*Deidre*

This is such a wonderful post, too. Wow, you all have such great insights in here! I don't mind correction from someone I respect in the faith. But, people who attempt to 'correct' me, and don't remotely live a life following Jesus...in one ear, out the other. I strive daily to follow Christ. It's about progress not perfection. Too many Christians out there preaching and not walking their own talk. Sorry to say.

So much this!! I was discussing this very thing about FB today, with a coworker and what a facade it all appears to be. And it IS leading people into depression, because eventually these people have to return to their real lives, and when they do, it isn't so wonderful, and instead of working on whatever needs to be fixed they take more selfies and go right back onto FB, etc looking for the next 'fix.' But, it's the wrong fix. Jesus is all one needs to heal a broken heart, and a lost life.

Maybe that's just it...my world has changed, has forever changed, and I'm forever grateful. But, the world looks at my change and doesn't understand it. It can make you feel off, or the odd person out, but we are always accepted in Jesus. I appreciate your beautiful post, here. Thank you

I think this is a very reflective post of yours, spiderman. It is true, too...sometimes we need others to help us on our journey.

Offline life > online life lol Yes...although I've met many wonderful e-friends that most likely, I won't meet in offline life, and I'm grateful for technology putting us all in touch here and elsewhere, but it's important to spend time in nature, in the Word, in prayer, exercising, etc...spending too much time online really can breed depression. I've seen it with some people on other forums, they are often complaining as to how depressed they are, and find when they take a few days or weeks away from posting, they feel a lot more hopeful and overall, better. Thanks for chiming in! The last thread is REALLY why I come here. Just kidding!

Yes, that is it! At first it was hard...this feeling of angst when I'd be spending time on worldly/secular things. Granted, I work for a secular company, and I offer up my time there to God. But, it's a job, and perhaps I process it differently. I also have Christian friends there, and it's wonderful to be able to discuss our faith openly at work. But, I'm speaking more of things online that used to entertain me, and now I find it all so blah. And maybe, because we are all new creations in Christ...I realize I used to be that very same way, as everyone else not in the Lord...following the herd...flirting with sin, allowing myself to be tempted by the world. I look back at how I used to be, and I'm grateful for my faith!

I'm so grateful to read this! Not that I want you to be bored too lol But, it is comforting to see that I'm not alone in this. I have a few friends too like that on FB, and it's like ugh. You're not a celebrity, please stoppp. I think that's it actually, social media really has been a catalyst for people to develop self inflated egos, and delusions about themselves. It's almost as if the internet distorts truths or something lol Idk how to explain this. Like does your friend think that all of a sudden everyone will agree that she looks like JLo because she's posting on the internet? lol

Ever since I've returned to Christianity, worldly type things don't interest me as much. Social media, such as Facebook and Instagram are really boring to me, now. And lately, I've been feeling incredibly bored with secular type message forums. Like they're all the same...a 'me me me' mentality...boring jokes and memes, married people flirting with each other, and a herd type mentality. Now we do live IN the world, but we are not OF the world, but that said...I just find areas that used to interest me, rather boring and flat, as it pales in comparison to my relationship with Christ. I guess this is what it means to finally believe 'My grace is sufficient for you.' It truly is, and at first, I felt sad that I've stopped enjoying certain websites and fields of interest, but maybe this is what peace in the Lord feels like. I no longer look to the world to complete me, or satisfy me, and it's a great feeling. Can anyone else relate to this?

Forums of all types can be fun, but even religious and Christian sites on the internet, can be filled with negativity, and behaviors that could tempt one away from Jesus. I like this site, because while there are some moments when we might not agree, we can find a way to move past it. I like this site because it doesn't waver on Biblical doctrine. I like this site, because I don't have to fear that a married man is going to try flirting with me in a pm, as I've seen sadly, on some other ''religious'' forums. I don't believe we should judge others, but the internet can lead a person down a bad path if one is not careful. Just because you're on a Christian site also, doesn't mean that the viewpoints given are Biblical, which is another thing to look for. Anyway, glad to be a part of this site. There have been moments here when topics get heated, but that's just life. Anyway, just sharing!

Glad you all enjoyed it! I think lately, I've needed to take an inventory of where I'm spending my time. They say where you spend your time, is what matters to you, and I've allowed myself to spend time on negative people, or people who just don't edify my walk with Christ. I've started feeling depressed about it, and today it occurred to me that it's probably due to where and who I've spending my time on. I have not lost faith in humanity, but it's easy to lose our focus on the good things in life.

I didn't know that about the crescent moon, wow!

