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Why should I?

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Rollo Tamasi

Rollo Tamasi

Warrior for Christ
Member
I've always liked and preferred the Lounge since day one.
Therefore, if I say anything I consider of value, I should put it on the Lounge.
That's my way of thinking.

And I would like you all to participate.

Now I may be depressed but not angry.
I may have some anxiety but I am also excitable by nature.
Putting all that into perspective, I would like to say, "Why should I"?

What I basically mean is why should I continue on this forum?
Have I made any friends?
Am I saying anything that might be helpful to someone?
Am I participating in threads because I am interested?
Does anyone like my music that I put all over the place?
Does anyone really care if I stop making Ralph threads?

It goes deeper than that.
In my years here, I have found several churches to attend that I liked very much, only to be very disappointed after I got to know what was really going on behind closed doors.

I had emergency aneurysm surgery last March and I almost died.
The closeness to death was so real that I went into a state of depression.
How many people remember that?
How many people have asked me how I am doing with that?
How many people ever really cared if I dropped dead?

Am I depressed?
I cried today in front of over 100 people.
I was so shaken I couldn't say my name.
With all the things I've mentioned about my health the past few years, can anyone even wonder why I had this breakdown?

Yes, I'm depressed.
My wife keeps me going.
No church.
No church friends, nothing.
Just me and my wife.

I may be guilty of ignoring others on this forum just as I feel ignored.
We may all be Christians but we certainly are not all one big family.
 
Hey, Allen. I've been offline way more than I should because I lost my home internet last year and this site doesn't load real well on my phone. I'm out of touch with most of what's been going on. I'm sorry I've missed a lot. I had no idea any of that happened.

Forums do tend to cycle and typically members who are active for some months may not be there or visit far less frequently a year or two later. There's also they're less popular in this day and age than other social media community platforms.
 
Hi Allen, I'm new here.
From your post you seem to have a lot of positives and and a couple of negatives. Positive - you have a faith, belief and a love of God, a very supportive and loving wife. The big negative is your mental health, and a few niggles like the churches you've been to and this forum.

From what you say in your post you need love and help. You're already getting some from wifey but more can only help. Can I urge you to get back in touch with the church you feel least uncomfortable in and ask as many of them in that church to pray that God will fix your mental health? Churches aren't perfect and some can be downright cold and uncaring but it's the best we've got, until Jesus comes again, and then we will be all perfect.
I'll pray for you meantime but get as many other people onto it as possible and then believe and wait for a miracle to happen in your head very soon.
God bless you Allen
 
hi allen,

yeah...you're pointing out some very -real- problems with Christianity in America (in particular...), circa 2017. I honestly don't know what to do or say or...anything, really. I've never made real friends on the forums. Nothing against the other people here or me, just...it is what it is, so I get where you're coming from. A former member here who also had/has psychotic issues was the closest I got to making a friend, and she's been gone for a while now.

Of course...internet forums only go so deep. Its the nature of the beast, I guess. I see that you're very disappointed in the churches you've gone to, and I think you've made valid points. The whole -point- of fellowship is to share our faith and also share our lives, and...that doesn't happen very often, or so it seems (to me...). Plus, from my perspective, it seems like churches are selected based on income, status, personal preference, etc...what about -truth- ? And...what about "the least of these" ?

I will say that I'm considering getting into an Assembly of God church around here. My -1- true, genuine Christian friend is an old school, southern, Pentecostal. You'll find tares amongst the wheat everywhere, but...Pentecostals do a lot of outreach programs, they still believe in miracles, and they still have concern for "the least of these." The way I see it, I'm either going to have to go with AoG or join up with The Catholic Church. Hard to explain fully, but...I'm beginning to think those are the -2- real, valid options.

Maybe you'd be better off starting a Bible Study or doing something like that, outside of a church setting? I was briefly in a small, home-based Bible study and...it was OK. Better than church, anyway (for me, at that time).

I don't know. I think a lot of this is American culture. I would say 21st century culture, but...based on what my friends in other places tell me, 21st century American culture is making people crazy (I should know, lol).

