Good evening all: Just my $.02. On the old site I was a lurker and was terribly disappointed when it went away. I became a member of the FB group at its inception, but it just didn't do it for me. What i liked the most (and still do) about this group is it is not easily given over to the outlandish or salatious. It is just the facts.....and debate in how those facts play out in our world. The robust debate between folks made it the most interesting. Heather had great research and her posts were always a must read. I sense the lethargy as well as everyone else. I find that hard to believe that every day events are tumbling over themselves in fulfillment and I miss that ......."hey did you guys see that? What do you think it means?" I learned so much in those interactions. I hail from a mainline denomination that plays down end times (I am Presbyterian USA) and the importance of Israel. I have taken a more conservative tac (more literal in my understanding of end time events) and grown more in my faith with you guys. I am going no where, i love it here........But i like it here, much much better than the FB group. TY WHit Thanks Whit, I agree. I personally refuse to do social media or Facebook. That said, I have checked it out and prefer the format here! Truly it's all up to the Lord how He wants to use this site. As you alluded to, I have made it a choice to forgo endless speculation, unsubstantiated dreams, visions and miracles. And I am hardly a fan of the horde of self proclaimed prophets and apostles driving so much of the media today! It is true than when Facebook was chosen for RITAN that activity seemed to be at a lull here at the old site. While some were looking for a venue to push personal agenda's, others were looking for a safe and friendly atmosphere. During slow news days and when the Lord restrained His activities simple fellowship and banter would feed people. Some however did not always find this site "friendly". Many left of their own accord feeling personal expression was stifeled. For as long as it lasts, I will remain here. But it is a good lesson for those who only lurk! Inactivity will eventually shut down any site! TR No activity is the definition of shut down, TR. :yes: Hang in there, folks. Occupy RITA Now! TR said: "It is true than when Facebook was chosen for RITAN that activity seemed to be at a lull here at the old site." Just want to be clear that this site was closed and THEN the Facebook site was opened. We were paying huge fees every month, and we had no tech help at the old site. That is why the site was closed. Not because of Facebook. Facebook was just a free alternative at the time so RITAN wouldn't die. Then, a few months ago, two friends made this site for free and have been the tech help for no charge. So these past few months is the only time that there has been a website and Facebook page at the same time. If you don't like Facebook, that's fine. Stay on this forum format. If you like Facebook and how it runs, fine. Do that. One is not necessarily better than the other. They are just different. But I don't think we need to be negative about how things have gone. God has it under control. And I am very grateful that God has given us 2 choices for RITAN. He is not done with RITAN yet! Hi TR and everyone! Sorry I haven't been on here in a while. I do check in often but haven't spent much time in the conversations. I will also put in my .02 and I fully realize it is only my .02 and hope this makes sense. It seems like before we went to FB, there were lively discussions about speculations on timing and what was going on in the world and the news. It seems to be that there are more 'general' discussions now rather than an excitement about things that are going on in the news and prophetically. It seems that most posts about what's going on in the world rarely get a good discussion thread going. Used to, we would discuss what it meant to prophesy, the excitement of what it could mean. :yahoo: I remember mentioning to a friend back when I first joined RITAN that if anything was going on in the news, I could get the lowdown on RITAN before most others even knew what was going on. Having said all of that, we also all know that even in the 'good ole days', there were times we would hit a lull. I also kind of feel that way now. But - ever so hopeful for the next high watch day - I'm looking to the possible 'other' Pentecost this weekend :prayer-hands: I will also add that some of you have been very faithful in trying to get those types of threads going and it is appreciated 🙂 I enjoy this site, learn a lot, and am challenged to study more. I knew that RITAN going on Facebook would take away some of the traffic on the home site, but not to the extent that it did. Seems like it really killed the home site. Sad Indeed, the atmosphere that RITA and the RITAN II two enjoyed for so long seemed to change. Again, we had more than just mere speculation and chasing after self proclaimed prophets at this home site. There also seemed to be a curbing of the freedom to post, blog and start threads that also seemed to turn many off. Or so has been the experience of many I have talked with. It's in the Lord's hands now. Perhaps we can find our way back! Let us continue to apply the rules for sure, but with the wisdom to know when and how as well! TR The "spirit of the times" has changed. I don't think it's because RITAN is lacking; I see a general decline in interest for end-time related sites. It's hard to say exactly why, and I have always been an analytical sort of person. For one thing, people aren't as drawn to moderated sites any longer. They have become used to posting one-shot posts on places like FB and don't really seem that interested in engaging in discussion. They already know what they want to say. I enjoy thought-provoking, Biblically based probes into meaty questions. After many years, it can become difficult to find fresh ground to explore, though. Perhaps one reason is that so much speculation has been replaced by daily examples of real-time prophetic events. At times, it's hard to say exactly what's going on because there is so much confusion taking place. We used to have lots of fun, and displays of humor. Things seem a much more serious these days. I won't say people aren't still looking for Jesus to come soon (I know I am) but there is a kind of weariness that has set in as we've waited together. I look forward to meeting everyone, and also those who have been a part of the online fellowship in previous years. I don't know what the answer is or how to fix things. Maybe it's not a time for reclaiming the excitement of the former days. Maybe it's all about to be fulfilled and our virtual gathering will be replaced with something far better. O.K. TR
