Time to say "goodbye" to my CC friends.

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

Live4Him3

Jesus is Lord
May 19, 2022
1,383
640
113
#64
I get it, this site isn't very satisfying if you're looking to change peoples' minds which is why I use this site to hone and sharpen my interpretations. My default position is that the modern church doesn't know the Bible very well so I am always looking to find the truth of the Word of God. I know you know a lot about the Bible and have very solid, well-formed, interpretations, 99% of which I have seen I totally agree with.

I actually valued your input in discussions, a rarity for this board in my personal opinion, but there are a literal handful of very solid theologians here, several decent ones, and even more completely lost and confused. So it's particularly saddening to see you go (again). If you see this, lurking the guest view of the forums, I hope you consider coming back.
I honestly never intended to come back here again, and especially not this soon, but here I am, nonetheless.

Anyhow, I appreciate your kind and encouraging words.

Thank you.
 
Mar 4, 2020
8,614
3,691
113
#66
I honestly never intended to come back here again, and especially not this soon, but here I am, nonetheless.

Anyhow, I appreciate your kind and encouraging words.

Thank you.
yay a big welcome back. I hope you're doing okay.
 

Live4Him3

Jesus is Lord
May 19, 2022
1,383
640
113
#67
yay a big welcome back. I hope you're doing okay.
I am doing okay, but if you took a poll on it here, then the results would probably suggest something entirely different...lol.

Seriously, the primary reason why I've left here twice before is that I only have one life to live, and I'm always looking to redeem whatever time I have left on this earth wisely.

For the most part, my words here just fall to the ground, so I simply look to possibly minister better to others elsewhere OR to be better ministered to myself. I deactivate my account to avoid the temptation of returning to places where I feel I'm just spinning my wheels. That said, here I am...again. God only knows why.

Anyhow, it was nice to hear that my participation here had/has a positive effect on somebody. I have had some friends here over the years, but they're mostly gone now themselves.

I have the day off from work tomorrow, and I'm hoping to really seek God's face (if I don't allow myself to get distracted) so I can determine exactly what he wants me to do next in life. I've had a very real leading of the Lord in my life in the past, but it just seems like I'm somehow at the wheel right now.

We'll see what happens.

Thanks again for your kind words.

Believe me, I don't get too many of those around here...or elsewhere.
 

arthurfleminger

Well-known member
Aug 18, 2021
1,405
780
113
#69
I've wished you well already and don't mean to be callous, but go already. You remind me of the Judds on their 'Final Farewell Tour', it lasted almost 20 years. If you've gotta go, for goodness sakes go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

Live4Him3

Jesus is Lord
May 19, 2022
1,383
640
113
#70
I've wished you well already and don't mean to be callous, but go already. You remind me of the Judds on their 'Final Farewell Tour', it lasted almost 20 years. If you've gotta go, for goodness sakes go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Believe me, I've tried.

Anyhow, maybe you'll get your wish shortly.

As I just said, I'm hoping to spend the day in prayer tomorrow for Divine direction for my life.

If God leads me elsewhere, then I'll ask him to remove my rearview mirror...lol.
 
Mar 4, 2020
8,614
3,691
113
#71
I am doing okay, but if you took a poll on it here, then the results would probably suggest something entirely different...lol.

Seriously, the primary reason why I've left here twice before is that I only have one life to live, and I'm always looking to redeem whatever time I have left on this earth wisely.

For the most part, my words here just fall to the ground, so I simply look to possibly minister better to others elsewhere OR to be better ministered to myself. I deactivate my account to avoid the temptation of returning to places where I feel I'm just spinning my wheels. That said, here I am...again. God only knows why.

Anyhow, it was nice to hear that my participation here had/has a positive effect on somebody. I have had some friends here over the years, but they're mostly gone now themselves.

I have the day off from work tomorrow, and I'm hoping to really seek God's face (if I don't allow myself to get distracted) so I can determine exactly what he wants me to do next in life. I've had a very real leading of the Lord in my life in the past, but it just seems like I'm somehow at the wheel right now.

We'll see what happens.

Thanks again for your kind words.

Believe me, I don't get too many of those around here...or elsewhere.
I would say this site is difficult to minister to be but occasionally it's possible to reach someone. For example, you have reached me in one way or another with your comments. There are just a few people here who seem to really make a lot of sense to me and you are one of them which was why I was kinda sad when you left. I knew God would always go with you so I wasn't worried.

