Is any one really happy here?

[Philip James]

Hi folks :)

Hello OLIGOS,
Welcome to the deep end, where everything you say will be challenged and will challenge you to examine yourself...

Peace be with you!

 

[Josho]

Hi folks :)
The reason I ask is because I have only been here a little over a week and was nicely welcomed, but shortly after that at least one welcomer who really post's a lot here,
turned on me and attacked me pretty harshly, and then a woman here did the same thing. Hey , I've only been here a week and consider myself a pretty, friendly guy, and pretty happy.
I ended up using the "IGNORE Feature" and that helped a lot.

But boy,after reading other posts and topics and how people go at it with each other, with NO LOVE INTENDED, It feels like I'm on one of my other Non-Christian forums, where people like to tear into each other brutally, with no intentions but to destroy their perceived foes..
I thought there was supposed to be a difference
.
I came here to enjoy sharing in Christ's word, and sharing in different opinions and different perspectives, but I'm wondering how to do that now.

I'm not a fighter and wouldn't think I should need THICK SKIN to be here, but it's almost like people come here to be "GLADIATORS" to fight in the arena of Christian warfare.

I didn't come here to "SURVIVE", but hoped to THRIVE, but maybe that isn't the point here.

Maybe someone here can help me out, and give me some advise - like maybe ...run for your life:).

My name is OLIGOS

Hey, well this is a happy man here. If it really is nasty let us know, but some threads people just need to walk away from or ignore, and not take offense too easily, and you don't need extremely thick skin for that haha, there are some things that are only light matters, for example a little bit of nitpicking here and there, little things like that you can just walk away and ignore, and should not be taken seriously.

And a suggestion is a lot of debates drag on for way too long, and people just gotta learn when enough is enough, learn when they have had their say, go on and start a new thread about something else, or go find another thread to participate in these forums, there are heaps of threads.

 

[lforrest]

I’m here to witness the hypocrisy of each poster, it helps me to better identify mine.

It definitely helps, people have a hard time seeing their own faults, to see them demonstrated in others brings attention to it in themselves if they have an ounce of discernment. Likewise when witnessing harsh disagreement it is easier to discern God's will concerning it from the outside.

We need some encouraging and prayerful Christians here, as the site would have no value otherwise.

 

[Giuliano]

So what exactly is a troll?

I have a somewhat different take on what trolls are. I think everyone basically wants to love and to be loved; but something's gone awry with trolls.

Some children grow up with parents who ignore them when they behaved well. You can see this sometimes in stores and other places where children try politely at first to get their parents' attention. They are ignored. Since they want attention, they start trying other techniques. Over time children cleverly figure out what sets their parents off. If you buy a child candy when he cries for it, he figures out all he has to do to get candy is burst into tears. Other parents seem to come to pieces when a child throws a tantrum. Some get embarrassed by a screaming child and will buy him anything he wants to shut him up. A child can figure out presses the parental buttons so the parent gives in.

When this sort of person grows up, he often seems not to realize other people aren't his parents. They won't buy him candy if he cries or throws a tantrum; but habits die hard. He still believes his antisocial behavior is an effective way to get what he wants. If you spot this in someone, the best thing to do is never, never, never let him get what he wants from you by "being bad." Figure out (if you can) what he wants and then see if you can get him to "be good." If so, reward him. Give him what he wants. That's helping break the old habit and create a healthier one.

Ha, ha, you may not believe it, but there are some people I like but I refuse to show it. I won't show it unless they shape up and start acting better. I know, yes I know, that deep down everyone is the same -- no matter how buried it may be, there is that "image and likeness of God" there somewhere. Everyone wants to "let the inner child" emerge -- everyone wants to love others and to be loved. It's a matter of feeling safe.

If you see a "troll" post something sensible, by all means give it a "like." If it's really good, you might even want to post and say so. Even if he's expressed contempt for you in the past, feel free to pay him a compliment when he's right and behaving well. It might not make a difference; but then again, who knows, it might.

