Recruiting forum off topic thread (no politics, covid, or hot button issues)

[knoxvol52]

Ok. You can stop beating up on Dick

 

[Glitch]

I can make a rich woman beg.

To what? Follow the restraining order?

 

[pismonque]

To what? Follow the restraining order?

He's just bragging. Next he'll be telling us he'll make a good woman steal.

 

[knoxvol52]

He's just bragging. Next he'll be telling us he'll make a good woman steal.

And an old woman blush

 

[pismonque]

And an old woman blush

I'm just waiting to see if you claim to make a young girl squeal....

 

[Weezer]

Ok. You can stop beating up on Dick

Who are you to tell him what he can and can't do??? He can beat on Dick as much as he chooses!



Wait.... Did I do it again Dammit!

 

[utvolmaniac]

Who are you to tell him what he can and can't do??? He can beat on Dick as much as he chooses!



Wait.... Did I do it again Dammit!

Since the conversation has been about Dick West…I present a map of DFW:


DFW = Dick Facing West

 

[Vols410]

Happy Wednesday

August 14, 2024: There are things you do and think that are no longer relevant to who you have become. Set yourself to embrace where you are instead of where you have been. You are being renewed day by day to become the best version of yourself possible. Put the past behind you and step into the new you. Isaiah 43:18-19 Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

The way these devotions make everything about me is starting to get really sickening.

How can there be so much from the Bible, without an ounce of the holiness of God, the gospel of Jesus Christ, his death and resurrection for sinners, and what that means for us?

Jesus himself said the Bible was about him. It would be nice to see some reflection of that instead of going full humanist-covered-in-a-few-Bible-verses.

Pardon the rant. Nothing personal towards you DD4ME.

 

[Jackcrevol]

The way these devotions make everything about me is starting to get really sickening.

How can there be so much from the Bible, without an ounce of the holiness of God, the gospel of Jesus Christ, his death and resurrection for sinners, and what that means for us?

Jesus himself said the Bible was about him. It would be nice to see some reflection of that instead of going full humanist-covered-in-a-few-Bible-verses.

Pardon the rant. Nothing personal towards you DD4ME.

Isnt by its very merits a daily devotional between you and the Lord?

 

[Orange_Crush]

Isnt by its very merits a daily devotional between you and the Lord?

It could be, unless it's humanistic drivel that's all about you. One could argue that it's a form of teaching, thus could be a form of false teaching, thus needs to be tested against the Bible, which has a self-claim that it's not for private interpretation.

So, no. A publicly published devotional claiming to speak for God is not in any way 'just' between a person and God.

 

[BigOrange15]

The way these devotions make everything about me is starting to get really sickening.

How can there be so much from the Bible, without an ounce of the holiness of God, the gospel of Jesus Christ, his death and resurrection for sinners, and what that means for us?

Jesus himself said the Bible was about him. It would be nice to see some reflection of that instead of going full humanist-covered-in-a-few-Bible-verses.

Pardon the rant. Nothing personal towards you DD4ME.

Really scraping the bottom of the barrel for things to complain about here imo

 

[Jackcrevol]

It could be, unless it's humanistic drivel that's all about you. One could argue that it's a form of teaching, thus could be a form of false teaching, thus needs to be tested against the Bible, which has a self-claim that it's not for private interpretation.

So, no. A publicly published devotional claiming to speak for God is not in any way 'just' between a person and God.

My point was a devotional, is a daily time set aside to show your devotion to God. I'm not talking about anything else.

Not looking for a philosophical breakdown of what a text book, or anything else. Just that, quiet time. You, and God.

If the information in said devotional is written to help us do the above, teaches us to grow as Christian people, or better yet allows to take Word go out into world and be a reflection of perfect love then, what else is there?

Every person is in a different phase of their walk. Some are likely not as far along as you, or me, or the person who put pen to paper. Maybe they are? Who am I to judge that? With people walking away from Christianity, is it not good for people just to hear and see about God?

 

[Orange_Crush]

The way these devotions make everything about me is starting to get really sickening.

