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RE: Besiderself's Batty Belfry - 6/25/2009 8:34:13 PM
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ShallbeRebuilt
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Howzat...
Esther, the pictures are wonderful! And she looks so much like you!
As for me - I'm winding out my career. I have 36 days until I retire. Woohoo!
Hmm. I've sat here for I don't know how long, and I can't think of anything else!
So, are you going to come to Texas and see me after that? Road trip!!!
shallbe
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has decided that the command against forsaking the assembling of ourselves together shall henceforth be considered satisfied when she wakes up each morning and finds that all her body parts are still assembled...
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RE: Besiderself's Batty Belfry - 6/26/2009 6:37:42 AM
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Howzat...
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Joined: 4/11/2005
From: PA, USA
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quote:
ORIGINAL: ShallbeRebuilt
quote:
ORIGINAL: Howzat...
Esther, the pictures are wonderful! And she looks so much like you!
As for me - I'm winding out my career. I have 36 days until I retire. Woohoo!
Hmm. I've sat here for I don't know how long, and I can't think of anything else!
So, are you going to come to Texas and see me after that? Road trip!!!
shallbe
That's a possibility! I should make a list.
_____________________________
Pam
Proud of my hometown
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RE: Besiderself's Batty Belfry - 7/1/2009 10:54:04 PM
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ShallbeRebuilt
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Bat Belfry friends....
I hope you are all comfortable this evening. Grab a rafter (if you're feeling particularly batty and need a little blood rushing to your head) or a papasan chair (if you'd rather put your feet up than hang them up). Espresso's hot, Perrier in the cooler; help yourself.
I have had a few weeks rest, and more time to meditate on the condition of my soul and God's Word lately. I'd like to share some of it before school starts again (in a week!   ). I'll try to keep it short and gripping for those who prefer briefer posts.
To begin, thoughts about the following Psalm which had never occurred to me before.
Psalm 19:1-14 (NKJV)
1 To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork.
2 Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge.
3 There is no speech nor language Where their voice is not heard.
4 Their line has gone out through all the earth, And their words to the end of the world. In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun,
5 Which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, And rejoices like a strong man to run its race.
6 Its rising is from one end of heaven, And its circuit to the other end; And there is nothing hidden from its heat.
7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;
9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward.
12 Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults.
13 Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, And I shall be innocent of great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.
This Psalm is primarily about speech!
Item 1) Creation joyfully and constantly testifies to God's glory.
Item 2) God speaks: notice the list of things His speaking is! perfect, reviving, sure, wise, right...etc.
Item 3) My words are  furthermore, most of the time I react to God's word like they are .
I need to:
be forgiven
be kept
be desiring of His words
be like the sun...letting no one escape hearing the Word of God from me.
be like Creation: not shying away from witnessing, but rather making that my primary purpose in life.
Thoughts?
shallbe
_____________________________
has decided that the command against forsaking the assembling of ourselves together shall henceforth be considered satisfied when she wakes up each morning and finds that all her body parts are still assembled...
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RE: Besiderself's Batty Belfry - 7/3/2009 12:09:55 PM
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ShallbeRebuilt
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Thank you for your contribution, Shema.
Sometimes when God hits us with realizations like that, there just isn't much else to say: just "guilty as charged, Sir" and "I believe, help my unbelief"!
As I said earlier, my time to post here is growing shorter. So I want to spark a bit of a discussion on a couple of things and then post what I've found in scripture about it. In a way, it's related to a thread over in Singles started by HumbleInSpirit called Are You Preparing Yourself For a Mate?...which is what prompted me to go ahead and start this discussion.
Safe Places
Do you have any?
By “safe place” I mean a person with whom I can be totally myself: not only the best parts, but the mediocre and even rotten parts of me can be freely expressed without fear of retribution.
This is not ALL that a "safe place" means to me, but I want to avoid prejudicing the discussion...I will add more as people chime in.
shallbe
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has decided that the command against forsaking the assembling of ourselves together shall henceforth be considered satisfied when she wakes up each morning and finds that all her body parts are still assembled...
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RE: Besiderself's Batty Belfry - 7/3/2009 12:15:28 PM
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humbleinspirit
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I have more people that I can be safe with, but guard my heart very closely with those who I cannot be at all.
