Hey Chip, Thank you for the invite.

Im fully aware that we are to be as family but why do people treat others at arms length.......

I wanted to comment to your above question to the group.

 I cant speak for anybody else but myself. I have had many friends and aquatint's let me know that I was a hard one to approach. Most of them considered me to be snobby and timid. A preachers wife told me about looking timid. I had to go home and look the word up. Im saying this because sometimes when we think someone might be a snobbu jerk, they may not really be. Maybe they are just backwards in knowing how to mix with the church members. Maybe they feel like freaks and just being there is extremely hard.  But, then there are uppity people out there everywhere

Chip ,I really think she meant well. What had happened is I visited their church a few times and I heard her tell the congregation how God blessed her to be counselor. Her desire was to help people no matter what. On another visit I heard the pastor say that God gave him a vision that  the church would grow from a few people to a thousand. He was so excted about this vision. Since I was having a major personal family crisis ...  I got up enough courage to ask the pastors wife "this was before she said I looked timid" if she could set up a time to talk with me. I told her it was concering a family member and I just needed to talk to a Christian. She said that she didn't have time that day but that she wanted to see me at church every Sunday. So I went a few more Sundays and then in private asked her again. She then said she wanted me to come back but this time she wanted me to sit up in front. I told her that that wasn't going to happen. She then told me she wanted me to .. I cant remember her exact words but something about she wanted me to mingle with church members. I wasn't there to mingle... I was there because I was reaching out....  . Anyway, this is when she made this face and then told me that I looked like that and I looked very timid. LOL I told her I couldn't help what I looked like. So, what Im saying is ... I think she thought she was trying to help me.

I only mentioned her calling me timid because of  your earlier question. :-) . I am just saying that even though someone may appear to be wanting to be standoffish ... may fbe extremely shy or maybe  triple extreme anxietys, and not mean to be that way.

She never did set up at time to talk private with me . :-( . I told her I just wanted to talk one time.

Thanks Chip, I feel at home here already.  

Thank you, Chip. I will keep that in mind. I guess I am the Confused you were talking about. Im not much on knowing how to pray though.

Thank you Chip and Elaine for yalls commenr.  I never thought that my knowing how to pray or not would have anything to do with "ego" before. I guess something to think about. I am sure it had to have been some  ego back in my young adult years. Maybe  ego or I think mostly anger and hurt.  Did I just change my font? I didn't mean to.  I try praying but almist every single time when I do .. its like I tell myself to shut the heck up. My every word , in prayer, seems ridiculous. I never pray for  material things...so I don't feel ridicoulous because of that. I just will be praying and think WOW what a stupid thing to say. I remember once when I was into church and the Lord  , I was at  working and silently praying... . I said something to God that embarrassed me so badly even that no one heard. I started laughing and laughing. My co-worker came up to me and said what is so funny. I told her what had happened and I told her what I had said to God in my prayer. She , walked back to her station and came back with her bible and pointed to a verse. The verse didn't word it like my prayer but it did make me not feel as bad. Sorry,back to my point . Now I feel stupid for everything I say.  Sometimes, even if a person doesn't dwell n their past, their past can and does still over take their way of thinking.

