Why are Message Boards so serious all the time???

Has anybody else noticed that? Most of the message boards I've ever visited, the people are ALWAYS so testy and serious.

Why is that?

For instance, I posted this article on a message board and people couldn't find the humor in it.
Yes, in the literal sense it's sad, but does anyone else not see the humor in it?

Imagine a little kid wanting to go to the park only to find 5 acres and a little bitty sandbox!

Yay! Now THAT'S fun!

:)+)

http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article1526950.ece

Can't speak for others out there, but I am not quite sure what you might have been expecting on a site dedicated to Revival and classic, apostolic messages, frivolity? This is much more than a mere message board here, it is a fellowship.

Give the first couple of post's here a read, pretty well lays out what SI is all about;

[url=https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/newbb/viewforum.php?forum=13&3073]Welcome and Intro[/url]

WOW! Not you guys too!!!

So Christians should only be drips??

You guys have spent two threads talking about the justification of Christian Rock but you can't laugh?

Man, so much for the "joy of the Lord"!

I mean I understand there are serious issues to discuss, but man it's like the whole world is caving in, people are so uptight these days.

Oh, well, sorry to disturb the solemnity around here. I'll go away.

So Christians should only be drips??

I think that is the large problem. Christians are mere drips or leaky faucets rather than RIVERS of Living Water.

I guess I haven't noticed a trend of people getting serious about God- on the Internet or else where.

So Christians should only be drips??

Wow, this is the way I teach my own children to behave when they visit someone elses house.(See, we can make jokes.)

Brother, you have judged superficially. There is humor and joy here...but your question is akin to asking;

Why are people always reading in the public library?

Why are people always working out in the weight room?

Why are people always fixing cars at the garage?

There are plenty of places for Christians to clap their hands and stomp their feet and show how happy and confident they are in the Lord....but this is a place for sobriety. Once you understand the purpose for the place, you'll have your answer as to why people conform to that purpose when visiting.

Blessings,

MC

You are making an awful lot of assumptions there. Take your time and search through the site. There has been quite a bit of dialouge over the course of 3+ years here. Again, this isn't geared for run of the mill chit-chat nor is it only that which is solemn and serious, there is a broad range and a lot of ground covered.

Can't draw conclusions?? You guys' last few posts proved my point exactly. Talk about self-righteous.

I mean, perhaps I DON'T know what this site is about, and frankly I think you guys have some pretty descent conversations, but your responses show that this is a morgue not a place of sobriety.

You make it sound like God is going to rain down fire if you break with your tradition!

I'm right there with you in that I know people don't take God seriously allot of times, but my word folks God is not going to strike you dead if you loosen up just a teensy little bit.

Half the men of God on your site knew how to smile and laugh every once in a while.

I'm not looking for chit chat either, just Christians with a personality.

And before you say I'M being judgmental or that I just don't get it- I'm not "serious" about God-let me just say a friendly: HA!, go back and read some of you guys' posts. You do a pretty good job of spreading that around amongst yourselves pretty good.

I thought this was called the "LOUNGE" too by the way. What else do you do in a Lounge??

Sheesh, this is sad.

Good riddance, man.

Something to think about....

People die for their beliefs. That is no joke.

If a person came up to you and started joking around about God, would you take that person seriously?

I love to joke around and have fun, but there are times when such things aren't appropriate. I mean, would you start telling jokes about people during their funeral?

A great many people in this community are discussing issues that they would die defending. They take God very seriously. If you read through the posts, they don't think highly of themselves. There is a difference there. They are not "self-righteous" rather, they view Christ with the utmost respect and dignity. He is righteous. They have given all to Him.

Christians with a personality

What kind of personality are you looking for? There are plenty here, but they are not shallow. If you want to know these people, spend time talking and engaging with them. You can't just pop in a few times expect to know someone.

I thought this was called the "LOUNGE" too by the way. What else do you do in a Lounge??

On a website devote to revival and classical preaching. People come here to discuss serious matters. Think about what you're asking. Why not walk into a business meeting and say, "Man, why you guys got to be so serious? Why you always talking about business?"

Something to think about...

Blake

I just have one question for you Tpique1.

Why couldn't the pony sing?
Because he was a little hoarse.

I'm a corny joker and maybe I joke too much. I come to this site because it sobers me up. I come here with my serious questions and I love the discussions. Did Jesus have a sense of humour? I'm pretty sure. But he knew there was a time and place for everything.

