t registered with me/sunk in.

I’m just so frustrated right now. This is why, I suppose, you’re supposed to only commit to one church, but honestly there had never been problems for anyone up until he changed everything. I suppose I can’t be too mad at him, I would hope he only has the best for the church in mind, but something seems off.

So, prayer for my attitude and for when I talk to him would be appreciated.

I wouldn't attend the Sunday night church anymore, at any date or time, including Sunday. A pastor should be far more considerate of the great things God is doing in your small groups, and should never do anything detrimental to that. While we do not expect all Christians to fully understand or appreciate that, the FIRST Christians we should expect to understand are our pastors. From what you're sharing, it appears this pastor is more interested in his personal and organizational agendas than the love and bonds formed in your small groups. I think that should make your decision very simple. Brings your friends to your parents church with you. Help grow that church plant in your age range, in an environment that encourages people to get together, and share God's word, the teachings of Christ, any day, any time.

This pastor is placing an agenda ahead of God's work, and ahead of the fellowship and ministry you have together. Christ said love one another as I have loved you. If he loved you as Christ did, your pastor would never tell you to stop meeting on Sunday night. Your pastor is human, too. Reach out to him in love. Whether he responds or not, I question his leadership.

 

[MH818]

I don't like the phrase "God only gives you as much as He knows you can handle."

I don't think it's Biblical, and I don't think it's true.

I have been given many things in my life that I could not handle. I can think of many things that could happen in the future that I know I would not be able to handle. At all.

If I could handle everything, why would I need to run to God? Why would I need to give Him any of that burden if He's only giving me what I can carry on my own?

Wise words. I think people say that "God only gives you as much as you can handle," because they just hear that all the time.

I think that, sometimes, the origins of this saying, with no Biblical support is rooted in a scriptural reference to temptation.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV) No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

People who do not study the Bible, and who have not made a personal commitment to sound Christian philosophy tend to pick up sayings and ideas from others, that they hear in different forums. It easier than getting your philosophy from between the covers of your Bible. I have recently faced some challenges that I absolutely could not handle. In support, my mother made the same exact comment to me, "God never gives you more than you can handle." I found myself sharing a Biblical view of that philosophy with her.

The reference in Corinthians about temptation promises us that God is faithful to us, and that He will not lead us into temptation, and He will deliver us from evil. God does not bring temptation,..He provides deliverance from it. People substitute the scriptural reference to temptation with struggle and adversity.

I suppose we'll never truly know the origin of the saying that God never gives us more than we can handle. But I know this; Our God is love. He does not want anything but the best for us. He doesn't promise us there will not be struggles, ...but that doesn't mean He wants us to struggle. Struggle, hardship, and temptation were brought by a serpent. God doesn't bring those things. Anyone who tells you that God wants you to struggle so you can grow is imposing their own philosophy, and they need to read Job. This is a fundamental flaw in the philosophy of Rick Warren, who is the best selling author of all time. I think The Purpose Driven Life gives many people this false idea about God's desires for each of us.

God simply promises our sin-diseased spirits that, in the process of sanctification, He will faithfully see us through our struggles. With his perfect timing, powerful guidance and perfect love, we will know undoubtedly, that it was indeed Him who carried us through. That's the beauty of His grace, and the awesome relationship each of us can have with him, if we accept that gift.

The one set of footprints is when he carried us.

Again, wise words. I know you understand all of this stuff. I don't really intend to teach you anything with my comments. I just wanted to share some of my thoughts about the topic. I also wanted to share that don't like the phrase either, and I not only have put some thought to it, I find myself in this discussion with others all the time. Nice to see someone else "gets it".

Have a great day, and God bless you.

 

[ww_21]

Today sucked.

 

[zeroturbulence]

I can watch this for hours. o_o

 

[zeroturbulence]

Today sucked.

Sorry to hear that. Are you ok?

 

[lil_christian]

Hey, all. I don't know when I'll be in chat tonight, but I do have some more updates on my mom. Hopefully see you tonight!

 

[rachelsedge]

I wouldn't attend the Sunday night church anymore, at any date or time, including Sunday. A pastor should be far more considerate of the great things God is doing in your small groups, and should never do anything detrimental to that. While we do not expect all Christians to fully understand or appreciate that, the FIRST Christians we should expect to understand are our pastors. From what you're sharing, it appears this pastor is more interested in his personal and organizational agendas than the love and bonds formed in your small groups. I think that should make your decision very simple. Brings your friends to your parents church with you. Help grow that church plant in your age range, in an environment that encourages people to get together, and share God's word, the teachings of Christ, any day, any time.

This pastor is placing an agenda ahead of God's work, and ahead of the fellowship and ministry you have together. Christ said love one another as I have loved you. If he loved you as Christ did, your pastor would never tell you to stop meeting on Sunday night. Your pastor is human, too. Reach out to him in love. Whether he responds or not, I question his leadership.

Thank you for that advice. It makes sense. I will see where he stands and where I stand after I talk to him on Thursday. I would hate to leave completely, though I suppose I'd still see people and hear the Word on Thursday nights. I'm nervous about talking with him. I don't like confrontation to begin with, but from other stories I've heard, he tends to turn it back around on you. He really is a great guy, very passionate for Christ and others, I just think that as a pastor, he has a lot of growing to do. He is 39 and single, which isn't an excuse, I'm just saying that he has time to grow.

 

[Misty77]

Punching bag earned his keep today. Definitely kept me out of jail.

 

[rachelsedge]

Punching bag earned his keep today. Definitely kept me out of jail.

I literally just texted my friend saying I needed a punching bag. I'm in a judgey/terrible mood today and I hate it but I feel like that would help.

 

[1still_waters]

I'm watching Wheel of Fortune..when they ask for a letter ..in my head i'm saying...

YOU'VE GOT YOUR T....YOU'VE GOT YOUR T.....

 

[DuchessAimee]

I'm about to go out with my friend Tim. I've known him for about seven years, and he's a really good guy.


But he's an atheist-- an agnostic at best.


The funny thing is we met at church. Up until a little over a year ago he was a devoted Christian, but when he realized he wasn't going to get what he was promised by other Christians, he bailed.


If it occurs to any of you to pray for him, please do.