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Christian / Re: Devotions
« Last post by Pip on Today at 04:40:52 PM »
https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/full-post/2024/12/30/how-do-i-know-its-gods-will?utm_campaign=Daily%20Devotions&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_jyorh_dUR9nfsR-cEs-bjV_qFvXqEbrjnPbxunHtdqUi8HMpNgh7Yc1L0BVDMgHU6gP2IVs7gkgytIB2-ciXSLIF9kw&_hsmi=338896053&utm_content=338896053&utm_source=hs_email#disqus_thread

How Do I Know It’s God’s Will?
December 30, 2024
by Abby McDonald

“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But desire fulfilled is a tree of life.” Proverbs 13:12 (NASB)

I could hear the apprehension in my friend’s voice.  “How do I know it’s God’s will?” she asked.

Her question was one I’d wrestled with many times. We had been discussing an aspiration she’d had for months, and I heard her passion and desire to share God’s love with others. I knew she wanted to move forward, but she hesitated.  So I responded, “Well, why wouldn’t this be God’s will?”

She sat there for a moment, considering my words. “That’s a great question,” she said. “I don’t know.”

I understood my friend’s hesitation because I’ve lived it I often don’t trust my own desires. After all, doesn’t Jeremiah 17:9 warn us that the human heart is deceitful?

It’s easy to forget that when we follow Jesus, He transforms our hearts. The more we spend time with Him and study His Word, the more He reshapes our desires. While our motivations will never be completely faultless in this life, God equips us to discern His will and His voice. In fact, our desires are one of the ways God leads us.  Proverbs describes the beautiful outcome of a desire fulfilled:

“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But desire fulfilled is a tree of life” (Proverbs 13:12).

In the original Hebrew language, the word for “desire” used here is taavah. Do you know where else this word is used?

In Genesis, before Eve ate from the tree of knowledge of good and evil.  “When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight [taavah] to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took some of its fruit and ate ....” (Genesis 3:6, NASB).

So what causes some desires to lead to life and others to spiritual death?

Our desire will always follow our delight. When we delight ourselves in the Lord, our desires will follow (Psalm 37:4). But if something else takes precedence, our desires like Eve’s will be misguided.  God’s will is for us to seek Him first. When we do, our desires can become thriving trees of life, bearing good fruit and displaying His love for others to witness.  Friend, I don’t know what desires and dreams you’ve kept buried, hidden from God out of fear of what may happen if you share them but can I tell you something?

God’s will is for you to share all of you with all of Him.  His will is for you to confide in Him dreams, desires and ambitions. And as you do, He will bring forth new life.
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https://dogrupara.com/few-people-realized-this-little-girl-would-one-day-make-history/?fbclid=IwY2xjawRxboxleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBVdzNnWXFRaUtFOWZrOUFmc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHv8mnT65QLPKoQPg9705PMzfa-enXWUwZWPMrMyndRYIVP9NM0ON9RerweL5_aem_h3cGNTXNKw-9g2drzg4fQQ

Roseanne Barr’s Rise, Collapse, and the Public Downfall That Changed Television History

A Star Who Once Represented Working-Class America 

For years, Roseanne Barr stood as one of the most recognizable figures on American television. Her sharp humor, fearless attitude, and unapologetic personality helped turn her into a household name during one of the most successful eras in sitcom history.  Audiences connected deeply with her portrayal of an outspoken working-class mother trying to survive everyday struggles. The character felt real to millions of viewers who rarely saw their own financial stress, exhaustion, and family tension reflected honestly on television.  At the height of her fame, Barr became more than a comedian. She became a cultural symbol tied to blue-collar America, representing frustration, resilience, and survival through humor.  But the same qualities that fueled her rise eventually became part of the destruction that followed.

A Difficult Childhood Shaped Her Personality

Long before fame transformed her life, Barr experienced a childhood marked by fear, instability, and emotional hardship. Growing up in Utah, she struggled with feelings of isolation while living within a fractured family environment.  Part of that struggle involved hiding her Jewish identity, something that reportedly left lasting emotional scars during her younger years. Those experiences contributed to a sense of anger and defensiveness that later became deeply connected to both her comedy and public behavior.  Her life changed dramatically after a devastating car accident during her youth. The trauma from that experience affected her physically and emotionally, adding another layer to an already turbulent upbringing.  Comedy eventually became a form of protection. Performing onstage allowed Barr to channel pain into laughter, transforming personal struggles into material that audiences found both funny and painfully relatable.

