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Post by julienbakerfan on Jan 20, 2020 21:05:23 GMT -6
Just happen to think about the question wether christian metal bands are rated fair in general. I tend to overrate vanilla metal bands that are Christian; however, these also tend to be the only vanilla metal bands that I listen to. Most mainstream metal bands I listen to on a regular basis are fairly left-field. When it comes to other genres, unfortunately Christian bands tend to not be as good as other bands. Either they are completely nonexistent in the scene (heard any good Christian garage punk bands lately?), or there are a few artists who are aggressively OK compared to a much larger selection of mainstream artists that contains a lot more artists, some of whom are legendary. OR there are Christians in the scene, but they are low-key and don't identify themselves as Christian music, so you have no idea how to find them. This is why I don't listen to much Christian music outside of metal.
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Post by avjr on Mar 29, 2020 12:23:23 GMT -6
How is everyone doing in this quarantine? Did your life change? Didn't change? Are you looking forward when this is over? You don't care?
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Post by Thomas Eversole on Mar 29, 2020 13:42:31 GMT -6
How is everyone doing in this quarantine? Did your life change? Didn't change? Are you looking forward when this is over? You don't care? My life has not changed. Work and everything else is pretty much the same for me. My wife's schedule has not changed, but her tasks at work (as a charge nurse in an ICU) have changed with this pandemic. Shopping is a little different? Kinda getting back to normal now. My parents and brother are both fine, but I think they're getting cabin fever something fierce. (I guess I'm enough of a recluse that I didn't really notice too much of a difference with "stay home") It has been quiet on this forum lately. I hope everyone is doing well in this challenging time...
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Post by nocturnaliridescence on Mar 29, 2020 19:28:58 GMT -6
I haven't really been affected. Still, I know this is affecting a lot of other people.
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Post by jazzhead on Apr 6, 2020 10:50:15 GMT -6
How is everyone doing in this quarantine? Did your life change? Didn't change? Are you looking forward when this is over? You don't care? Been a lurker in the shadows here off & on - life has been consuming the past few months, even before the virus started to spread here. My family & I are doing OK. My wife is working from home, but I'm still going in to work every day so my routine hasn't changed. I'm thankful we're still both getting paychecks. My oldest son lives on his own and recently got laid off due to the pandemic. My oldest daughter is an LNA, so she is dealing with this virus every day. Thankfully, she is healthy so far. She also lives on her own, so she doesn't share germs with us. FWIW - I try to keep everyone on this forum in prayer as often as I can remember to do so. Lately my thoughts have been so scattered, it's hard to manage a coherent prayer for anyone. I am thankful you all are here.
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Post by anfauglith on Apr 9, 2020 6:50:31 GMT -6
How is everyone doing in this quarantine? Did your life change? Didn't change? Are you looking forward when this is over? You don't care? I`m doing okay I guess. Things changed quite a bit. I am now at home from work for three weeks and at least one more week to go. Thankfully I get paid nevertheless. Some days ago I got a letter from my employer (everyone who is not on the "emergency team" that has to keep work up) asking to "donate" paid holidays, but the suggested amount was more than fair, plus they did not force it upon us (which I would also understand) but asked politely. I was quite happy to give something back for I find it quite odd to sit at home and do nothing when in fact I do not feel any small kind of illness... (I am not allowed to work because of chronical illness that might have a negative effect when you get infected, so they did not want to take the chances I guess)
Some days ago my wife came down with a fever and needed to get checked. It was not the coronoa virus though, which I am very grateful for.
Anyway, these days are useful for me to think about my path with Jesus and where it might lead me in the future. I also started to try out some kind of monastic prayers from the liturgy of hours which I do most of the days before going to sleep. Quite a good thing and it really helps me.
Hope everyone here's doing fine! Make yourself cosy down in your bunkers. We will prevail!
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Post by julienbakerfan on Apr 9, 2020 20:45:24 GMT -6
All my classes are online, but I'm an "essential worker," so I still go to my job.
Mostly I do homework, read, look at my phone, and pressure wash while listening to metal. Then I go home and do all the same things minus the pressure washing.
