Connecting with a modem to reach others through the web, meeting spiritual needs, helping them find a relationship with God & to know Christ personally.

A Transcript from the Original Log

Tercel's First Chat Room Experience

Note: This is almost a word for word transcript of my first chat room experience. The situations presented in this conversation are, I believe, general enough to apply to many people. However, to protect identities, I have changed all the nicks (internet jargon for "nickname") except mine. I also changed a few minor details.

I have interjected my thoughts in this color throughout the conversation.

*** Joins: Tercel
<Pennaia> hello tercel!
<Jim30> Summertime, and the livin is easy...
<Pennaia> how are you?
<Tercel> hello
<Pennaia> that is one i used to sing with a group of three other women
<Jim30> Hi Tercel

[ Wow...cool...when I type something here people from far away can actually see it. And I can see what they type! ]

<Pennaia> good to see you tercel
<Tercel> Hi
<Jim30> Fish are jumping, right out of the pond.

[ I feel so awkward. I was hoping there would be lots of people here so they wouldn't notice me. Maybe if I tell 'em I'm new they'll leave me alone. ]

<Tercel> I'm new to chats
*** Joins: missieP
<Pennaia> glad you dropped in
*** Quits: Colliee (Connection reset by peer)
<Tercel> Thanks
<Pennaia> where are you from?

[ Oh, no! Is it safe to tell anybody THAT on the net? How can I answer without being rude? ]

<missieP> i don't know what is going on with my nick but Stewart
<missieP>picked up the phone and disconnected me
<Pennaia> sis, did you have a nick collide?
<Tercel> Just want to look around a few minutes

[ Maybe they'll get the point and just let me observe. I just want to watch and see how this works. ]

<missieP> i'll be back when i get my nick back
<Pennaia> glad you joined us, tercel
<Jim30> missieP?
<Jim30> heh heh
*** missieP is now known as Colliee
<Tercel> Thanks
<Pennaia> where are you from?

[ Is this a broken record or what? ]

<Jim30> Is that like Miss Piggy?
<Colliee> ok
<Pennaia> lol
<Colliee> lol

[ What is a lol? (I later learned that lol = laughing out loud in "netspeak.")]

*** Joins: Tim_A
<Tim_A> Hi
<Pennaia> hi Tim
<Pennaia> how are you?
<Tim_A> hi Pennaia
<Tim_A> Not so good today
<Pennaia> sorry, anything we can help you with?

[ Whew! Someone else here to get their attention off of me. ]

<Tim_A> Going through a rough divorce, and saw my boy today
<Pennaia> oh, i c
<Tim_A> A little prayer wouldn't hurt
<Pennaia> must be difficult to see him only some times
<Pennaia> be glad to pray for you Tim
<Tim_A> Yes, he's gorwn up more every time I see him
<Pennaia> how old is he?
<Tim_A> 3
<Pennaia> wow, they change so much at that age
<Colliee> any chance of reconciliation?
<Tim_A> Still all this divorce stuff is going through my my
<Tim_A> I don't think recon is possible--I wish it was--that's
<Tim_A> half my problem

[ Wow...this guy needs help, and they seem to be really reaching out to him. This is good! ]

<Colliee> been to a counselor for help?
<Colliee> pastor?
<Tim_A> we went to counseling--tried to do stuff through
<Tim_A> church, it didn't work, my wife wasn't into it
<Jim30> It is good to finally know if reconciliation is not
<Jim30> possible however.
<Tim_A> it ruined her Sundays
<Jim30> Not to slam doors but to be realistic.
<Tim_A> I guess
<Tim_A> yes
<Pennaia> it does take two
<Tim_A> yes
<Jim30> To be hanging on by a string can be counter-productive
<Jim30> sometimes
<Jim30> But NOT to Slam doors
<Tim_A> And then I have depression problems--with the divorce
<Tim_A> and everything, went through terrible clinical depression,
<Tim_A> which i still suffer from
<Jim30> Just to get on with ones own needs instead of being a
<Jim30> victim, etc

[ This man needs Jesus. Are they going to talk to him about Jesus? I want to type something in here so badly. Do I dare? But I want to see how they handle it too. ]

<Tim_A> I guess
<Colliee> divorse is never the best solution but sometimes it
<Colliee> is the only one
<Jim30> Colliee asked a very good question
<Jim30> About professional guidence
<Colliee> did I?
<Jim30> You did
<Colliee> yes
<Pennaia> have you sought professional help for the
<Pennaia> depression?

