Christian Forums

I will not drag this out but will get to the point.  Do you come here to the forums as an escape?  My wife says that I do.  She thinks that when I sit down to the computer and do the forums--any forum--that I am using that as an escape, or as an avoidance of dealing with difficulties. 

One other member here admitted that he/she had used the forums as an escape.  So, I wasn't the only one, I guess.  When I originally registered here there had been a purpose.  I posted some stories that  I know the LORD desired me to share with others.  But after the 20th story was aborted (I had lost it through a technical mishap) I started experiencing  some difficulties in my personal life.  Forums can kill a lot of time--I am amazed at how quickly the time can fly.  At some point I think I glued myself to the computer screen so I did not have to deal with certain things.  O yeah--I am guilty of being a procrastinator.  Or maybe I should type that as procrastinator--I'm unfortunately a pro at it.

Gee, I dunno...how do you feel?  Ever use the forums as an escape?

Sometimes.

No.

I have been known to spend too much time on here, but I'm not sure I'm attempting to avoid anything when that happens.

Well, unless it's taxes.

Quote from: HRoberson on Sat Feb 21, 2009 - 22:21:32
Well, unless it's taxes.

There ya go!

I'm not an escape artist tonight!
I don't want to mislead anybody here...there are a multiple of reasons why I am here--some very good ones, of course.
However, I will say that I believe what the bible says about our hearts and that they are deceitful.  When my wife first told me that she thought that I was using GCM Forums as an escape I got annoyed and denied it outright. An escape?...nonsense!  But then I analyzed some things and I came to the conclusion that in some instances she was right.  But many times I am here for all the right reasons.

How about addiction?  I wondered sometimes if I was addicted. That's another thing my wife says about me and the computer.  Mmmmmmmmmmm  

I must admit that sometimes I make a beeline to the computer after getting home from work to see what's up here.  If I posted something, sure, I want to know if there is any feedback.  Don't we all?

So...there's two words to think about:  escape and addiction.

Or should I have left the whole thing alone?

.

For me, it is somewhat like reading books. I read for entertainment, escape, education, pleasure, and other reasons. Those reasons also apply to these forums.

We need balance in all areas of our lives. Spending lots of time on the computer could be an addiction, or not. The amount of time spent is not the only factor to consider. Wanting more of a pleasurable experience is normal, not addictive behavor.

Here's a Wiktionary definition:

QuoteNoun

addiction (plural addictions)

1. The state of being addicted; devotion; inclination.
2. A habit or practice that damages, jeopardizes or shortens one's life but when ceased causes trauma.
3. A pathological relationship to mood altering experience that has life damaging consequences.

If your computer use falls under one of those definitions then it may be an addiction.

Quote from: Nevertheless on Sat Feb 21, 2009 - 23:27:05

We need balance in all areas of our lives.

Bingo!  We have a bingo!

I'd have to say Nevertheless that I am not an addict, according to the definition(s) given.

However, I'd have to say that curiosity does kill this old cat from time to time! 

i dont think it that way; cause its like spending time with something like for me i play violin or do painting or watch tv during spare time. i guess its the same here in the forum but this one is much much better than those i guess.

As for the OP: Sounds to me like a cry for more attention. Maybe you should make an effort to spend that first hour or so after work giving all your attention to the wife. You know what her positive buttons are, spend an hour of two each day after work pushing them. The computer and TV will not get jealous or have their feelings hurt if you move them down your priority list a little.

I come here to discuss things, but the real reward for me is a knock down drag out argument, preferrably about baptism. It's like being all alone in the house with a gallon of Blue Bell chocolate ice cream watching The O'Reilly Factor or the Gaither Gospel Hour in my underwear. It don't get no better than that!

Quote from: Jaime on Sun Feb 22, 2009 - 08:10:46
I come here to discuss things, but the real reward for me is a knock down drag out argument, preferrably about baptism. It's like being all alone in the house with a gallon of Blue Bell chocolate ice cream watching The O'Reilly Factor or the Gaither Gospel Hour in my underwear. It don't get no better than that!

The wife and I have the same recurring argument about coffee and donuts. To dunk of to sprinkle, that is the question. 

I spend time here because I love to discuss the Bible and God.  I put all my effort in a debate not to win but to see who is right.  I've learned a lot from forums and I enjoy fellowshiping with the Christians.

Quote from: OneLung on Sun Feb 22, 2009 - 08:16:45

Quote from: Jaime on Sun Feb 22, 2009 - 08:10:46
I come here to discuss things, but the real reward for me is a knock down drag out argument, preferrably about baptism. It's like being all alone in the house with a gallon of Blue Bell chocolate ice cream watching The O'Reilly Factor or the Gaither Gospel Hour in my underwear. It don't get no better than that!

The wife and I have the same recurring argument about coffee and donuts. To dunk of to sprinkle, that is the question. 

Well, if you go to the church down the road called "Dunkin Donuts" , I hear that donuts are water baptized every day down there.  In fact, the coffee is the same shade as the Jordan river - "dark".

I heard this rumor that some prefer their baptism with sugar and creamer or half and half.  But of course, that is just a rumor.