Bro I totally feel you when you say you're just looking for the right thing to do next. I recently moved to Vietnam so I have been a bit busy settling down and getting my employment situation squared away. It seems like it is all working out, thank God, who has opened all the doors for me. It's Thursday morning here right now and I am not busy yet, as I seem to work more in the afternoon and evening so far.

Anyway, we walk by faith not by sight. We'll get there. Welcome back!
 
Mar 4, 2020
8,614
3,691
113
#72
What about you?

How are you doing?
Doing pretty good. I am a bit bored in the morning with no real friends or transportation where I am at at the moment. So I've been spending a bit more time here just browsing and arguing. Sadly that's the truth and probably something I need to look at a little closer. At what point does defending my faith become an argument and when should I cede ground to who I believe are false teachers? It seems difficult to walk away and accept that I didn't do all I could to save some one else from being led astray. Maybe you know what I should do?
 

Live4Him3

Jesus is Lord
May 19, 2022
1,383
640
113
#73
I would say this site is difficult to minister to be but occasionally it's possible to reach someone. For example, you have reached me in one way or another with your comments. There are just a few people here who seem to really make a lot of sense to me and you are one of them which was why I was kinda sad when you left. I knew God would always go with you so I wasn't worried.

Bro I totally feel you when you say you're just looking for the right thing to do next. I recently moved to Vietnam so I have been a bit busy settling down and getting my employment situation squared away. It seems like it is all working out, thank God, who has opened all the doors for me. It's Thursday morning here right now and I am not busy yet, as I seem to work more in the afternoon and evening so far.

Anyway, we walk by faith not by sight. We'll get there. Welcome back!
Why Vietnam?

I used to work at 40 different VA Hospitals in this nation, and I was friendly with at least hundreds of Vietnam Veterans.

What/who drew you out there...if I might ask?
 

Live4Him3

Jesus is Lord
May 19, 2022
1,383
640
113
#74
Doing pretty good. I am a bit bored in the morning with no real friends or transportation where I am at at the moment. So I've been spending a bit more time here just browsing and arguing. Sadly that's the truth and probably something I need to look at a little closer. At what point does defending my faith become an argument and when should I cede ground to who I believe are false teachers? It seems difficult to walk away and accept that I didn't do all I could to save some one else from being led astray. Maybe you know what I should do?
I know exactly what you're talking about.

The truth of the matter is that, at best, we can plant and water, and God alone can give the increase.

Normally (there are some exceptions), I won't get into extended arguments with people here (or elsewhere), but I'll just pray for them after I feel I've given them enough of God's word to hopefully consider, so that's one piece of advice that I can give you.

I do actually care for people here...even though a lot of them seemingly have no real regard for me or others.

Anyhow, I still pray at times for people that I've sought to minister to as far back as 30 something years ago.

It's hard not to...especially when different Bible passages remind me of different discussions that I've had with different people over the years.

The only other advice that I can give you is what I'm presently giving myself:

Set some time apart to truly seek God's face and his will for your life.

I know that I'm not being led as directly from the Lord at the moment as I have been in the past, and that's because I've gotten too complacent in certain areas. I'm hoping to seek his face with a sort of holy desperation tomorrow. At times when I've done that in the past, I've always had intense and life-changing encounters with God. I will pray for you as I hopefully get into his presence. I normally pray for a lot of different people when I feel that I really have a hold of God.
 
Mar 4, 2020
8,614
3,691
113
#75
I know exactly what you're talking about.

The truth of the matter is that, at best, we can plant and water, and God alone can give the increase.

Normally (there are some exceptions), I won't get into extended arguments with people here (or elsewhere), but I'll just pray for them after I feel I've given them enough of God's word to hopefully consider, so that's one piece of advice that I can give you.

I do actually care for people here...even though a lot of them seemingly have no real regard for me or others.

Anyhow, I still pray at times for people that I've sought to minister to as far back as 30 something years ago.

It's hard not to...especially when different Bible passages remind me of different discussions that I've had with different people over the years.

The only other advice that I can give you is what I'm presently giving myself:

Set some time apart to truly seek God's face and his will for your life.

I know that I'm not being led as directly from the Lord at the moment as I have been in the past, and that's because I've gotten too complacent in certain areas. I'm hoping to seek his face with a sort of holy desperation tomorrow. At times when I've done that in the past, I've always had intense and life-changing encounters with God. I will pray for you as I hopefully get into his presence. I normally pray for a lot of different people when I feel that I really have a hold of God.
Thanks a lot I will try that. Prayers for you too as you look for God's will in your life.
 
Mar 4, 2020
8,614
3,691
113
#76
Why Vietnam?