Turning Pain Into a Television Empire

As her stand-up career gained momentum, Barr developed a style that separated her from many comedians of the era. She spoke openly about family stress, financial pressure, motherhood, and emotional exhaustion in ways that felt raw and authentic.  That honesty became the foundation of her television success.  When her sitcom arrived on American television, viewers quickly embraced the show’s grounded portrayal of ordinary life. Unlike many polished sitcom families of the time, the household at the center of Barr’s series struggled with bills, parenting problems, and constant emotional tension.  The series became a massive success and helped redefine television comedy. Barr’s character resonated especially strongly with women who felt overlooked by mainstream entertainment.  For a period of time, her connection with audiences appeared almost impossible to break.

The Warning Signs Behind the Success

Even during her years at the top of television, controversy often followed Barr. Her public image increasingly became tied not only to comedy but also to unpredictable behavior and repeated scandals.  Critics and industry observers frequently pointed to warning signs that seemed to grow more serious over time. Emotional outbursts, public feuds, and increasingly divisive comments began overshadowing her professional accomplishments.  The tension between her talent and her controversies became impossible to ignore.  Many people who once admired her fearless personality started questioning whether her confrontational behavior had crossed into something darker and more destructive.

Moments That Damaged Her Public Reputation

Over the years, Barr became involved in multiple incidents that sparked outrage and criticism. Each controversy appeared to deepen public divisions around her.  The national anthem incident became one of the earliest major moments that damaged her image. What some supporters defended as rebellious humor was viewed by others as disrespectful and offensive.  Later controversies continued to intensify the backlash surrounding her public behavior.  Accusations, inflammatory remarks, offensive imagery, and repeated public disputes gradually transformed Barr from a beloved sitcom star into one of the most polarizing personalities in entertainment.  The Hitler photoshoot generated particularly fierce criticism and remained one of the most controversial chapters of her career. Many former supporters struggled to reconcile the image of the comedian they once admired with the increasingly provocative actions dominating headlines.

The Role of Anger and Public Conflict

Throughout her public life, anger often appeared closely tied to Barr’s identity. Her confrontational approach became central not only to her comedy but also to the way she interacted with critics, media outlets, and even fans.  Supporters frequently praised her refusal to back down. Detractors argued that the behavior reflected deeper issues involving ego, resentment, and an ongoing attraction to public conflict.  As social and political tensions increased across the country, Barr’s public comments became more aggressive and divisive.  The line between provocative humor and destructive behavior became increasingly blurred.

Social Media Changed Everything

The rise of social media dramatically altered the relationship between celebrities and the public. For Barr, those platforms eventually became the center of her downfall.  Unlike television appearances controlled by producers and networks, social media allowed instant communication without filters or oversight. Barr embraced that freedom aggressively, often posting controversial opinions directly to millions of people.  What once might have remained isolated controversies quickly spread across the internet within minutes.  Each new incident intensified public backlash while drawing more attention to her increasingly erratic online behavior.  Supporters defended her as outspoken and unfiltered. Critics described her posts as cruel, offensive, and dangerous.

The Comeback That Ended Almost Immediately

Despite years of controversy, Barr experienced one of the most surprising comeback stories in television history when her famous sitcom returned to the air.  The revival attracted enormous attention and impressive ratings, proving that audience interest in her character remained extremely strong.  For a brief period, it appeared possible that Barr might fully restore her legacy. The success of the revival shocked critics who believed her controversies had permanently destroyed her career. Fans celebrated the return of a show they associated with authenticity and working-class representation.But the comeback collapsed with astonishing speed.

