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Seriously, there are two ways we can help these people!
1. Love, love, love them!
2. Burn, burn, burn them!
Either we somehow reach them with God's love, and if that doesn't work, time to bring out brimstone and fire, and the threat of hell if they don't shape up.
Shape up or ship out. But love them first! LOL
1. Love, love, love them!
2. Burn, burn, burn them!
Either we somehow reach them with God's love, and if that doesn't work, time to bring out brimstone and fire, and the threat of hell if they don't shape up.
Shape up or ship out. But love them first! LOL
A
Wow! I don't know which church you go to, but it sounds like fun, since everyone in it is saved.
The last denomination we belonged to (still do, just can't go to church anymore), always had some truly odd people coming. And then there were the pillars of society, but just because you're a pillar doesn't mean you're a Christian. So, no, I see no difference between this site and the true church. Since we really don't know if anyone else is a true Christian, we can only hope, and then pray for the best, since false hope and $5 gets you a coffee from Starbucks. (I don't drink coffee and haven't been to Starbucks in a couple of years, so I'm just guessing it can't cost more than $5 still.)
I've said it before, and I'll say it again. CC is my church because I can't go to a church building to rub elbows with the saints and sinners. It ain't perfect, but, then again, I've never been to a perfect church building either, and that one I can guarantee, since the moment I entered, it stopped being perfect, even if it was a moment before.
I've seen vile in brick and mortar churches, home churches, and now online churches. Doesn't mean it still doesn't have a Christian community in it. It's not like the vile can't show up in Christians too.
The last denomination we belonged to (still do, just can't go to church anymore), always had some truly odd people coming. And then there were the pillars of society, but just because you're a pillar doesn't mean you're a Christian. So, no, I see no difference between this site and the true church. Since we really don't know if anyone else is a true Christian, we can only hope, and then pray for the best, since false hope and $5 gets you a coffee from Starbucks. (I don't drink coffee and haven't been to Starbucks in a couple of years, so I'm just guessing it can't cost more than $5 still.)
I've said it before, and I'll say it again. CC is my church because I can't go to a church building to rub elbows with the saints and sinners. It ain't perfect, but, then again, I've never been to a perfect church building either, and that one I can guarantee, since the moment I entered, it stopped being perfect, even if it was a moment before.
I've seen vile in brick and mortar churches, home churches, and now online churches. Doesn't mean it still doesn't have a Christian community in it. It's not like the vile can't show up in Christians too.
I know something else that's important to me in who I pay attention to is whether or not they have a correctable spirit or not.
Now granted, I'm known to be a bit stubborn myself
so I understand that some things might not be able to be resolved until we get to heaven (as Rose said, we can agree to disagree.)
However, the Bible has a lot to say about having a humble, teachable spirit and I know the best mentors I've ever had were the ones who were the most humble and saw themselves as learning from their students as well.
If I see someone who refuses ANY kind of correction or won't even listen to what other people have to say without resorting to condemnation or insults, I certainly know that nothing I say to them can help. Therefore, I move them to my T.P.F. ("To Pray For") list and move on in the hopes of learning from someone else.
Now granted, I'm known to be a bit stubborn myself
so I understand that some things might not be able to be resolved until we get to heaven (as Rose said, we can agree to disagree.)However, the Bible has a lot to say about having a humble, teachable spirit and I know the best mentors I've ever had were the ones who were the most humble and saw themselves as learning from their students as well.
If I see someone who refuses ANY kind of correction or won't even listen to what other people have to say without resorting to condemnation or insults, I certainly know that nothing I say to them can help. Therefore, I move them to my T.P.F. ("To Pray For") list and move on in the hopes of learning from someone else.
I live in New Jersey. That's my excuse!
On a serious note, I like what you shared, Seoul, and indeed, it is right to pray for everyone, perhaps especially for folks with mental illnesses. It's not a joke, and folks who suffer from mental illness often suffer spiritually. I'm saying a special prayer tonight for everyone who suffers in such a manner.
On a serious note, I like what you shared, Seoul, and indeed, it is right to pray for everyone, perhaps especially for folks with mental illnesses. It's not a joke, and folks who suffer from mental illness often suffer spiritually. I'm saying a special prayer tonight for everyone who suffers in such a manner.
