turtletwo

Lately, for some odd reason every time that I go to a profile page a strange message pops up and blocks me from writing through the PM system. It says, "oh-oh, something went wrong! Error Code: 404 " I am unable to even go to any profile page and look at it, in fact! Please, brethren, if I have annoyed anyone out there I truly apologize... But simply pm me and politely but clearly ask me to not write you back. I promise I will respect and obey that. But several members here have said that to pm was just fine... and even desired by them. So I am naturally confused. So perhaps it is not a member? If there is any administrator who is having any issues with me...please do let me know. If not via pm, you ( both members and mods here) could start a thread in Fellowship Hall... on their reasons that I perhaps no longer belong here. If anyone feels that way, I welcome your criticism. I want to be an asett/helpful to Worthy. Not to cause problems... I think that a pm is more in keeping with Scripture (with going to your brother/sister in private.) But I do invite anyone to be honest on the open board, too. Just so I know where you are posting your feelings. This thread is a possible place, since I'd know where to find your replies. Or else someone could start one of their own and state their criticisms of me in Fellowship Hall. Wherever the administrators feel is best... But please let me know where. Okay? Maybe it could appear under recent topics or community status (another place I can no longer post updates through, btw ) God bless you. I still think of you as family and :heart:love you. Never wanted to offend. Praying that we can clear this matter up and that God's will be done. I confess I hope that means I can stay, though and be even more a part of this community. I will try hard to change whatever it is that is offending through your help, fam and Christ's Strength. Thanks.

Important question. Good answers.

A good comparison. I hope this topic will be kept as 'hot', for I feel God could use it to speak to those who are in the midst of trials right now. Perhaps it will reveal things that they need to know. Amen?

Martin Luther said, "Patience is not in the waiting, it is in how one waits". One waits in faith. Thanks for sharing that quote by Martin Luther, Fez. I had never heard it before now and it is a really good one. Patience and the way one waits... definitely a component of faith! Btw,I happen to collect inspirational quotes ( to help strengthen my own faith when it is wavering. ) And I'll be adding this one that you shared to those. Just wanted you to know that.

Excellent topic! Thought provoking and one that I relate to. Faith is such a vital part of being a Christian. It helps keep us alive, spiritually... Much like the air we breathe helps keep us alive physically. Good idea, this is. Not trying to add to the Scripture or rewrite (change) it...but sort of like the Amplified Bible does and digging more meaning out of a verse. But adding descriptive terms that shed more light on it. I would say something like this for filling in the blank: "heart" While I know our heart is not the same as faith, there is a connection...for faith flows from the heart. Also, we make a conscious choice when we move forth in faith so the word 'will'...as in 'free will', comes to mind. Of course, faith runs deeper than these... but the heart and the will are both involved. 'Strong believing/clinging to' are other attributes that I see as being associated with faith. Hope that this is helpful.

Just looked back at my post now. The print size started out small and light. Then it automatically became larger and a dark black color at the part of my post which begins, " With a slow, crummy typist like me... " Well- that curious fluctuating thing is still unresolved, but I am grateful to God that the emoticon issue is alright.

Yay! Praising the Lord that I am able to use the emoticons again. Wanted to share with you how I got the cheerful smiley to show up. There are two choices, when adding on a post reply to a topic. One says to post and the other mentions more reply options. Well- I clicked on that one and it enabled me to express myself. Yipee! With a slow, crummy typist like me...emoticons can be a real help. A quote comes to mind. Who was it who said that "a picture is worth a thousand words"? Wow! An expression I have used all my life, but unsure if I have actually been quoting it accurately or who coined the saying in the first place. Silly me... Just curious: Does someone out there know how it really goes & who originated the saying? Anyhow, hoping this update was of help to anyone else who wasn't sure why they could not get their emoticons to work. Blessings, Worthy family.

Hi. Thanks for letting me know about your experiences with both things, Tinky. And I am glad that your emoticons still work. ( Btw, the smiley thumb just happens to be one of my faves. Here is where I would normally insert a smile for you, if I just could... )) I wish someone could help me get emoticons back again? There must be someone here at a website (and community) of this size who could tell me what to do? Perhaps a Servant to help fix it? Not sure who exactly we are now supposed to turn to, in tech trouble situations. But it's nice that a Senior Member took the time and replied...Hey, Tinky...I just noticed something. We have about the same amount of posts, ironically. Cool.Thanks again for responding to my topic. Please will someone else reply, too? Finally, I know I read somewhere that things will be scrutinized more closely or something. And now I can't recall where I read this. Can anyone tell me and direct me? But I always notice lately that a 'guest' keeps lingering on throughout the course of my very slow typing. Odd, when this is not even a fascinating topic and how long it is taking me to type it. So just wondering if that is really a moderator that is watching me for what I am typing? Honestly did not think I was doing anything that needed surveillance. Insert a chuckle emoticon here. May be sheer coincidence, but 'inquiring minds ( mine, anyway ) want to know'...

