Re: I will not....
Thanks everyone. I don't mean to criticize and I sure hope it wasn't taken that way. But, as I came on last night and read a few of the posts, it was.... well... disheartening. I had the privilidge of visiting with the Ravens for a while and had a time of good fellowship. Then, Sunday evening I met some very "conservatively" dressed people from Illinois. Turns out they were some independent Jesus Name folks. They weren't too keen on my short sleeved shirt and my beard, but I don't think I ever met any kinder people. They don't have a pastor and invited me to come preach for them! I had to decline though, telling them that I am not a minister. Being with the Ravens, then meeting these folks made me think of Moses, up on the mountain communing with the Lord. Then, when I came on last night, I was reminded again of Moses coming down from the mountian. Joshua said "There is the noise of war in the camp". And it seems the same holds true for AFF. But it wasn't the sound of war Joshua heard, but rather the sound of a people departing from God. I thought of this last night. Are all the bickerings and fussings here the sound of war, or are they the sounds of a people whose relationship with the Lord is not what it should be? I know mine isn't- thats why I come here. To strengthen my walk with God and to enjoy fellowship with my brothers and sisters in the Lord. I see brothers leaving, I see brothers feeling like they are being asked to leave. I see hurt, tearing down. I firmly believe our relationship with the Lord is weakened when we lash out against a brother or sister.
I pray that we could see beyond our differing veiws and just love one another like Jesus loves us. He loves us in spite of our failures and shortcomings (and, believe me, I have plenty), why can't we love one another the same? No we don't all agree, may never completely agree, but we can walk in the fellowship of the Holy Ghost. I am thankful for this forum. I'm thankful for the opportunity to fellowship folks from Tx, Calif, La, Canada, Brazil and all points beyond. What an opprtunity the Lord has given us! May we use it for His Glory, to further His cause, to strengthen ona another and to be a blessing to each other. And, most of all, to lead souls to Christ!
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"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him...." -Psa. 37:7
Waiting for the Lord is easy... Waiting patiently? Not so much.
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