S
I know something else that's important to me in who I pay attention to is whether or not they have a correctable spirit or not.
Now granted, I'm known to be a bit stubborn myself so I understand that some things might not be able to be resolved until we get to heaven (as Rose said, we can agree to disagree.)
However, the Bible has a lot to say about having a humble, teachable spirit and I know the best mentors I've ever had were the ones who were the most humble and saw themselves as learning from their students as well.
If I see someone who refuses ANY kind of correction or won't even listen to what other people have to say without resorting to condemnation or insults, I certainly know that nothing I say to them can help. Therefore, I move them to my T.P.F. ("To Pray For") list and move on in the hopes of learning from someone else.
Now granted, I'm known to be a bit stubborn myself
so I understand that some things might not be able to be resolved until we get to heaven (as Rose said, we can agree to disagree.)However, the Bible has a lot to say about having a humble, teachable spirit and I know the best mentors I've ever had were the ones who were the most humble and saw themselves as learning from their students as well.
If I see someone who refuses ANY kind of correction or won't even listen to what other people have to say without resorting to condemnation or insults, I certainly know that nothing I say to them can help. Therefore, I move them to my T.P.F. ("To Pray For") list and move on in the hopes of learning from someone else.
I live in New Jersey. That's my excuse!
* Ha ha ha, just kidding!! Another reason I had been thinking about mental illness within an online presence is because several years ago, there was a young woman whose posts I used to enjoy (she's not here anymore or else I wouldn't talk about it, for privacy's sake.)
I don't know what happened but she sort of "snapped", and all of a sudden, all her posts became angry, repeated rants about some people in her life who had hurt her deeply. A few even had to be edited or removed because of language. I can't remember what happened, but either she stopped posting or was banned.
The especially strange part is that another poster claimed to be posting an explanation on the young woman's behalf. This second poster said she was a registered nurse and that she had talked to this young woman herself and concluded that she had bipolor disorder. I have no idea if this was the "nurse's" "own diagnosis" or if the young woman had stated to her that she indeed did have bipolar disorder. Although it made sense in the aftermath, I was also a bit puzzled in that, what professional would publicly out someone like that? I don't know what the real story was.
But I do know that ever since, whenever I see runaway posters who keep going and going and going... I always have to wonder what's going on behind the scenes.
A few days ago I tried to do some research about what symptoms one might exude online, particularly with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, but could only find articles regarding normal everyday contact.
If anyone is aware of any research or information out there, please post it--I'd be extremely interested in seeing what the articles have to say.
At one point in my life I was studying to be a psychologist, but the school I attended was from an almost purely behavioral background that almost exclusively studied the pattern of antecedent (what happens before), behavior, and consequence.
However, reading some of the threads and posts here... My own (granted, questionably reasonable
) mind is often thinking, "I could be wrong... but this entire post just seems to scream schizophrenia..."The only reason I mention any of this is that I thought it might help some of our wonderful, compassionate friends here to rest a little easier and save themselves time and energy from arguing with people who literally might not have the capacity to take in what they're saying. Rather, we can step back and pray for them instead. (Right before taking a nap to restore our energy.
)
L
I know something else that's important to me in who I pay attention to is whether or not they have a correctable spirit or not.
Now granted, I'm known to be a bit stubborn myself so I understand that some things might not be able to be resolved until we get to heaven (as Rose said, we can agree to disagree.)
However, the Bible has a lot to say about having a humble, teachable spirit and I know the best mentors I've ever had were the ones who were the most humble and saw themselves as learning from their students as well.
If I see someone who refuses ANY kind of correction or won't even listen to what other people have to say without resorting to condemnation or insults, I certainly know that nothing I say to them can help. Therefore, I move them to my T.P.F. ("To Pray For") list and move on in the hopes of learning from someone else.
Now granted, I'm known to be a bit stubborn myself
so I understand that some things might not be able to be resolved until we get to heaven (as Rose said, we can agree to disagree.)However, the Bible has a lot to say about having a humble, teachable spirit and I know the best mentors I've ever had were the ones who were the most humble and saw themselves as learning from their students as well.
