> Testimonies / Prayer Requests / Fellowship
Forum Blues
hillsbororiver:
--- Quote from: Ninny on July 10, 2009, 08:19:54 PM ---Joe I very much appreciate this post. It makes me very sad when people decide to leave it hurts worse when they just leave without saying good bye. I for one get very attached to the people on this forum. I love them dearly and I feel bad when time goes by and I haven't seen someone post for awhile. Everyone here is so dear to me. I will admit that some are easier to get along with than others, but we just have to learn to deal with each other's differences!
When we remember that the reason we came here was because we understand that there is no other place to fellowship with like believers. There have been many days when just a word from someone here lifted me up and held me in place. The prayers of everyone here are the prayers of faithful friends and brothers and sisters each one is an wonderful gift to me. I love sharing with everyone on this forum and I have enjoyed getting to know some better through pm's and email and now even on facebook! This is a great family and a great place to fellowship and enjoy each other in the Lord!
Thanks again, Joe for sharing this!
Love,
Kathy ;) :-*
--- End quote ---
Hi Kathy,
Many times during my 4 years here I have wondered and speculated on why some stray away or abruptly quit without a word or let themselves become so frustrated that they decide to not participate. Until I felt the same way.
Yes, there have been a few times when I was ready to toss aside the fellowship I cherish because some of the things I felt were very important (knowledge wise) that did not appear to be very important or interesting to the membership. It has been a recent transformation so to speak that I have come to the humbling realization that I have a very long way to go and grow in patience, long suffering and wisdom, when I move forward one step on this path I am on I have a better vantage point as to how far I really have to go.
My old man, the beast had managed to fit me with a new set of blinders without me even being conscious of it, this carnal ego can disguise itself quite convincingly as an angel of light.
With that being said it is understandable that there are times we can become disillusioned here, is there anywhere on this earth where we won't at some point become frustrated or disappointed? But that brings right back to that pesky patience thing, when I am ready to make some knee jerk decision I pray that gentle voice reminds me of this, more often than not it requires a swift kick in the butt! ;)
Anyway, it always gives me great joy when I see someone return after a hiatus and return with perhaps a deeper understanding of how truly valuable a place such as this is to help and assist in keeping us focused on the prize, the Prize which is our Lord (and His mercy).
Peace,
Joe
hillsbororiver:
--- Quote from: daywalker on July 10, 2009, 08:33:25 PM ---Hello Joe,
I may not have been here that long [almost a year] but I too have noticed that a few members which I talked with before, haven't let any comments/posts in a long time. I just pray that God is there with them, wherever they are, guiding them along "the path of righteousness".
I think some people just have a problem discerning between sharing thoughts and ideas, and trying to "teach" people. I've left several posts of 'revelations' [in my view] and other truths that have become clear to me, and many of us leave posts with words of guidance and wisdom for others here, especially the "newbies". Some of these could be interpreted as "teaching", but in reality it's just us helping out each other, and sharing what we've learned in the Scriptures and through Ray's teachings, and expanding on them, the correct way, by following God's Guidelines, such as:
1. "rightly dividing the Word of God"--II Timothy 2:15
2. "but in a multitude of counselors there is safety"--Proverbs 11:14
etc...
From my experience here so far, I believe the moderators have done an EXCELLENT job in discerning whether someone is attempting to by "our teacher", or someone is simply sharing their thoughts, ideas. Furthermore, between the moderators and the rest of the members here [especially the 'veteran' ones], I believe this Forum does a SUPERB job at sticking to the Scriptures, rather than throwing out random opinions and getting into "futile debates".
But that's just from my experience here. Perhaps there used to be more issues in the past, but since I've been here, this Forum has truly been LIKE NO OTHER ON THE INTERNET!! :D ;D ;) :)
- Daywalker. 8)
--- End quote ---
Hi Daywalker,
First off I want to thank you for your fellowship here, there have been many times when I have read what you wrote and nodded my head in the affirmative as I contemplated your thoughts and observations.
Yes I agree that the debates and infighting that would rear its ugly head from time to time have slowed down the past few months to a year, as a matter of fact this period has been one of the most peaceful in memory, for this I must thank the members for their patience and their obvious willingness to put aside the differences that will always come when a group of people are conversing about matters that are of great importance to them.
Perhaps more of us are consciously or even subconsciously praying the prayer of Solomon that pleased the Lord exceedingly! (1Kings 3:9-12)
Peace,
Joe
gmik:
Hi all! What a wonderful thread! I am so blessed reading everyones' posts. Thank you.
I used to post all the time and love all the cyber-family I have "met" thru this forum. I don't post as much and as new ones come on it is OK for me to not feel I have to post. I come on almost every day and try to keep up w what is going on. I love the fellowship here. But it never fails to amaze me, after all these years, when people post excerpts from Ray, that I realize why we are all here. It is the truths that we learn from Ray. That is what bonds me to all of you.
The mods have been wonderful. I, like Nelson and Joe, remember the old days. trust us folks, the forum "rules and regulations" are to help us not hinder us. Pray for the moderators and for each other. Lift Ray up. Rejoice in what God has done and Will do.
Love,
gena
prarrydog:
Speaking for myself only, I continue to read several times a day however I have not felt like posting for quite some time. I didn't grow up in a religious family. I have almost no background in religion. About four years ago (32 at the time), I happened to see a seventh day adventist show on TV that really struck a cord with me. The next Saturday I found myself sitting in a SDA church, quietly singing songs and praying. It did not take me long to get fired up and I would literally spend every free moment (many times until 5 or 6 in the morning) reading and researching everything to do with God, the bible, SDA etc. etc. I gained a huge amount of knowledge in a short period of time. Lots of knowledge (but as Joe said) no wisdom.
It was around this time that I discovered Ray's site and subsequently this forum. Anyway, to make a short story long, I used to post my opinions,quote scriptures, discuss and offer advice to friends and family, pray with my kids and was proud to be enlightened, until one day I realized that I wasn't nearly as "enlightened" as I thought I was. I suddenly became quite embarrassed (and remain so) about my whole phony christian life. So here I sit, a closet believer, afraid to discuss or even offer an opinion on anything Godly (can't even pray with my kids anymore). I am in a bit of a dark place right now, as I am sure many of you have been, but am sure that one day I will snap out of it. I don't know if I have ever asked for prayer before (if I did it was fake) but I do ask in earnest right now.
Anyway, I am not even sure why I decided to write this or if it even adds anything to this thread but I just felt like I needed to say this.
Scott
Roy Martin:
Scott, I am touched by your post, and say with confidence that I know why you decided to write what you did. Its the choice that God wanted you to make, and God wants us to pray for you. Its not at all complicated as you may think it is. God has you where He wants you. We are no different than you. You are where you are for us, and us for you, and God for all of us and them.
Scott, its when we get into that dark place as you say you are that God is working a wonderful work; about to bring in some light into your life. God just brought me out of the closet. It may have been a different closet, but it was a closet non the less.
Sounds like God just let a little light into your closet, otherwise you wouldn't have made a post, and asked for prayer. I'm excited for you and will pray for you right now and give thanks to Father God that His will is being done in your life.
Peace
Roy
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