I am uncertain if this is just me or it has been recognized by others but I am feeling rather burnt out on the forum here lately. It seems we talk in circles the same topics and for the most part never reaching definite solutions or ends, which I understand is hard to do at times. I am not sure its my place to ask or say this but What is our purpose and What is our end? And does talking about the same popular topics reach that purpose and end?

Perhaps this thread would be a great place to start coming up with ideas to further reach that pupose and end as a community.

1 idea I can think of is a call circle which is pretty simple and not everyone would have to participate but basically you buddy up with someone different each week and about midweek you give them a call, ask about their week, prayer requests,etc

I guess my biggest burn out is the feeling of not getting anywhere as we discuss topics and that we focus on the same ones while other topics that aren't as popular get ignored for the most part

Another idea is organized prayer topics meaning on certain days of the week we pick something to pray about as a body, not necessarily over the phone but in thought and Spirit as we live our normal lifes.

Has anyone ever experienced this burn out? Is anyone currently going through it and if what are you doing to deal with it/ have done to deal with it? Again this could just be me.

God Bless,
Matthew

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Matthew Guldner

Matty, yes i have.

but as the LORD leads, several things come into my heart and soul.

We have to love harder.

We have to recognize that i am you, and you are me, meaning we all stumble in our human words.

We have to pray harder, we have to embrace the Concept of a child-like Faith.

We have to cant our hearts towards a ministry of encouragement, rather than a ministry of rebuke, God the Holy Ghost will tend to the latter ministry.

We have to wean from the garrisons of our souls, the man centered need to "be right", and to esteem others MORE than ourselves. This is hard to do, but of enourmous profit in our personal work.

and finally, we all, me included, should seek out other fellowships, in our various locales, and not have only SI as an outlet for fellowship in the Lord.

be encouraged, and lets get out into our towns. Lets plan for a future camp meeting, so that maybe, by the Grace of God, saints who gather in this cyber fellowship, mayhap be blessed enough to meet, with no clock, no schedule other than a start time, and no Pastors, other then THE Pastor, Who is Named Jesus.

just a thought, neil

A forum is what we ourselves contribute to it. It can't be our source. We need to have a 'life' of hearing from GOD and doing the right thing in our own lives. If we're looking to a forum to keep us happy or spiritually filled or entertained, we've missed a good part of what "life more abundant" means.
When we spend time alone with Him and get "filled up", then we find or start good threads and can appreciate those and give an Amen to them. The others that drone on or are not our interest, just ignore - that's all - just go past those and dig for the gold that's here - there's plenty of gold here.
The Devotional Thoughts page is the best place to start one's day.
Everyday, our brothers and sisters faithfully post edifying threads worth meditating on.
There are Many Articles and Sermons that are well worth the read or listen.
The forum is a bonus - the focus are the sermons and the forum is only as good as what you yourself post to it, after you've been filled up with Him in your secret place.
We can't look to others to fill in our own spiritual gaps or entertain us.
If we're burnt-out, we need to get going on our own relationship with Him in our Quiet time. Burn-out with the forum only means we're looking to the forum to fill what only our own personal 'relationship' with HIM can fill, with our own prayer lives and seeking His Word - seeking Him for Him.
There will always be threads that we don't agree with or aren't interested in - that will never end and to always have complaining threads about "how the forum isn't doing right" is more repetitive than any topic. It comes up at least once every other month and it can only be answered with - What are YOU contributing to this website?
If you see a good thread being "ignored" go post to it.
If you see one that's a waste to you - ignore it. It's easy!
Even a good prayer gathering is only as good as what 'we' bring to it 'from' our own private lives with GOD.

Don't look to any forum to fill your needs.
There's humans on here. :o)

Amen Paul......brother Frank

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Travis

Because I'm a slow typist, Paul's reply wasn't there when I hit reply. Amen to "drying the Kidron" etc.

Thank you Paul. There is nothing new under the Sun. History does seem to repeat itself. There is a preponderance of issues that do not die here but at least they are spoken of. In what is repetition to some is sanity to others. The mere fact that many of these issues are spoken of here is water to the thirsty. There is a great dehydration for many who find themselves loners amongst a great many who do not even care to drink or if they do, they drink what is not potable. It is interesting to hear one say with relief that they thought themselves losing their sanity, being estranged from what surrounds them. They question their very sanity in Christ and would not even upon the threat of death return to what was before. They maybe like a black grain of sand on a white sandy beach but they find wonderful relief in the overall one mindedness in Christ even if there is not agreement on every subject. The essential things are not compromised. I think what Paul W. said is very germane in that growth often times comes by way of discomfort. Very scriptural concerning sanctification.

Who here cannot make a list of the recurring issues. At least there is open discussion concerning them. Our priority here is no different than it is outside this forum. To logout having seen that little glimpse of God we had not seen prior. I have heard others console hurting brothers and sisters in Christ. A beautiful thing to behold. I have heard the heart of others in prayer for those in harms way. Others dealing even with their very salvation. Some have formed close ties. Many are directed to wonderful teachings that are most rare. When one is thirsty they will seek drink and there is much living water here. I often wonder how many of the long gone preachers that we so admire would react to many of these discussions? The forum for some will provide sanity. Some have been awakened to false religion. Some have partaken of deep thought and meditation concerning our Lord. Many convicted of areas in their lives they had not been willing to address. Everyone desires to admire the Pearl that has been found, it's just that some must look harder than others. The forum however should not come at the expense of our personal time with the Lord. This is where we should exercise discernment as for those things that should be our priorities in Christ. I speak to myself.