I find this to be a uncomfortable position to be in, it is difficult to discern what action, if any to take.
In the last 24 hours two people have left the forums listing me as their sole reason. Although I feel I have a pretty good handle on the situation, it is still not to be taken lightly. I understand these are real people with real feelings and more importantly a brother and a sister in the Lord.
It has been said many times on this forum that women want men to lead. On this forum a guy posts that Jesus is not God, posting a number of scriptures to supposedly prove his point. I took the lead and the time to address his 'proof', even reading a website he directed to. I never assaulted him personally but did make.short work of the material he provided. He left.
Then there was a gal who posts in the 'ask a guy' section something to the effect, ' Why men wanted her physically, why aren't guys spiritual?' I checked her profile and the pics were suggestive, red satin and black lace with a very obvious clevage shot. I read what everyone else was writing, some kinda suggested that she maybe...I finally just stated the obvious. She left.
The next was Archimedes. I could not stay silent while old catholic doctrine was preached. All I asked from Arch is keep it to himself or be prepared to defend the catholic doctrine with facts. I could not persuade him to to either. He left
Last but not least is 'Saved'. Our sister did not feel she had the freedom to discuss certian topics, therefore no one else should either. After a bit of fun with a humorous topic post showing that people are going to see what they want, I respected her wishes and posted nothing else on the topic. But it seemed she could not let it go as she kept going on
and the friction increased until she left the forums this morning.
I figure these four people are probably not the only people I may have offended. So here is your chance to express your thoughts and feelings. I will not argue with you. If you feel you deserve a apology let me know, if I agree with you I will apologize. I welcome any and all comments good or bad.
Thank you for reminding me that drama is something that must be balanced, a little is fun, to much is grievous and that the tolerance for drama differs person to person.
Thank you for the point by point post, I enjoyed it very much, it was filled with great advice, but most importantly it made me realize, I am not alone in this as others deal and struggle with similar situations.
Thank you for your heartfelt post, it was filled with so many good things : The definition of delusional, "Ole Defender of Truth", "Gods Gunslinger" and my personal favorite ; tying a beer can to the cats tail : )
On a serious note, It is difficult for us because we get our "absolute truth" from different sources; Yours from the catholic church as it interprets scripture. Mine from the scriptures as the Holy Spirit interprets them.
Yeah, tough place for us to be bro, but with Gods help we will get it worked out.
Thanks for the post, good stuff. "Speaking the Truth in Love" Yep, I got the first part, sometimes I forget the last part. And what do you mean I can't control everything? ...lol, yes another good thing to remember! Thanks.
Thank you, I wasn't thinking of leaving, just looking for balance and truth in a situation that I am so close to that I may not be able to see the forest through the trees. You brought me just that when you spoke of others "coping mechanisms", yes I need to remember those without calluses get blisters easily.
Thank you, especially for the scripture, I love:hearts:scripture! Eccl 5:2 ~ "let your words be few" God has this one covered since I use a phone for my internet connection..lol. Sorry to disappoint you on seeing a apology, this wasn't what this was about (read @siylii) However apologies were made under the topic posts of those leaving. However I am happy to disappoint you on the "spittin fire" thing...lol, we can thank God for that!
Thank you, I've read alot of your posts and value your opinion. I think you hit the nail on the head. Your post is balanced truth as I would usually expect from you. Yes I do need to always remember there is another person that is probably different than me.
PS, Humble pie isn't so bad if you know it was baked by God.
PSS, I had a "vision", you are supposed to leave your girlfriend and tell her to date a older man in California .....hehehe....you are a luckly man...oops, I don't believe in luck ...You are a man truly blessed by God!
Thank you for your post. Here is what you asked for, well at least half of it:
Steve, aka Archimedes, I publicly apologize for being over zealous and hammering you with the truth about the Roman Catholic church.
Well how was that? Yeah, I guess I could of left the last part out, but I couldn't , but the apology is still sincere.
I kinda turned around the last part of what you said about "attacks" I need to remember that even though I may feel attacked that is not mean I am being attacked. In addition sometimes it isn't even me they are attacking but rather the truth as it sheds light in uncomfortable hidden places.
*tilting head* *tilting head the other way*...lol... you reminded me of my border collie, she does that!. You are a very discerning lady. I will try to make my point again, instead of again again and again. I will try to "spray" it right and sprinkle it with love. In fact I have started a number of posts and noticed they weren't "sprayed" right so I deleted them because I could not sprinkle enough love on them to make them shiny. Thank you this fine example of how to share the truth in love.
PS, Please pray that the good things you shared will be used for the Glory of God.
Thank you for your kind words, for reminding me we are all different by the choice and hand of God. I especially appreciated what you said about being careful not to" gag" the truth, with a scripture reference! I love :hearts: scripture references! Romans 10:17 "...faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ." Gagging the truth is becoming more and more prevalent
(2Tim 4:3) "For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead to suit their own desires They will gather around him a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear ."