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Post by Borndead on Apr 15, 2020 16:45:50 GMT -6
How is everyone doing in this quarantine? Did your life change? Didn't change? Are you looking forward when this is over? You don't care? Not much change here, I´m working in a big Warehouse so; I have even more to do then usually. I do like that people have to keep a certain distance from me lol Besides that, not much has changed, when I´m home I try to record new music and when I´m not recording I try to get my mind and temper under control (for some time know I´ve been very unpatient and fast on anger) How have you been?
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Post by julienbakerfan on Apr 15, 2020 21:22:58 GMT -6
(for some time know I´ve been very unpatient and fast on anger) I feel like a lot of people have been struggling with that lately. I know I have.
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Post by nocturnaliridescence on Apr 16, 2020 10:40:20 GMT -6
I've been struggling with that since before the coronavirus but yeah, it's not helping me be more patient, no doubt about that.
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Post by Borndead on Apr 16, 2020 17:01:06 GMT -6
(for some time know I´ve been very unpatient and fast on anger) I feel like a lot of people have been struggling with that lately. I know I have. I don´t know what it is, but as NI said it´s been quite a while now. And I´m usually knows to have Zen like Patience and that I´m very slow to anger. But it might be some deep disatisfaction and disappointment inside of me; that materializes that way. But who knows. May God help us.
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Post by avjr on Apr 16, 2020 20:49:42 GMT -6
I'm doing fine. I have to admit, I do get annoy with the extension dates, I can't go to events until Fall 2021 (if it happens or not), but it is what it is. My life hasn't change. This is temporary. We will go through this together.
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Post by nocturnaliridescence on Apr 16, 2020 20:54:22 GMT -6
Honestly what I'm dreading most. is wearing face masks in the summer. Face masks get warm, QUICKLY. It's going to be awful if I have to go outside over the summer (which I inevitably will) and have to wear a face mask the entire time.
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Post by anfauglith on Apr 17, 2020 7:38:11 GMT -6
Honestly what I'm dreading most. is wearing face masks in the summer. Face masks get warm, QUICKLY. It's going to be awful if I have to go outside over the summer (which I inevitably will) and have to wear a face mask the entire time. I really can relate to that. Maybe you are "lucky" and it will be done like over here. Right now there is only a (quote) "strong recommendation" to wear masks when you go to the grocery store or while riding on public transport services. The government announced that it will be made obligatory by law, though, if people do not follow the "strong recommendation". Anyway, I find it acceptable to wear the stuff in supermarkets etc. Better, of course, when there will be a time when you can just throw the damned masks into the next fire...
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Post by nocturnaliridescence on Apr 17, 2020 10:52:37 GMT -6
... But on the other hand, you might want to keep the masks for the winter! They'll keep you much warmer!
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Post by julienbakerfan on Apr 17, 2020 19:19:36 GMT -6
Honestly what I'm dreading most. is wearing face masks in the summer. Face masks get warm, QUICKLY. It's going to be awful if I have to go outside over the summer (which I inevitably will) and have to wear a face mask the entire time. Sad days of mowing the lawn have made me immune to the problem of wearing a mask when it's hot. My main problem is that my ears are chafing from wearing this darn thing. I can always do the T-shirt balaclava/ninja mask, but I feel dumb and unsafe doing that when I have a real mask.
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Post by anfauglith on Apr 23, 2020 4:11:31 GMT -6
Does anybody of you guys also have to deal with doubts now and then? (Most likely not... if I ask christians they usually tell me they never had a doubt in their live, so I guess I am a kind of mutant alien from outer space or not a christian at all... but I ask you anyway, because I have the idea that you folks here are different and come from a different walk of life than the usual standard protestant) Every now and then I get into those phases where I have horrible doubts. In general I have a problem concerning the (visual) imagination of miracles and concerning the question wether if they are possible. It is not that there are no logical and reasonable arguments for wonders to happen, but I always reach the point where I just can't make it fit within my mind. This comes with a certain amount of distress and thoughts like "Should I as someone who's chosen to walk with Christ experience such times in life? Does it not mean that I just do not really believe?"... which makes dealing with my doubts not really easier. It is also stressful because I really want to believe, because faith is important for me. If the gospel is wrong, then there is no sense and value in nothing at all. Then all there is is shrugging and "who cares?". For me that is just a horrible conception...