That's an excellent point, I hadn't thought of that honestly. Truthfully, I had explored Islam last year, when I wasn't following Christianity (I left the faith for a few years) and was an atheist. Looking back, I remember being intrigued for want of a better word, at how Islam 'respects' Jesus. But, now, upon returning to Christianity and I believe that the Holy Spirit led me back it's nothing I did on my own, helps me to see your point very clearly. Thank you for sharing this,may it help others too.

Yes, very true! Thank you for posting the link.

Islam actually holds Jesus in high regard, but Muslims don't believe that Jesus died for our sins, or was resurrected. They believe that He was not the one who was crucified...but the tendency leans towards thinking it was Judas who was crucified. What I find odd is that why would Muhammad teach people to honor Jesus, why would he ever concern himself with Christianity? Why would he need to concoct a tale that Jesus wasn't the one who was crucified? It seems to me that he was threatened by Christianity, and because he wanted Islam to flourish, he had to concoct a tale about Christianity. That would be something to say in rebuttal to any Muslim who tries to disprove Jesus' death and resurrection, and Jesus' Divine nature.

The measure of God's love for us though, isn't determined by how the world defines 'success,' etc. What I've come to learn is that not everything is as it seems, either. I've known many people who have terrible struggles, but on the outside, they appear to have it all together. It is hard sometimes to not compare our lives to others, but every single person has a cross to bear...the cross is just different for each person. I know many people who have what the world would consider 'great success,' and they are miserable people, and treat people unkindly. Without a strong relationship with Christ, it's all meaningless, to me. Even if I suffer at times, knowing that I belong to Christ, helps me feel at peace with my life.

This video really touched my heart. Thought it was worth sharing here.

I especially love this reading and reflection today... Matthew 23, 27-28 Something to read'Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which on the outside look beautiful, but inside they are full of the bones of the dead and of all kinds of filth. So you also on the outside look righteous to others, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.' New Revised Standard VersionSomething to think aboutThis illustration of hypocrisy in outward appearances is a daring one. The purpose of whitewashing tombs was not to make them look nice, but to make them stand out, so that people did not brush against them and unwittingly make themselves unclean.Although they did indeed look better than tombs that have got dirty and have been left to the mercy of the weather, there's no escaping the fact that what's inside is unpleasant and ritually unclean.Contrast this obsession with avoiding touching things – or people – that are considered to be unclean with Jesus' own ministry. He deliberately reached out to the sick and to women; he healed people, most notably lepers, by touching them.Jesus' continuing criticism of the Pharisees is that their preoccupation with details of ritual cleanliness covered a multitude of sins. And there will be few of us who are not aware of a certain disconnect between our outer appearance and the reality inside us. Simply recognising that is a good first step to putting things right.Something to doLook around your home or your church for cupboards or drawers that hide chaos. As you tidy them up, think about something less tangible in your life that also needs to be put in order.Something to prayLord God, you know all the secrets of our hearts. May your Holy Spirit so cleanse us that we may worship you with pure hearts and dirty hands that come from serving you in your world.

I don't know if it's 'wrong,' but sometimes I feel badly not going regularly.

Thank you for posting this. May we all work to show our love for others, as Jesus did. We don't always have to agree, but we should do so with class and respect. Very nice post!

It depends. I don't believe we should resort to verbally attacking anyone back, but we don't need to accept verbal abuse, either. Asking someone to stop speaking to you in a particular way, and if they refuse, telling them that you need a break from talking with them, is perfectly fine. Accepting bad behavior is not loving. It's enabling.

I came back to Christianity by the Holy Spirit. I left Christianity for a time, and the Holy Spirit brought me back. Not everyone's faith walk or how we have come to Christ, is identical.

This...amen. I was baptized as a child physically, but it wasn't until last year, that I was born again. That I felt baptized by the Holy Spirit. Well stated.

I believe this passage points to a larger, and deeper spiritual truth...that is its intent. Not to prevent people from blood transfusions as a medical practice.

He gives us His grace but also free will to cooperate with His grace...or to not cooperate. It is up to us to cooperate with His grace, and follow His will. People can make a choice to not follow God, and He allows it. He allowed me to leave the faith, but always was there with His door open for me to return. It took an experience with the Holy Spirit (divine intervention) to happen in my life last year, for me to return. I feel bad about that sometimes, because I had lost my faith...but, Jesus kept after me, and what I've learned is that He has always been there, all along.

The Pope is just another news voice to me, at this point. Guess I've grown weary with why his commentary on political and international news is deemed 'worthy' over other religious 'leaders.' It's as though we should all rapidly change our minds to align with what the Pope thinks or something. :/