When the Only Time You Hear from People -- Is For a Fundraiser/Bake Sale/Social Media Following/Business They're Trying to Keep Alive...
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I also wanted to say, my heart broke a little when you said that the Black Friday thread was a reminder that you had no one in your life to shop for. 
I was so sorry to hear this.
Many of us hear will make jokes about Black Friday and shopping in general, but I understand how devastating that must be.
I really do hope you'll find some comfort here, both in the silly and the serious.
I was so sorry to hear this.
Many of us hear will make jokes about Black Friday and shopping in general, but I understand how devastating that must be.
I really do hope you'll find some comfort here, both in the silly and the serious.
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I agree that your strategy is well-utilized by a lot of singles I know (including myself) and it almost always works perfectly.
The problem is that when you're single yourself, you wind up alone in a room, possibly talking to stuffed critters (and then trying to rope your online friends into being part of the conversation.)
But I have to admit that for me, it can be a whole lot better than having to deal with anyone trying to suck the life out of you without ever giving back.
The problem is that when you're single yourself, you wind up alone in a room, possibly talking to stuffed critters (and then trying to rope your online friends into being part of the conversation.)
But I have to admit that for me, it can be a whole lot better than having to deal with anyone trying to suck the life out of you without ever giving back.
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I wouldn't have it any other way!!
P.S. How is Tanner doing?
#CertainlyNotABadInfluence_NotMe
P.S. How is Tanner doing?
#CertainlyNotABadInfluence_NotMe
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I also wanted to say, my heart broke a little when you said that the Black Friday thread was a reminder that you had no one in your life to shop for.
I was so sorry to hear this.
Many of us hear will make jokes about Black Friday and shopping in general, but I understand how devastating that must be.
I really do hope you'll find some comfort here, both in the silly and the serious.
I was so sorry to hear this.
Many of us hear will make jokes about Black Friday and shopping in general, but I understand how devastating that must be.
I really do hope you'll find some comfort here, both in the silly and the serious.
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Like I mentioned the other day, I have not really been paying attention to what forum I am in while responding. I just checked on that interaction, if you can call it that, and it occurred in the Christian News Forum. That same poster later told me that I am full of , and that I am a snowflake. I reported both instances, and nothing has been done about it. At least, not yet. I guess that is acceptable behavior around here. I certainly have big enough shoulders to bear it. Truth be told, it was less painful than a mosquito bite. In fact, it was not painful for me at all. I actually feel sorry for the poster who said those things. He obviously needs some help if he believes that to be Christlike behavior.
, and that I am a snowflake. I reported both instances, and nothing has been done about it. At least, not yet. I guess that is acceptable behavior around here. I certainly have big enough shoulders to bear it. Truth be told, it was less painful than a mosquito bite. In fact, it was not painful for me at all. I actually feel sorry for the poster who said those things. He obviously needs some help if he believes that to be Christlike behavior.
I totally understand where you're coming from and completely get what you're saying.
When I first came here, I was constantly processing pain and anger from a bitter, unwanted divorce that had happened several years before. I was even more angry and bitter when I found out he remarried and had kids, which is something I've never been able to do. But I started writing threads, maybe as a form of self-therapy -- and God somehow worked a miracle out of all my nonsense -- which is just a part of why I love God.
He takes the biggest trash heaps in our lives and turns them into refuges for other people.
But as you say, it also takes wisdom and discernment. I don't share as much as I used to publicly, as I feel God gradually convicted me of that. I'm both an open book but also very limited in whom I really open up to, as I think anyone has to be in these crazy times.
Like you, when I first got here, I was a bit shocked by so many different ideas and all the dissent surrounding it. And as someone who wrote somewhat of a collection of threads, I came to expect that at least one or two trolls would pop up on a regular basis, whether new or returning. It gets to a point where I think old-timers here might actuall be disappointed if only a couple of trolls show up instead of the endless multiples we got back in that day!)
People are more mentally unstable than ever, no matter what label they associate themselves with, including Christian -- and I think sites like this attract way more than their fair share. I can't tell you the number of times I've silently followed some of the rowdiest and most divisive personalities here -- later to find out, sometimes after years, that some are under the influence of drugs/alcohol; some are SUPPOSED to be taking meds but can't afford them or refuse to take them; some have some sort of mental health ailments like schizophrenia, and so it goes on. I remember one guy years ago who eventually confessed that he was high on crystal meth while posting.
So I try not to take anything too seriously here, because you never know what people's situations -- or diagnoses, whether known or not -- might really be.