I hope things get better in your world. God is good, even if people often aren't. I'm glad you have your wife. :)
 
Christ_empowered said:
hi allen,

yeah...you're pointing out some very -real- problems with Christianity in America (in particular...), circa 2017. I honestly don't know what to do or say or...anything, really. I've never made real friends on the forums. Nothing against the other people here or me, just...it is what it is, so I get where you're coming from. A former member here who also had/has psychotic issues was the closest I got to making a friend, and she's been gone for a while now.

Of course...internet forums only go so deep. Its the nature of the beast, I guess. I see that you're very disappointed in the churches you've gone to, and I think you've made valid points. The whole -point- of fellowship is to share our faith and also share our lives, and...that doesn't happen very often, or so it seems (to me...). Plus, from my perspective, it seems like churches are selected based on income, status, personal preference, etc...what about -truth- ? And...what about "the least of these" ?

I will say that I'm considering getting into an Assembly of God church around here. My -1- true, genuine Christian friend is an old school, southern, Pentecostal. You'll find tares amongst the wheat everywhere, but...Pentecostals do a lot of outreach programs, they still believe in miracles, and they still have concern for "the least of these." The way I see it, I'm either going to have to go with AoG or join up with The Catholic Church. Hard to explain fully, but...I'm beginning to think those are the -2- real, valid options.

Maybe you'd be better off starting a Bible Study or doing something like that, outside of a church setting? I was briefly in a small, home-based Bible study and...it was OK. Better than church, anyway (for me, at that time).

I don't know. I think a lot of this is American culture. I would say 21st century culture, but...based on what my friends in other places tell me, 21st century American culture is making people crazy (I should know, lol).

I hope things get better in your world. God is good, even if people often aren't. I'm glad you have your wife. :)
Click to expand...

The best church I ever attended was an Assembly of God, I didn't have many friends there but the teaching, music (lively straight out of Psalms) and no holds barred uninhibited worship were awesome ... I think I was in the quire there some and lead a youth group (Royal Rangers) for a while .. The preacher was annointed and was not an overworked baby sitter, he was all Jesus and all business with no nonsense ..
 
Allen Wynne said:
I've always liked and preferred the Lounge since day one.
Therefore, if I say anything I consider of value, I should put it on the Lounge.
That's my way of thinking.

And I would like you all to participate.

Now I may be depressed but not angry.
I may have some anxiety but I am also excitable by nature.
Putting all that into perspective, I would like to say, "Why should I"?

What I basically mean is why should I continue on this forum?
Have I made any friends?
Am I saying anything that might be helpful to someone?
Am I participating in threads because I am interested?
Does anyone like my music that I put all over the place?
Does anyone really care if I stop making Ralph threads?

It goes deeper than that.
In my years here, I have found several churches to attend that I liked very much, only to be very disappointed after I got to know what was really going on behind closed doors.

I had emergency aneurysm surgery last March and I almost died.
The closeness to death was so real that I went into a state of depression.
How many people remember that?
How many people have asked me how I am doing with that?
How many people ever really cared if I dropped dead?

Am I depressed?
I cried today in front of over 100 people.
I was so shaken I couldn't say my name.
With all the things I've mentioned about my health the past few years, can anyone even wonder why I had this breakdown?

Yes, I'm depressed.
My wife keeps me going.
No church.
No church friends, nothing.
Just me and my wife.

I may be guilty of ignoring others on this forum just as I feel ignored.
We may all be Christians but we certainly are not all one big family.
Click to expand...
I have found more solice in the vet community then the church but some of that is my fault. I feel that many Christians who aren't vets woukdnt relate to the struggle.
 
Last edited:
Hi Allen,
You've brought up so much, I doubt anyone could answer it all.
brujaq , post no. 8 asked you an interesting question.

The first thing I can think of is that we really can't expect persons we don't know to be our close friends. Persons I meet here are more like acquaintences. Such a nice variety of persons; so interesting to speak to everyone here - even the ones whose doctrine I do not agree with. They're still interesting and intelligent and make me think.