How can there be so much from the Bible, without an ounce of the holiness of God, the gospel of Jesus Christ, his death and resurrection for sinners, and what that means for us?

Jesus himself said the Bible was about him. It would be nice to see some reflection of that instead of going full humanist-covered-in-a-few-Bible-verses.

Pardon the rant. Nothing personal towards you DD4ME.

It is kind of interesting that those verses were used as a prophetic word to modern people that reinforces the best version of *you* when the context specifically begins by stating that it's a message to Israel about God's glory and care for them. It was in the middle of a section seeking to humble Israel for their idolatry, promises to severely chastise them by sending them into slavery, but as an example of His own glory and character, and due in no part to their own goodness, He would rescue them from that slavery, and better yet one day would raise up a Savior to fully redeem them.

In other words, it was spoken in the middle of a conversation that was reminding Israel of who they'd been. It was humbling Israel, that they may behold His glory and recognize His grace.

Jesus said that those who are forgiven much love much, and that we'll follow His commandments because we love Him.
John said that we love God because He first loved us.

The gospel says that we are transformed by knowing how undeserving we are compared to what we've been given, not by forgetting that we are sinners in pursuit of not being sinners. Transformation comes from glorifying God and swimming in His loving grace. Not by glorifying ourselves. It's about constant remembrance, not forgetting.

I once counseled a young lady who was constantly reminding herself that she is a good person and worthy of God's love. I felt bad for her because she was like an oft-beaten dog with a history of abuses and rejection issues. So she had to constantly convince herself that she is lovable, as a comfort that God will never reject her.

Her problem was not what she deep down knew about herself. He problem was what she DIDN'T REALLY know about God--that He loves her so much that she doesn't need to be lovable. That He doesn't accept her based on who/what she is, but because of who He is and what He's done.

I finally told her that she is not lovable. That she's a sinner that deserves hell, and will be until the day she dies and loses this skin-suit and Adam nature. But that realization is where the freedom lies. When you realize that you are loved/accepted unconditionally, then your need to audition stops, and then that's where true transformation begins.

None of us want to be loved because we are the "best version" of ourselves. We need to be loved because God is more loving than we can ever imagine.

 

[volbeast33]

The way these devotions make everything about me is starting to get really sickening.

How can there be so much from the Bible, without an ounce of the holiness of God, the gospel of Jesus Christ, his death and resurrection for sinners, and what that means for us?

Jesus himself said the Bible was about him. It would be nice to see some reflection of that instead of going full humanist-covered-in-a-few-Bible-verses.

Pardon the rant. Nothing personal towards you DD4ME.

If these devotions were written by CWM…. He has some explaining to do.

 

[Orange_Crush]

My point was a devotional, is a daily time set aside to show your devotion to God. I'm not talking about anything else.

Not looking for a philosophical breakdown of what a text book, or anything else. Just that, quiet time. You, and God.

If the information in said devotional is written to help us do the above, teaches us to grow as Christian people, or better yet allows to take Word go out into world and be a reflection of perfect love then, what else is there?

Every person is in a different phase of their walk. Some are likely not as far along as you, or me, or the person who put pen to paper. Maybe they are? Who am I to judge that? With people walking away from Christianity, is it not good for people just to hear and see about God?

Then what was your point per our dissecting and commenting on the devotional in question?

And it's not to *show* anything. It's to be built up in our knowledge of Christ, who said that every part of scripture is about Him. You can't misuse/misquote/misunderstand scripture to know Jesus more.

Hebrews 1 says that the Person of Jesus is God's communication from Himself to humanity. The real Jesus. Not some Jesus of our invention because we mine out-of-context verses for private interpretation and what we want it to mean about us.

Also, the Bible makes the claim that it's the Word of God, and that any God-statement is to be judged by what the Bible says. Those devotionals are written as prophetic statements to modern readers, thus every Christian has the responsibility of weighing them against what the Bible says. To disconnect any devotional or teaching from the full context of scripture is dangerous, and scripture's teaching is the exact opposite of "the ends justify the means". The desired end is that we love Jesus more every day. It's not to produce moral people. It's not a religion of moralism. The Pharisees were that, and they were lost as lost could be because they misused God's word for self-glory.