AMEN !!! ELAINE AMEN!!!! NOTHING LIKE GOOD LAUGHTER!!! WHEN IM DOWN I LOOK FOR THE CHIPERUNIE!! I BELEIVE GOD SENT HIM HERE NOT ONLYFOR HIS BOLDNESS IN THE LORD, BUT TO CHEER US UP WITH LAUGHTER!!!! THANK YOU JESUS!!!!! NOW ABOUT THIS GAY THING. THE WORD SAYS IN THE END TIMES MEN WILL BURN WITH PASSION FOR EACH OTHER, WOMEN TOO. IT'S AMAZING HOW THEY CAN TRY TO TURN GOD'S WORD AROUND TO FIT THEIR LIFESTYLE. THE PUBLIC SCHOOL REINA ATTENDED A FEW YEARS AGO HAS A GAY TEACHER. SOME OF THE PARENTS WERE TALKING ABOUT IT," SHE CAME OUT OF THE CLOSET!!!" WE HAVE GAY MINISTERS IN CHURCH, AND YOU NAME IT. AND A GOVERNMENT IN THEIR CORNER!!!! AND JUST LOOK AT OTHER COUNTRIES THAT CONDONE IT!!!! IT'S GETTING CLOSE PEOPLE!!!!! VERY CLOSE!!!! JESUS IS COMING BACK!!!!! HOLLYWOOD PROMOTES IT!!!!, THEY ALLOW GAYS TO ADOPT OR BE ARTIFICIALLY INSEMINATED!!!! WE ARE TO LOVE THE SINNERS BUT HATE THE SIN!!!! NOW HERE IS THE BIGGIE!!! HOW DO WE PROTECT OUR CHILDREN?????? IT'S NOT JUST THIS, BUT OTHER SEXUAL IMMORALITY. WE CAN TEACH THEM THE WORD AND SET EXAMPLES AT HOME. WHEN YOU TAKE THEM TO CHURCH YOU HAVE THEM SUBJECTED THERE. KIDS ARENT STUPID, THEY JUST DON'T HAVE THE MENTAL CAPACITY TO PROCESS IT. THERE IS ALOT OF PEER PRESSURE AND THE FACT IS THEY DONT JUST LOOK UP TO US, BUT THEY LOOK UP TO THE OLDER ONES AS WELL AND AT SOME POINT, THEY ARE TEMPTED. REMEMBER THE DEVIL DOESNT COME LOOKING BORING, UGLY, AND NO FUN!!!! SO HERE IS THE PROBLEM, HOW DO WE MINISTER TO THESE KIDS AND YOUTH ETC. AND KEEP THE CHILDREN OUT OF HARMS WAY?????? NOW WHEN YOU HAVE KIDS SEEING AND ASKING QUESTIONS, THERE IS ONLY SO MUCH YOU CAN SAY THAT'S NOT GOING TO FREAK THEM OUT. WE ARE DEFINITELY WALKING A TIGHT ROPE HERE. YES WE MUST GIVE GUIDANCE AND LOVE, MINISTERING TO THE NEEDS OF THOSES WHO ARE HURTING AND HAVE MADE MISTAKES. ESPECIALLY PEOPLE WHO ARE SETTING POOR EXAMPLES TO THEIR OWN CHILDREN NOT TO MENTION THE OTHERS AROUND THEM AT CHURCH. DEFINITELY SOME DEEP HEAVY SITUATIONS TO DEAL WITH HERE. OUR FIRST RESPONSIBILITY IS TO OUR OWN CHILDREN, PROTECTING THEM AND EDUCATING THEM. IT'S UP TO THE LEADERS OF THE CHURCH TO ORGANIZE, SET RULES SO THAT WE CAN ACCOMPLISH MINISTERING AND PROTECTING THE LITTLE ONES AT THE SAME TIME. AS YOU CAN SEE, IM BACK TO WHATS BEEN BURDENING ME THE MOST, HOWEVER, THE GAY ISSUE FITS DIRECTLY IN THIS VERY MUCH SO. WHICH IT BRINGS ME TO LEADERSHIP. IVE SEEN TO MUCH SUGERCOATING GOING ON AT MANY CHURCH'S SO THAT THEY DONT LOSE MEMBERS , WHICH EQUALS MONEY. IVE BEEN TO MANY, EVEN HAD A PASTOR MARRIED, 3 KIDS, A WIFE TRY TO COME ON TO ME. AND ANOTHER WHO TOLD ME IF HE HIT HARD ON DRINKING , HE WOULDN'T HAVE A CONGRAGATION.  AND HAD THE NERVE TO TELL ME, IF I DIDNT VOTE A CERTAIN WAY, I WASNT A TRUE CHRISTIAN. I'LL GET ON THE VOTING THINGY LATER. TO FIND OUT THEY HAVE COCKTAIL PARTIES AND SMOKE POT!!!!!! NOT TO MENTION HIS SEX ADDICTION, NO WONDER I FELT SO UNCOMFORTABLE EVERYTIME HE WOULD SEE ME AND JUMP IN THE CHAIR BESIDE ME AND PUT HIS ARM AROUND ME AND I DIDNT LIKE THE WAY HE CAME UP AND HUGGED ME . OH, THERE IS SO MUCH MORE. THE PASTOR WITH THE KIDS THAT CAME ON TO ME,COME TO FIND OUT THROUGH A BABYSITTER, HE TOUCHED HER INAPPROPRIATELY IN THE CHURCH OFFICE AS WELL AS ANOTHER THAT NO LONGER WENT THERE. SO I'M NO STRANGER TO WHAT GOES ON IN SOME OF OUR CHURCHES. THANK GOD FOR THE CHURCHES THAT ARE ON IT AND WANT TOLERATE ANY FOOLISHNESS. NOW, AS A PASTOR, WHOSES THE DEVIL GOING TO ATTCK HARDER US OR THEM???? THEM OF COURSE!!!!!! WHAT OUR PASTORS HAVE TO DEAL WITH TODAY IS MORE THAN TUFF. GOD HELP THEM AND STRENGTHEN THEM. WE MUST BE CONTINUALLY BATHING THE LEADERSHIP IN CHURCH IN PRAYER. IF THEY FALL, REMEMBER THEY ARE ALL HUMAN. I PRAY GOD GIVEN THEM COMMON SENSE TO PROTECT THEMSELVES FROM MAKING THE SAME MISTAKE. ALL I CAN SAY IS THIS, AS PARENTS WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT, EDUCATE OUR CHILDREN IN GOD'S WORD AND IF WE HAVE TO SEEK GOD FOR A DIFFERENT CHURCH, THEN WE MUST DO THIS!!!! GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!!

