Streams of Consciousness & Thoughts~~~

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ChandlerFan

Senior Member
Jan 8, 2013
1,148
102
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You would think with the amount of coffee I've been consuming lately, I'd be full of energy and become motivated to the things that I'm literally avoiding to do and wanting to do other things besides them. Then I wonder why I get disappointed.

Speaking of which, a few weeks ago I said that I'd get myself into writing or blogging. I can think of one small project in mind and contemplated on for a short time, but it's something that I can't say I'm definite on or really know how to construct just yet. I will have it known if and when this said project will be done and see where it goes from there.

I'm also thinking of taking up something like photography as a pastime sort of thing. Maybe it can add depth with things that could be taken as a hobby as well as to somehow connect with some of the things I'm hoping will come to pass. Who knows. Now I just need to know what type of camera to get in order to make that possible.

A bit of a rambling/rant type of thing, which I told myself that I need to cut down on and possibly refrain unless it's completely necessary... But I can't help but feel that while everything else still needs to be changed around me and yet I restrain from doing such because of laziness or seemingly to be impossible to do, I can't help but feel a void inside that I'm trying to obtain through earthly things. We know on a Biblical viewpoint that it's not acceptable, in fact there's many things about me that are unacceptable and whether they are said or not does not matter anyway. Influences as well as unwanted but repeated habits are not helping me. In the end, I think I need a break even though I've said this in the past. -sighs-

Well, I'm done.
That is true, but what is also true is that God accepts you anyway :) Don't forget that side of the coin.
 

ChandlerFan

Senior Member
Jan 8, 2013
1,148
102
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To everyone who prayed for my drainpipe situation, thank you so much. Had kind of a rough day today, but I came home to find that my drain seems to be working again, which is one of those little back-of-my-mind stresses that is no longer there now :) I don't know how many times I said, "Thank you, God, thank you." I was a bit worried as I needed to wait until Friday when I get paid to call a plumber, and on top of a potentially unexpected plumbing bill I'm also needing to order textbooks and class started this week. So anyways, that was a nice pick-me-up. Thank you all for your prayers :)
 
J

JustAnotherUser

Guest
That is true, but what is also true is that God accepts you anyway :) Don't forget that side of the coin.
May not agree with this completely for reasons that I'll keep to myself, I will say thank you for your uplift response as well as others who in the past have done so.
 
T

Tintin

Guest
It's difficult to say this, but it's been a long time since I've felt God's joy in my life. Much of my faith journey has been just that, believing on and trusting in God by faith. Because I haven't felt the tangible loving presence of God since early high school. Blah.
 
S

ServantStrike

Guest
A bit of a rambling/rant type of thing, which I told myself that I need to cut down on and possibly refrain unless it's completely necessary... But I can't help but feel that while everything else still needs to be changed around me and yet I restrain from doing such because of laziness or seemingly to be impossible to do, I can't help but feel a void inside that I'm trying to obtain through earthly things. We know on a Biblical viewpoint that it's not acceptable, in fact there's many things about me that are unacceptable and whether they are said or not does not matter anyway. Influences as well as unwanted but repeated habits are not helping me. In the end, I think I need a break even though I've said this in the past. -sighs-

Well, I'm done.
I think every Christian worth his or her salt has felt like you do at one point or another - I'd say on more occasion than one.

We can so easily lose sight of where we've come from and where we're going that thoughts, actions, and attitudes can slip. Behaviors can sneak in under the radar and before you know it, you're telling yourself that you're not the person you should be.

Just pray on it. Seeing areas for improvement helps ensure that you can improve in those areas.
 

lil_christian

Senior Member
Mar 14, 2010
7,489
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It's difficult to say this, but it's been a long time since I've felt God's joy in my life. Much of my faith journey has been just that, believing on and trusting in God by faith. Because I haven't felt the tangible loving presence of God since early high school. Blah.
I know what you mean... I've had an extremely hard time with not feeling God's joy in my life and hearing Him... Seriously, the last time I heard from God clearly was the night my bedroom got infested with yellow jackets. He very clearly told me go sleep on the couch that night because wasps were trying to break through (exactly that). The next morning I was going to get ready for church. I went into my room, and heard buzzing. I looked up at my window, and there were four on my window. I don't know if there were any others in there at that time. But the day after when the exterminator went in there, he said there were about a hundred in there. Almost all of them were dead strangely enough. I also did not get stung once. That night God told me to sleep on the couch, I was wondering if my life was worth anything to anyone or God. Just...wow. I feel fully convinced God preserved me that night.

