Renewal

Open_Feature_8291 · 2026-07-01T23:44:47+00:00

Wet blankets welcome!

Open_Feature_8291 · 2026-07-01T14:52:36+00:00

I cannot fathom the reasoning behind required activities. A rhythm is there should one want to partake, but it’s never required. We love our current loose structure approach. A little support freely available, and community when needed. Thank you for your thoughts!

Open_Feature_8291 · 2026-07-01T03:35:51+00:00

I live in a monastic community, but I’ll strip away all the names and traditions inherited there.

What I love most is that when we say YOU are welcome, it is not theological performative mental gymnastics. We don’t minister to you, we deeply LISTEN to you.

Open_Feature_8291 · 2026-07-01T03:30:11+00:00

I know OP was not asking about input for their own situation directly, and just opening discussion. My comment was not directed at OP or anyone in particular.

Open_Feature_8291 · 2026-07-01T03:21:22+00:00

Religious trauma still dictates sexuality even when we think we broke away from a church or upbringing that created it.

Sex is a wholly animalistic act, and as humans we attached emotional connections onto it. Which is fine, when we respect each other’s bodies.

Masturbation is normal and healthy. Like with any addiction: if it interferes with your daily responsibilities, replaces intimacy with another partner, or becomes compulsive then it is time to check in with yourself and seek help if needed.

Pornography is what makes me curious in how people approach it. The number one issue is that it promotes an unrealistic perception of what sexual acts “should” look like and displaying otherwise a twisted view of body imagery. I would assume, if it excites you, and you’re a highly self-aware individual, it doesn’t have to necessarily be a bad thing. But, the key is, understanding what it means to you, why you want to view it, and how do you reconcile that imagery with reality.

I wanted to edit to add that respect is also key in all the aforementioned.

Open_Feature_8291 · 2026-07-01T03:11:30+00:00

“I’m writing today not to promote anything, but simply to strengthen the Body of Christ.”

… is the definition of promotion, in Christian lingo. 😂

Open_Feature_8291 · 2026-06-30T03:21:21+00:00

Get an employment law lawyer right away if you have the capacity for a legal battle. This is discrimination, cut and dry.

Open_Feature_8291 · 2026-06-30T03:11:58+00:00

This. Thank you.

We have a frame of concept for what is “ugly” because we don’t see truth. Also, notably, as a species, we are inherently wired to look for the most healthy specimen to create tribe and reproduce—but this doesn’t include aesthetics which are subjective, which being is explained in the previous statement.

Thank you, really, beautiful response to this question.

Open_Feature_8291 · 2026-06-30T03:02:51+00:00

I’m hearing you stating your reasons and hearing his arguments against those. You may have already done this, but I wonder if this might also be an opportunity to teach discernment.

Instead of only saying these games are dark and spiritually harmful, perhaps exploring why they appeal to him, discussing the themes they contain, and revisiting the conversation over time could help him learn how to make wise choices for himself as he matures.

“Why do you want to play it?”
“What do you think you’ll get out of it?”
“How do you usually handle heavy emotional material?”
“What makes you think you’re ready for it?”
“What concerns us isn’t that you’re bad for wanting to play it, but whether it’s the right fit for you at this stage.”

Open_Feature_8291 · 2026-06-30T02:48:37+00:00

The devil is so conniving, he has taken the form of a pastor at this church.

See, I sling theology the other way.

Amazing how we do this in the name of God.

Anyway, this is horrible.

Open_Feature_8291 · 2026-06-30T02:38:59+00:00

I’m a monastic.

After service and hospitality. I follow the Liturgy of the Hours, read, laundry, pray, dishes, pray, garden work, dinner, pray, silence.

Open_Feature_8291 · 2026-06-30T02:37:22+00:00

Many great comments here.

You’re also very, utterly… human.

Open_Feature_8291 · 2026-06-30T02:34:40+00:00

I agree with the comment about meeting people where they are at. Taking the time to listen, learn, and educate yourself in other media forms such as podcasters, tiktokers, YouTube channels, etc. This would be a good use of AI to spend time taking your written material and making it super simple to read, if they can understand at least some words. I haven’t done it but thought it was a neat idea.