NOT that this invalidates them as a person of course, but I'm always wondering what factors might be controlling the person other than the Holy Spirit, as they claim.
And yes, the little guy in my avatar is indeed an owl. His name is Winston, and he and his friends have made their way into a few of my threads, as they can't help but occasionally fly in on some of the conversations.
Thank you for the kind words, but I can't claim to be wise in any way.
Just ask my Mom -- she'll tell you I'm more of a smart-aleck!
When I first came here, I was constantly processing pain and anger from a bitter, unwanted divorce that had happened several years before. I was even more angry and bitter when I found out he remarried and had kids, which is something I've never been able to do. But I started writing threads, maybe as a form of self-therapy -- and God somehow worked a miracle out of all my nonsense -- which is just a part of why I love God.
He takes the biggest trash heaps in our lives and turns them into refuges for other people.
But as you say, it also takes wisdom and discernment. I don't share as much as I used to publicly, as I feel God gradually convicted me of that. I'm both an open book but also very limited in whom I really open up to, as I think anyone has to be in these crazy times.
Like you, when I first got here, I was a bit shocked by so many different ideas and all the dissent surrounding it. And as someone who wrote somewhat of a collection of threads, I came to expect that at least one or two trolls would pop up on a regular basis, whether new or returning. It gets to a point where I think old-timers here might actuall be disappointed if only a couple of trolls show up instead of the endless multiples we got back in that day!)
People are more mentally unstable than ever, no matter what label they associate themselves with, including Christian -- and I think sites like this attract way more than their fair share. I can't tell you the number of times I've silently followed some of the rowdiest and most divisive personalities here -- later to find out, sometimes after years, that some are under the influence of drugs/alcohol; some are SUPPOSED to be taking meds but can't afford them or refuse to take them; some have some sort of mental health ailments like schizophrenia, and so it goes on. I remember one guy years ago who eventually confessed that he was high on crystal meth while posting.
So I try not to take anything too seriously here, because you never know what people's situations -- or diagnoses, whether known or not -- might really be.
NOT that this invalidates them as a person of course, but I'm always wondering what factors might be controlling the person other than the Holy Spirit, as they claim.
And yes, the little guy in my avatar is indeed an owl.
His name is Winston, and he and his friends have made their way into a few of my threads, as they can't help but occasionally fly in on some of the conversations.Thank you for the kind words, but I can't claim to be wise in any way.
Just ask my Mom -- she'll tell you I'm more of a smart-aleck!
I am sorry to hear about your own trials which make everything that I just said seem so trivial (and it is trivial). Just talking to others can be therapeutic, and I am glad that you have found that out for yourself.
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Probably the only time of year that I go to both sides of the families houses. I used to go to their houses on more holidays but it seems like a one way street. I’ve been to their houses maybe 60 times in the last 10 years, while they have been over here maybe 3. Every year I have minimized going there. Now it’s more like a thanksgiving and christmas things now, and I might not even join them for Christmas cause I can’t afford any presents this year. Last year I got everyone jewelry and this year, I think I’m going to be like a Scrooge. Though every year I manage to get everyone something. Maybe card’s again. I just want to celebrate Jesus’ birthday by eating some food. Is that too hard to ask for?
Like I mentioned the other day, I have not really been paying attention to what forum I am in while responding. I just checked on that interaction, if you can call it that, and it occurred in the Christian News Forum. That same poster later told me that I am full of , and that I am a snowflake. I reported both instances, and nothing has been done about it. At least, not yet. I guess that is acceptable behavior around here. I certainly have big enough shoulders to bear it. Truth be told, it was less painful than a mosquito bite. In fact, it was not painful for me at all. I actually feel sorry for the poster who said those things. He obviously needs some help if he believes that to be Christlike behavior.
, and that I am a snowflake. I reported both instances, and nothing has been done about it. At least, not yet. I guess that is acceptable behavior around here. I certainly have big enough shoulders to bear it. Truth be told, it was less painful than a mosquito bite. In fact, it was not painful for me at all. I actually feel sorry for the poster who said those things. He obviously needs some help if he believes that to be Christlike behavior.
I read this right before leaving for work yesterday, and although there is nothing the least bit humorous about bullying, I couldn't stop chuckling on my car ride. For some unknown reason, I live a totally un-bullied life. I have a normal frame, no menacing look about me whatsoever, and I truly am a polite, often funny, pleasant, and somewhat extroverted gentleman who enjoys interacting with others, yet people somehow seem to instinctively know not to mess with me. I would definitely classify myself as a lover, and not a fighter, but I have had people tell me that other people are afraid to mess with me. Why? I don't know. Sure, on forums like this, I will encounter internet trolls who display their false bravado while hiding behind a computer screen, but, in real life, nobody tries to bully me. Anyhow, that is why I was chuckling. Because some people are afraid of me, and I certainly do not pose a threat to anybody.