I wish I knew why God chooses to be so silent most of the time, even to the most committed Christians. I wish I could feel His joy more often... I wish he would give joy to you. I wish there was a how to on how to feel God's joy. All I really do know is God has a plan for all of us, and when we see it, it will be amazing.
 

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
Aug 13, 2014
27,363
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ChandlerFan: If the drain gives you trouble again, wait for it to drain out slowly and then pour half a bottle of Dawn dishwashing liquid down it. Don't let anything else go down the drain, even cold water. Put a large pot of water on the stove to boil. When it is boiling, pour it down the drain after the dishwashing liquid. Enjoy the water tornado you now have when water is draining from the sink.


About God's silence, I have found He is often silent when I ask Him about something that is already in the Bible. And no, I don't mean sin specifically, although it IS rather futile to ask Him if it's okay to do something the Bible already said is wrong. I mean the Bible covers a whole lot of stuff - it's basically a user manual for the body and the world we are in.

About joy, that is inseparable from all the other facets of a relationship with God - peace, love, faith, when one increases they all increase. When one decreases they all decrease. Usually it is faith that increases or decreases first. As I trust God more, I have more peace. As I have more peace, there is more room for joy in my life. As I have more joy, I love God more. And as I love God more, I have more faith in Him. The circle can increase or decrease, but it never stays static.
 

Roh_Chris

Senior Member
Jun 15, 2014
4,728
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Travelling today. Off on an 8hour drive to a town for an official meeting. Will be back home tomorrow evening.
 

seoulsearch

OutWrite Trouble
May 23, 2009
16,492
5,428
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So I said I've only used the Ignore function here once, and that was because of a married man making comments to me in the forums...

Tonight I made another exception... "girl" in chat, who, for months, has been approaching me every time I go into the chat room... and always, always, always wants to talk about the same thing. Online shopping. For skirts. Says it's because her church encourages women to only wear skirts. Ok, fine. But then "she" always, always, always asks me what kinds of skirts and dresses I wear and what styles, even though I've told her repeatedly that I don't wear skirts and dresses. It's like a record player that got stuck and is repeating the same recording over and over. And when I remind "her" that I've told her I don't wear skirts and dresses, "she" starts asking me well what about shorts, and what kinds of shorts do I wear...

Tonight I finally asked "her" if she's a guy. "No, no, sorry, sorry... completely apologize..." was "her" answer.

Things that make you go hmm...

I've tried to be understanding and gracious, I really have. And there is a chance I could be wrong. But regardless, tonight I finally clicked Ignore, because at the very least, even if this person really is a girl, she obviously isn't listening to anything I have to say.
 

rachelsedge

Senior Member
Oct 15, 2012
3,659
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So I said I've only used the Ignore function here once, and that was because of a married man making comments to me in the forums...

Tonight I made another exception... "girl" in chat, who, for months, has been approaching me every time I go into the chat room... and always, always, always wants to talk about the same thing. Online shopping. For skirts. Says it's because her church encourages women to only wear skirts. Ok, fine. But then "she" always, always, always asks me what kinds of skirts and dresses I wear and what styles, even though I've told her repeatedly that I don't wear skirts and dresses. It's like a record player that got stuck and is repeating the same recording over and over. And when I remind "her" that I've told her I don't wear skirts and dresses, "she" starts asking me well what about shorts, and what kinds of shorts do I wear...

Tonight I finally asked "her" if she's a guy. "No, no, sorry, sorry... completely apologize..." was "her" answer.

Things that make you go hmm...

I've tried to be understanding and gracious, I really have. And there is a chance I could be wrong. But regardless, tonight I finally clicked Ignore, because at the very least, even if this person really is a girl, she obviously isn't listening to anything I have to say.
Tell him/her you never wear shorts/skirts or any traditional clothing. You only wear ogre costumes and, on special occasions, you break out footie pajamas that have ducks all over it.

In all seriousness, though.

Footie pajamas.
 

rachelsedge

Senior Member
Oct 15, 2012
3,659
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In actual seriousness, though, seoulsearch. :)

That is strange. I feel that anyone who gets fixated on what you wear, when they do not know you nor you them, is a red flag.

