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.
Welcome to the forums, thanks for the encouragement we all need a little from time to time. " testicular fortified"...lol....that is the exactly type of vernacular that got me in trouble ...but you are so right....some women want us to lead, but only in the direction they choose.
Thank you, you bring up a excellent point! We ALL have to remember this is a learning experience equally for those who who can dish it out and for those who can't take it. : )
Thank you for your post, I agree, false doctrine should be challenged, definitely and always and immediately. It is diffcult on a public form because if it comes from one with a bold personality you must meet it boldly, but there are others reading the same posts who may not be so bold. As to Archimedes being a brother, I know God loves him and wants the best for him, need I know more? Thank you for appreciating the fight against false doctrine, it is something that is very dear to my heart.
I'm with babygirl on this one: "Rats Patootie" ...:ROFL:
Thank you for the great post. I can see you are a lover, it must be nice to have the gift of love, some of have to 'work' at it. It is refreshing to see someone with so much love! You are a great example for the rest of us!
Thank you for such a great post. "Pampers"...lol, what people fail to realize is pooping their pampers it is all part of growing up, it is okay and to be expected for awhile, but if it continues to long then it needs addressing. It is often those who are still in pampers making the most fuss out of those still pooping their pampers.
Thank you also for sharing about your dad, a great reminder to never give up hope.
I think you may have coined a new term : "Tupperware Christian"..lol....I think it has the makings of a future post topic!
Also thanks for sharing that Jesus wasn't all sugary, I have always felt uneasy around Christians that are all sugary and sweet.
Thank you so much for posting, I was worried I may have offended you with the,"drivers license" routine, I'm glad that that you aren't! Just in case...You have not offended me either and enjoy your company on the forums. You and I think more alike than you may realize, but that is no fun, you are like my ' sensible ' side! ( that was a compliment ) Thank you for the private message, it explains alot.
PS ~ Last time I checked....I'm in the correct profile gender : )
I haven't been in the forum and didn't even checked it for a while, and got a little shock (out of topic, but why Wiseguy left?), anyway, I never felt offended by what your posts in this forum (or in this case, everyone here in this forum - I just dun take other people's in this forum opinion personally), if I were offended, I would say it loud, like on my post about "passion", I told you directly on how I felt toward your comment. And, I believe that if someone truly sets his/her heart upon Jesus, his/her intention wouldn't be as nothing but the truth. And, I remember commented also that I believe that you're one of real men of God, and you do respond like one man of God =)
I personally enjoy your contribution to this forum and at least you always give me some good laugh. I used to check on your profile just to read your last posts :goofball:, I never meant to stalk lol I just needed a good laugh :p
I think you don't need to feel bad about them leaving, doesn't always mean that they leave because of you, perhaps something/someone else. Just do what God tells u to do, only maybe do it in a nicer way lol as I said in one of my posts, sometimes it is not the content but HOW the message is being delivered. Just because someone is felt offended, doesn't mean the message deliverer meant to offend the person. All people are different.
But I agree, if some things need to be discussed privately, please bring it to private messages. Do not open it up in this forum, unless it is a good saying toward someone. Unless the two people agree that they can not solve it just by the two of them and need intervention from the third parties. A reminder for us all, include myself.
Another thing is, not all people are on the same level on everything. Intelligence, sense of humour, knowledge, relationship with God, level of faith, etc. So, if someone brings something up, other people may take it differently than the way those messages should be delivered. It happens all time to all people, cause we still have emotions and feelings. Some people are going through some difficult times, and there are always subjective like/dislike and emotional/sensitive feelings toward someone. We just need to be humble and correct ourselves before pointing our fingers to others.
Another thing, there are assumptions taking over as well. When Jacob found out that Joseph was being reported as dead by his other children, Jacob cried and grieved because he thought that Joseph was already dead. While in fact, Joseph was still alive. Sometimes what we have in mind is different with the fact, so always be positive =) our assumptions aren't always the truth.
Alright then, I'm done thumbing =) and wow that's a long one lol
A lot of great answers here, you can see that Jesus is growing his church up and it's high time! Off with those pampers and on with the big boy pants~:laugh:
TS, if I lived in Cali, anywhere near you, I'm sure that you would have little struggle in lassoing this wild stallion. Save a horse ride a Harley is my motto! :rocknroll:
Your post is as long as your screen name!...lol...but both are filled with great things! Thank so much you gave great advice. I always enjoy seeing your posts, they have a innocence, openess and real quality about them, I enjoy reading them very much. Actually the post on 'passion' made me stop and think how I may be coming across to people...if made me feel bad it made you feel condemned, but I did learn something from it. Thank you for being honest.
ps...darn, I was hoping you were stalking me!....lol