[ Professional guidance and all are good...but only Jesus can meet this man's need. Does anyone here know Jesus? ]

<Tim_A> we went through counseling--it didn't work
<Colliee> how do you know you are clinically depressed?
<Pennaia> what about for the depression?
<Tim_A> a doctor said so
<Colliee> are you on medication?
<Tim_A> medicines and counseling
<Tim_A> you bet
<Colliee> i was just about to ask about followup
<Pennaia> is this a Christian counselor?
<Tim_A> not that I always knows if it helps, sometimes the
<Tim_A> hurt is so bad it doesn't even dent it
<Tim_A> Not a christian counselor, a psychotherapist and a
<Tim_A> psychologist
<Pennaia> Jesus can always meet you at your need even when no
<Pennaia> one else can

[ Ah...now we're headed the right direction! ]

<Tim_A> psychiartrist
<Tim_A> I hope
<Jim30> You were rejected, Tim? (sorry for being blunt, but it
<Jim30> would help us to be better friends to you if you didn't mind
<Jim30> trusting us:)
<Tim_A> Yes
<Jim30> Thats the worst scenario to get thrhough
<Jim30> through
<Jim30> A double whammy
<Jim30> A replacement and a goodbye. Leaves ya with all the
<Jim30> wondering why

[ Oooo, we're getting off the subject again. ]

<Tim_A> I left after she got a lawyer and totally rejected me for about a month
<Colliee> i understand rejection, Tim
<Tim_A> living in the same house, no communication
<Colliee> that's tough
<Jim30> How do you see that you will be better and stop
<Jim30> getting stuck in the depression?
<Tim_A> Don't know yet
<Jim30> It is a hard call, let me tell ya.
<Jim30> Been there in depression too.
<Jim30> Its a matter of forcing oneself to Progress, maybe.
<Tim_A> some days I can hardly get up in the morning
<Jim30> (its work, I KNow!)
<Pennaia> yep, been there too
<Tim_A> despite the meds
<Jim30> Its mainly a spiritual thing
<Tim_A> yes
<Jim30> Meds can help, but it s mainly us and God.

[ But he has to have a relationship with God first! Does anyone here have a relationship with God? ]

<Colliee> right, jim
<Tim_A> my spirit and spirits are low
<Colliee> But God is the Most High God
<Jim30> OH I HAVE been thre
<Pennaia> are you still active in your church?
<Jim30> there
<Colliee> Let Him lift you up
<Colliee> rest in His arms
<Jim30> And also we must do our part in ourselves.
<Jim30> Depression is such a temptation
<Tim_A> I go to church usually once a
<Tim_A> month--two weekends I have danny, and one I have to work
<Jim30> THe devil LOVEs to tempt with depression
<Pennaia> won't danny, (i assume he is your son) go with
<Pennaia> you?
<Colliee> Tim, do you know Christ personally?

[ Now we are getting somewhere!!! ]

<Tim_A> sometimes I don't feel like life is worth living
<Jim30> Gotta cal a spade a spade, depression can be a
<Jim30> temptation to REJECT.

[ Please, God, help these people stay on track! ]

<Tim_A> danny raises a fuss about going to church
<Pennaia> oh, that is sad

[ I can't stand this any longer! I have to get this conversation back on track again! ]

<Tercel> Colliee asked a very important question
<Pennaia> but back to Colliee's question

[ Ah...someone else agrees with me! ]

<Tim_A> Colliee--I'm not a very good Christian
<Jim30> But the alternative to life is death, and if its not
<Jim30> natural, its suicide.
<Tim_A> yes
<Jim30> And SUICIDE is DEFINATELY a temptation.
<Tim_A> that's the depression

[ We're getting off track again! ]

<Colliee> Tim, do you know Christ?