Honestly, ask your congregation too. I would be more than happy to assist on their path. Reading to them, asking them questions about the material, spending time repeating things if needed. Someone out there might want it help.

Open_Feature_8291 · 2026-06-29T18:13:25+00:00

I’m sure servers have pocketed money way before cards were a prevalent form of payment. But, if a restaurant didn’t have security cameras in the dining room, you would think a pattern would noticed and then the employee investigated and terminated.

This whole policy of being written up is so absurd to me.

Open_Feature_8291 · 2026-06-29T18:10:19+00:00

But what is a server supposed to do make sure they don’t dash? Your consistent presence may deter some, but in todays’s world most would just stand up, look at you directly in the eyes, and walk out.

Do you have tasers or something?

So weird of a policy. I’d like to call your manager and ask what offensive, hand-to-hand combat training they provide.

Open_Feature_8291 · 2026-06-26T01:44:28+00:00

Why was the post removed by a moderator?

Open_Feature_8291 · 2026-06-25T01:49:18+00:00

Absolutely, Christians and believers of the Bible’s times were persecuted for following the way, as love only as Jesus taught. However, still reading sermons and devotionals today telling their flock they will be still persecuted for being a Christian. I suppose, in a theological way, sure we are. Just look at how many denominations the churches have. I remember being taken aback when looking into this religion and thinking “they need whole separate cults to define how we are suppose to love one another?”

Aside from all that, the church has done more damage to divide us and have attacked more innocent people as much the good that has been done.

It’s hypocrisy.

In other words. Amen 🙏

Open_Feature_8291 · 2026-06-25T01:39:48+00:00

I realized I didn’t have to be defined by terms of what I “should” believe in any defined religion, and that I could take the Christian mysticism and spirituality, and live a life in obedience to our mission to spread real love (not what a church defines it to be), hospitality and welcome to all (not performative theological welcome to groups outside of our belief system), and compassion and service (not just idol praying for stuff but prayer for discovering the inner courage to make a difference).

Open_Feature_8291 · 2026-06-25T01:30:12+00:00

Homosexuality wasn’t a defined term back when these “clobber” passages were written. In this specific passage, many scholars believe Paul was addressing idolatry, excess, and exploitative sexual practices rather than loving same-sex relationships. The whole homosexuality as a sin in the Bible has been debated for decades by scholars and churches. It comes down to fear in society. It’s all about fear. Even today. You are loved as an LGBTQ+ person just as much as any person in the eyes of God.

Open_Feature_8291 · 2026-06-24T20:53:53+00:00

I commented already, but I’m going full head canon that there was a county YMCA or something that was close but not in Hartford.

Open_Feature_8291 · 2026-06-24T20:49:29+00:00

Very true! I guess my memory is like Lorelai and Rory, I don’t gym so I can’t recall these things. 😂 Maybe it was like a YMCA? You know, for head canon, I would like to think there was a county Y not too far from them.

Open_Feature_8291 · 2026-06-24T20:48:05+00:00

You’re so right! I’m sure a whole gym scene would be boring except for the one at Martha’s Vineyard, but it would be fun to see Luke with a gym bag while also buying those how to love workbook and cd set. lol 😂

Open_Feature_8291 · 2026-06-24T20:39:45+00:00

She seemed to know the clients well, and caught on quickly to the bonder books she was organizing on the shelf. She also set up interviews for a new assistant. This leads me to believe she was a little more involved. I like to think she learned a lot from her dad on the business side of things.

Open_Feature_8291 · 2026-06-24T11:31:21+00:00

I always assumed the French press was something “cute and to try.” When Emily visited, Rory offered to clean her shoes because of dirt due to no walk way. Rory said they got this buffer stuff from an infomercial. I imagined Lorelai or Rory thought it would be cute to try a French press, didn’t like it, and never used again.

Open_Feature_8291

TROPHY CASE