The Tweet That Destroyed Her Career

Everything changed after one social media post triggered immediate national outrage.  The backlash was swift and overwhelming. Networks, industry figures, and viewers reacted almost instantly as criticism spread across television and online platforms.  The controversy escalated so rapidly that the successful sitcom revival was canceled despite its strong ratings and major cultural impact. The cancellation represented one of the most dramatic falls from power in modern entertainment history.  A television icon who had once dominated prime-time programming suddenly found herself isolated from the industry that helped build her fame.

A Legacy Divided by Controversy

Roseanne Barr’s story remains deeply divisive because it combines undeniable talent with repeated self-destruction.  For many viewers, she permanently changed television by giving working-class families a more honest voice on screen. Her comedy captured frustrations and hardships that many people felt mainstream entertainment had ignored.  Others believe her controversies eventually overshadowed those achievements entirely.  The public collapse of her career forced many fans to reconsider the complicated relationship between artistic influence and personal behavior.  Some continue to view her as a groundbreaking comedian who lost control of her public image. Others see her downfall as the predictable result of years of escalating controversy and rage.

The Emotional Cost of Fame and Isolation

Barr’s public unraveling also revealed the emotional instability that can exist behind celebrity success. Fame amplified both her strengths and her flaws, turning personal struggles into national spectacle.  The pressures of public life appeared to intensify long-standing issues tied to trauma, anger, and conflict. Over time, her image shifted from rebellious outsider to increasingly isolated figure locked in constant public battles.  Many former supporters expressed sadness watching someone who once represented humor and resilience become consumed by controversy.  The transformation unfolded publicly and in real time, making the collapse even more shocking for audiences who had followed her career for decades.

A Career That Will Always Spark Debate

Roseanne Barr’s place in television history remains impossible to ignore.  Her influence on sitcom storytelling helped reshape how working-class families were portrayed on screen. She brought a level of realism and emotional frustration that resonated with millions of viewers across America.  At the same time, the controversies surrounding her career continue to define much of the public conversation about her legacy.  The story of Roseanne Barr ultimately became larger than entertainment itself. It evolved into a cautionary example of how fame, anger, public controversy, and social media can collide with devastating consequences.  Her rise once symbolized the power of honesty and defiance in comedy. Her downfall showed how quickly that same defiance could spiral into self-destruction when left unchecked.  For supporters and critics alike, Roseanne Barr remains one of the most complicated and controversial figures television has ever produced.
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The Lounge / Re: Members birthdays
« Last post by Pip on May 10, 2026, 01:34:17 PM »
Happy Birthday mat
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The Lounge / Re: Members birthdays
« Last post by Amanda_George on May 10, 2026, 06:37:52 AM »
It's mat's turn today!   :excited:
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Christian / Re: Devotions
« Last post by Pip on May 09, 2026, 03:16:24 PM »
https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/full-post/2024/12/25/finding-joy-in-a-complicated-christmas?utm_campaign=Daily%20Devotions&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9PBfRBz9yS3ByGJsft48nr46WgmmpBONh2B004EdTiGPBoMROMUbNrAawLU58pFHWn5lpNJyw2ZykZCG0_z40yOWzGwg&_hsmi=336916749&utm_content=336916749&utm_source=hs_email#disqus_thread

Finding Joy in a Complicated Christmas
December 25, 2024
by Elizabeth Laing Thompson

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:14 (NIV)

On Christmas night in 2005, I watched my father hold my daughter, his first grandchild, for the first time. Only an hour old, she blinked bright eyes up at him, and his eyes filled with tears. I felt a riot of emotions: transcendent joy, heart-bursting gratitude, and lurking underneath a shadow of fear. Watching Dad, I couldn’t forget his announcement two nights earlier: “I have cancer.”

We’d spent years praying for our miracle baby, and here on Christmas night, God had given us the greatest gift of our lives. Our joy should have been complete, but a fearful voice kept whispering, This joy is fragile. What if Dad’s not here next Christmas?

I couldn’t help but ask God, Tonight of all nights, why can’t we just be happy?

Maybe you know the feeling of a complicated Christmas. For one day, we long to feel peace and to celebrate unhindered but a chair at Christmas dinner sits empty. Work and finances are overwhelming. A relationship feels distant. We might sing “joy to the world,” but the joy in our world is incomplete.  Two thousand years ago, celestial music the first Christmas carols rang out to celebrate Jesus’ birth:  “Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests’” (Luke 2:13-14, NIV).