[ Go Colliee! ]

<Pennaia> suicide is not the answer, Tim
<Pennaia> it will among other things, leave your son without
<Pennaia> a father... not good at all

[I have to get involved here...I can stand it no longer! ]

<Tercel> Do you understand what it means to know Christ?
<Tim_A> Colliee, I'm not a good Christian--do I know
<Tim_A> Christ--I'm not sure--I've read the bible a couple of times,
<Tim_A> and have tried to accept Christ, but things don't always go
<Tim_A> right
<Tim_A> Tercel, maybe I don't know what you mean when you say
<Tim_A> to know Christ

[ Ah...now we are getting somewhere! ]

<Tercel> Do you want to know?
<Tim_A> Sure
<Jim30> :)
<Tercel> Have you ever read John 3:16?
<Pennaia> good, we can help you
<Pennaia> good place to start
<Pennaia> hang on and let me get my bible bot here

[(I was so nervous and the lines were flying so fast here that I misread the sentence about bible bot.) What's a bible bot? I wondered. Are they making fun, calling me a bible bot? How do they think they are going to help this person find Christ apart from the Bible? (At this point I began typing John 3:16 furiously, hoping to enter it into the channel.)]
<Tim_A> I've read the New Testament, don't remember John 3:16 in particular
<Tim_A> A bible bot
<Tim_A> !!

[ He is calling me a bible bot too! Are they being sarcastic? What is going on here? ]

*** Joins: ^TheWord^
<Jim30> 18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the
<Jim30> LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white
<Jim30> as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as
<Jim30> wool.
<Pennaia> !kjv John 3:16
<^TheWord^> 11,12 John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave
<^TheWord^> his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him
<^TheWord^> should not perish, but have everlasting life. (KJV)

[ Oh, wow! Thats wonderful! ]

<Pennaia> oh, sorry, so slow
<Tim_A> No, impressive
<Pennaia> do you accept that verse?
<Tim_A> yes
<Tercel> Do you understand what it means to believe?
<Tim_A> I'm not so sure
<Tercel> It means more than intellectual acknowledgment
<Tim_A> i see
<Pennaia> right tercel
<Tercel> It means trust
<Jim30> !mark 9:24
<Pennaia> !kjv mark 9:24
<Colliee> Christ came that we might have life and to have it
<Colliee> abundately.
<^TheWord^> 11,12 Mark 9:24 And straightway the father of the child
<^TheWord^> cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou
<^TheWord^> mine unbelief. (KJV)
<Tim_A> I want to break out of the chains that bind me
<Pennaia> great, Tim
<Tercel> Believing also means surrender--to God's plan for our
<Tercel> lives
<Tim_A> Here, as I smoke my cigarette
<Tercel> Sure
<Pennaia> God can take you where ever you are
<Tercel> Right Pennaia
<Pennaia> if you are willing to give Him all
<Colliee> just as you are
<Tim_A> I guess God will accept cigarette smokers
<Tercel> Even worsd
<Tercel> Even worse--sorry for spelling
<Pennaia> we are all sinners, Tim, just saved by grace
<Tim_A> yes, that's true
<Colliee> you cannot change yourself but Christ through the
<Colliee> Holy Spirit will mold you into His image

[ Oh, this is wonderful! These people are on the right track. God is here in this place! ]

<Tercel> Right
<Colliee> you must surrender that right to Him
<Colliee> as you give Him your life, He will give you eternal
<Colliee> life
<Tim_A> I am so tired
<Colliee> He will perfect you
<Colliee> He will be your strenght
<Pennaia> then let go and God will be your strength
<Tercel> The Bible says as many as received him he gave eternal
<Tercel> life
<Colliee> amen
<Tim_A> I'll try
<Jim30> Tim, you are tired?
<Jim30> Is it the tiredness of getting through day to day with
<Jim30> the thoughts?
<Tim_A> I'm in New York City, where Is everyone else from?
<Jim30> And the anger?
<Pennaia> arkansas

[ Wow...this person is from the same state I'm from...and is not afraid to give the location on the net. ]

[ We're getting off track again. ]

<Tercel> All you have to do is ask God to forgive your past
<Tercel> (whatever it is) and give him your future. Tha's all!