WELL!! PRAISE GOD!!! THE HOT SPOT IS GROWING!!!! LOVE THE SUBJECT MATTER AND COMMENTS!!! GREAT FORUM!!!! WE HAVE SO MANY THINGS THAT NEED ADDRESSING AND ITS SO HELPFUL TO GET SO MUCH CANDID INPUT. CANT BEAT AROUND THE BUSH, BETTER TO HAVE THE RIGHT BUSH BURNING THAN THE WRONG ONE!!!! YA'LL HAVE A BLESSED DAY!!!!

opps I don't do church, well sometimes I do, I like to be free, following His Holy Spirit if I end up in a church then yes he is there, but other wise I jus leave my time open for Him, . Ive found in the past church has held me back kept me in their ways and then Ive found Im not free in Him so I leave.  there is a church that aceepts my comings and goings and they also accept the word |I share when I have it and I value their guidance and any advice or correction, so there U go !

I can see that being in church can be like sitting in a hot spot depends on the church wether theres judgement or the truth shared in love.

When I went to church I didn't mix with the congregation so I really didn't know if they judged or not. When I went I always tried focusing on what the pastor and the teacher were saying.  My main interest at the time was to learn. I also loved the worship. The pastors wife was part of the choir and sometimes she would stop singing and start talking about Jesus and His love and sacrifice. She would completely embrace Jesus with her words about Him. I remember I would shut my eyes and try to love Him too.  I miss that.... but I don't go to church either.  It would be awesome to hear a human voice tell me about who Jesus is. But, I don't know if there are any churchs around where I live that still does that.

I believe you love Him.  I also believe that you already know who Jesus is, you've displayed Him several times since I've been here. 

I was just thinking to myself... I can't say anything, it doesn't matter what i think, at all, I should have left it alone.  I am now, this is between you and the Lord, Confused, this will always be about you and the Lord. 

"It would be awesome to hear a human voice tell me about who Jesus is. But, I don't know if there are any churchs around where I live that still does that."

Confused, 

I've been praying and thinking about you all day and night last night.  I am praying that your desire will be fulfilled.  I don't know why I'm posting this, usually I won't, I like it to remain between the Lord and I, but I wanted you to know this.  

Watchmen,Thank you much for praying for me that day.   My heart jumps sometimes when someone tells me out of the blue they prayed for me. :). Thank you again. I am very thankful. 

<3 Elaine and watchmen <3

Thank you Elaine for your prayers for me too.  I am not surprised for I see how you are such a prayer warrior. Im going to be a little selfish and ask you if when you pray fpr me , you will also pray for my kids and grand kids. I am not a prayer warrior like you and others here but I do sometimes try to keep up with the prayer room and agree with them.

I haven't stopped Confused, it wasn't a one day affair for me.  I am very confident in my Lord and Savior.  :)

Thank you  much for thinking of me and praying .... :)

Thank you for praying yall.... My son let me know yesterday that in a few months he may be moving further away. Several states away.  I am so hurt and upset about this. He had said before that in a few months he would be moving closer to me again. My son is a grown man but he isn't saved.... doesn't believe in God... and where he is going is around his friends who feel as he does.  I am pouting and worried. I was counting the months and days so excited that my son would be here near me. I think his reasons to move is spontaneous. I think that's the right word. Please pray he doesn't go.  I really thought he was going to come here and start taking me to church. He didn't say he would but I have mentioned it a time or two before and he acted like he would take me... but I am unsure he would have stayed. I think by him knowing how backwards I am with the outside world he might  go in and wait until I was settled in a seat. This sounds like a whiney selfish mom but really I had some hope ... and now it seems zapped. I am sorry yall I needed to get that off my chest. Thank you again for your past prayers.