Hmmm. Just noticed the topic I finished posting printed twice. Not sure what this is about, either. I do recall awhile back this was happening to quite a few of the members here. And this topic is printing in dark black ( emboldened ) rather than the normal, lighter color of black. Well- at least it appears as such while I am typing it. Will check finished product after i post it. Wow! Lots of strange stuff...Techies, help! Thanks and God bless.

Just wondering if anybody out there could give me their input? I've been unable to use my emoticons lately. I also have fluctuating print sizes. Where part of what I type comes out small and other parts larger. Confusing to the readers perhaps? Clearly confusing to me ... as I am the one asking this question. Anyone who could share similar experiences or how to fix it? Thanks! I so miss the emoticons. Perhaps it's a lady thing with me? lol. I just find them to be cute and expressive, adding to the typed message.

I'd like to think God is more understanding than most Christians give Him credit for. Sadly, it is often those who call themselves by His Name ( the body of Christ) that can be too critical. If I am understanding your post correctly and it is a 'church challenge', as I've nicknamed them...please feel no guilt on this situation. If you feel uncomfortable doing something in your spirit, such as partaking in a certain church...He knows your personal and very real reasons for that. And that is all that matters in the end... Scripture says that He knows our needs even before we ask. I hope that this is of some encouragement to you, summer.

Thanks much for your prayers, ncn and Joe! They make a difference...in this life and for eternity. God knows how much we need to "Pray one for another." I believe that Prayer changes things. And prayer changes us, as well. Amen? ...For when all else we try fails, thank God that we have the precious promise in scripture that God gives us permission to boldly approach His Throne of Grace with our heart's longings. "He is our Refuge and our Fortress. In Him will we trust." Joe- it's been a long gap since corresponding. I tried writing you back, but my messages kept deleting. Some problems happened then (pre-surgery) with the pm system for me. I sure hope you read this and send me a pm (when you are able.) I miss talking with you and wish to fellowship again with some of my old pals from days gone by. How the years just flew by, hey? Kwik...you are one of a kind blessing in my messed up life. You are a newer, but a never-could-be-replaced type of a friend. How it touches me that you acknowledge my deep hurt and feel for me! This is is something that is so important to me...(as I know it is to you.) And I definitely appreciate you taking the time to try to help me gain a better perspective on things with my children. But here's where the confusion and frustration come in. I have already come to God in prayer in earnest and I thought that I had truly surrendered them to Him. I can't figure out what I am doing wrong. You see my anguish? I am at a standstill. The sad fact is that it has been 13 years since my daughter has let me actually have a relationship with my only grandchild! To even SEE him! Now he is at that age that he just wants fun, peers, and no relationship with some old handicapped Grandma. I can't blame him. His Mother cheated both of us of the bond that could have been, had she not been withholding him as a way of punishing me. She even told me it was her way of revenge! And my son is extremely worldly and shuts me out of his life. This is a far cry from the days I believed he was Born Again and we spent time with God together! But that was over 12 years ago!! So they have cast God out of their lives and I guess my Light (Namely, Christ) and their darkness block us from interacting as we live in two very different worlds that do not mesh. I will keep putting this in God's Hands...as I have been. But His timing is not what I humanly view as fast, by any means. Over a decade with each child! I yearn for their love more than words can say. Most of all, that they would each develop a spiritual hunger again. Because right now God ( and me) seem to be the furthest things from their mind. Thanks for standing in the gap, Kwik and for the nice hug! Sorry this is so long. But maybe it will bring more responses than just three and help others? I'm sure on a Christian website this size there are others who share my struggle and are perhaps 'willing to step up to the plate', admitting this? And offering ideas of how to cope in this dillema. ( I again thank you for your thoughtful and kind reply, Kwik. Especially in this time of loss for you!)

I love my kids very much and I am having such deep hurt that they treat me as though they don't love me at all. It is especially hard since I was once close to them, even as adults. So much is changing! Also, this abuse of intense arguing (or else being ignored completely) is interfering with my many medical conditions. It is wreaking havoc with them! Please pray God restores their love for me and family harmony.

Dear Worthy family, I felt I owed you this explanation. To those of you who know me well or the longest, you may have already guessed this. However, I write this particularly for newer members who may not be aware of my situation. I have no choice but to be gone for longer periods of time than I would like to be ...due to chronic illness. Unfortunately, it ends up that most of my posts are prayer requests. I know that you probably understand the need for this, but I still find myself feeling guilty and sad that I am unable to participate on other forums as I long to. Perhaps some day...Lord willing, this will change. I would love to post in various forums. And as soon as I get some medical help and the Touch of the Master's Hand in healing, I will. Anyway, just wanted you all to know that I love you & miss you. I would never snub you or lose interest in you. I am going to a doctor appointment today in hope of some answers...