If I see someone who refuses ANY kind of correction or won't even listen to what other people have to say without resorting to condemnation or insults, I certainly know that nothing I say to them can help. Therefore, I move them to my T.P.F. ("To Pray For") list and move on in the hopes of learning from someone else.
My mom is mentally ill, and while growing up... It sucked, I can tell you first hand, being the child of a mentally sick person, who isn't diagnosed, or seeing a doctor for it.. Very very... Frustrating and stressful.. And scary. Many times my mom would go off the wall, and take me and my brother and move us away if something went wrong between her and my dad. I moved a lot Cause of my dads job... But I also moved a lot cause of my mom and being sick.. And not getting treatment for it.
I love my mom, but she did what she knew to do being sick... Now that she's got treatment, and seeing her doc.. And her counsellor and everything else... She's slowly coming around to being "normal".... If there is any such thing.. But yea, I don't remember more than half my childhood cause of all the crazy and Wild things that happened to me. But I can tell you I survived it, and have my own testimony as to living and dealing with someone who was mentally ill.
You know...the Pharisees we such a people and very few of them paid much attention to the two master teachers that walked the planet.....Jesus and John the Baptist being the two...if they wont hear the word of God, the still small voice of the Spirit or the conviction that comes with the two I just listed then they will not hear and or change regardless what happens and or takes place...IMV<---v=view
LittleBit, I am so sorry for everything you've suffered through. You are so brave!!! *hugs* And, we love you. <3
Something that has always intrigued me is that Jesus' harshest words while He was here on earth were always for the Pharisees and religious leaders of the day.
In other words, it was the people who claimed to be experts in God's Word, who saw themselves as the only ones righteous enough to go to heaven, and that because of their own works, they alone were in a position to teach OTHERS how to know and come to God... Sounds awfully familiar, huh? As in, this could fit the attitude of 95% of the posts in the Bible Discussion Forum.
And yet, Jesus Himself told people with this attitude, "You snakes! Brood of vipers!! How will you escape being condemned to hell?" (Matthew 23:3). He called them "whitewashed tombs" and proclaimed, "Woe to the Scribes and Pharisees...", telling them the day would come when God Himself would say to them, "Away from me. I never knew you."
I just find this fascinating. Jesus's sternest, most condemning words were never for the prostitutes, tax collectors, and sinners the Pharisees prided themselves in not associating with.
Rather, Jesus's most biting words... were for the ones who claimed to know the most about Him and that they were closest to Him.
Things That Make You Go Hmm...
I always wonder why so many S.A.P.'s (Self-Appointed Prophets) never seem to recognize this... or why they never seem to be afraid that they just might be what Jesus Himself condemned the most out of everyone.
Something that has always intrigued me is that Jesus' harshest words while He was here on earth were always for the Pharisees and religious leaders of the day.
In other words, it was the people who claimed to be experts in God's Word, who saw themselves as the only ones righteous enough to go to heaven, and that because of their own works, they alone were in a position to teach OTHERS how to know and come to God... Sounds awfully familiar, huh? As in, this could fit the attitude of 95% of the posts in the Bible Discussion Forum.
And yet, Jesus Himself told people with this attitude, "You snakes! Brood of vipers!! How will you escape being condemned to hell?" (Matthew 23:3). He called them "whitewashed tombs" and proclaimed, "Woe to the Scribes and Pharisees...", telling them the day would come when God Himself would say to them, "Away from me. I never knew you."
I just find this fascinating. Jesus's sternest, most condemning words were never for the prostitutes, tax collectors, and sinners the Pharisees prided themselves in not associating with.
Rather, Jesus's most biting words... were for the ones who claimed to know the most about Him and that they were closest to Him.
Things That Make You Go Hmm...
I always wonder why so many S.A.P.'s (Self-Appointed Prophets) never seem to recognize this... or why they never seem to be afraid that they just might be what Jesus Himself condemned the most out of everyone.