I find adult whining humorous :-) 8-)

Imagine a little kid wanting to go to the park only to find 5 acres and a little bitty sandbox!

Consider the treasure that might be found in that bitty sandbox!

I didn't get to play in sandboxes as a child. Snakes, ticks, and germs live in there.

:-P

...I mean :cry:

Why am I so serious?

I must confess something. Calling me the black sheep of my Christian community would be no small understatement. I've caused more trouble for my leaders than almost all the rest of the members combined. This is in no small part due to my tounge, and my lack of discernment.
I've often been vocally judgemental, critical, back-biting, self-seeking, proud, arrogant and hurtful to others in my speech.
In my community of faith, I know not to open my mouth, even if I know what comes out is true, because often it doesn't come out with love, but comes out with the sting of hatred, jealousy or discord.
Online that's different, I can be an intelectual online, I can say things that are broadly judgemental or proud and there is a DISCONNECT. You see, as much as I type, we are not in a relationship that creates truthfulness and openess, there is a wall... and I can wear any mask that I want. Instead of sounding judgemental about a certain topic, I can put on a tone of concern that would not be available in a face to face conversation.
I hadn't commented in the forum for a couple days after posting on Ted Haggard, because I realized that with my own testimony I wasn't anywhere near a place where I could condemn him. Not to say that I am involved in homosexuality, but there is a very real dark place in my heart that I am more than aware of. In fact I found this website in my search for more information about the process of sanctification.
I can only be the judge for myself, but for me, many of my posts have been critical, or serious, when I myself had no right to comment on such things... I have been rebuked of one thing, and that is hypocracy.

I suggest that everyone listen to Zac Poonen's message Basics - Hypocracy, when I searched my heart, I recognized so many places where I had fallen short.

Bro, you bring up a really worthwhile issue to talk about.

(Edit: I am interested in reading and learning from the feedback.)

Welcome back Ian.

MC

Good riddance

“When there’s something not right, most people say, “They should do something about it… or Somebody should...” But there are the few who say, “There’s something not right here, and I will do something about it!”

I suppose you are long gone, and the dust is settled. But, if you should happen to take a peek here, I’d like to suggest my dad’s philosophy: Be a pioneer of good humor. Jesus himself did that. Have you ever though how silly a log in somebody’s eye would look – … never mind trying to take a dust particle out of someone else’s eye at the same time? I’d love to see a cartoon of that. It would make ideal front-page material on SI.

Humor is not my gift, but a little might rub off on me, if I were to be exposed to it. After all, it's catchy! Care to come back and offer your talent?

Diane

When is baseball mentioned in the bible?

In Genesis...

In the BIG INNING God created the heavens and the earth! :-D

tpique1 wrote:
I thought this was called the "LOUNGE" too by the way. What else do you do in a Lounge??

Sheesh, this is sad.

Good riddance, man.

Gee I don't know, how about kick the cat, insult the host, and put a bullet in the television, becaue you don't like the show everyone's watching? Man, can I come round to your place tomorrow? I'd like to check out your longue ;-) (Meow).

And before you say I'M being judgmental or that I just don't get it- I'm not "serious" about God-let me just say a friendly: HA!, go back and read some of you guys' posts. You do a pretty good job of spreading that around amongst yourselves pretty good.

Your like the dude who went to the missions conference and said, "You know what your problem is? You just don't spend any time focusing on reaching the world for Christ."

But is this will make you happy:
Two blind men walk in to a bar.
(You thought the first would have warned the second)

PS - Watch you're step.

kdbutton wrote:
I find adult whining humorous :-) 8-)

Now that IS funny!!! (Too bad about the "riddance". Aparently it is "good")

Hi Ian,

Nothing on this planet is as endearing an attribute than sheer honesty.

Online that's different, I can be an intelectual online, I can say things that are broadly judgemental or proud and there is a DISCONNECT.

Have stated this many times in the past, but this with the obvious exceptions is very much a church in it's organic understructure. Note how really there is no central headship other than the Lord Himself. The moderators hopefully most often attempt to keep peace and keep out the unruly but are learning along with everyone else when it comes to the deeper truth's of the Lord. Their is spiritual authority that I have couched as an evidence, not as a title, it is noticed without having to draw attention to a name or names, a given, an understanding.