Heaven’s delight resounded over fields and flocks, inviting all to celebrate. Meanwhile, an evil king plotted from a crooked throne: When King Herod heard that a Jewish king had been born, he felt threatened and eventually killed all the baby boys in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:13-18). The heartbreak defies words. Jesus was born into the mess of a world gone mad, a world that desperately needed Him to save it.  Was the first Christmas a perfect day, free of sin and sorrow?

No.  But was it still a day of astounding joy?

Yes.  Angels interrupted a sleepy night to throw a surprise party with shepherds. God ushered happiness into a humble stable and a young couple’s arms. He surprised them with joy just as He does for us.  No Christmas is ever perfect, but if we watch closely, we can catch God’s joy breaking through: in knee hugs from exuberant toddlers, in silly dances in the kitchen while cooking Christmas dinner, in sentimental tears as we retell cherished stories.  When Jesus was born, joy broke through. Heaven’s light surprised our dark world. For a few sparkling moments, shepherds saw beyond the veil past the imperfection of the here and now glimpsing heaven’s glory and hearing heaven’s songs.  Because of that day, we can stand with the shepherds and sing with the angels. We can sing whether today feels like a miracle, a mess, or a muddle of both. We can sing because God’s light overcomes darkness, and His joy breaks through.
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The Lounge / Re: Members birthdays
« Last post by Pip on May 08, 2026, 12:14:29 PM »
 :bday1: niz :anim_65:
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The Lounge / Re: Members birthdays
« Last post by Amanda_George on May 08, 2026, 05:53:40 AM »
niz is waking up another year older today!   :excited:
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Christian / Re: Devotions
« Last post by Pip on May 07, 2026, 03:52:06 PM »
https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/full-post/2024/12/13/what-do-i-do-when-my-attitude-stinks?utm_campaign=Daily%20Devotions&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9_wBHG6vVT06TaLkHHf_SCpn3jrOz6T5g_fFP5ZBpN_yBGV2CKow7F9IYN6Gzt2MvdzizkcS22_DD8Ij_t-ORYoyzHNA&_hsmi=335101614&utm_content=335101614&utm_source=hs_email#disqus_thread

Open the Door to God’s Gifts
December 16, 2024
by Bob Goff

“… Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished.” Acts 12:16 (NIV)

Sometimes we can be so busy, distracted or doubtful that we don’t realize what we were praying for is already knocking at the door.  Picture this: The Apostle Peter’s in prison in Jerusalem, about to go on trial. He’s chained to two guards while other guards stand at the prison gate. Then an angel shows up in his cell, the chains fall off Peter’s wrists, and the angel leads Peter past the guards as the jail doors open. The angel disappears as soon as they’re out on the street.  “Then Peter came to himself and said, ‘Now I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches …’” (Acts 12:11, NIV).

Peter ran from the prison to John Mark’s house, where “the church was earnestly praying to God for him” (Acts 12:5, NIV).

When he knocked at the door, a servant named Rhoda came to answer. But when she heard Peter’s voice, she hurried to tell everyone else.  Wait, what?

she must have thought. Isn’t everyone upstairs praying for Peter, hoping he will escape jail?

She was so stunned she didn't even open the door! Certainly her motives were not bad, but she left the gift standing on the doorstep.  The people gathered upstairs did the same. Rather than believe it could be true that their prayers were answered, they told Rhoda, “You’re out of your mind.  It must be his angel” (Acts 12:15, NIV). As they rifled through explanations and possibilities, “Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished” (Acts 12:16).

As we approach a new year, think about what this story tells us. Sometimes God is at work doing things we either don’t notice or don’t believe. God has answered our prayers, but we come up with another explanation for what’s occurring.  In other words, we say, “Nothing is impossible with God” (see Genesis 18:14a, Matthew 19:26 and Luke 1:37).

