Hold Our Heads Up Time?

Now know this is the best forum for genuinely spiritual discussion on CC, ditto for lovely people to exchange views with too.

Won't go for a big thread preamble but looks like the puppet masters are finally going for broke. Doubt they have much choice actually, it seems a they've made their own beds scenario. However, we'll suffer serious consequences too.

Thankfully, us plebs do have some choice and the assurance from our loving Heavenly Father, that he will wipe every tear from our eyes. Really think it likely the evil ones will go for destroying the remains of the current system now. Hope Trump and Iran currently engaging in a WMD waving competition, will be the wake-up call which blows all remaining blinkers away.

Any thoughts, stories, news articles etc?

I tend to avoid BDF and the News Forum as well as the Conspiracy forum to stay away from stuff like this. Some people want a break from all this stuff and all the political debating. Singles was a place where we don't often have to see it or deal with it. I guess the muck and mire is spreading here now too. I suppose it was only a matter of time before this happened.

Shhhh! We don't do that here.

There are good people on BDF but flamers and trolls too, who seem dominant sadly. Of course it's likely there are just a few flamers and trolls, who usually are malicious, often troubled people.

The news and conspiracy forums aren't good places for rational discourse sadly, this forum is. Doubt this topic will be of anything other than occasional interest to most, however, there are some who might enjoy such discussions with other rational people too.

I think it has potential, if not, it'll quietly snuff it. Must admit, also thinking the poseur troll/flamer types, won't want to be seen with our sort much. Hope that's likely anyway

I don't know...
I once knocked over a line of dominoes and they fell into a pattern I didn't fully understand.

You can't do that. 😬🤔

One thing I learned very quickly from this site is that the fastest way to dissolve a group of Christian-identifying people into a screaming mob of torches and pitchforks -- is to try to have discussions about news, politics, conspiracies -- and, the Bible.

Singles has always been, and we've tried to keep it, a coffee-shop kind of vibe where people can just hang out. Sure, we've had our share of screaming arguments over the years, but we tend to try to keep it more lighthearted and fun.

Over the years, I've had several people criticize me for not using Scripture in every post and thread -- but part of that is on purpose, because I'm trying to keep things from melting into the screaming, name-calling hell fights we see in other parts of the forum.

Rather, I keep all my own personal discussions about such things with the small group of people I've kept in touch with from CC (many aren't here anymore.) Somehow, God has kept us together through a decade or more, in some cases.

And it's not because we're all cookie-cutter Christians, either. We have VERY different perspectives in the group about things like the Trinity, Once Saved Always Saved, baptism (baby vs. adult, etc.,) but somehow God has blessed us to be able to TALK about our differences, ask each other questions, and ACCEPT one another without insults or throwing chairs.

I was just telling them a few days ago, there are times when I feel like I'm not wearing a tinfoil hat, but rather an entire suit -- but I'm very blessed to have people I can share that with -- and they don't all try to stab me with swords of just righteousness all at once.

(I mean... Maybe they WANT to... but for the most part, they seem to be keeping that to themselves.)

"because I'm trying to keep things from melting into the screaming, name-calling hell fights we see in other parts of the forum"

Beautifully expressed precious friend and i KNOW you're alien to hidden agendas too.

Don't laugh but when i joined this forum as a newborn Christian, i actually thought deep, rational discussions with other members would abound. Sadly, the vast majority of people are no longer capable of interesting, mutually useful discussions, the world is a now a very frightened and angry place.

Older generations were lucky enough to grow up knowing that if we couldn't rationally and courteously defend an opinion, it wasn't worth holding on to. Know you think similarly but i find it sad so many don't realise they're their own worst enemy and deny themselves the opportunity to sort the issue out. Personally noticed the dumbing down going into hyperdrive during the late '80's, now it's the norm sadly.

Well see... It's nothing on you really... Nothing against the topic itself, per se...

It's just that this kind of topic has a tendency to draw the people from those other forums to this forum. And we don't want that. At all. Nope nope nope nope.

I chalk it up to being raised in Lutheran schools.

I've been around Christians all my life, with varying levels of Biblical knowledge and maturity, so I've become very sensitive (maybe overly so) to certain spiritual vibes.

Some of the pastors, teachers, and kids on track to be pastors and teachers were some of the most friendly, down-to-earth people you could meet. They could hold normal everyday conversations, as well as in-depth Biblical studies and discussions.