We have both pastors and the laymen, student's and teachers, old and young in both fleshly matter and spiritual durations. Across the states and across continent's. All walks, different cultures and various upbringings. Quite the melting pot of thought. Words convey meaning and meaning converts or express truth's in this setting and those truth's transform and bring change. Hanging around this place and partaking and absorbing all that goes on and through, sharing and working out our faith with the underlying fear and trembling ... it can go unnoticed just how the Holy Spirit is working behind the scenes. One could go along certainly faking their way through with [i]great swelling words of vanity[/i] for a spell, but that illusion sooner or later gets exposed, not always because of a 'superior' discernment amongst the Brethren (Though there is that discernment) but I believe because of the Holy Spirit's presence evidenced in the believers and because He is here, through the scripture, through the minds and through the heart that ones recourse is either to acknowledge or spurn that which is brought to bear by the exposure of which each individual knows inwardly, the epitome of;

1Co 2:11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

One of the most amazing things here is the blending of different constructs of real Christian thought. It is really bereft of denominational thinking, though it draws from many. The cross section of different ages, different preachers, sermons, messages, different expressions, so vast, so challenging. It is neither clique'-ish except perhaps if one must, the emphasis on revival and drawing on holiness (what a grand difference of understanding is contained in that powerful word). To retrace the old paths is not to romanticize the past but to regain our footing, seek out that which was lost and has been waning in this modern era. "Apostolic" need not be nor mean 'dogmatic' nor legalistic, nor a treasure chest that belongs to the elite and everyone else is outside the pale. It is more grounded in just that profound grappling with the heart, with the truth thereof, it boils down to just sheer honesty in the shorn place, inwardly.

Feeling strangely 'eloquent' or poetic if it is either of those things this morning. The heart strangely warmed to express all this in this way. Yesterday left with praise after reading some sharing between good brothers and how my heart thanked God for their presence and participation here. Has the Lord sent them here? Oh there is no doubt. And the ladies, ah ... precious sisters.

Will admit to times where the ire or the dander gets up to hear the surface skimming and pronouncement of just 'what this place is' as it was misunderstood for instance by this post itself. But misunderstanding is part and parcel of this style of communication and patience is one of the great challenges in writing in this fashion. Just as well, presumptions are highly dangerous throughout life and something that is often dashed to the ground here, that even without the effort of the saints, only time spent traveling the corridors of all that is available here making it's own truth known.

There is the greatest of opportunity to get a true spiritual education in this place and I ought to know, being a student. ;-)

Ian, bless you for allowing all this to come forth off of your honesty. Many of us have done similarly, recognized our own hypocrisy by having our words repeated back into our own hearing, changing our mind and every so often even allowing that to be expressed back to all the saints as you have done. It is a beautiful and wonderful thing and very endearing to this soul, how pride destroying it is, how much more of this kind of forthcoming is needed as the perfect antidote for that poison.

I find that funny!

It is said,
“When a person can no longer laugh at himself, it is time for others to laugh at himself.”

The goal: We aim to get him to him laugh at himself. This does marvels! It's not about mocking the pathetic, or sending him cowering into a cave, but about edifying.

We teach our kids:

It’s okay to laugh WITH someone, but not AT someone.

I guess it would be good to proceed with caution, lest we end up looking hilarious with that timber in our eye.

Diane

bro KJ

KingJimmy wrote:
I didn't get to play in sandboxes as a child. Snakes, ticks, and germs live in there.

man what kinda sand boxes were you playing in!? :-P

But to draw conclusions about me as a whole person based on what you read here is rather foolish. You only see one part of me... and believe me... I wear many many different hats.

Not to use our brother as a poster boy for ... Ah, why not! :-P Hardly can I think of a better example of patience and misunderstanding than Krispy. Point's where there was practically a calling for his head on a platter and it gives me chills to recall not the post so much that he mentions (I do recall it) but the one he didn't. It was one of this similar sheer honesty that I mentioned that changed everything. Some of it was his own forthcoming but would say the greater part was in the shattering of many an illusion of presumption on our parts.

Another great heart I thank God for.

I wasnt mocking him.

I wear many many different hats.

Calm down Krisp, I'll catch up to you soon enough, just mmmm, with another, how many ?? 2036? .... :-D

Feeling strangely 'eloquent' or poetic if it is either of those things this morning. The heart strangely warmed to express all this in this way. Yesterday left with praise after reading some sharing between good brothers and how my heart thanked God for their presence and participation here. Has the Lord sent them here? Oh there is no doubt. And the ladies, ah ... precious sisters.