My heart goes out to you! I hope God will let you keep your daughter. I do not understand His ways. Why would He let you lose your daughter? A very good question. One that nobody here can truly answer. But I DO empathize with you, because I have already lost my own daughter. Yes, I know that our situations/circumstances are different, but the inner pain is much the same. My daughter is my firstborn. We were super close in her early years. ( Sadly, she says she "does not remember that!" ) In her baby days we bonded beautifully. As she grew... so did her temper ( like me. the 'apple doesn't fall far from the tree', as they say)...But she was sweet and affectionate throughout her grade school years. As each year went by, ungodly peers pulled her away from me, much of the family and God Himself! We drifted, she formed strong grudges, and even got immersed in the occult. She told me that she hated me for raising her with values and "forcing the Lord upon her", as she viewed it. She actually expected me to condone her sinful lifestyle. She thought my rejection of that was rejection of her... She blamed me for virtually everything that went wrong in her life! Then she 'up & gave up' on having a relationship with me 100%. We had a huge arguement .She said unspeakably horrible words that cut me to the quick. Now the drama is ( at least temporarily ) over, but the heartache lives on and on. I guess my point is 'all that glitters is not gold.' I know many will disagree with me. But I speak from experience. I was a good mother, But that does not guarantee the child will turn out. Your children can begin as one of the most precious things in the world to you. But as they become adults... can become a tormenting, cruel thorn in the flesh. You can't help still loving them dearly, all the same. They are a part of you and nothing can change that fact. I love my daughter even now. But I would need a miracle, though for us to ever really interact again in a loving fashion. I definitely agree with the reality perspective of Joy and love's post reply. As much as I genuinely want you to get your beloved daughter back ( I'd like my REAL daughter back; NOT the one that she has become, who only wants to pick fights! )...perhaps if your desire for your own daughter in your life does not come to pass, I hope that you can find an odd sort of comfort in my true story of how children can one day stab you in the back and actually leave you more pain than distant happy memories that will only increase your sadness. Sorry this is so long, btw. I am risking getting criticized for this by some here, but posting it anyhow for I want to tell you & others that can be helped by a 'big picture' view involving the future...not just the present. But who knows? God works in mysterious ways, so your story may have a happy ending. Maybe mine, too? Even if mine is just to be called Home to Heaven and let Him wipe these many tears from my eyes. I wish you the best. Please update us on what happens, okay? We care.

Huge amen! Thanks for this. It was thought-provoking and eye-opening. It showed me my need to change and do what I can, while I can. ( I am in the category of aging & seriously ill.) We who are Christians were not put on this earth for nothing. I think of the parable of the talents and how we must wisely invest them before the Master returns.( In some cases, we may die prior. None of us knowing. ) My prayer and goal is for there to be no more indifference to the lost by blocking them out, doing nothing to share the Gospel, and wasting our precious time... through laziness and treating our daily God-given-breaths with ungratitude...by living carelessly and selfishly. The burden for those without Jesus Christ...who are on their way to an eternal Hell is far too important to give so little thought to. We must beware of letting the glamorous things of the world turn our heads. If we are honest, we can see that we are each guilty of the deceptive sin of self absorption. God bless you for this needed message! I found it to be both timely and convicting.

Is anyone else out there encountering this problem? I type 2 fingered. I slowly finish the pms and I don't know if time runs out on me or what. I get these strange messeges saying " my personal messenger has been disabled "and that " I am unable to send or recieve personal messages." Please help! This computer stuff is beyond me. I really wish a techie administrator would fix it. I am a damsel-in-distress! I have even been trying to be more positive lately and sure enough, the pms that tend to disappear, ironically seem to often be the ones where I am seeking to encourage, uplift and minister to someone... ncn assured me when this was first happening that all is well, but for this beater car member, the green lights won't let me go. lol Seriously, though- If someone could check this out for me, it would be great. I would love to recover my several long messages that deleted. Thanks, Worthy family. Blessings to you all, turtletwo

Thanks for warning us. I am not computer savvy. Is there an inexpensive way? If a person just avoids opening attachments or links would that be enough to prevent this malware?

Sorry to bother you before I sign off. I just discovered that by my status update it says lock (and delete) And i never saw this before. Sure not the word lock. Could you explain what this means? this does not appear to me on anybody else's.