I am wanting him to stay period...... not just to take me to church. :-)

Yes Chip, but I don't think it's a small thing at all...i.e. Prosperity Preachers or Health/Wealth Preachers, etc.  They've generally have become "motivational speakers" rather than preachers of God's Word.  

They point people to themselves, rather than to God.  My thing is people don't have a problem thinking about themselves or selfish thinking, they have a problem with being selfless.  

This is the Scripture that always comes to mind when I think about these wolves in sheeps clothing.

2 Timothy 3:

1This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;5Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. 9But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.

The biggest problem with these false teachers are the people who sit in those churches.  They want to hear these feel good messages.  They don't want to hear about the cost of following Jesus, they don't want to hear about obedience, they don't want to hear about repentence/forgiveness, they just want their "best life now".  They have no thoughts of eternity...if they did, they would stop being fearful, depressed, unhappy, etc., instead of looking for guidance in all the wrong places, psychologist, prescription pills, government, anything other than Jesus Christ.  Yahweh, Live like you believe Him.  Most don't, they think they do... These are those who like 2 Tim. 4:3 say - For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

This life is fading fast, the Bible describes it as a vapor...

lolol. Cute Chip Cute. Can I put a stocking out & get those marshmallow peeps. Never mind, I can't stand eating those nasty things. May everyone's Risen day be a blessed & fulfilling day

I just read not even half a news article that has sent my past and present anger issues in full speed mad.  The article is about an upcoming Barbara Walters special and 2 of her guest are Mary Kay Letourneau Fualaau and her now husband. This is the teacher who had been found out about 'having an affair' as the news called it , with one of her 6th grade students. She is now married to that student. They married when she got out of prison. I could not finish reading the article because it seemed to be worded like this was a thing that belonged in the true romance novels. To me this woman is a pedophile a child rapist a person whom was intrusted with children who raped and took advantage. Makes me want to puke in her face and all involved who think this is ok. The student was of age when they married but that's not my anger problem. Its just that I am fearing that soon and Ive thought this for a long while ,because of things I have seen , that there will be some sort of brain wash that will cause some to think that a child will have a right to say its ok for this sick rapist to rape them. Im sure they will call it love. Im rattling now but it just made me sick to see this smiling  child raper get the time of day for a "LOVE TALK" interview.  grrrrrrrrrr

Yes it is Chip

I'm not sure how I feel about it all.

Some great points brother. I didn't realize they were turning down food. I went to some videos & watched it after you posted it here. I'm sure they have plenty of children going hungry in this migration that would love to have what they turned down. Unfortunately, lots of cons & criminals are in these crowds. 

CPS don't step in when they should & step in when they shouldn't. They are evil

Chip, the site has been dropping off for about 2 years now. It's probably less active now than it has been thus far. The forum still has some activity if you want to fellowship with a few of us. I miss the camaraderie that we once had on here but I suppose people have moved on. Life does that to us - takes us to other places & other spaces. Some of us get left behind to pick up the pieces. I guess that's us. Love you brother.

I also think social sites like FaceBook have taken many away.

That's funny Seek. It cracks me up when someone sends me a message & then messages me that they sent me a message.

Chip, I definitely feel your pain. You kinda wrapped up several issues & crossed them over each other but I know what you're saying. 

Wow Chip. Sounds like kids are really putting you thru it. I have no clue what u going thru brother so I have absolutely no advice to give. Destiny has given us a tough time. We finally had to draw a hard line. She is now in rehab & told her she can't come home. She has to find housing at a sober living once she's finished there. She's grown & has to figure this thing out called life. At her age, I had 2 brand new houses already built. I know her first marriage was a failure which wasn't her doing, however, she did choose the loser of a husband. Her choices after that were her decisions though. Unfortunately, she drug us all along for that ride. You gonna have to cut that umbilical cord.

Those kids u talking about are shooting heroine. I praise the good Lord above the hardest thing I had to deal with her were Xenex & Pot. That has been tough enough. I couldn't imagine dealing with anything harder. Heroine is a tough one. You don't need that brother. This is the time you're suppose to be sitting back & enjoying the rest of your life. You've put in your time working. This is your time of relaxation. Keep their junk on the curve. It's tough but that's the only route that works or that's the only road that has put her on the straight & narrow thus far. 

I pray things are getting a little better now Chip

Just hang in there brother. They still going to rehab?

I pray it all works out. I know it's tough for those babies & your wife