Quote from: Mystery Man on Sun Feb 22, 2009 - 08:29:21

Quote from: OneLung on Sun Feb 22, 2009 - 08:16:45

Quote from: Jaime on Sun Feb 22, 2009 - 08:10:46
I come here to discuss things, but the real reward for me is a knock down drag out argument, preferrably about baptism. It's like being all alone in the house with a gallon of Blue Bell chocolate ice cream watching The O'Reilly Factor or the Gaither Gospel Hour in my underwear. It don't get no better than that!

The wife and I have the same recurring argument about coffee and donuts. To dunk of to sprinkle, that is the question. 

Well, if you go to the church down the road called "Dunkin Donuts" , I hear that donuts are water baptized every day down there.  In fact, the coffee is the same shade as the Jordan river - "dark".

I heard this rumor that some prefer their baptism with sugar and creamer or half and half.  But of course, that is just a rumor.

That reminds me, you can get a free sample of Dunkin Donuts coffee here: http://www.dunkinathome.com/index.php

Quote from: OneLung on Sun Feb 22, 2009 - 08:49:21

Quote from: Mystery Man on Sun Feb 22, 2009 - 08:29:21

Quote from: OneLung on Sun Feb 22, 2009 - 08:16:45

Quote from: Jaime on Sun Feb 22, 2009 - 08:10:46
I come here to discuss things, but the real reward for me is a knock down drag out argument, preferrably about baptism. It's like being all alone in the house with a gallon of Blue Bell chocolate ice cream watching The O'Reilly Factor or the Gaither Gospel Hour in my underwear. It don't get no better than that!

The wife and I have the same recurring argument about coffee and donuts. To dunk of to sprinkle, that is the question. 

Well, if you go to the church down the road called "Dunkin Donuts" , I hear that donuts are water baptized every day down there.  In fact, the coffee is the same shade as the Jordan river - "dark".

I heard this rumor that some prefer their baptism with sugar and creamer or half and half.  But of course, that is just a rumor.

That reminds me, you can get a free sample of Dunkin Donuts coffee here: http://www.dunkinathome.com/index.php

I unfortunately do not belong to that denomination.  So "free" is not an option for me.

I also hear that some drink wine and a small piece of bread , and it is "free" also.  But again, "free" is not an option for me.  It just does not fit into my beliefs.

Many things are "free".  But is anything that is offered really free ?  Or is it a gimik to get you to go to their denomination ?  The coffee might be free, but watch out for the high prices of those donuts !

I come here and to other Christian Web sites to kill time. I'm retired with nothing to do, and I'm no longer physically able to work. I kill time on the computer and watching reruns on the TV since there is rarely anything new on the TV that I would watch.

Quote from: Jon-Marc on Sun Feb 22, 2009 - 11:20:25
I come here and to other Christian Web sites to kill time. I'm retired with nothing to do, and I'm no longer physically able to work. I kill time on the computer and watching reruns on the TV since there is rarely anything new on the TV that I would watch.

I would say that this is a good place to hang out.  Put your feet up and enjoy your time here.

My purpose for coming here is fellowship. I come here to listen, and maybe to talk, and talk about the things of God. It is not my only place of fellowship, but I count you all as friends [if I may use that term], and I like being friendly.

I definitely do not come for debate, or curiosity. Debate devides, and curiosity is highly emotional.

I enjoy watching people grow in Jesus Christ, and listening to what they're thinking tells you a lot about that.

You could say that I'm learning to love. I do a lot more praying for people here than I do writing responses. Praying is so quick, typing is a slow process with me.

I am only on here so much because I work at my computer about 40 hours a week. I just have it on in the background and come back to it whenever I get bored of writing about stability or what not.

Quote from: llewksgood on Sun Feb 22, 2009 - 12:04:29
I definitely do not come for debate, or curiosity. Debate devides, and curiosity is highly emotional.

Well, that's debatable, now isn't it. 

Quote from: Howdyboyalan on Sun Feb 22, 2009 - 12:04:55
...I just have it on in the background and come back to it whenever I get bored of writing about stability or what not.

So, it's a balance thing. When you get enough of 'stable,' you come hang out for a while with us 'un-stable' folks.

Okay Mikeyc, now you've just gone to meddling   Seriously, that question did make me take an honest look at me and unfortunatley I must admit that I do use this as an escape at times to keep from either doing what I need to do or looking at what I need to look at.  I just got in from a trip to Al. because my little grandson is in the hospital and haven't even said hi to my husband but instead came in here to check the website.  That's pretty sad, wouldn't you say?  Well, I best go make that amends.  Thanks for the reminder.

If I came here to escape my troubles I fear what my troubles are...lol.  I come here for the fellowship.

Actually the only reason I come here is to fellowship with you all. I have been extremely blessed to get to converse with members here, and my study of theology has increased immensely.

I come here to escape...feeding the flesh :).

Sitting on here just doing homework is pretty boring...

Quote from: fanuvmxpx on Mon Feb 23, 2009 - 16:43:46
Actually the only reason I come here is to fellowship with you all. I have been extremely blessed to get to converse with members here, and my study of theology has increased immensely.

I come here to escape...feeding the flesh :).

I come here to fellowship with people who are striving to live in faith. Everyone here is on a journey. I appreciate the diversity of thought. I do not have time to look at all the posts. I look at a few. Right now, I have a little time at work. At home, I do what I can to get away from the screen. This forum is a constructive way to spend time, but I have other things I need to be doing. I need to exercise more.