Will admit to times where the ire or the dander gets up to hear the surface skimming and pronouncement of just 'what this place is' as it was misunderstood for instance by this post itself. But misunderstanding is part and parcel of this style of communication and patience is one of the great challenges in writing in this fashion. Just as well, presumptions are highly dangerous throughout life and something that is often dashed to the ground here, that even without the effort of the saints, only time spent traveling the corridors of all that is available here making it's own truth known.

There is the greatest of opportunity to get a true spiritual education in this place and I ought to know, being a student.

Do we have a great moderator of what !?this is not mere flattery.

Mike, we appreciate you a lot! Praise God so much!
:-D

Brothers ( Richard, Tp ..)

I read many of your posts in the past and I'm wondering why you and some others brought on a sense of guilt to yourselves. Because I appreciate a lot of them.

No doubt, as fallen creatures, we sin and will sin from time to time, prideful, envious, inconsiderate..all these, but I also feel that, satan can accuse us many times while we are unaware..

I know I have also felt these same guilt feelings, but at times, I knew they were from the accuser..it's like the harder one tries to boast Christ, the more accusations one hears ( you're proud, you're judgmental....dadadadad)

Thankyou Greg, SI has been a building ground for me and, as Mike sees it, an assembly (church) to me. I enjoy the ability and opportunity here to be able to share and express and even to be tolerated by others. (hehe, some of my own posts make myself frown and blush:( )

Even though we are imperfect sinners, through Christ, we are blessed with fellowship, so, to come on SI to post and share, I have learned to post with our Lord in mind, to try to please Him and to bless others.

Do we need to be great or famous Christian heros in order to post? Do we need to be perfect in character in order to express? Do we need to be theological right-on to participate...NO WAY!

Part of the beauty of fellowship is, really, forbearance, and like Mike B. said, honesty. Every word posted here should be either to express love and reverence to God or love and edification for brethren. (hope I'm right)

Yeah, dear folks, no need to be toooo critical of ourselves lest we fall into satan's snare of accusations, over-humility can also turn into a strange form or pride, and create a distorted kind of self-centeredness too, Edit: only to look up, look up to His righteousness when the enemy comes accusing our conscience ..yeah, the human sin nature is all too complex..Edit: speaking from own experience only.

Yeah, don't take ourselves too seriously, only to take God in obedience and brethren in charity as such.. (Edit)

Thank you all

Yeah, don't take ourselves too seriously,

But I feel genuinely moved, having been brought almost to tears just reading this thread and realising my own level of pride and selfishness.

"Blessed are you who weep now,
for you will laugh".
Lk 6:21

Diane

Diane,

No, all I was trying to say is that I respect Richard and TP's posts and convictions.

I also know how we can over-condemn ourselves sometimes..mainly saying that to myself (as somethings happened last night ).

True, how easy is one misunderstood like Mike said on posts. With me especially, half the time, if you are familiar with my posts, one will soon notice that I don't write too well.

Ok, let me try again, not to defend myself, but Richard and TP, I agreed and liked what you said in your posts, and that they don't need to feel bad about whatever possibly came from the accuser..

I feel like I should retake a writing course sometimes, sorry for any misunderstanding, really..

Praise Thee Lord !

I'm such a proud person that I want people to see me and not the Lord, who without Him I would actually be nothing.

I think He's visible in this statement brother. Always comes back to who we are conforming to and looking like, and not whether we are smart or correct or even 'annointed'...how I appreciate this reminder.

MC

tpique said:

…I posted this article on a message board and people couldn't find the humor in it.'

I sure do hope you’ll come back - because I can see a potential mission for you. I mean it. I’m not trying to be funny. Maybe SI could start a “FUNNIES” page – stickied, to boot, and you could manage it.

Of course we would need help from those who can draw cartoons (that’s not me, I only draw stick men). You could start by borrowing from Jesus’ humor – maybe do a Pharisee Collection. How about a cartoon of a Pharisee meticulously shining up his cup with his polishing rag, grinning at his reflection in the shine, but not noticing the green fuzzy stuff is growing inside... and then he takes a drink.

Or a cartoon strip about a Pharisee who swallowed a camel. Can’t you see it: first the head slides down, then the front feet, then the hairy humps, and then finally the back feet. And all the while this man is trying hard to keep out some almost invisible gnats. I wonder how you would draw that!

Or maybe someone could make a song out of that. It would be even more ridiculous than our kid’s song: ‘There was an old woman who swallowed a fly… then a spider…. then finally a horse…… she’s dead of course.”