[ I wish I could elaborate just a bit on that...but the subject changes so quickly here. I will do the best I can. ]

<Jim30> Im in SC
<Colliee> Portugal
<Tim_A> Im--tired from meds, from work, from sick leave,
<Tim_A> from visistiing my son, from depression
<Jim30> TH anger is VERY tiring, and that does aid the
<Tim_A> depression to advance.
<Colliee> Tim, give it all to Jesus
*** Joins: ^brooks^
*** ChanServ sets mode: +o ^brooks^
<Tim_A> Anger is very high
<Pennaia> He is all you need... He can fill all the needs of
<Pennaia> your life

[ Oh this is SO awesome!! ]

<^TheWord^> ^brooks^'s ping time is 5secs

[ What does that mean? Why all these distractions? ]

<Tim_A> I take meds for that too
<Pennaia> hi ^brooks^
<Tercel> Come unto me you that are heavy laden and I will give
<Tercel> you rest--thats what Christ said
<Jim30> Yes, how would I know if I didnt experience it myself?
<^brooks^> I didn't expect to see you Colliee
<Tim_A> thanks
<Jim30> The anger is a real problem
<Tim_A> yes
<Jim30> Now, the trick is how to shut the anger off.
<^brooks^> jim, How've ya been?

[ The key is getting Christ in your life! Let's tell him that! ]

<Tercel> Do you want Christ in your life to help?
<Jim30> Fin CB, you?
<Tim_A> the meds help with the anger
<Colliee> i'm back!
<Colliee> that is a temporary solution, Tim
<Colliee> Jesus is eternal
<Jim30> ITs easier said than done, Tim. And OF COURSE God is
<Jim30> there to help, but anger also comes from inside us, so we
<Jim30> must also do something inside our own thought patterns.
<Tim_A> yes, but it's what I have now, on a day to day basis
<Jim30> I am using plural cause I also have this problem at
<Jim30> the moment.
<Jim30> I see that anger really does make depression worse.
<Jim30> And is debilitating
<Pennaia> i have had times of depression as well
<Tercel> One day at a time is all any of us have. God wants to
<Tercel> help you today.
<Tim_A> yes
<Pennaia> but you can get past it, Tim
<Tim_A> I want help today

[ Ah...back to the subject! ]

<Tim_A> thanks Pennaia
<Pennaia> recognizing that you need help is a big step
<Tercel> Will you ask God to come into your life and help you
<Tercel> today?
<Tim_A> yes
<Pennaia> great
*** Joins: Sanny

[ I wish I had time to explain more...but we would only get off the subject if I tried. God please enlighten him to what this all means. ]

<Tercel> Great! Ask him right now to forgive the past and give
<Tercel> him your future. Right now.
<^TheWord^> Sanny's ping time is 3secs
<Tim_A> Forgive my past--take my future
<Colliee> Do you believe that He will do that, Tim?
<Jim30> Its really as a second step (after asking God to help,
<Jim30> of course0 to just Ignore the debilitating thoughts (esp
<Jim30> anger)
<Tim_A> I want to believe
<Jim30> (ignore was the operative word after ask God to help)
<Colliee> I will pray that God will increase your faith
<Tercel> He will, Tim--he did for me!
<^brooks^> as will I
<Tim_A> thank you
<Pennaia> If you sincerely asked Him into your heart, Tim, He
<Pennaia> is there

[ I wonder if he really understood. I hope he did. It's so hard to explain things here with everyone talking at once. ]

<Jim30> Dont play around with non-productive thoughts.
<Pennaia> Satan will try to put doubts in your mind, but
<Pennaia> don't let him
<Colliee> Do you have a Bible, Tim?
<Tim_A> I will try---it is hard, and I am weak, but I will try
<Jim30> Force yerself to rise above em with Gods help.
<Jim30> As I do.
<Pennaia> when we are weak, God is strong
<Jim30> It IS tough!
<Colliee> When we are weak, then He is strong. His strength is
<Colliee> made perfect in our weakness
<Colliee> Do you have a Bible, Tim?
<Tim_A> yes
<Tim_A> brb
<Colliee> To grow in your faith, you must read it

[ Yes, thats a good idea. Even if he didn't really understand today, God can teach him through the Bible. ]

<Jim30> !mark 2:17
<Pennaia> got to put kjv, nas, niv in front
<Colliee> version, jim?
<Pennaia> !kjv mark 2:17
<^TheWord^> 11,12 Mark 2:17 When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them,
<^TheWord^> They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they
<^TheWord^> that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners
<^TheWord^> to repentance. (KJV)
<Pennaia> amen
<Tim_A> Yes, have that in front of me
<Colliee> great!
<^brooks^> !niv Jer 29:11
<^TheWord^> 8,2 Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for
<^TheWord^> you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to
<^TheWord^> harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (NIV)
<Jim30> So our Saviour came to earth as man for us.
<Pennaia> another amen
<^TheWord^> Couplee's ping time is 6secs
<Colliee> now, i would encourage you to start with John and
<Colliee> read it through the first time.
<Colliee> Then, read a chapter a day
<Couplee> Thanks
<^brooks^> Hello couplee
<Pennaia> hello Couplee
<Couplee> Hello everyone.
<Colliee> As you read, ask God to help you to understand---He
<Colliee> will.