Whenever I have this days of doubt, I read about the arguments for the ressurection, for the existence of God... it somehow helps me to just read the rational points. Without "you must believe now!" or any kind of judgement in it. Obviously that helped me coming so far. Is it normal that one has to again and again "preach the gospel to yourself"?
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Post by Borndead on Apr 23, 2020 8:43:19 GMT -6
Oh for sure man, the only thing keeping me in faith is that I saw God working in my life. Not like dividing a river for me or such, but in everyday life. I often seen Him, calling me back when I have my sinning periods, or opening up discussions about faith with people you´d never expect. I thik questioning God and being real with Him is the way to go. I mean, He created us so, He knows how we feel. As You´ve said, the doubt can sparkle hunger for knowledge and research, so (in my opinion) it´s not a bad thing per se. Job comes to mind for sure, also who says that they never doubted is either lying, not caring or blind to the world
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Post by nocturnaliridescence on Apr 23, 2020 10:49:13 GMT -6
Is it normal that one has to again and again "preach the gospel to yourself"? I repeat again: Most of the Christians you've dealt with were hoity-toity, very shallow people. You haven't talked to a whole lot of "normal" Christians. Your situation with doubting, is very normal for Christians. I would say those who never doubt, are a very small minority, and those of us who have doubted, are in the overwhelming majority. I have also done a lot of research on theology and come to a stronger faith because of it. If even the original disciples, who saw Jesus face-to-face and saw His miracles happen before their own eyes, could still doubt Jesus, it's only to be expected that we would do the same.
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Post by anfauglith on Apr 23, 2020 10:57:59 GMT -6
I thik questioning God and being real with Him is the way to go. I mean, He created us so, He knows how we feel. Yes, I think so, too. In addition I think it is very unhealthy from a psychological point of view to try to "force" oneself into a "strong believe" and just "riding over the doubts with a truck". I think this will just cause distress and other unhealthy things. A few points I have gathered and found to be good are: 1. Honest prayer. Even if you are not feeling like it in those times. Just tell God about your feelings, doubts, etc. It can only be good. 2. Research. For me I found it very helpful to get into some books on apologetics. Maybe watch some youtube videos about topics of faith (but careful! There are lots and lots of people on youtube who will just make it worse by trying to talk you into bad conscience and who try to make their own faith look better by telling everyone the solution for everything etc.). 3. Talking with others about faith. It can be helpful. If somebody gives a testimony to which one can relate, if you hear about how people practise faith, it can be helpful. (Of course listening to some kind of christian-spirituality-supermen is not helpful at all. It has to be somebody who is sympathetic towards you and want to help.) Also talk about questions of faith, things in the bible, etc. Unfortunately in my case this is rarely possible for most of the people I know are either atheists, apatheists or have some kind of christianity around that is either 125% strict and just or which is too liberal for being able to give me useful advice. 4. Patience. 5. Avoiding people who put you into things like "Your doubts are caused by satanic influence! You need to turn to the lord with full force now or you will be damned!" and who try to kinda "micro-exorcise" you. (While I certainly believe, that satan, being the distorter of facts, takes great pleasure in people suffering from doubts and will also try to use doubts against you if he can, I do not think that doubts are per se satanic or demonic inspired but can also be a sign of intelectual honesty or really wanting to understand something. Or just caused by peoples normal tendency to "mess things up".). 6. Avoid "spiritual supermen" who will bombard you with random "helpful" bible verses. While those people certainly have good intentions, I think it might be quite harmful trying to "beat your doubts to death with bible verses from a bible glossary". For me in that situation it always leads to greater doubts or having bad conscience because, contrary to what was stated by the well-wishers, my doubts do not magical disappear in a second after reading a bible verse. Bible verses are no aspirin after all. 7. Doubt your doubts. Sometimes it helped me remembering that I do not doubt all the time, so this might just be a phase now, caused by troubles in life, being unhappy with something or by the need to change something in my faith life. Also try remembering that doubts are in some way also just a kind of negative faith that has no prove in itself. 8. Look at people from the bible who had doubts. Thomas or the man with the son possessed by a spirit. Look at how Jesus really cared about them.