No doubt and I agree with this......to me I am biblically bound to witness one and only one time to anyone who is lost or on the wrong path....that does not mean that I will not spend extra time with them if they are receptive to the truth, but if they are opposed to it, reject it vehemently and or mock it...I will walk and feel just fine with the fact that I have fulfilled my spiritual obligation to that individual and I am free from their blood! (Ezekiel)
J
Schizophrenia is too strong a word to characterize what goes on here, only one person I'll not name who appears to have some extreme disassociation. What you mainly see are borderline mental disorders, of the narcissistic variety. There's an excellent book, though getting technical and into theoretical territory, but which characterizes these disorders very well, called, "Borderline Conditions and Pathological Narcissism." It's by a doctor named Otto Kernberg. (There are many types of borderline disorders, borderline being functional people in society, but sociopathic to some degree, in some way, the secular theory that an undeveloped superego is the problem, arrested development, missing screws.) Even trolling has roots in sociopathic disease. But yes, there are clear clinical symptoms of narcissistic disorders, revealed in a number of people posting here.
S
It all comes down to our "thinking''. How we view ourselves and our self talk about our place in the world. How we express ourselves outwardly to the world based on our experience...hangups, hurts and if we have done and continue to do the work of weeding out "errors in our thinking" and replacing that thinking with responsible and truthful thinking that isn't based on emotion..... but is rooted in Gods word. Mental health problems are very often thinking problems, sometimes chemical and more often both....which one comes first..... is kind of chicken or the egg territory.
J
Salvation must come first, the Holy Spirit the cure for many these diseases, but this not what is burning in my loins at the moment, 'o great Effendi Sirk: thou mayest be on to something, thy homospirituals.
This could be a real boon to the legal industry. Think about it. Homospiritual Rights. A baker could be sued and put out of business, for refusing to bake a perfect cake, frosting of which must hold up to scrutiny with a micrometer. Or a wedding photographer taken to court, who refused an order guaranteeing all shots would be good. Malpractice, of doctors who didn't deliver a perfect baby. Shoot, sue any lawyer, who loses a Homospiritual Rights case! Sue popcorn suppliers, over old maid kernels. Now that we nearly have a homo in every pot, time to take up the plight of the homospirituals! If not for them, then at least to try and save some trial lawyers.
This could be a real boon to the legal industry. Think about it. Homospiritual Rights. A baker could be sued and put out of business, for refusing to bake a perfect cake, frosting of which must hold up to scrutiny with a micrometer. Or a wedding photographer taken to court, who refused an order guaranteeing all shots would be good. Malpractice, of doctors who didn't deliver a perfect baby. Shoot, sue any lawyer, who loses a Homospiritual Rights case! Sue popcorn suppliers, over old maid kernels. Now that we nearly have a homo in every pot, time to take up the plight of the homospirituals! If not for them, then at least to try and save some trial lawyers.
I minister to bipolar people, and I have never seen anyone post in that group the way some people post here. Mind you, they are all medicated and have had therapy, and have a lot of insight to their actions, motives and disease.
But borderlines are another matter! I was in an RA group, and one woman with borderline got so crazy, she literally destroyed the group. She made everything "all about me." And when she didn't get her way, she manipulated people and tore the group apart. It was very sad.
I think someone with an organically based disease like bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, can be well treated, and productive members of a group like this. But Borderline Personalities have utterly no awareness of what they are doing, and treatment is supposed to be very difficult, in the rare cases where they actually seek help.
I confess, anyone I suspect of being Borderline, I put on ignore. Then I don't have to figure out whether I can help them, how to deal with them, especially the ranting and ravings. I have a lot more peace here, since I did that! A wonderful function, the ignore button. No more obsessive personalities making everything about them, and how everything that they believe is the only right way!
But borderlines are another matter! I was in an RA group, and one woman with borderline got so crazy, she literally destroyed the group. She made everything "all about me." And when she didn't get her way, she manipulated people and tore the group apart. It was very sad.
I think someone with an organically based disease like bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, can be well treated, and productive members of a group like this. But Borderline Personalities have utterly no awareness of what they are doing, and treatment is supposed to be very difficult, in the rare cases where they actually seek help.
I confess, anyone I suspect of being Borderline, I put on ignore. Then I don't have to figure out whether I can help them, how to deal with them, especially the ranting and ravings. I have a lot more peace here, since I did that! A wonderful function, the ignore button. No more obsessive personalities making everything about them, and how everything that they believe is the only right way!