I used to work at 40 different VA Hospitals in this nation, and I was friendly with at least hundreds of Vietnam Veterans.

What/who drew you out there...if I might ask?
I'm too young to be a Vietnam vet, I am about 36. I came here to teach English and I know a girl here, too. lol. There's always a girl isn't there?

Yeah I like it here so far. It's pretty interesting. The weather is a bit nasty. Lots of rain, floods, and it gets HOT.
 

Live4Him3

Jesus is Lord
May 19, 2022
1,383
640
113
#77
I'm too young to be a Vietnam vet, I am about 36. I came here to teach English and I know a girl here, too. lol. There's always a girl isn't there?

Yeah I like it here so far. It's pretty interesting. The weather is a bit nasty. Lots of rain, floods, and it gets HOT.
I figured that there was a woman involved in the equation...lol.

As I just mentioned on another thread earlier today, I HATE the heat. Even living in Florida for less than a year was too much for me...although I would have endured it if God wanted me to stay there.

Well, I think that they eat a lot of rice in Vietnam, and I love rice, so there's that.

I hope that all goes well for you with your job and with the woman.

With my experiences with women, I have more confidence in the job part...lol.

No offense to the women here (or there).

Just reflecting momentarily on my own experiences.

I hope that it all works out for you, and I truly will pray for you tomorrow.

I'm kind of just vegging at the moment.

I've been working like a dog lately. I wish that I was working that hard for God and for that which is of eternal importance. Hopefully, that will be the outcome of my prayers before God.
 

shittim

Senior Member
Dec 16, 2016
13,925
7,844
113
#78
I figured that there was a woman involved in the equation...lol.

As I just mentioned on another thread earlier today, I HATE the heat. Even living in Florida for less than a year was too much for me...although I would have endured it if God wanted me to stay there.

Well, I think that they eat a lot of rice in Vietnam, and I love rice, so there's that.

I hope that all goes well for you with your job and with the woman.

With my experiences with women, I have more confidence in the job part...lol.

No offense to the women here (or there).

Just reflecting momentarily on my own experiences.

I hope that it all works out for you, and I truly will pray for you tomorrow.

I'm kind of just vegging at the moment.

I've been working like a dog lately. I wish that I was working that hard for God and for that which is of eternal importance. Hopefully, that will be the outcome of my prayers before God.
Until Covid I volunteered at a VA, the Lord clearly guided me to do so and I had Divine encounters every day I was there, He worked mightily there, I am still in contact with some of them and He has clearly guided me to return when the face diaper thing goes away.
 

Live4Him3

Jesus is Lord
May 19, 2022
1,383
640
113
#79
Until Covid I volunteered at a VA, the Lord clearly guided me to do so and I had Divine encounters every day I was there, He worked mightily there, I am still in contact with some of them and He has clearly guided me to return when the face diaper thing goes away.
Interesting.

I worked at 40 different VA Hospitals for 16 years as a transient vendor (a fancy way of saying "traveling salesman").

I did, by the grace of God, have the opportunity to minister God's word to certain Veterans over that course of time; many of whom were dealing with deep-rooted bouts of PTSD, and even thoughts of suicide.

I vividly recall speaking to a former (?) Marine ("Once a Marine, always a Marine") at the VA Hospital in Lyons, NJ who told me that he was going to go home and kill himself later that day. He was still deeply troubled about one of his comrades whom he had accidentally shot and killed during the Vietnam War many years before. After I ministered to him God's word, he hugged me and thanked me multiple times, and told me that "I" (really God's word and Spirit) had done more for him in those couple of hours than the VA doctors had done for him over the course of many years.

Anyhow, there are A LOT of hurting people in this world, and A LOT of ministry opportunities if we're open to God's calling upon our lives.
 

shittim

Senior Member
Dec 16, 2016
13,925
7,844
113
#80
Wonderful! I can see you were there to be Jesus. That was a place where His leading was the strongest and His Divine encounters were the most frequent of nearly anywhere I have experienced.
I do hope you will stay, there are no accidents in this world, He knows the end from the beginning and knew at the Creation we would be sharing here right now.
I have asked and He has responded to manifest Holy Spirit palpably to where those around me can feel it, much like Peter in Acts, where those around him knew if they laid out their sick close to where he passed on the way to synagogue, they would be healed. I always explained that this isn't religion, which we were not supposed to share, this was faith in Christ and I had no control over when He chose to manifest, I was merely the conduit. Within the first couple days the director came to me and said "this is a pretty small community and you have become very well known quickly".
He is outrageously hungry to find a people who will walk with Him.
I get that from John Wimber, one of my favorites-