Others... Well. Let's just say, their noses were high enough up in the air that I'm sure they would have been the only ones to survive The Flood. But they don't see it themselves, and anyone who doesn't listen to them is deemed rebellious, unworthy, or a child of the devil.

People like that, while I'm sure are sincere about wanting to "teach" people about God, also have the motivation of wanting to show off their spiritual knowledge, which includes trouncing others they see as "less Godly," "not on their spiritual level," or are just plain gifted in other ways they don't recognize.

You can guess which ones I'm drawn to and try to drawn in as well -- and the kinds I avoid and try to fend off like The Ten Plagues.

Some people see patterns in tea leaves.

Or this thread will attract those people here.

There are certain threads i try to not get involved with. Rapture discussion is one of them. Boy you post your opinion on that and you might as well get tarred and feathered. You are right political discussions is another. I will go on them occasionally usually only to complain about both sides.

I might not quote the most scripture or talk all elegant but I do read alot of the posts and even think about some. Sadly I dont go to church as much as I could. I do alot of my hobbies on the weekends. And I also dont have many christian friends. So this place is my place I go more often than not to supplement my daily readings. Some post are bat crap looney but others are thought provoking.

Suspect you too are the warm, laid-back type, with that bit of edge which warns smart people it's probably wise not to mess with you? If so, we share something in common for sure.

Still a pretty new Christian and member here, my developing nasty sudden onset arthritis delayed me discovering some of the many delights here, which float my boat. The stream of consciousness thread seems perfect for me to post some of my musings which have Christian seasoning, rather than post an individual thread which attracts trolls, frothers etc.

Hopefully we'll swap thoughts in some interesting threads/discussions soon

Totally appreciate your concerns and glad to say, hopeful i now know about a good solution to my particular discussion needs.

Glad to say the stream of consciousness thread might be exactly what i'm looking for sweet sister. Rather than posting threads which are unnecessary and might trigger trolls, post my thoughts there and maybe there'll be a little discussion, or not.

The site was down here for a while, will see what else didn't make it before the crash.

If you have any questions, LLL, especially as a newer Christian, be sure to tag a regular (like this: @LifelongLearner) in your post, send a PM, or go to that person's profile wall to see if you can leave a message.

I know Singles gets a bad rap as being too fluffy and not spiritual enough, but I promise there are a few regulars here who would give most Bible scholars a run for their money (some have even been to Bible colleges but prefer to keep that private.) That's why I like hanging out in Singles. The people who are really knowledgeable here are often very approachable.

I'm certainly not on that level, but I'm happy to try to answer what I can.

In one of the financial chats I'm in this morning, someone posted this reaction to Mr. Trump's speech yesterday (dragons setting fire to everything):



All I can say is that in times like this, I try to remember the story of Laban and Jacob.

Laban kept changing Jacob's wages -- "Well, you can have the spotted sheep... Scratch that, now you can have the speckled... Nope nope nope, now I've decided you can have only the ones who have a star-shaped birthmark on their 5the leg." (That last one is a joke, but if Laban could have changed it to that, he would have.)

But the Bible says, whatever Laban changed it to, that's what the flocks bore, and Jacob himself says that if God had not intervened, he would have left with nothing.

I know it's hard, but it in these times, I try to remind myself that God is going to do something to hold up the remnants of His people, even if it means bearing something the world might see as flawed.

Hugs spiritual sis, that's a really beautiful reply, encouraging and very useful. So many seem full of their own word rather than God's word, they want to be top dog instead of appreciating the benefits reciprocal upbuilding brings. Really think you have true spiritual knowledge and love, from what you've learned for sure but think the Big Guy upstairs and you are pretty cosy too. He loves those who listen to what he says and at least try to put his advice into action.

Personally used to be terrified about what the future holds, particularly for my children. Known for 40+ years ordinary humans don't have the means or power to do anything about what's coming, however, our Heavenly Father knows the perfect nanosecond to call time on the horror show.

I totally get what you're saying, Sis.

I don't have kids and I always imagine how terrifying the world must be for a parent. There are often days I feel like my knees are knocking in worry. I know the Bible tells us not to worry or fear, but of course, it's always easier said than done. I have people I'm close to that I am very concerned about.

I truly hope you will find encouragement here, and I'll be sure to include you in my prayers when I'm trying to put all my worries before God as well.

Thank you for the kind words and much love to you! 💗

KNOW you're someone i'd have so much in common with and truly love in real life. God's blessings and love to you sweet sister. 💗

Do what? I'm gonna need someone to spell it out.



@Cameron143