Aimes

I wonder what their yearly dues are lol

Well we are well into the 24th now. No world ending happened, some sorely disappointed people probably exist this morning. Would’ve been nice had the Lord returned to take us HOME though, I’ll just wait and hope He comes today.

Like I said in chat, stuff like this makes me madder than a mosquito in a mannequin factory.

This just sounds bad. I’ll stick with pepperoni and mushrooms.

If it’s good coffee I’d still try it.

I think many will know what has occurred but some will probably have no idea and believe whatever mass excuse is given. Especially since the timeline for the rapture isn't set in stone, what I mean by that is the after the rapture there is no definite time frame as to when the anti-christ will come to be in control; It could be a day, a month, or longer. I don't think that they will see us in the clouds personally, I think we will just be gone.

Yes and no - I have a few I spend time with outside of church. Sadly though I'm in the awkward age group at my church. We have many who are younger, the 16-25 crowd, and then the 50 plus crowd but not many who fall into the 25-40 crowd. Most of the people who are in my age group are already married, getting married, or having babies ... so that doesn't leave much time for "hanging out". There's a few of us single and bored "20ish somethings" though and we try to hang out when we can. Most of my friends are actually from work though and even the majority of them are married with kids so coordinating plans can be a challenge.

I can sort of understand where you're coming from but I think we need to realize that the majority of folks who reply like this are genuinely just trying to let you know they care. I lost my mom (my only family) when I was 18 years old. I was still in high school and all of my close friends were of the same age. Almost all of them still had happy healthy mothers and fathers but when my mom passed away a large majority said things similar to "I understand" or "I know that has to hurt so bad". They didn't understand my exact pain, I'm of the persuasion that none of us really understand something unless you've walked the same road, but they could understand that it had to be very painful. It meant a lot to me to know they cared enough for me to even attempt to understand how painful it was, they cared enough to try to console me in whatever way they could and though their words couldn't take the grief away from my heart they did let me know that I had people who loved me. I really just think sometimes we have to see the intentions of their heart if that makes any sense.

There's only one that irks me a bit. "God won't give you more than you can handle" It has become like fingernails on a chalkboard to me at this point in my life. Mainly because it's so incredibly untrue - God gives us more than we can handle at times because it makes us see our need for Him. The honest statement is God won't give you more than HE can handle lol I could tell you story after story from my own life that prove He definitely gave me more than I could personally handle - and but never once has He given me more than HE could handle. Anyway.

I've always been a skittles and starburst fan, never really a chocolate fan.

Honey, RUN! He called you a "fun killer" and continues to steer your conversation toward sexual things? Then it's obvious what's in his heart and on his mind. I've dated a couple of men in my 29 years, all "saved". One treated me very well and the other, well I'll leave it with "he didn't" and he's the reason for quotes around saved. A respectable Christian man is NOT going to ask your bra size or call you a fun killer for trying to steer the conversation back to a less disastrous topic. He obvious doesn't have much respect for you. I know men will be men, yes even Christian men, but if they truly respect you and follow Christ they aren't going to pass certain boundaries and if they do, they wouldn't make light of you correcting them.

The Bible gives us a few descriptions of hell: Matthew 13:42 - there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth which shows that hell will be a place of eternal pain and punishment. Hell being a place of eternal punishment is also referenced in Matthew 25:46 Matthew 8:12 - sums it up as a place of outer darkness. Matthew 18:8 states it is a place of everlasting fire. Revelation 14:11 states it is a place of unrest. But the most disturbing of all for my heart is 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 which tells us that hell will be a place of eternal separation from the presence of the Lord.

Welcome and what a great post, thanks for sharing!

I have to agree with Yowm here, I think the references in the NT are speaking of all believers.

Joseph - a man who can forgive that much would be able to overlook burned biscuits and a messy house from time to time. lol

I understand your struggle honey. I also lost my parents at a very young age and have been on my own since I was 15. It can be very lonely and it brings a struggle some will never truly understand. I have learned the hard way to guard my heart - many will prey upon your emotions and sadly some (even Christians) are solely out for what they can receive from you and nothing more. I will be praying for you! Like others have said, you truly must find contentment in Christ and Him alone, no one else will ever fill the voids you have in your heart. He is a Father to the fatherless, we find our adoption in Him. You're His beloved, and in time, He will be faithful to send the right one for you. But until then, I encourage you to learn and grow in the love of the Father, He has such good plans for YOU! I'm always here if you need to chat. Be Blessed!

The main question I ask myself about finding the "right" church is whether or not they teach the true Word of God without compromise or watering it down to appeal to the masses. As far as what others do - it shouldn't matter to you, although I know a large part of attending church is for fellowship (i'm currently struggling in mine at the moment for similar reasons). If there is another church in your area that teaches the Scripture that offers better fellowship then I say go test the waters, but don't leave a church because of what others are doing or not doing. Additionally - I would say that your church probably needs you. If they are inundated with those living in compromise then it would need people who refuse to do so, pray for your church and your pastor. The Lord can bring the change it needs. Be Blessed!

I totally agree with the post above. Often times we hold ourselves captive to things but Christ has already given us the freedom we seek and need. There may be a real chemical issue also that needs to be addressed but ultimately the Lord is big enough to heal us and make us whole - that includes mental illness. I'm praying for you! I fully believe the Lord will heal you and help you to have real relationships. Don't let fear hold you back from living in the abundance that's been offered to you.

Hi GA - I'm definitely not one to usually reply to posts like this but I felt led to do so here. Christ came to give us freedom, it isn't something that can be earned based upon our own works. You can fast, pray and read until your exhausted but it will bring no real change; although those are wonderful things to do and all believers should practice them. We are either ruled by one of two natures, either the sin nature or the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus, when the sin nature is ruling and active in our lives it's impossible to be free from the things that control us. The solution is simple though, place your complete faith in what Jesus has accomplished for you - His finished work on the Cross is the answer and the only thing that can bring the freedom you seek. When we place our faith in our works/selves failure will rule, sin continues to hold us captive. Complete faith in Him and what He's done is the key, He's already broken sin's rule over you when He laid down His life on the Cross, you simply have to believe and find rest in Him. I encourage you to read Roman's chapter 6-8, it covers so much that deals with the struggle to overcome the sin nature. "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace." Romans 8:1-6

Different strokes for different folks eh? I'm not opposed to an online relationship but i'm also not seeking it. I personally think they are very difficult and if both parties aren't on the same page it will end badly. Best wishes to the original poster though, if its the Lord's will it will work out.

I think it can be just as real as any other relationship, however, you need to spend time together in person before any actual commitment is made. Always use caution. You never know if the other party is being honest with you when they're on the other side of the screen. Scripture says to "guard your heart" and I feel like that is wise advice for any relationship, especially online relationships. Be Blessed.