In my case, it is 100% option number two. In other words, I am ostracized regularly simply due to my walk with Jesus. That is not just my own assessment. When I have squeezed those who can't stand me long enough, like trying to get that last bit of toothpaste out and onto my toothbrush, then they invariably admit, sometimes without even realizing it themselves, that they hate me because I am a Christian. Aside from their own admissions, I have also prayed to God about this more times than I can count, and he has shown me, over and over again, that the following is the real issue.
Jhn 3:19
And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
Jhn 3:20
For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
Jhn 3:21
But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
In this fallen world in which we live, there are multitudes of people who hate the light. Of course, the primary source of that light is Jesus Christ who is the light of the world. Similarly, Christians, if they are truly walking with Christ and reflecting his light, are the light of the world, and they are often shunned simply because of their association with Jesus. This has truly been my case, and it has severely damaged or completely ruined all sorts of relationships in my life over the years. So much so that I often have nobody to talk to or fellowship with other than God himself. As I have said before, I am not seeking to start a (self-) pity party by mentioning these things. I have understood the cost of discipleship from the outset, and this is all just par for the course. That said, there still is a two-fold pain involved.
1. The personal pain of being rejected when you are a loving and caring person yourself.
2. This should really be number 1, the pain of realizing that people really hate Jesus, their only possible means of salvation, and if that hatred persists, then they will be eternally condemned.
Understanding the parameters of this world in which we live, I honestly do not believe that there is a way to avoid either of these two very real pains. Of course, if people were united in spirit, and that Spirit was the Holy Spirit, then things would be much different. Even then, my most fiercest opponents have always been those who profess to know Christ, and that is nothing new either. In other words, in scripture, the fiercest opponents of Christ, the apostles, and the prophets were often those who professed to believe in God.
There is nothing new under the sun.
In my case, it is 100% option number two. In other words, I am ostracized regularly simply due to my walk with Jesus. That is not just my own assessment. When I have squeezed those who can't stand me long enough, like trying to get that last bit of toothpaste out and onto my toothbrush, then they invariably admit, sometimes without even realizing it themselves, that they hate me because I am a Christian. Aside from their own admissions, I have also prayed to God about this more times than I can count, and he has shown me, over and over again, that the following is the real issue.
Jhn 3:19
And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
Jhn 3:20
For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
Jhn 3:21
But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
In this fallen world in which we live, there are multitudes of people who hate the light. Of course, the primary source of that light is Jesus Christ who is the light of the world. Similarly, Christians, if they are truly walking with Christ and reflecting his light, are the light of the world, and they are often shunned simply because of their association with Jesus. This has truly been my case, and it has severely damaged or completely ruined all sorts of relationships in my life over the years. So much so that I often have nobody to talk to or fellowship with other than God himself. As I have said before, I am not seeking to start a (self-) pity party by mentioning these things. I have understood the cost of discipleship from the outset, and this is all just par for the course. That said, there still is a two-fold pain involved.
1. The personal pain of being rejected when you are a loving and caring person yourself.
2. This should really be number 1, the pain of realizing that people really hate Jesus, their only possible means of salvation, and if that hatred persists, then they will be eternally condemned.
Understanding the parameters of this world in which we live, I honestly do not believe that there is a way to avoid either of these two very real pains. Of course, if people were united in spirit, and that Spirit was the Holy Spirit, then things would be much different. Even then, my most fiercest opponents have always been those who profess to know Christ, and that is nothing new either. In other words, in scripture, the fiercest opponents of Christ, the apostles, and the prophets were often those who professed to believe in God.
There is nothing new under the sun.
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I really don't know what types of corrective actions are taken here. Personally, I am not into banning people unless they pose some sort of real threat to others. I could not even compare what that poster said to me to my kindergarten days because, honestly, my classmates back then showed more maturity than I have seen with certain posters here already.
Exactly. Only bother reporting people who are doing something directly detrimental. Trolling, profanity, or recently we had the odd example of promoting stealing from online video streaming services. That was strange. But anyway, yeah, only report people who really need to be removed fast.
The guy calling you names, that's not worth reporting. They do that a lot in the Bible discussion, Christian news and conspiracy forums. I just stay out of those because there's nothing worth reading there and there's a lot of high blood pressure floating around. I don't want to catch it.
