GIANTS in the Land….
I was reading from
Numbers 13-14 this morning, and, as I read, I thought about AFF. Moses sent 12 men into the land of Canaan to survey the land…to observe its people and to note their defenses. The spies found the land to be just as God had described, “a land of milk and honey”. A fertile ground, a land of promise. A land of potential. They even brought back evidence of the abundance the land offered.
Ten of those men, however, observed something else. They observed GIANTS in the land. Men of great stature. A strong, people, well fortified cities. They saw obstacles. Impossibilities. They saw themselves as mere grasshoppers before the inhabitants of this great land. They were Amalekites to the south, the mountains were full of Hitties, Jebusites, and Amorites. The western and eastern boundaries were in habited by the Canaanites. So much division. So little harmony. Taking this land would be difficult… no…it would be impossible.
Two of those men, however, knew this land had already been given- there was no need to “take” what God had already given them. All they had to do was to get the children of Israel to muster up the nerve… and faith.. .to stand up to the GIANTS in the land and receive the land God had already given them.
I’ve been a part of AFF since its inception. I was part… a very small part, yes… but a part, of its predecessors. Over these few years, I have come to think of AFF posters as part of my spiritual family. They are more than just feelingless blips on a computer screen. They are, real people- people with views I respect (yet may not necessarily agree with), people with opinions (that count as much as mine do) and, mostly, people with feelings. I know. Its been my honor to meet some of these folks. People like Renda and ForeverBlessed. Bro. And Sis Raven. HeavenlyOne and Grace Amazing (or is it AmazinGrace?) I’ve known PastorRick and Angelface since… well, lets just say I’ve known them for longer than I care to admit. I’ve met Sherri and Pastor Eddie (or should I say Bro. And Sis Cupples). I’ve heard Pastor Eddie preach and, for a lib, he’s a pretty good Apostolic Preacher. I met Teresa and Joe, and still have the flashing key chain given to me by HeavenlOnes daughter, Bekah. I’ve talked to a few AFFs on the phone. Sis Falla, Bro. Scott, Renda and Teresa . I have gifts from MichealPhelps and Dizzyde. Some of us sojourners met in Jackson and were warmly welcomed by the Pastoral staff and members of the Truth and Love Church. The meeting wasn’t a raging success, but it was a first step in surveying this AFF Land for the possibility of other and more successful meetings later on.
These folks are my friends. My family. My so-journers in this land of milk and honey we call the Apostolic Friends Forum. And there are many others beside who I haven’t met that I call my friends and my brothers and sisters in the Lord.
But… there are GIANTS in the land. GIANTS who seem to think THEIR views are somehow of greater significance than those of the mere “grasshoppers” that seek to visit here. Their walled, fortified, and strong opinions somehow outranks those of us who seek only to dwell in this land in peace and harmony. I sometimes wonder what motivates these GIANTS to post things that have absolutely no apparent redeeming qualities whatsoever- mindless gossip that is none of their business or anyones elses. Why do they make an argument out of…EVERYTHING? Why is it “The Latest BOMBSHELL” is of greater significance in these GIANT minds than, say a praise report, a prayer request or someone who just needs someone to give them an encouraging word?
I’ve noticed the absence of some of my fellow sojourners lately: PressingOn…. MichaelPhelps, Apprended and many others. Could it be that, like the children of Israel, they have concluded the fight is no longer worth it and have consigned themselves to live just outside the land of AFF as lurkers? Could it be they have seen the land of AFF to be a land of GIANTS rather than what it is suppose to be? A place where Apostolics, (as defined as people who have an Apostolic heritage). The GIANTS defend their walls of doctrine at any and ALL cost. At ALL costs. If feelings are hurt, if their words sting…it doesn’t matter. If a reputation is tarnished, if a brother is driven away, what harm was done? It was done in the name of “I’m right, you’re wrong” and that makes it okay.
A minority stood up that day so long ago and said, “This is OUR land!’. They saw no need to go in and “take” what God already “gave” them. This was THEIR land and by the help and grace of the same God that delivered them from Egypt, they were determined to have Gods’ Promise!
GIANTS… remember… AFF is our land. The rules say so. This forum land is big enough to sustain you as well. You have the same right to be here as I do- but not at the expense of your fellow poster. His views may differ from yours, you may disagree with his opinions…. that is your privilege. But bear in mind, other views, other opinions, other PEOPLE have value as well. Shouting down those with whom you differ doesn’t make you a GIANT… it only makes you loud. And not appreciated.
This land is large enough for all of us. Just because the Jebusites live in the mountains, and the Canaanites live by the sea, doesn’t mean we can’t all meet in the middle for some good old fashioned fellowship and friendly discussion. This doesn’t mean we will all join hands to sing “Kum -by-Yah” either (never liked the song). But we can offer our brother an olive branch once in a while. We can offer our sister a kind word. We can spread a little RESPECT on this bread of fellowship, and pour a little encouragement into our cups on an occasional basis. We can be CHRISTIAN sojourners who believe… really believe…and even practice…that loving one another is the greatest of all commandments.
So…GIANTS. Break down your walls of defense, and come on out and fellowship us grasshoppers. We’re not here to take your city or attack your views. We’re here to share the blessings of the Lord with you. We’re here to build you up, to strengthen and encourage you. We only ask you do the same for us.
So now, since I’ve written what surely will be yet another little noticed post, the decision is ours to make. Will we press on to take AFF land back as a place where we can come together for faith, fellowship and fun? Or will the minority be stoned and ridiculed for trying to accomplish the impossible.? I don’t know. But, I’ll leave you with the words of the son of Nun…
If the LORD delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey.
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