But deep down, we don’t believe it. We get stuck in our ruts even in prayer and forget to open our eyes.  God does not want us to spend our lives caught up in figuring out His will for us but instead wants us to discover an adventurous, trusting relationship with Him, one full of connection, wonder and possibility.  The new year is a great time to fling wide the door and celebrate what God is already doing in your life. To wake up each morning committed to growing closer to the God of the impossible. You are surrounded by the miraculous every day. Don’t dismiss it or ignore it and don’t leave what God has done in your life standing at the door, waiting for you to pay attention.
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Christian / Re: Devotions
« Last post by Pip on May 07, 2026, 03:45:14 PM »
https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/full-post/2024/12/12/but-im-nothing-like-the-proverbs-31-woman?utm_campaign=Daily%20Devotions&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8mwLpHEnSK4LyukELvkhRZc8UiNdox8K8NEBFJoEvFz16YFHwUWVWSUOTrm0dKerXaRD7KxpgrllwwNrQ3gQveGzF0Yg&_hsmi=335093244&utm_content=335093244&utm_source=hs_email#disqus_thread

But I’m Nothing Like the Proverbs 31 Woman …
December 12, 2024
by Lysa TerKeurst
President and Chief Visionary Officer of Proverbs 31 Ministries

“Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.” Proverbs 31:30 (ESV)

Do you ever feel like you don’t measure up because of what you’ve been through?

Me too.  When I first read Proverbs 31 which describes a woman of noble character several years ago as a young mom, I thought the Proverbs 31 woman was overwhelmingly perfect.  Through many other seasons and hard realities I’ve walked through, I’ve found myself feeling not just intimidated by Proverbs 31 but sometimes even defeated by this woman whose entire life seems full of praises.  That’s why I feel especially tender toward those of you who would rather skip over this passage of Scripture. I know what it’s like to have these words sit heavy on your heart with a resounding declaration of I’m not enough.  But what if I told you the intention behind Proverbs 31:10-31 is celebration and not condemnation?

The first thing I want us to take note of is that this isn’t just a chapter about a wife of noble character. It’s about a woman of valor. A courageous woman. A woman of strength and dignity.  And the fact that you are reading this devotion, seeking God, and pursuing healing for the painful circumstances you’ve walked through is evidence that you are a woman of valor, courage, strength and dignity. So Proverbs 31 is for you and me.  In Jewish culture, these verses are read out loud on the Sabbath as a celebration of women. This in no way condemns women for what they aren’t; it celebrates how each woman, in her own unique expressions, can live out the virtues detailed in this chapter. These aren’t words meant to tell a woman she is supposed to be more. They are a celebration of who she is.  Isn’t that the way it should be?

Courageous women celebrating each other and being celebrated by those they love. All under the banner of honoring God, serving out of love and smiling at the future. I also love how Proverbs 31:30 reminds us of what’s truly worth celebrating: “Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.”

It’s not a woman with a spotless house who is to be praised. It’s not the mom with perfectly behaved children. It’s not just a woman who is married and has children.  It’s the woman who fears the Lord who is to be praised. And this type of fear refers to being completely in awe of God. It describes a woman who honors God by seeking Him in everything she does and trusting Him wholeheartedly. Her reverence overflows into a life of spiritual maturity and wisdom.  And let’s not forget to look at today’s verses within the context of why God gave us this book of the Bible. The very first chapter of Proverbs tells us it exists so we can gain wisdom, instruction, understanding, insight, knowledge, discretion and guidance. Proverbs 2:1-5 goes on to remind us that as we receive and apply God’s commands, we will be able to understand how to find the knowledge of the Lord.  Wisdom is both a gift from God and a process of learning. Proverbs 31 can easily trip us up but what if we take God at His Word and choose to believe these words hold good and pleasant things for us?

What if we challenge ourselves to look at this passage closely, receiving it as a gift to us and seeing what verses we need to learn from?

What if we speak these words over ourselves and the women in our lives as a form of celebration instead of condemnation, realizing that our stories don’t disqualify us?

God tucked these words into His Word for all eternity, dear friend. And that tells me they are needed and meant for our good. Let’s ask Him to help us learn from them today.
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The Lounge / Re: Members birthdays
« Last post by Pip on May 05, 2026, 02:53:28 PM »
 :happybday: Ouroboros and Deppratry
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