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RE: Besiderself's Batty Belfry - 7/3/2009 12:22:50 PM
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ShallbeRebuilt
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Mike, how would you characterize those with whom you feel safe? How are they different from those from whom you guard your heart?
shallbe
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has decided that the command against forsaking the assembling of ourselves together shall henceforth be considered satisfied when she wakes up each morning and finds that all her body parts are still assembled...
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RE: Besiderself's Batty Belfry - 7/3/2009 12:24:39 PM
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humbleinspirit
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Well Shallbe, those who are safe are those who I can share with without feeling that they are judging me or giving me a bad opinion at all. Ones that I know have compassion and who genuinely care about me.
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RE: Besiderself's Batty Belfry - 7/3/2009 1:46:07 PM
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ShallbeRebuilt
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I would characterize people who are safe for me the same way.
I will say, though, that I don't mean they don't encourage me to change where I need to change. They do. It's just that they do it in a way that is compassionate and gentle.
Would you say the same about your safe people?
shallbe
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has decided that the command against forsaking the assembling of ourselves together shall henceforth be considered satisfied when she wakes up each morning and finds that all her body parts are still assembled...
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RE: Besiderself's Batty Belfry - 7/3/2009 1:54:43 PM
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humbleinspirit
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Yes I would, and sometimes they just listen even if they know that I need to change as well.
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RE: Besiderself's Batty Belfry - 7/5/2009 5:26:33 PM
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ShallbeRebuilt
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Alright: So now I move on to the second part of the discussion. Believe me, this really is going somewhere, so do respond if you have any thoughts or experiences at all.
Do you ever feel invisible?
You know, that feeling that no one is giving a thought to you personally? That there is no one in the world who wants to know you better--maybe you even have loving people all around you, but they all think they know everything about you already?
shallbe
_____________________________
has decided that the command against forsaking the assembling of ourselves together shall henceforth be considered satisfied when she wakes up each morning and finds that all her body parts are still assembled...
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RE: Besiderself's Batty Belfry - 7/5/2009 6:06:26 PM
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BlessedAngel1983
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Yes! I hate feeling like nobody sees/acknowledges my existence!
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Reflecting with Terri
See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come.
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RE: Besiderself's Batty Belfry - 7/5/2009 6:24:44 PM
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humbleinspirit
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Yes, sometimes in person and sometimes in the forums as well.
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RE: Besiderself's Batty Belfry - 7/5/2009 10:02:18 PM
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Tinkerbell_
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The correct question would be, "Do you ever feel visible?"
_____________________________
When I've shown you that I just don't care
When I'm throwing punches in the air
When I'm broken down and I can't stand
Will you be strong enough to be my man?
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RE: Besiderself's Batty Belfry - 7/5/2009 10:43:27 PM
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ShallbeRebuilt
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Wow. Apparently THAT one hit a sore spot! Ok...in the morning, I will discourse on this and let you know what God has shown me about these two things!
shallbe
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has decided that the command against forsaking the assembling of ourselves together shall henceforth be considered satisfied when she wakes up each morning and finds that all her body parts are still assembled...
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RE: Besiderself's Batty Belfry - 7/5/2009 11:17:16 PM
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Bountiful
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Yes, I often feel invisible. But on the other hand, I have to admit that sometimes I prefer it. I grew up feeling invisible, then that seemed to pass, but I feel it again at this stage in my life. Don't know if that has any significance or not.
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RE: Besiderself's Batty Belfry - 7/6/2009 8:47:21 AM
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ShallbeRebuilt
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Bountiful, I am not one to enjoy being invisible very much. I do like my alone times on occasion, but they are not very fun for me if no one is going to notice when I show back up!
Safe Places
Recently I've been suffering from a lack of safe places (compared to other times in my life) and an increase in invisibility. Knowing that I just can't share some of me with most of those around me without expecting some painful flack, and also that most of those around me really think they know me or don't care to know me better has been painful and distracting for me.
When these things happen to me, I am learning that the only place to go for real answers is scripture.
I guess you could point out that that is one GOOD thing about not having safe places and being invisible! It's a blessing to find I can run to God's Word for comfort and help.