When I was talking to that guy from ChristianMingle a long time ago, he texted me one time, "What are you wearing to bed?" What the flippin' flap do you care? Is there REALLY a way you're gonna make my too-short pajama pants with a big old T-shirt with cartoon bears on it that says "You are Beary Special" into something hot? I don't get it. I thought, "Boy. Back up off it *snaps fingers*"

I should have told him an ogre costume. ;)
 

seoulsearch

OutWrite Trouble
May 23, 2009
16,492
5,428
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A few very kind, loving people have asked me why I don't write serious threads anymore. One major reason is that the backlashes have, for the most part, killed my interest in wanting to share anything about me or my life. Which is a bit depressing for me, as there are things I really wish I had someone to talk to about what's really going on with me.

I've tried talking about dates I've been on and vent my frustrations over being asked by men who can quote the Bible in Hebrew about starting a "friends with benefits" situation, which thoroughly disgusts me. But then I'm asked what I'm wearing, saying, or doing that's obviously enticing and bringing about this lascivious behavior. Because obviously. It must somehow be my fault.

So then I talk about how I'm finding contentment with single life and have gotten to a point where I no longer want to have children, and a guy (from another country) in chat PM'ed me with a dozen extremely personal questions, including, "So does that mean when you lie with your husband, you would take pills?"

I understand that being open and sharing things about your life means that people will question what you do and why you do it.

But that doesn't make it any less frustrating or annoying when some people lack tact and any regard for who I am as a person and as a Christian woman. When you talk about intimate aspects of your life, you assume that people will at least give you an ounce of credit for who you say you are and will show at least a basic level of respect. Praise God for the people here who DO understand and are supportive--I am very grateful for you all. But lately I've been on an emotional lockdown... and yet desperately wanting to say the things I really wish I could say.

Humor is one of the best defense mechanisms there is. It's a way of interacting with people while not giving anyone too much vulnerability to be able to throw darts at your character without knowing who you really are. I know who I am. I just wish other people did, as well.

Because then I wouldn't have to shield the things that are truly going on in my heart behind posts about hashtags.

Sometimes though, it's the only way you can interact with people without getting your innermost thoughts questioned or ripped to pieces.

I want to write a thread about this soon but am still letting it marinate.
 
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seoulsearch

OutWrite Trouble
May 23, 2009
16,492
5,428
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Tell him/her you never wear shorts/skirts or any traditional clothing. You only wear ogre costumes and, on special occasions, you break out footie pajamas that have ducks all over it.

In all seriousness, though.

Footie pajamas.
Footie pajamas... and a colossal zipper tag charm filled with mace.

Either that or nerve gas.

I like to be prepared.
 
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Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
Aug 13, 2014
27,363
9,376
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So seoulsearch, what kind of skirts do... oh never mind. Hush Lynx. :rolleyes:


Seriously though, go ahead and start a thread you really want to start. If someone rips it apart, it's only an avatar on a forum. You'll never meet him (or her of course - "him" non-specific) and he'll never meet you. In the meantime the rest of us would like to see what you would start.
 

cinder

Senior Member
Mar 26, 2014
4,433
2,418
113
This last Sunday, I took a break during one of the sermons (since I had to play in all three services) and had a strange conversation with one of the scary church ladies:

her: you need to be our music director.

me: *laughing it off, since the position is filled* Thanks.

her: I'm serious!

me: Well. Some might have a problem with that. I'm not really a Lutheran.

her: nobody will care...wait...you're not Mormon, are you?

me: Heavens, no! I couldn't even handle ONE wife...besides, I'm drinking coffee. See?

her: Well besides Christ, we Lutherans promote coffee, music, wine, and food. Lots of food.

me: Those are some of my favorite things as well.

her: You're Lutheran. You just don't know it. Would you accept the position if offered?

me: sure

her: I'll talk to people...






to be continued?????
So do you actually want the job then, that part of the discussion seemed to be skipped? Does this mean you are potentially converting to Lutheranism? :p

When you talk about intimate aspects of your life, you assume that people will at least give you an ounce of credit for who you say you are and will show at least a basic level of respect.
People yes. Random internet weirdoes no such luck unfortunately. I am sorry that you are being treated like this and do allow me to say that I love your threads and appreciate your contributions a lot. Also sarcastic mocking cinder and brutally honest cinder are available to be door guards on any of your threads (that's the other use of humor you didn't mention, to make idiots look as ridiculous as they are). And yes if you gave me permission to be a total jerk to jerks invading your thread it could get ugly quick.

Humor is one of the best defense mechanisms there is. It's a way of interacting with people while not giving anyone too much vulnerability to be able to throw darts at your character without knowing who you really are.
SHHHHH… Don't give away all my secrets. They're supposed to think I'm just part of the comic relief around here.