The guy calling you names, that's not worth reporting. They do that a lot in the Bible discussion, Christian news and conspiracy forums. I just stay out of those because there's nothing worth reading there and there's a lot of high blood pressure floating around. I don't want to catch it.
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Like I mentioned the other day, I have not really been paying attention to what forum I am in while responding. I just checked on that interaction, if you can call it that, and it occurred in the Christian News Forum. That same poster later told me that I am full of , and that I am a snowflake. I reported both instances, and nothing has been done about it. At least, not yet. I guess that is acceptable behavior around here. I certainly have big enough shoulders to bear it. Truth be told, it was less painful than a mosquito bite. In fact, it was not painful for me at all. I actually feel sorry for the poster who said those things. He obviously needs some help if he believes that to be Christlike behavior.
, and that I am a snowflake. I reported both instances, and nothing has been done about it. At least, not yet. I guess that is acceptable behavior around here. I certainly have big enough shoulders to bear it. Truth be told, it was less painful than a mosquito bite. In fact, it was not painful for me at all. I actually feel sorry for the poster who said those things. He obviously needs some help if he believes that to be Christlike behavior.
I hear you, but I'm not the type of person who lets the unacceptable behavior of others keep me from going places. That said, those types of threads normally are of no interest to me whatsoever, so it is highly unlikely that I will visit them again.
May I ask what the significance of your username is? I think that mine is pretty self-explanatory by now.
May I ask what the significance of your username is? I think that mine is pretty self-explanatory by now.
I hear you, but I'm not the type of person who lets the unacceptable behavior of others keep me from going places. That said, those types of threads normally are of no interest to me whatsoever, so it is highly unlikely that I will visit them again.
May I ask what the significance of your username is? I think that mine is pretty self-explanatory by now.
May I ask what the significance of your username is? I think that mine is pretty self-explanatory by now.
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I just want to quickly clarify something. When I mentioned chuckling earlier, in no way was I laughing about the very real and damaging effects of bullying. I am aware that many people have gone so far as to take their own lives due to the negative effects of bullying, and that is no laughing matter. In my case, I was chuckling because, on my car ride to work yesterday, my mind was being flooded with memories of those who seemingly are somewhat afraid of me when there is nothing to be afraid of. Even that doesn't sound right. It is hard for me to properly express or articulate things at times, and that I why I normally just talk about God, and not about myself. I am sorry if I gave anybody the wrong impression with my comments from earlier today or if I possibly caused any unintended offense.
https://allpoetry.com/The-Daisy-follows-soft-the-Sun
The Daisy follows soft the Sun—
And when his golden walk is done—
Sits shyly at his feet—
He—waking—finds the flower there—
Wherefore—Marauder—art thou here?
Because, Sir, love is sweet!
We are the Flower—Thou the Sun!
Forgive us, if as days decline—
We nearer steal to Thee!
Enamored of the parting West—
The peace—the flight—the Amethyst—
Night's possibility!
Analysis (ai): This poem is a metaphor for the human desire for connection and love. The daisy represents the human soul, which follows the sun (God) in its daily journey. When the sun sets, the daisy (soul) sits quietly at its feet, waiting to be noticed. The sun (God) awakens and finds the daisy there, questioning its presence. The daisy responds that it is there because love is sweet, indicating the human soul's longing for connection with God.
The poem compares the human soul to a flower that is drawn to the sun, seeking warmth and light. It also suggests that humans are naturally inclined towards love, seeking connection with a higher power or a source of meaning. The poem reflects the Romantic era's emphasis on nature, beauty, and the power of love.
The Daisy follows soft the Sun—
And when his golden walk is done—
Sits shyly at his feet—
He—waking—finds the flower there—
Wherefore—Marauder—art thou here?
Because, Sir, love is sweet!
We are the Flower—Thou the Sun!
Forgive us, if as days decline—
We nearer steal to Thee!
Enamored of the parting West—
The peace—the flight—the Amethyst—
Night's possibility!
Analysis (ai): This poem is a metaphor for the human desire for connection and love. The daisy represents the human soul, which follows the sun (God) in its daily journey. When the sun sets, the daisy (soul) sits quietly at its feet, waiting to be noticed. The sun (God) awakens and finds the daisy there, questioning its presence. The daisy responds that it is there because love is sweet, indicating the human soul's longing for connection with God.
The poem compares the human soul to a flower that is drawn to the sun, seeking warmth and light. It also suggests that humans are naturally inclined towards love, seeking connection with a higher power or a source of meaning. The poem reflects the Romantic era's emphasis on nature, beauty, and the power of love.