 

[DarthVol1]

My point was a devotional, is a daily time set aside to show your devotion to God. I'm not talking about anything else.

Not looking for a philosophical breakdown of what a text book, or anything else. Just that, quiet time. You, and God.

If the information in said devotional is written to help us do the above, teaches us to grow as Christian people, or better yet allows to take Word go out into world and be a reflection of perfect love then, what else is there?

Every person is in a different phase of their walk. Some are likely not as far along as you, or me, or the person who put pen to paper. Maybe they are? Who am I to judge that? With people walking away from Christianity, is it not good for people just to hear and see about God?

Well said.

 

[mrMet]

Me and the wife both got it in November 2020...she has had it twice since then, buy I have never had it again despite being around her those two times she has had it, and driving several clients around that ended up having it.

I reckon I have immunity to it...apparently so does my son, he had it once back in the beginning and then never again despite his wife and other people around him having it multiple times over the last few years

On the other hand my middle daughter who is a nurse has had it 5 times and baby girl has had it 3 times.

It's a weird deal.

This isn’t a political question so mods don’t ban me. But are you and your son not vaccinated and the others are?

My experience of those around me has seen the ones with the vax getting more often than the non vax

 

[DD4ME]

The way these devotions make everything about me is starting to get really sickening.

How can there be so much from the Bible, without an ounce of the holiness of God, the gospel of Jesus Christ, his death and resurrection for sinners, and what that means for us?

Jesus himself said the Bible was about him. It would be nice to see some reflection of that instead of going full humanist-covered-in-a-few-Bible-verses.

Pardon the rant. Nothing personal towards you DD4ME.

None taken. I respect all civil discourse too. I encourage anyone, if you don't like these ignore them if it detracts you from your faith walk. I would also encourage anyone to share a different word they like better. I don't write these and I don't adore everyone that I read. For me the mere act of reflection on how these can be improved could also be the purpose. I don't love every sermon I've ever sat through, but they still provided a valuable time to focus on my faith. I think people get too caught up in what people should do or say in their walk and to me that limits some people ever starting.

We all have a unique voice and journey. I only pray everyone gets a chance to find theirs. I do not encourage you follow mine lol.

 

[DD4ME]

I started texting people these devotionals a couple of years ago. Usually just people dealing with something. Many have cited how some random word helped them through a tough time. Interestingly it is often a message that meant little to me in the moment. That is the reason I started posting them here. Maybe it can help someone. I imagine many days people simply glanced and move on. So do I. For the few of us in desperate need though....it can be a light shining into pure darkness.

My wife now believes it may be the thing I am best known for when I pass. Comically I don't write a single word I merely take a moment to share the word. In the end, I think that is the purest form of our call to discipleship. The good news is each one ends with a verse. That may be the only part any of us truly needs.

 

[LaagerVol]

Really scraping the bottom of the barrel for things to complain about here imo

I disagree. People treat the Bible as a book of suggestions these days and put more faith and confidence in preaching or teachings that give them the warm and fuzzies and make them feel good about themselves.

 

[DD4ME]

I’m hesitant to comment because Christians arguing in public isn’t a good look and is very seldom productive or helpful winning souls to Christ, so I’m trying to stay away from conversations like this, but….

I’ve stated before, the above bolded is the problem I have with this particular devotional. I think we have to be very careful with what we take in, vet the sources, use discernment. Does it look good on the surface? Yes, but so does the health, wealth, and prosperity preaching. Can be dangerous and misleading, because it is self-centered, which is probably the biggest problem humans have. Not an easy concept to grasp that we are to be Christ-centered and die daily to self. And not an easy thing to do, in practice.

I do not take the writer as speaking for God. Merely speaking to common truths of the human condition and offering suggestions for reflection. I respect all your ideas shared, but I wanted to clarify that element.

