Christian Chat

[DownMoreThanUp]

@Moose123 Thank you, to you too my friend.

@heartathome @PeppyPatti @PeppyPatti @ENKELI @Appleblossom 

i know suffering voices, hallucinations and psychosis, as well as trauma and depression are terrible afflictions often time bringing us to our deepest lows. Yet The Voice of Love never compels us to use force within ourselves towards ourselves rather to cultivate inner love, togetherness and peace within my divided self. (Psalm 86:11-13)

i know that only in time of peace a Nation prospers, and so is this the truth inside our inner dwelling place.

Life in His Word is my good life summed up in a nutshell

It is The Truth lived in His Love that speaks the clearest. That is why i love this rendering of Psalm 27 by the Sons of Korah.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Yv2jYbuIc8&list=RD8Yv2jYbuIc8&start_radio=1

[avant-garde]

@ENKELI 

The first service tomorrow the sermon is on "consumerism and sexuality"

[ENKELI]

@heartathome your conversations with God throughout the day and reading a verse a day is much the same as me. I want to do bible study as well and am looking to maybe join my mums' study group. The problem with joining a group for me is that if it is during the day and I find a full time job I will have to give it up. I've tried a self paced study but always abandon it after a few days. 
I have a couple of apps that I do each day too, one has 3 steps to it, verse, discussion and then prayer based on the verse. I am pleased to have stuck with that one. It's ridiculous that I might check YouTube every day but I can't spend 5 - 10 minutes on a Christian app. That thought always comes to me when I think, oh I won't study today. Thanks Lord!

I have two words for you, that God always puts on my heart. Be Still. That's it. Just breathe in, be still and let Him take control. (and one day we might even let Him!)

I hope your weekend has been good, I am spending it listening to Christian music. I have a friend who loves Taylor Swift and we listened to her new album together on Friday. I read through the lyrics and needed a cleanse of good quality worshipful songs. If I had a child under 16 I would certainly not want them listening to most of the secular music around these days.

Here's the newest song from my favourite band, For King & Country -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQxc1PHvHB0 

[ENKELI]

@heartathome I am so sorry you endured a Pentecostal cult. One of our other members endured the same thing due to a Pentecostal movement. (I didn't want to mention their name in case they didn't want me bringing it up).

I have always been a believer and went to church regularly, then was born again, baptised at 36 and have been attending Pentecostal churches ever since, apart from when I attend church with my mum. I feel so very lucky and blessed that I have only had positive experiences.

If you prefer to keep it light that's okay too. It needs to be at your pace and if you prefer not to be tagged in some posts I will make sure I am mindful of that, as I am sure our other members will too.

Take care and God bless xo

[ENKELI]

@avant-garde hey sweetheart, how did the first service go? Did it trigger you more than usual? 
You've been on my mind today.

Sorry I didn't get back to you yesterday, I had a technology free day while I concentrated on doing Bible study and prayer without distraction. I am a person who needs to unplug regularly or I end up wasting hours watching YouTube and Facebook shorts.

Are you okay? xo Hugs 🫂🤗

[heartathome]

@ENKELI I totally get what you've written! Studying the Bible at home is impossible for me. I have an app like yours. It is only 10 minutes out of 24 hours, and I am annoyed that I don't even give that little time to Him, yet He uses me when I'm open to Him. Could you give me a rough estimate of your age, only if that feels comfortable sharing. No pressure! I just feel as if I'm talking to a younger person, or younger at heart. I'm in my 60's. My weekend has been decent. I took an acquaintance to church and met up with a few people there and have been on here this afternoon. It's lovely to talk to you! Drop my name anytime for a chat! 🙃

[avant-garde]

@ENKELI 

The sermon in the first service was as expected

An insensitive interpretation of the seventh commandment with no account for the horrors that can be experienced. 

It judged by omission all those who have experienced sexual violence. 

[ENKELI]

@heartathome hey no problem re age. I am 56, but my birthday is in January so closer to 57 really!!

I sound younger? That's interesting, maybe because I'm immature ha ha!

I thought you were younger too, but then I am used to being the oldest in most settings so I automatically assume everyone is at least 5 years younger than me.

Like you I get annoyed at myself for not spending more time with God. When I lived with my ex friend I had a special place out the back underneath a massive mango tree that I called my "God spot". I would sit out there with my Bible and spend up to 2 hours out there. Now that I am back home I don't have a spot.

The first couple of years back home was sorting through trauma from ex friend and now that I've been able to rise from the ashes of that decade long relationship (she was my platonic soul mate) I find myself wanting to spend more and more time in worship. I am also ready to go back to church as well.

I enjoy chatting with you too. I am so glad that we have a Christian thread. I love all the threads I'm part of but it's nice to be able to speak freely about God and the love of Christ. Although I do offer to pray for other members but I don't go further than that unless asked.

My achievement that I am pleased with has been instead of asking God why He allowed things to happen, I ask that He use my pain/trauma in the way He intends to.
I have my Sane Christian "family" to thank for helping me move on and accept too so I am always happy to chat (I talk alot!!) especially about my favourite subject, Christianity! 

I am in the north eastern suburbs of Perth, where abouts are you? Don't feel you have to answer that, there are some people for reasons that prefer not to say and I am mindful of that too.

[ENKELI]

@avant-garde that's what I find hard about a lot of services. I feel sometimes like I am being judged because I am not pure as a single Christian should be. While my being promiscuous was more as a way to deal with my unmedicated bipolar disorder I can't imagine how difficult it would be for you to have to listen to that without feeling judged.

And while those preaching would probably feel bad if they knew, it does not make you feel better. I think sometimes it makes us feel worse when something has happened against our will.

I am glad the second service acted as a calmative for you. How are you feeling tonight?
Big hugs for you my sweet 🫂🤗

[avant-garde]

@ENKELI 

I talked to my soon to be elder after the service and he listened and cared. It's just hard you know?

The sermon in the first service was one read by an elder from a few years ago, he was my assigned elder and the first I told aside from my former pastor within the church... he knows my history and always chooses sermons like this. I can't say it doesn't feel intentional...

I'm nervous that when our new pastor starts next week that it'll start like this... that it'll be hard in the beginning and I'll get just more hurt...