But there are so many of us. Can we keep track of all? I just noticed recently that the person Christ_empowered is speaking of hasn't been around for a long time. She was having problems too and I do wonder what happened to her. Just too many to keep track of.
And how many times do we think of someone and don't write to? This is human nature.
It doesn't mean no one is thinking of you.

We have a new member here, @Andyintheuk that has given you some good advice - and he doesn't even know who you are!

Regarding the church, we've all faced this. My problem is even bigger, no protestant churches around at all ! So I hang with my born again Catholic friends. It's OK. Can't get into any real discussion though. So I work around it. We do what we can. I find that all persons who love Jesus try their best to live a good life and one that loves others, just like Jesus told us to do --- love our neighbor.

As yourself. Don't forget to love yourself.
I have to say that I feel like Wrg1405 in post no. 6.
I've known you from the start and I'd really miss you a lot if you left.
I'm happy you're here.
Don't leave.
 
Allen Wynne said:
I've always liked and preferred the Lounge since day one.
Therefore, if I say anything I consider of value, I should put it on the Lounge.
That's my way of thinking.

And I would like you all to participate.

Now I may be depressed but not angry.
I may have some anxiety but I am also excitable by nature.
Putting all that into perspective, I would like to say, "Why should I"?

What I basically mean is why should I continue on this forum?
Have I made any friends?
Am I saying anything that might be helpful to someone?
Am I participating in threads because I am interested?
Does anyone like my music that I put all over the place?
Does anyone really care if I stop making Ralph threads?

It goes deeper than that.
In my years here, I have found several churches to attend that I liked very much, only to be very disappointed after I got to know what was really going on behind closed doors.

I had emergency aneurysm surgery last March and I almost died.
The closeness to death was so real that I went into a state of depression.
How many people remember that?
How many people have asked me how I am doing with that?
How many people ever really cared if I dropped dead?

Am I depressed?
I cried today in front of over 100 people.
I was so shaken I couldn't say my name.
With all the things I've mentioned about my health the past few years, can anyone even wonder why I had this breakdown?

Yes, I'm depressed.
My wife keeps me going.
No church.
No church friends, nothing.
Just me and my wife.

I may be guilty of ignoring others on this forum just as I feel ignored.
We may all be Christians but we certainly are not all one big family.
Click to expand...

Why should you? Because, your light shines here. You don't see it because of the disconnect of the internet. Most people never meet from the internet. I've met three people from this board in my years, and...it's not like a big family, and yet at the same time some connections are made but then never realized because we don't see each other every day. As far as family or friends go, there are characteristics of friends and family that tend to show the bond. What is is about close friends that sets them apart from the 'strangers'? What it boils down to, is being able to (confide) confess our faults to them. with no need for facades. Your post is full of confessing your faults to us so could be perceived as the friendliest post on the board!

You're one of the more real personalities of the board Brother, you shouldn't go. We're friends Brother. I've noticed the same things that you have and even voiced it a little bit before, but over time I've come to realize that in a lot of ways, the internet community is very much like the corporate church community, lacking in many ways. When one full of light walks into a place where there is no light, what should the light then do? Leave? I think not. There may not have been light there before, but if we have brought light there, then it is there now and should not leave! Others will see it and the light will grow brighter. Bottom line is I think it is important that people confess their faults to one another. In this way is a common ground formed and a need for a common dependence on God created. You're very perceptive, and bear more fruit on the board than you realize you do, because of the internet and the disconnect of no face to face. I guess in a lot of ways i's similar to most peoples relationship with God also, because He seems to like to remain largely unseen. Yet He is very real.
 
Most of us would be surprised at how much we care for each other here...

No i dont like most the music you post.. :) wondering does :)

As for Ralph .... I dont think he has any warnings .....:sohappy

Often your light hearted postings cheer my day....
 
