Welcome to General Chat - GAW Community Area
This General Chat area started off as a place for people to talk about things that are off topic, however it has quickly evolved into a community and has become an integral part of the GAW experience for many of us.
Based on its evolving needs and plenty of user feedback, we are trying to bring some order and institute some rules. Please make sure you read these rules and participate in the spirit of this community.
Rules for General Chat
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Be respectful to each other. This is of utmost importance, and comments may be removed if deemed not respectful.
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Avoid long drawn out arguments. This should be a place to relax, not to waste your time needlessly.
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Personal anecdotes, puzzles, cute pics/clips - everything welcome
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Please do not spam at the top level. If you have a lot to post each day, try and post them all together in one top level comment
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Try keep things light. If you are bringing in deep stuff, try not to go overboard.
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Things that are clearly on-topic for this board should be posted as a separate post and not here (except if you are new and still getting the feel of this place)
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If you find people violating these rules, deport them rather than start a argument here.
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Feel free to give feedback as these rules are expected to keep evoloving
In short, imagine this thread to be a local community hall where we all gather and chat daily. Please be respectful to others in the same way
I'm sorry I need to complain. I have had a good 26 years moving around our great country. My husband is active duty AGR, which means we are in the real world and not on a base like most military people. So I have been to churches all over America. Well, we live in Washington State now and we went to church this morning. There were over 10 men there that were wearing ball hats. They didn't take it off to pray or communion. I know it sounds petty, but respect in The Lord's house is a very important part of worship... Thanks for hearing me out...
I grew up Lutheran, so I get it. It'd be nice if people showed reverence. God has been slowly sorting me out on this. You never know how much they might Revere the Lord in their hearts, but they have no clue about our traditions regarding hats - it's cultural, just as our hat traditions were. All the outward traditions don't mean a thing if a heart ain't right before the Lord.
Yes, you are correct, He sees our hearts. I will pray about this...
I spoke with a Catholic friend last week, and she was very indignant about the lack of kneeling benches in her new church. That was what got me praying about this too. She said it was a sign that they were unwilling to reverence the Lord by kneeling. The words "touch, do not touch" came to my mind. I asked the Lord about it and He responded that this was how the Pharisees operated. Outward shows that did not reflect inner truths. The Pharisees judged OTHERS based on their adherence to all of these traditions.
I've really been thinking about this ever since. How many pharisaical dictates are still lodged in my head?!?! If we worship in spirit and in truth, how much do we judge a lack in others? I'm still working this out. I've been pretty judgy in the past 😉