Phew! Thanks so much for letting me know that. I will be going off the site for now...now that I know everything is fine. ( Perhaps I will pm you with more detail later. Right now I feeling sick to my stomach and eyes blurring up. ) But for an example, I am unable to update the 'what's on your mind' part on my profile. It says that an error has occured, whenever I try. And people who normally are quick to respond to my pms are not replying. Leading me to think that they did not recieve them. I hope nobody has been hurt by me in any way? If so, feel free to tell me and I will be sure to apologize to you. I care deeply about people in general, and my fellow Worthyites, specifically. Ready for a group hug? Thanks so much for replying promptly, Nigel. P.S. Would it be okay if this particular discussion be left posted just in case some of those whom I may have offended need to see this? I'd feel better if some just stopped by to say hi. I do believe you that there are no restrictions, but I really am lonely and need to hear even a brief acknowledement. I want to know I fit in here.

I seem to be having some type of problems with my posts and pms going through. Have they been intercepted by a moderater? If I am being blocked or been banned, at least please let me know it is happening... and why. For anyone I have hurt, I sincerely ask for your forgiveness. In fact, I have even done so in pms and gotten no responses. So if I'm being read out there by the average poster, could you let me know you see this? That way i will know i have an active status. I still very much want to be part of the Worthy family. I love you all and hope you feel the same about me. Am I still able to post and pm? I hope someone will put me out of this confusion and let me know if i'm appearing on the boards or not.

Usually i don't post in this forum. And in the past, my topics never really took off... for some reason. So i am really, REALLY hoping that this time will be different and i will get responses. Let's please discuss this, ok? Here's the deal. My heart is aching over the way that my family has fallen apart. ( Those of you who have closeknit, loving and supportive families have no idea how very blessed you are! I long so much for this. ) Here's my history: My family has been dysfunctional for as long as I can remember. Even so, there were happy times and sweet memories along the way. Both in the family I grew up in and the married ( longtime now divorced ) ones. However, each year all family members are drifting farther and farther apart. It is like an avalanche! There seems no way to stop it... Can anyone out there share their own experiences with this family disconnect and how to cope? I am weary of daily crying and questioning why I was born into such a self absorbed, distant and even mean family. I've tried reaching out to them in caring ways. But nothing works.. I hate feeling unloved every day. :sad030:Satan even tells me this is a reason to end my life...and how nobody would miss me anyhow. Seriously, sometimes that sounds so very believable, you know? Any compassionate uplifting discussion on this senstive subject of family rejection would be much appreciated. Thanks.

I just posted under prayer requests. I am having nausea and other side effects from an antibiotic called amoxicillin. ( I was able to tolerate this med easily many years ago, for bronchitis.) I have to take 500 mg pills, 3 times daily for a 10 day course. This time I am being prescribed it for the area around my eye ... ( I don't know why the soft tissue in this orbital area is sore, but the eyeballs themselves hurt too. They exhilbit signs of redness and gooiness, etc. I wondered if anyone else out there has had struggles with this particular med. P.S. Please pray for my safety in taking in these pills, as I do have an autoimmune disease they have trouble definitively diagnosing. This one resembles Lupus in certain ways, And amoxicillin can trigger an even worse disease ( life threatening ) in those folks with Lupus...if I have it. Kind of scary!

Dear Worthy family, Maybe this sounds silly. But I feel I owe you all an explanation. I haven't been coming here as much. And when I do, it is usually to request prayer. ( I hope that this doesn't seem selfish. Because I assure you that I still pray for your needs, too...on those times when I do come and am able to read them. ) This change of my being around less ( and not replying under forums as much as I once used to ) is due to having serious family problems, medical reasons, etc. My life's trials are worsening to the point that I am really having trouble functioning and "fighting the good fight", as scripture puts it. I wanted to make it plain that my recent absences and lack of participation have not been due to my losing interest in this site. Or YOU, as individuals , ( as well as collectively.) I didn't want it to appear like I am holding any grudges or intentionally ignoring anyone. I soooo miss being an active part of Worthy! Hopefully, this is only temporary... If things settle down, I would love to be involved in Christian fellowshipping and posting again. How I wish that God would intervene and make that happen! Maybe if we all join together in prayer, He will enable me to. Please remember me, okay? I hope it's okay that I posted this under Discussion. I did so because of my insecurity. Because I thought maybe some responses from my fellow believers might reassure me that I am not alone and that you guys 'got my back.' I desperately need a support system and I am reaching out to you. Worthy is the faithful place I feel safe to come back to. I hope I am missed , even as I am missing you. I know this is a busy time of year and that you have problems of your own. But pleaseee do reply to this discussion. Because to ignore it... would make me feel like I just don't matter... I love you, my brothers and sisters. Sincerely, turtletwo

I very much appreciate your helpful advice, everyone. Blessings and love to each one of you.