[finchfeeder]

Originally Posted by passinthru

You're welcome. yes time together was and is precious. At the same time though, we can't isolate ourselves entirely.

*blush* As I learn from you as well.

I've said similar things before about it being deleted and Bill hasn't done that to me yet

It's alright if you need to talk about something that you think might trigger - I am getting better with that.

Having your own place does feel different - it was too different so I closed mine down and moved in with my boyfriend. :0


That's quite the pun there - I like it - and yes I do need a whole lot more sleep.

Thank you.
I am still pondering all of this.

[finchfeeder]

Originally Posted by Adri

Wow. You shouldn't of. Truly. Sometimes my blog on CGR does not really share kind of who I am for basic information. Don't read it! You can ask me anything you want to know.

I take other people's creativity and use it for myself.

Eighteen, my birthday is in the spring.
Non Denominational/Church of God.
This sometimes confuses people.
I play with the acoustic guitar,flute, panflute and a little of percussions. Oh and harmonica but fairly ill. Actually I don't think I play anything exceedingly well except the flute.

I am a female. I think that is a given.
I am at least going to be single until I am Twenty Three,
Nursing (for school obviously.)
Canada!

Yeah, That was fun to fill out. The library isn't a very conductive place to go onto the computer. It is so limited! I'll stop by and read some more later!

Adri

You answered!

Have you met the other guests at the Inn? It's ok. Take your time.

Wow! That is an impressive musical resume you have there!

Nursing is a good profession. I think that here in the US nurses can pretty much write their own ticket.

I plan to at least read some of your journal but I really do not think that I will be able to read the whole of it. Maybe you can just give me a short version of it here!

My mother liked to travel and so, when I was young, we visited Canada quite a few times. Once, she drove us through Canada to get to Niagra Falls. It was difficult with the gallons/liters gas pump issue and language barriers. Mom knew a little French. The Canadians were very kind and tried to help us find our way around. I grew up believing that Canada was our best friend.

Please feel free to bring up any topic that you like.

[Leboman]

Hello everybody.

I forgot to answer the basic info about myself...sorry Mrs. FF.


I am a guy.
I am married.
I go to an idependent Church of Christ.
I am currently a Junior at a small Bible College majoring in youth ministry and preaching.

[finchfeeder]

First off, I want to say that I feel very afraid to do this. What if I say something that puts one of you off? On the other hand, maybe it will open topics for you to discuss with me.

Yesterday, I had my tooth filled. I'm glad that is over. It was not too bad. My dental people know what they are doing. They inject pain killer. I walk around feeling like I have a fat lip for about 3 hours and need to drink through a straw until it wears off.

I shed some tears about the way that my cousin treated me and my situation with my dad. Survivor group broke up long ago. There is never any telling when issues will rear their ugly heads. I have no place to put these things. I guess that I will just have to be here for myself. That's usually how it goes. I do not want to have to be the bigger person with my cousin but I know that I am going to have to be. Part of me wants to be hard on myself for getting stuck in the past and part of me knows that tears are healing. I am trying not to be too hard on myself for crying about these things because I know that I have ignored them and blown them off for years and years. Will the crying ever end?

I spoke with the sound man and he told me to brush off the board with a clean, soft brush. So, I took a makeup brush in. During Pastor's loooooong sermon, I dusted off much of the soundboard. I am certain that Pastor could see that I was doing that but I did it anyway. My alternative is to go into an empty church all by myself to do it. This way, I cut down on the amount of time that I have to be there alone. Whoosh that thing was dirty! I'm glad that I finally got smart about my jobs at church. I do not have to carry anything in with me! I just walk in, flip a switch and I'm good to go!

I wonder if hell is only a metaphor.

This is similar to the picture that began to form in my mind during Sunday School:


darkness___________________________________God
................l..............l................l
_________l_______l______my own way
................l..............l
_________l___tricks of the devil
................l
______the world

One lady there said that it was a matter of submission. To me, submission is a violent thing. To me, submission means the big foot in the sky stomping on me and/or a straight jacket, things like that. To this woman, she said that her way led the wrong way. God had a better plan/idea for her. So, to her, submitting meant letting go of her bad idea that she thought was good and embracing God's better idea.

In class, I ask Pastor questions. I feel like I am disruptive. After class, 3 women came to me and one told me that I was asking things that everybody wanted to know but was afraid to ask. I need to carve out some time to spend with these women. I do not know when that will be or how it will work but, somehow, I need to meet with them and talk. This is it. The thing that I have been wanting has come. Christians to be a Christian with. (and you, my friends of CGR have been a large part of that for me. Thank you all for that.) Another new door has opened. All I need to do is walk through it.