Recently I was bemoaning this to myself and in the process of thought, I wondered if having a “safe place” was really essential to a fulfilling life? I have, up until this point in my life, always had access to several “safe places”, so I am really used to having that asset in my life. Now that my circumstances are reduced, however, I wonder if God is really responsible for providing that for me?
Of course, He is a safe place. God is always safe, always accepts me where I am, is willing to listen, sympathize, empathize, help, and extend compassion. Which is what brings me to further thoughtfulness:
Why isn’t God as a “safe place” enough? Why do I desire a “safe place” like my husband used to be? Am I just not accessing God like I should? Is this a place I should be growing into…a place where God himself and by himself is enough of a “safe place” for me?
I think the answer to that is ultimately yes. But in the meantime, I feel that God is the reason that knowing and being known are so pleasurable for us…it’s one of the qualities of relationship with Him which we will not fully experience until Heaven, but which we long for our entire lives, and which we find in other Christians who know Him too. And we seek it, because of that longing—finding Him and His safety and goodness in others ought to be pleasurable!
Invisibility
Here’s another thing I was pondering recently along the same lines. Currently in my life there is no one who wants to know me better than they already do. My children and family already believe they know all they need to about me. And many of them are still at an age such that their immaturity causes them to be more interested in solving my problems or correcting me as according to their life experience (have you ever noticed that to the young person things are more straightforward and easily solved?) rather than getting to know me and understand my reasoning and the way I work.
I have few friends because of the lack of time during these years of schooling to begin or maintain relationships.
To me, this is a great loss. I really, really miss having someone who wants to know me better all the time. It feels like being invisible.
But why is it that no one wants to know me better? Is it because I am not an interesting person? Is there something wrong with me that people don’t like or that makes them uncomfortable? More importantly, if there is something that makes people uncomfortable around me, is it something I need to fix, is it sin?
Among all this belly-button gazing, the verse from John 3:30 (ESV)”He must increase, but I must decrease.”
What???? Oh, yeah. It’s not ME that’s important here. It’s not me being known, me being accepted, me being helped or me having a “safe place” that is the focus.
The context of John 3:30 is this: Jesus and John were in the same geographical area teaching and baptizing. John’s disciples got into a discussion and realized that Jesus’ disciples were baptizing a lot more people than John was, and even some of John’s disciples were “defecting” over to Jesus. So they hied themselves over to John to let him know about this.
John…I can almost hear him chuckle a little as he says this…(Esther’s paraphrase version)
“Dudes, really, it’s ok. All those who have come to me have come because of Him. Don’t you remember me telling you that I am not the Christ? Look…when you see the bride and who she is with, then you know who the groom is. If the true believers are with Jesus, then He must be the Christ. And when you know who the groom is, you’ll know who the groomsmen are, because they are following and serving him. That’s why I’m so happy! He is the groom, I’m just a groomsman, He is the one getting married—he must increase, but I must decrease. This is the way it is supposed to be!”
Pause for reflection.
What thoughts do you have concerning the relationship of this scripture to safe places and invisibility in our lives?
shallbe
_____________________________
has decided that the command against forsaking the assembling of ourselves together shall henceforth be considered satisfied when she wakes up each morning and finds that all her body parts are still assembled...
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RE: Besiderself's Batty Belfry - 7/7/2009 12:19:25 AM
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Bountiful
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"He is to increase, we are to decrease." That's very true. But I'm not sure if that means we should be invisible. I believe our focus should be more Him and others than on ourselves. But yet the Bible tells us to be in fellowship with other Christians. We are to share one another's burdens; we are to weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice. Sometimes that's the place I feel the most invisible. And it's not for lack of involvement. We all want to be "known" for who we are. This gives us affirmation of who we are. However, as Christians, our identity is to be based on who we are in Him. Ultimately it is only God who knows us as we are and loves us anyway (although he is continually working on us to make us more Christlike).
Was Jesus invisible? Isaiah 53 tells us there was nothing about Him that attracted others to Him. Yes, he had his followers, but I think he must have felt very lonely at times. You can be surrounded by people and still be lonely (or invisible). Perhaps feeling "invisible" is another way that God draws us to Himself, another lesson in relying only on Him. The Bible tells us that this is not our home; our home is in heaven.
You hear many times that God has made us for relationships, firstly with him and than with others. I have to admit I'm a bit of a cynic when it comes to human relationships (obviously I've never been really popular  .