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Post by Borndead on Apr 23, 2020 11:38:23 GMT -6
You´ve said it all. I can´t stand it, when christians bombard you with verses. Like I didn´t hear or read it before, and now magically everything will be fixed. When I read the Bible and see how Jesus acted, He was/is a badass, not sugarcoating with people but cutting deep with truth & understanding. Sure, He does quote scriptures, but not to show of but to really hit the nail on the head. Also this, doubt your doubts. That´s so strong, I´ve often prayed for help to ignore my feelings and not be misslead by the heart.
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Post by Thomas Eversole on Apr 25, 2020 8:34:06 GMT -6
I myself can't recall doubting the existence of God, or the validity of the Bible... but I have found myself doubting the "why's" sometimes. (and I'm enough of a nerd to make "doubting Thomas" puns, since the disciple Thomas in the Bible had his share of doubts) In a twist of irony, I find my doubts about non-Christian things actually increases my faith. Perhaps strange reasoning too - like, "If we're here not from God, only from a random space-fart, how could everything with a backbone, also have a liver?". I find it easier to wrap my head around a God I can't physically see right now, creating everything by design, than backbones and livers randomly coming together because some random space-fart happened. Some Christians are extremely unpleasant in regards to being "right". This week in another Christian community, there was someone who joined and they appeared to be pro-Pagan/Wiccan. I don't think they were one themselves, but more like someone they really cared about was one, and they were trying to convey that pagans can be good people too. Many of us were nice to this person, and we tried to explain how pagan and Christian aren't compatible, albeit in a loving way. Then a handful of us watched in horror as one other Christian went full tilt on them. (like what I imagine anfauglith meant when he used the term "micro-exorcised") ...the pro-Pagan person left in a rage from that. When we confronted Mr. FullTilt for scaring this person away (its hard to witness to someone when how something is said, pisses them off enough that they leave) and they in turn bombarded us with scripture, wielding verses like a weapon of judgement. They ended up leaving in a rage too because they accused us of evil behavior. (To some Christians, its pure evil to not proactively shove Jesus down people's throats when they discuss anything that is a non-Christian concept or opinion.) I find it a little sad that when I meet new Christians, I kind of expect some draconian approach to faith, ala Spanish Inquisition 2.0.
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Post by julienbakerfan on Apr 25, 2020 17:25:20 GMT -6
I kind of expect some draconian approach to faith, ala Spanish Inquisition 2.0. NOBODY EXPECTS THE SPANISH INQUISITION!
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Post by anfauglith on May 30, 2020 14:44:27 GMT -6
Cam somebody translate "Im Ra Distare Summum Soveris Seris Vas Innoble" for me?
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Post by julienbakerfan on May 31, 2020 0:07:13 GMT -6
Guys what has happened to America? I've been watching the footage of the riots all day. I feel like we've become France, but with worse food and uglier women.
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Post by avjr on May 31, 2020 0:29:13 GMT -6
Guys what has happened to America? I've been watching the footage of the riots all day. I feel like we've become France, but with worse food and uglier women. It is sad that our nation are starting to show darkness.
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Post by anfauglith on Jun 10, 2020 9:55:05 GMT -6
I wonder if Olórin is fine. He has not been here since a while I think.
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Post by nocturnaliridescence on Jun 10, 2020 11:09:09 GMT -6
I wonder if Olórin is fine. He has not been here since a while I think. I've wondered the same.
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Post by barabbas on Jun 10, 2020 15:56:01 GMT -6
I wonder if Olórin is fine. He has not been here since a while I think. I've wondered the same. I emailed him a few weeks ago. He said his well-being was typical for him. I think he's going to find his way back here at some point.
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Post by julienbakerfan on Jun 10, 2020 20:49:13 GMT -6
Does anyone know why A Hill to Die Upon's newest album isn't on Spotify anymore?
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