 

[LaagerVol]

It is kind of interesting that those verses were used as a prophetic word to modern people that reinforces the best version of *you* when the context specifically begins by stating that it's a message to Israel about God's glory and care for them. It was in the middle of a section seeking to humble Israel for their idolatry, promises to severely chastise them by sending them into slavery, but as an example of His own glory and character, and due in no part to their own goodness, He would rescue them from that slavery, and better yet one day would raise up a Savior to fully redeem them.

In other words, it was spoken in the middle of a conversation that was reminding Israel of who they'd been. It was humbling Israel, that they may behold His glory and recognize His grace.

Jesus said that those who are forgiven much love much, and that we'll follow His commandments because we love Him.
John said that we love God because He first loved us.

The gospel says that we are transformed by knowing how undeserving we are compared to what we've been given, not by forgetting that we are sinners in pursuit of not being sinners. Transformation comes from glorifying God and swimming in His loving grace. Not by glorifying ourselves. It's about constant remembrance, not forgetting.

I once counseled a young lady who was constantly reminding herself that she is a good person and worthy of God's love. I felt bad for her because she was like an oft-beaten dog with a history of abuses and rejection issues. So she had to constantly convince herself that she is lovable, as a comfort that God will never reject her.

Her problem was not what she deep down knew about herself. He problem was what she DIDN'T REALLY know about God--that He loves her so much that she doesn't need to be lovable. That He doesn't accept her based on who/what she is, but because of who He is and what He's done.

I finally told her that she is not lovable. That she's a sinner that deserves hell, and will be until the day she dies and loses this skin-suit and Adam nature. But that realization is where the freedom lies. When you realize that you are loved/accepted unconditionally, then your need to audition stops, and then that's where true transformation begins.

None of us want to be loved because we are the "best version" of ourselves. We need to be loved because God is more loving than we can ever imagine.

Wish I could like this a million times. Casting Crowns song Who am I came to mind.

 

[LaagerVol]

Then what was your point per our dissecting and commenting on the devotional in question?

And it's not to *show* anything. It's to be built up in our knowledge of Christ, who said that every part of scripture is about Him. You can't misuse/misquote/misunderstand scripture to know Jesus more.

Hebrews 1 says that the Person of Jesus is God's communication from Himself to humanity. The real Jesus. Not some Jesus of our invention because we mine out-of-context verses for private interpretation and what we want it to mean about us.

Also, the Bible makes the claim that it's the Word of God, and that any God-statement is to be judged by what the Bible says. Those devotionals are written as prophetic statements to modern readers, thus every Christian has the responsibility of weighing them against what the Bible says. To disconnect any devotional or teaching from the full context of scripture is dangerous, and scripture's teaching is the exact opposite of "the ends justify the means". The desired end is that we love Jesus more every day. It's not to produce moral people. It's not a religion of moralism. The Pharisees were that, and they were lost as lost could be because they misused God's word for self-glory.

I hope everyone reads the above and understands it doesn’t come from a place of hate or condemnation, but out of love and concern. Concern that what we are being taught by so many isn’t biblical and leads down the wrong path.

 

[vols 30]

I started texting people these devotionals a couple of years ago. Usually just people dealing with something. Many have cited how some random word helped them through a tough time. Interestingly it is often a message that meant little to me in the moment. That is the reason I started posting them here. Maybe it can help someone. I imagine many days people simply glanced and move on. So do I. For the few of us in desperate need though....it can be a light shining into pure darkness.

My wife now believes it may be the thing I am best known for when I pass. Comically I don't write a single word I merely take a moment to share the word. In the end, I think that is the purest form of our call to discipleship. The good news is each one ends with a verse. That may be the only part any of us truly needs.

I send Ephesians 22 -24 to my wife every once in awhile. Especially 24

22 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

 

[BigOrange15]

I disagree. People treat the Bible as a book of suggestions these days and put more faith and confidence in preaching or teachings that give them the warm and fuzzies and make them feel good about themselves.

I mean, I'm not religious so I'm just looking at it from an outside perspective. You take comfort in what you can, from where you can and its pretty clear people get a lot out of those daily posts and it brings DD joy and fulfillment to do them and help others. To denigrate them is, imo, misguided. Although, I respect others opinions on it from a Christian perspective.