Maybe this venture could help get some important points across - the very points that easily get overlooked.

Wadya’ think?

Any other suggestions?

Diane

…I posted this article on a message board and people couldn't find the humor in it.'

I disagree...everyone who reads these threads doesn't post a response. Silence is not a reaction in the forums...otherwise people would be living here night and day and not getting anything else done but affirming insecure posters.

Take this from a guy who likes both to laugh...(and cartoons). Just a few minutes ago I was laughing at the Buckeye/Northwest game. (Does maniacal laughter count?)

So laugh when your'e happy...just don't impose your expectations on everyone else though. Be reasonable about it. And if you criticize and judge don't claim you have the joy of the Lord...cycnicism isn't joy. If you can't handle serious then the good news is there are plenty of wonderful places for Christian humor....why does this place have to be one of them?

Again I refer back to the original response...this place has a central purpose. Humor is welcome, but it's not a mission here. If people don't laugh at your jokes don't get bent out of shape over it.

We are always tying each other up with our expectations. Complaining about peoples' personalities is petty and everyone knows it...why are we coddling it with child psycology? Are we worried about our church growth?

People come here to get serious...(edit: serious with themselves and more importantly with the Lord.) If you are wiser and more balanced then these people, and don't respect their sincerity, then why not demonstrate your maturity and condescend? Let them be. ...and welcome all who share their purpose.

MC

Hello tpique1...

I apologize if it seems that a lot of us are "testy." I suppose that it is difficult to truly know the character of members of this forum solely from their posts (or lack thereof). However, I suppose that a person would have to be "serious" to even frequent this website.

Why? We live in a serious time of history.

This world is sinking increasingly into self-justifying sin.

This world, and this nation, has forgotten or neglected the Creator of all things.

The Church is so often busy with the inner affairs of the Church that we often fail to notice the dire condition of our own lives, families and communitiees.

The "success" of a Church is now based on its numeric size, the enthusiasm of its parishoners, the involvement of its young people, the size of its bank account, its prestige amongst outsiders, and the number of apparent "supernatural" events happening within its doors. Yet often, the prayer meeting is empty, true evangelism goes undone, the Word of God goes unread, and the prayer closet continues to go unused.

Many churches now have to rely on fleshly forms of entertainment just to "con" people into walking into our doors.

Families of believers are now broken at nearly the same rate as unbelieving families. Divorce is rampant -- and christian parents continue to neglect their children.

Church attendance is often related to the amount of various programs available throughout the week, rather than on the truth preached from the pulpit.

The pulpit has become a place of comfort, where men of God are too scared to share the Truth (in love) for fear of alienating or offending some of the members.

Christianity has now become an "industry," and churches are now run like corporations. Decisions are often made by logical decision or consensus, rather than by the direction of God.

Many believers are more concerned with physical prosperity than spiritual prosperity. We want to be rich in the things of this earth, but we fail to recognize the poverty of our own souls.

God has become a stranger (and even a legend) to our children.

We are willing to give a tithe to our Church, but we neglect giving our time, effort and money to our families. We also continue to neglect the poor, lost and forgotten within our communities.

We alienate ourselves from other believers due to petty doctrinal or denominational differences, instead of loving those that have also given their hearts to Christ.

We argue amongst ourselves about the timing of the "Rapture" or when and if we are supposed to speak in tongues. Yet we hardly ever tell our neighbors about the day we met Christ.

We have become gullible to the latest fashionable doctrinal "trends" -- yet do not "test everything" by rightfully dividing the Word of Truth.

This world is going to Hell, but we still sleep well at night.

As believers, we should be filled with the joy of the Lord. We should not whither away like dried up prunes, but be filled with the joy that comes from knowing Him. Please excuse us if we do not always display that joy. However, there is certainly a time and season for everything. I suppose that we should do our best to encourage one another. But how much humor do you think was displayed in the Nazi concentration camps? Do you think that the victims were sharing jokes while they watched their loved ones marching toward the gas chambers? The life of Corrie ten Boom reveals that God can provide joy and perfect peace in such a situation. And believe me, there is joy in the camp of the LORD. But sometimes, it is difficult to express our happiness when the world is dying in its sin -- and the Church often appears unconcerned.

I love you, brother! May God fill the Church with "joy unspeakable and full of glory." But may he also fill us with a revelation about the state of this world. Maranatha!

:-)