There is another technique that might interest some people if they feel like putting the time into it. Trolls, even when close to their worst, are not usually 100% wrong. Sometimes you can see, here and there, things that you think are fine. You can ignore the bad bits and agree with the parts you find right and good. I think I should probably use this technique more myself.

 

[Invisibilis]

...I didn't come here to "SURVIVE", but hoped to THRIVE,...

Be careful what you eat (let in). We are not yet in heaven, so there is bound to be a few rotten fruit in the basket.

 

[Mike Waters]

Hello OLIGOS ,
Over the 3 years of being on CB, I have realized there are more Christ like people than not on here. I was just like you when I first came here. Wanted to remove myself within a week! But, this is funny but, a wonderful lady on here in-boxed me and told me I needed to "grow a thicker skin", LOL. Of course, she wrote more than that but...it has brought me to a place where I believe we are the wheat and the tares, and have to grow together so the good roots do not get pulled up. Dunno if that helps. BTW- you are a very friendly guy!! :)

Bless you Nancy, you are such a gem that I wish I had sufficient strength to be able to replicate.

 

[Mike Waters]

Oh, please don't! It would destroy my life beyond recovery, not only in this world, but also the next! <giggle>

Such Christlike sarcasm....says he sarcastically.

 

[Willie T]

Anyone here ever read, The Great Divorce? I often feel like we got on that bus.

 

[Mike Waters]

Proverbs 26:4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.

Absolute gem that's gone straight into my armoury chest.

 

[Renniks]

Hi folks :)
The reason I ask is because I have only been here a little over a week and was nicely welcomed, but shortly after that at least one welcomer who really post's a lot here,
turned on me and attacked me pretty harshly, and then a woman here did the same thing. Hey , I've only been here a week and consider myself a pretty, friendly guy, and pretty happy.
I ended up using the "IGNORE Feature" and that helped a lot.

But boy,after reading other posts and topics and how people go at it with each other, with NO LOVE INTENDED, It feels like I'm on one of my other Non-Christian forums, where people like to tear into each other brutally, with no intentions but to destroy their perceived foes..
I thought there was supposed to be a difference
.
I came here to enjoy sharing in Christ's word, and sharing in different opinions and different perspectives, but I'm wondering how to do that now.

I'm not a fighter and wouldn't think I should need THICK SKIN to be here, but it's almost like people come here to be "GLADIATORS" to fight in the arena of Christian warfare.

I didn't come here to "SURVIVE", but hoped to THRIVE, but maybe that isn't the point here.

Maybe someone here can help me out, and give me some advise - like maybe ...run for your life:).

My name is OLIGOS

It's the internet. You have to have thick skin.
If you met the same people face to face, you would probably like them. It's just that when opinions are written down in black and white, they can seem like attacks. Now, yes, some get downright insulting for no reason, but I believe most just enjoy a good debate. I know I do. I used to have debates with unbelievers at work and honestly, we would insult each other in a kind of tongue in cheek way and be better friends for it. I think that's a guy thing. Insults can actually be a form of affection between men.

 

[prashanthd]

I think that's a guy thing. Insults can actually be a form of affection between men.

 

[Nancy]

Bless you Nancy, you are such a gem that I wish I had sufficient strength to be able to replicate.

Oh you are so kind Mike, but...LOL! You and I are no more or less "gem-like" because we now have the same DNA

 

[Enoch111]

Bless you Nancy, you are such a gem

I though she was simply a diamond in the rough.

Nancy needs some fancy polishing.

 

[Nancy]

I though she was simply a diamond in the rough.

Nancy needs some fancy polishing.

You're just too much @Enoch111 I'm in the rough alright But, how else to be refined and renewed? So, we seem to all be in the "rough" many times. :)

 

[Enow]

The bridegroom has came.

The event when the Bridegroom comes for the abiding bride of Christ to receive for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb is yet to be. That is what the parable of the ten virgins is about.