[ Ah...someone agrees with me again! ]

<Jim30> A chapter a day is a good rule, Colliee.
<Tercel> Colliee's advice is excellent
<Pennaia> great book to start with, then later add others
<Jim30> St John espcially since he makes clear the concept of
<Jim30> Trinity
<Colliee> and of salvation
<Jim30> And since yer obviously able to undeerstand the words,
<Jim30> Tim, Col and Pena were right
<Jim30> understand
*** Joins: ^Wendol^
<^brooks^> Hello Wendol
<^TheWord^> ^Wendol^'s ping time is 8secs
<Pennaia> hello Wendol
<^Wendol^> hi
<^Wendol^> hi
<Pennaia> so Tim, may i pray for you right now?
<Tim_A> I must go now--I'll read John, as you suggest, and
<Tim_A> come back to the channel
<Tim_A> Yes
<Pennaia> ok
<Pennaia> dear father, thank you for Tim

[ Oh how neat! Folks can even pray together here! ]

<Tim_A> I'll wati
<Pennaia> and for his desire to know you
<Pennaia> I pray that you will fill him with your presence now
<Pennaia> and help him to understand your Word
<Pennaia> give him strength and wisdom through this difficult
<Pennaia> time
<Pennaia> and help him to seek your will
<Pennaia> thank you for loving Tim as you do all of us
<Pennaia> and I pray that you will make your love known to
<Pennaia> Tim in a way
<Pennaia> that can only be explained by you!
<^Wendol^> the bible is so hard to believe in many parts thats
<^Wendol^> why I have taking up the religion of Desism,
<Tim_A> Thank you.
<Pennaia> Thank you for salvation and forgiveness
<Pennaia> that you give when we ask you
<Pennaia> Lord, help Tim TODAY as he struggles
<Pennaia> give him strength and power that only you can give
<Pennaia> we ask these things in your name, AMEN
<^brooks^> Amen
<Tercel> Amen! God will do that for you Tim--if you look to
<Tercel> him. He is our hope.
<^brooks^> Tim, We love you and will be praying for you.
<Tim_A> Thaaanks
<Jim30> And quench the anger which the evil one sows in our
<Jim30> thoughts.
<Pennaia> yes, Jesus
*** Parts: ^Wendol^
<Colliee> Resist the Devil and he will flee from you.
<Colliee> yes!!!!!
<Tim_A> I'm going to go now, read some, and talk to my son.
<Tim_A> Thanks.
<^brooks^> case in point
<Pennaia> glad you came by, Tim... visit us again and let us
<Pennaia> know how it is going
<Tercel> God bless you.
<Jim30> K Tim
<Tim_A> My email address is
<^brooks^> Find a body of believers to fellowship with, Tim

[ More good advice! ]

<Jim30> You have friends here
<Tim_A> tima@xxxx.net
<Tim_A> thanks, jim
<Pennaia> ok, was wondering about that
<Pennaia> let us hear from you, Tim
<Tim_A> bye, for now, maybe back later
<Pennaia> bye for now
<Tim_A> ok
<Tim_A> bye
*** Parts: Tim_A
<Jim30> :)
<Jim30> He'lll be back
<Pennaia> thanks tercel for your input!
<Colliee> bye, Tim
<Jim30> Not this sec.
<Jim30> But, prob eventually
<Colliee> :-)
<Pennaia> i hope so
* Colliee hugs Tercel (((((((((((((Tercel))))))))))))))

[ Oh wow...they can even hug here! What wonderful fellowship! ]

<Tercel> Thanks!
<Colliee> i'm glad you stayed, Tercel

[ I'm glad I stayed too. Oh, this is super! ]

I got the time zone mixed up and missed the "Chat with the author" session. But it didn't matter. I was too busy in chat room ministry to have time to learn Visual Basic anyway.

I don't believe it was an accident that I could not get connected to any other server but DALnet. It was no accident that I entered that particular Christian channel shortly before God led Tim_A into it. I believe this was a divine appointment.