Edward said:
Why should you? Because, your light shines here. You don't see it because of the disconnect of the internet. Most people never meet from the internet. I've met three people from this board in my years, and...it's not like a big family, and yet at the same time some connections are made but then never realized because we don't see each other every day. As far as family or friends go, there are characteristics of friends and family that tend to show the bond. What is is about close friends that sets them apart from the 'strangers'? What it boils down to, is being able to (confide) confess our faults to them. with no need for facades. Your post is full of confessing your faults to us so could be perceived as the friendliest post on the board!

You're one of the more real personalities of the board Brother, you shouldn't go. We're friends Brother. I've noticed the same things that you have and even voiced it a little bit before, but over time I've come to realize that in a lot of ways, the internet community is very much like the corporate church community, lacking in many ways. When one full of light walks into a place where there is no light, what should the light then do? Leave? I think not. There may not have been light there before, but if we have brought light there, then it is there now and should not leave! Others will see it and the light will grow brighter. Bottom line is I think it is important that people confess their faults to one another. In this way is a common ground formed and a need for a common dependence on God created. You're very perceptive, and bear more fruit on the board than you realize you do, because of the internet and the disconnect of no face to face. I guess in a lot of ways i's similar to most peoples relationship with God also, because He seems to like to remain largely unseen. Yet He is very real.
Click to expand...
I agree and too many folks get down and tend to sell themselves short . We've all been to that address and will likely visit again ..
One day I was reading where Peter walked on the water with Jesus then sank when he turned loose but Jesus grabbed him .. I was thinking about it and I envisioned the disciples and Jesus sitting around talking that night , maybe a fire then imagining John speaking up and saying ''well Peter, we know why Jesus named you rock because you sure sank like one when you turned loose of him '' I laughed out loud as I imagined all the disciples even Peter and Jesus busting out laughing and I was needing a good laugh at the time .... I have laughed hysterically in the Spirit a few times and it's the funniest thing I've ever experienced and cleansing for me .. Jesus is good .. And don't ya'll ever forget it :sohappy..
 
Thank you everyone for your support.
Some of you I don't even know, but our God put it on your heart to say something.
Each one of you said something that I appreciate.
I knew better than to talk about leaving the forum.
I was just hurting.
And God sent some of his people to show me support in a time when I need it.

I am not always a very easy person to get along with.
With that, it should not come as a surprise that there are people on this forum that don't like me, and rightfully so.
Yet, for their sake as well as mine, I do wish some of them would let their Christianity rise above their frail human feelings and wish me well if nothing else.

Also, unless someone addresses me, I will just say thanks and move on.
God bless you all.
No Reba, you still haven't gotten rid of me, not that easy.
 
Allen Wynne said:
I've always liked and preferred the Lounge since day one.
Therefore, if I say anything I consider of value, I should put it on the Lounge.
That's my way of thinking.

And I would like you all to participate.

Now I may be depressed but not angry.
I may have some anxiety but I am also excitable by nature.
Putting all that into perspective, I would like to say, "Why should I"?

What I basically mean is why should I continue on this forum?
Have I made any friends?
Am I saying anything that might be helpful to someone?
Am I participating in threads because I am interested?
Does anyone like my music that I put all over the place?
Does anyone really care if I stop making Ralph threads?

It goes deeper than that.
In my years here, I have found several churches to attend that I liked very much, only to be very disappointed after I got to know what was really going on behind closed doors.

I had emergency aneurysm surgery last March and I almost died.
The closeness to death was so real that I went into a state of depression.
How many people remember that?
How many people have asked me how I am doing with that?
How many people ever really cared if I dropped dead?

Am I depressed?
I cried today in front of over 100 people.
I was so shaken I couldn't say my name.
With all the things I've mentioned about my health the past few years, can anyone even wonder why I had this breakdown?

Yes, I'm depressed.
My wife keeps me going.
No church.
No church friends, nothing.
Just me and my wife.

I may be guilty of ignoring others on this forum just as I feel ignored.
We may all be Christians but we certainly are not all one big family.
Click to expand...



Allen Wynne said:
why should I continue on this forum?
Click to expand...


Because we love ya.
 
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