Matthew 25:1Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. 11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

Many believers thinks the Lord saying I know you not means they were never saved, but Matthew 7:13-27 & Luke 13:24-30 has the Lord citing them as workers of iniquity for why He did not know them; hence any iniquity that denies Him ( Titus 1:16 ) is why He will deny them ( 2 Timothy 2:12 ), So the reason He says that here in that parable was for the iniquity of being out to the market, seeking to be filled with "oil" as in seeking to be filled with the Holy Ghost when the prudent know they had been always Spirit-filled since their salvation as not a leaky vessel, but a new creature/ new wine bottles able to hold the Holy Spirit/wine; Matthew 5:19

That includes any believer seeking later on in life as a saved believer, to receive the Holy Spirit "again" after a sign of tongues for why that tongue is not of Him at all. The irony is that as much as they insist that is the only one, other modern day tongue speakers are giving yet another calling to receive the Holy Spirit again by slain in the spirit and the holy laughter movement. All saints need to repent and return to the first love and rest in Him as they had been always Spirit-filled since salvation or risk being found in the market as denying Him for which the Bridegroom will deny them.

He will come back for those saints left behind and resurrect them after the great tribulation where they will hear His voice literally instead of following that stranger's voice of tongues for private use, and serve the King of kings during the millennium reign rather that that devil's tongues in uttering his depths.

 

[Enow]

John 3:29 KJV
[29] He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.

Notice how it doesn’t say He that will have, this was fullfiment
Tecarta Bible
Of Johns joy, and makes happy as well.

John 3:28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. 29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

John the Baptist was speaking there for when Jesus was on earth for why John has to decrease from the spotlight while He increase.

Here is Jesus' words about His departure and why His words apply to the prudent virgins that are ready for the bridegroom when He appears.

Matthew 9:14 Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not? 15 And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast. 16 No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse. 17 Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.

 

[Enow]

My friend Enow
I know nothing about the Holy Laughter movement.

Our Lord and Savior gave us the examples of being full of joy at the wedding, eating and drinking, as well going to the house of the tax gatherer and ate and drank there too, as in both cases the rest of the world was suffering and in pain.

Jesus in His example, shows us that when we aren't suffering like the rest of the world and in great pain as most of us have experienced, we are encouraged to live a life full of joy as He did, and drew people to Him wanting the same Joy He exhibited, and we should to, to draw others to the same joy we can offer the world, that the whole world is seeking beyond their own misery.

No one is drawn to a miserable Christian, and my whole life is about drawing others to Christ, as I'm sure yours is to, with great joy.

We will continue to share in great joy with one another, and your invited to be part of that wonderful joy.

May God bless you with His greatest joy.
My name is OLIGOS

Believers can have "joy" in the midst of sorrows when He is helping them walk thru this valley of death.

Romans 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

I find when He helps me to keep my eyes on Him and the real treasure above, then I am not to value anything down here, even if my enemies take away my life. That is hard for me to let go because I hate injustice, but I trust Him to help me let go and forgive others for they know not what they do.

We can have joy in our trials and tribulation, and believers should not think that we will go through life without pain and suffering, but He will help us through it, and I believe that is the joy of it even when we are miserable and at our wits' end for He is faithful.

 

[Seasoned by Grace]

Believers can have "joy" in the midst of sorrows when He is helping them walk thru this valley of death.

Romans 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

I find when He helps me to keep my eyes on Him and the real treasure above, then I am not to value anything down here, even if my enemies take away my life. That is hard for me to let go because I hate injustice, but I trust Him to help me let go and forgive others for they know not what they do.

We can have joy in our trials and tribulation, and believers should not think that we will go through life without pain and suffering, but He will help us through it, and I believe that is the joy of it even when we are miserable and at our wits' end for He is faithful.

Boy have I been there more than just a few times.

Thank you for reminding us. Sometimes "Gods grace is sufficient".

 

[Nancy]

Anyone here ever read, The Great Divorce? I often feel like we got on that bus.

 

[Waiting on him]

but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast

Couldn’t have been taken away, had He not already came. By the way where do you believe the children came from?