I have decided to go into Cardiac Rehab 1/2 hour early in an attempt to avoid naughty man #2. Naughty man #1, Mr. Grabby Grab, I already had my appointment time changed because of him. The nurses said that he behaves that way bcause he has a metal plate in his head. (I'm not sure quite how to take that. Are they saying that no man would have me unless he had a metal plate in his head? No. I really do know what they mean.) Naughty man #3, I think knows better. I think that naughty man #3 can see that naughty man #2 is way out of line and way too serious. I won't let my guard completely down with nm3 but I do have hopes for him. Nm2 is another story. I have decided to pray about this. I am asking for us to have good timing so that I will not end up in an uncomfortable physical space with him and I am praying that God will change this man's metaphorical heart. Also, maybe I need to figure a different way to relate to him but in the end, I cannot control another person. He is responsible for what he does. I can outrun him but I would like it so much if brother Lee would at least pretend to get angry and say that he wants to come here and dot this man's eye. (Would you mind if he did that sister Mrs. Role Modlin?) I feel certain that at least one of the nurses is concerned. It's odd because she is the one that I would have expected to go into denial about all of this. I keep telling myself that this is only 3 out of 10 men and not to generalize it to every man on the earth. If I was a guy, I would not hit on me. Why me? Maybe it goes back to that "People are like pumpkins, there's one for everyone." quote.

I let the bird food run low. They usually come in families of 4 or more. I let the food get so low that there were only 2 spaces where they could get food and so they left. I missed them. I filled the feeder to accomodate 6 birds and sora asked God to tell them to come my way. Sunday, 3 birds came. I was glad to see them.

I took Charlotte's Christmas tree down. She was crushed. She sat there looking at me with a very sad face. She climbed into the box with the tree. I gave her a sachet full of catnip and promised to put her tree back up again in 11 months. There always comes a point where I feel tired of the Christmas clutter. I wanted it all put away. Poor Charlotte.

Just this week, I realized that I am woefully short on comforting Christain music. It turns out that some of my WOW CDs contain a couple of songs that have this quality. My favorite is: In His Time by Diane Ball on WOW Worship Blue (yellow disc.)

and the beat goes on
the beat goes on
Sonny & Cher

[finchfeeder]

Originally Posted by Lee

Hello everybody.

I forgot to answer the basic info about myself...sorry Mrs. FF.


I am a guy.
I am married.
I go to an idependent Church of Christ.
I am currently a Junior at a small Bible College majoring in youth ministry and preaching.

Thank you for that lovely introduction Mr. Lee!

There you have it, friends. This is Mr. Lee.

[finchfeeder]

So, ok, now I have to ask What is the Church of Christ? Are they affiliated? Are they all the same? What qualifies to call these churches The Church of Christ? Are many different churches simply labeling themselves that way?

[finchfeeder]

Today's puzzle:

First name begins with a letter that you would like to get on your grade card.

Last name is something that would pay for your schooling.

[Tony]

First off, I want to say that I feel very afraid to do this. What if I say something that puts one of you off? On the other hand, maybe it will open topics for you to discuss with me.

It is a bit risky to put your real thoughts out there for all to read, but I think it's a worth-while risk.

If it ever gets too uncomfortable however, don't feel obligated to go places you don't want to go. I'm all for transparency, and have shared some pretty personal things on the CGR, but there are still some things that I share only with one or two people.

[psalm63adam]

Hello everyone. Nice to see you have a journal, ff.

Age

36. I have officially moved from the "18-35" box on the church communication card and into the "36-50" box.

Religious Denomination

Non-denominational, although I grew up in the independent Christian churches/churches of Christ.

Musical status/what instrument(s) they play

Mostly play the acoustic and sing, although I have been a drummer in a band and play bass on occasion. I took organ lessons for two years when I was little (long story). I am starting to learn how to play the piano. And I will be taking cello lessons in a couple of months.

[passinthru]

Originally Posted by finchfeeder

When I first meet a person in CGR, I like to know their:

Age (I don't have to know a perfect, exact age. In fact, sometimes I think that might not be safe on the net.)

