Running

I'm so sorry that you've been dealing with so much all at once @avant-garde - and that you're being harassed?! How often do you have to be in the presence of this person?

@Jynx

I have no control on when she turns up. She's never been to craft group before, it was a first, she hasn't been to chiro this year yet either, I was hoping to be rid of her

@avant-garde sounds really hard, would definitely spark up that constant hypervigilance vibe for you, yeah? Especially coming into craft group, which I imagine is a space you would prefer to feel more safe in. I'm sorry that you're dealing with this hun, it sounds so incredibly challenging 🥺

@Jynx

Welcome to my life, constant hypervigilance with a dash of escapism, we just add another person to the list to watch out for.

I usually feel safe at craft group, I have my spot, I have my friends, I have the loud people I turn my hearing aids down for and I have the people I politely redirect somewhere else away from me.

@tyme

I have a faith question I would like your perspective on please

Hit me with it and I'll do my best @avant-garde

@tyme

We were talking about evangelism at Bible study last night and I found my heart crying out "why don't they get it".

A mother shared a story about writing a birthday card out for her daughter to give to a non-Christian friend, the daughter wanted to sign off saying "God bless you" but the mother hesitated and didn't write it in the card because she was scared of her daughter getting hurt.

I know the world is changing and shifting away from Christianity and I listen to the news and know some of what is happening.

But I don't understand why people are so afraid to share the news is Jesus and to proclaim that "I'm a Christian!"

Why does it seem that some are terrified of evangelising when isn't that what we are called to do?

I'm also very controversial in my approach to LGBTQ and openly tell my church "aren't they worth saving too? If they're too hear the message, doesn't someone have to tell them? And how can we do that if we avoid them". It tends to shut them up.

TW: Discussion around Christianity

Hey @avant-garde ,

I hear you.

I leave them with Luke 9:26

²⁶ For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.

Each person will be 'judged' according to their works.

I cannot speak about others, but this is a reminder that I need to examine my own heart and own actions lest I do the same.

As for your approach to the LGBTQIA community, I'm along the same wavelength as you. They are people. We have no right to judge. We are no better or worse.

Sorry this is a bit vague. It a bit hard to write what's in my head.

@tyme

I needed someone to understand

I wrote this last night and you can hear my passion and my anguish in it

When you've been raised a Christian

With loving Christian parents

A gospel preaching church

For your entire life

Do you think of them

As people to be saved

When fear stops you in your tracks

And anxiety gets in the way

Was I brought to challenge them

To see those not in the church

To give them courage to reach out

And trust in God's protection

Said the girl who's running

Running to stay alive

Why do I trust God in this

And not with safety from my dad

To have the heart of a missionary

To seek and save the lost

The people in my own backyard

No matter what the cost

That I've seen death and faced it

That God has brought me through

Is it that they are lacking

Of the miracles God can do

I'm thankful I wasn't sheltered

I'm thankful God saved me

That he sent a heart like mine

To show how God could set me free

Father, my dear Father

Please give them a heart like mine

One that still fears persecution

But faces it with fire

Give them wisdom, give them faith

Give them opportunities

Give them bravery and resilience

Give them tenacity

Give them peace and stillness

With eyes to see the lost

Give them hearts to reach the longing

To show others they're worth the cost

@avant-garde I'm glad that you do have some friends in your craft group, are they aware of the history and situation with this person?

I hope it's okay I share my two cents about your faith query - unfortunately I think the resistance you're encountering might be to do with the so-called 'Christofascism' that is gaining momentum in the USA. Using religion as a justification for oppression, xenophobia, and control is not new, but things over there are escalating and it makes me wonder if it could be a ripple effect where even those of good Christian faith might not want to be seen as associated with it, lest they be seen as 'part of the problem'. I can imagine it's more complex than that but it could be a big factor.