I certainly don't have any definitive answers. I suppose perhaps we reach places in our lives where we realize or are made aware of our "aloneness" or "invisibility." No doubt there are lessons to be learned at those times, but like most human endeavors, they are often difficult to figure out.
Praise the Lord that we can always turn to him. That, in the end, is what it's all about. Is it an easy journey? Personally, I don't think so, but it's still the best thing we will ever have.
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RE: Besiderself's Batty Belfry - 7/7/2009 12:24:28 AM
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Bountiful
Posts: 744
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Oops. I meant to say something about safe places. I have trust issues so finding safe places or people isn't easy for me. The one thing I've learned is that we have to be strong enough to be vulnerable in order to find out whether some place or somebody is safe (which really seems a contradiction in terms on the face of it). I think that's why we hold back, because we don't want to step out of our comfort zone. We try to make ourselves a safe place.
So much for my 2 cents worth.
Good discussion. Thanks.
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RE: Besiderself's Batty Belfry - 7/7/2009 8:33:07 AM
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ShallbeRebuilt
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quote:
Perhaps feeling "invisible" is another way that God draws us to Himself, another lesson in relying only on Him.
Bountiful;
This is the point, I believe, that God was making to me. This "unsafe" and "invisible" feeling is there to remind me that He must increase IN ME. I must become more like Him both in myself and in my attitudes and how I act toward others. And particularly when I am feeling unsafe and invisible, that is the time not to concentrate on my suffering, but to turn my thoughts to how best to exemplify Jesus in the situation.
I have been burned myself several times in human relationships. While I acknowledge that God was the orchestrator of those events and they are meant to ultimately bring Him glory and me to be more like Him; I am definitely careful with whom I share. I don't think that God expects us to welcome everyone with open arms...He himself didn't: he was discerning.
Discernment is an important spiritual discipline, but do you suppose that we must be careful not to let it morph into cynicism and fear? Or perhaps that cynicism and fear are the negative attributes that, acted on by Holy Spirit turn into discernment?
shallbe
_____________________________
has decided that the command against forsaking the assembling of ourselves together shall henceforth be considered satisfied when she wakes up each morning and finds that all her body parts are still assembled...
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RE: Besiderself's Batty Belfry - 7/7/2009 8:41:57 AM
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ShallbeRebuilt
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Amazing, that a tweet to this link was on my twitter this morning. It combines both Psalm 19 and making God visible...
What is the glory of God?
It's short, so take a peek.
shallbe
_____________________________
has decided that the command against forsaking the assembling of ourselves together shall henceforth be considered satisfied when she wakes up each morning and finds that all her body parts are still assembled...
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RE: Besiderself's Batty Belfry - 7/12/2009 5:20:16 PM
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ShallbeRebuilt
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A link to excerpts from a book on friendship by Hugh Black:
Friendships
Do scroll down the page and get all three parts.
Do you think any of what he says is valid?
Can it be supported in scripture, or do you see someone adding to scripture or perhaps taking away from it?
shallbe
_____________________________
has decided that the command against forsaking the assembling of ourselves together shall henceforth be considered satisfied when she wakes up each morning and finds that all her body parts are still assembled...
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RE: Besiderself's Batty Belfry - 8/26/2009 9:39:05 PM
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ShallbeRebuilt
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Say something about your favorite color. Anything. You can tell what it is or not, but say something about it.
I'll be back later to say something about mine...
shallbe
_____________________________
has decided that the command against forsaking the assembling of ourselves together shall henceforth be considered satisfied when she wakes up each morning and finds that all her body parts are still assembled...
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RE: Besiderself's Batty Belfry - 8/28/2009 8:27:12 AM
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ShallbeRebuilt
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I'm hoping a few people will post their comments on this request! I want to get to know all of you better!
My favorite color...
...is a jewel tone
...is one I can't get away from. I've tried to change it, but I can't!
...has been conscripted by a lifestyle choice I would never make...so I have to be careful how I use it.
...is on my bedroom walls, which is something it couldn't be if I were married.
shallbe
_____________________________
has decided that the command against forsaking the assembling of ourselves together shall henceforth be considered satisfied when she wakes up each morning and finds that all her body parts are still assembled...
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