Quote:
Originally Posted by Amanah
I'm becoming more and more sadly aware of the things that divide OPs.
Some of the things I think are worth fighting for like clarity about the new birth and the oneness of God because I feel these things are a matter of salvation. And I am often shocked at the way OPs are deviating from what I think are the basics.
I wonder if I have offended others because my standards are not as strict in relation to things like facebook, cell phones, the shoes I am comfortable wearing, ect. I hope I have never caused offense over such things, if I did it was thoughtless and not intentional.
I'm painfully aware that the organization I belong to is objectionable to probably most of you, even though we are of like precious faith. I'm even shocked at some of the hatred expressed. I'm realizing more and more that I don't really belong here.
What I do enjoy are some of the posts I have read that I have learned a great deal from. Many of you are scholars and are great at in depth explanations, and I admire that.
Underneath it all, I feel a love towards you as my brothers and sisters in Christ.
|
I agree with VotiveSoul that it is good to take a break when we feel the need, and I agree that we need to treat others as we want to be treated. I don’t agree that we need to “reserve our views until we get to know one another.” The only reason I don’t fully agree is because the conversation, much of the time, moves too fast for that to always take place. We can still treat others as we want to be treated.
These are my additional thoughts that might be a bit deeper than what is being conveyed, but it is what came to my mind after reading your post.
When we are filled with His Spirit, He puts us on a track that begins to conform us into His image. Our interaction on this Forum is part of that, whether we are here everyday or pop in once in a while, IMO. Everything that comes in and out of our lives is part of that. That process involves Him ordering our steps (
Psalms 37:23).
We don’t know what is required to get us into the position that God wants us to be. Only God knows that. Even though we know that our obedience to His Word is required for us to stay on track with Him, we don’t know the process and experiences that our individual life will need to go through in order to get us ready to meet Him.
There is hidden stuff in us that only God knows is there, and He is the only one who knows how to get it out of us. A problem, a situation or a negative thing will happen that will bring out the good in us. Sometimes it will cause us to discover something wrong inside of us that helps us to become a better person.
Fortunately, we find that He loves us all along the way.
My experience posting and interacting on this Forum has shown me both things – good and bad.
Standing here today, I can see that God ordered my steps. It isn’t an enjoyable process to find a weakness. It is a great blessing to find your strengths. But, when it is a weakness, here or anywhere else, God will use that opportunity to squeeze that out of you (the “you” is not speaking to you personally). God uses every opportunity to change us into His image - Putting stuff in, taking stuff out.
Many have said that this forum is “iron sharpening iron”, but I believe that there has been more going on in many individuals lives that are personal between them and God and they found the “good and the bad” in themselves interacting here. I believe, including myself, many have logged out being blessed, enriched, and other times have logged out only to repent asking God to change their heart.
We have posted, expressed ourselves in many ways, been blessed, been hurt by some, appalled by some, personally met friends, prayed for people, and we have suffered loss with people who have been sick with some having passed on - thinking of Cindy here. This Forum has been an extension of our very lives.
Having said all of that, it isn’t any wonder that you have felt a divide. That isn’t to say you feel it all the time. This place can feel very personal. But, if God has, and for me He has, used anything here to change me for the better, than I am blessed by that.
Just some rambling from me…
Linear Mode