23

Religious Denomination

non-denominational

Musical status/what instrument(s) they play

musical hack - piano, guitar, clarinet, vocals

(gender helps)

female

(marital status helps)

dating the other half of "the Martins"

(career or school major helps)

Business Administration Management Studies; part-time retail

(country the person lives in helps)

I am you know I am, i am Canadian[/old beer commercial]

Thank you for sharing about yourself wonderful Inn Manager. I'm a little too scatter brained right now to reply. It is risky to put your thoughts and feelings out there for everyone.

And i don't like NM either - though the CM (creepy men) are much worse in my opinion.

[Adri]

Originally Posted by finchfeeder

You answered!

My weakness! I like talking/typing! *grin*

Have you met the other guests at the Inn? It's ok. Take your time.

I think so...except Tony. Or maybe I said hello to him before, I can't remember. *scratches head* (I know he is a geezer anyway. ) Hi Tony! EDIT> I have talked to him before! Sorry Tony. I get you geezers mixed up. You guys are just all so awesome. [/suck up]

Nursing is a good profession. I think that here in the US nurses can pretty much write their own ticket.

It seems like it will be worth it. I wouldn't mind becoming a Nurse Practitioner

I plan to at least read some of your journal but I really do not think that I will be able to read the whole of it. Maybe you can just give me a short version of it here!

Alright! I'll do that. Soon. I don't have time right now.

My mother liked to travel and so, when I was young, we visited Canada quite a few times. Once, she drove us through Canada to get to Niagra Falls. It was difficult with the gallons/liters gas pump issue and language barriers. Mom knew a little French. The Canadians were very kind and tried to help us find our way around. I grew up believing that Canada was our best friend.

I still get confused by your guys' use of volumes. Canada, I don't know..... I think it would probably be awesome if my province seperated from Canada. I love the country, but parts of it are not that great.

Please feel free to bring up any topic that you like.

Alright.... What are your thoughts on fasting? Do you fast? What do you fast from? etc. Personal questions, you know. So, you don't need to answer.

Originally Posted by finchfeeder

So, ok, now I have to ask What is the Church of Christ? Are they affiliated? Are they all the same? What qualifies to call these churches The Church of Christ? Are many different churches simply labeling themselves that way?

I don't..know. I assumed that the Church of Christ was all the believers of Christ together as one.... I don't know.

Have a wonderful day!

(Coming to a point of identifying properly with what has happened to you and accepting it in a way that helps you move on from what happened. I think that can be healthy.)

[psalm63adam]

Originally Posted by finchfeeder

So, ok, now I have to ask What is the Church of Christ? Are they affiliated? Are they all the same? What qualifies to call these churches The Church of Christ? Are many different churches simply labeling themselves that way?

The Church of Christ is part of the Restoration Movement, which started in the early 1800's. There are essentially four branches of the Restoration Movement:

- The Disciples of Christ
- The Christian Churches/Churches of Christ
- The Churches of Christ (non-instrumental)
- The Churches of Christ (non-institutional)

If you look at the above branches, they would run from liberal to conservative branches.

I believe that Lee is part of the second branch, which is the same branch I grew up in as well.

The main difference between the last two branches is that the non-institutional Churches of Christ are even more conservative - no Sunday School (because it's not mentioned in the Bible), only one communion cup, no support of para-church organizations, etc.

[Leboman]

Originally Posted by psalm63adam

The Church of Christ is part of the Restoration Movement, which started in the early 1800's. There are essentially four branches of the Restoration Movement:

- The Disciples of Christ
- The Christian Churches/Churches of Christ
- The Churches of Christ (non-instrumental)
- The Churches of Christ (non-institutional)

If you look at the above branches, they would run from liberal to conservative branches.

I believe that Lee is part of the second branch, which is the same branch I grew up in as well.

The main difference between the last two branches is that the non-institutional Churches of Christ are even more conservative - no Sunday School (because it's not mentioned in the Bible), only one communion cup, no support of para-church organizations, etc.

Adam has defined and summed that up perfectly. He is also correct in identifying me with the second group. We're technically "a denomination without a denomination." We're very conservative and very evangelical but, as Adam can attest to, there are a wide variety of churches found within this group.

[Leboman]

I'll also add this.

A defining feature of the indie CoC is that there is the weekly observance of the Lord's Supper and a pronounced emphasis on the immersion of believers. There is no accepted or set age, but it's not uncommon to immerse children as young as seven or eight if they profess a belief in Christ.

[psalm63adam]

Originally Posted by Lee

We're very conservative and very evangelical but, as Adam can attest to, there are a wide variety of churches found within this group.

Which is a definite positive, in my opinion.