From an e-mail to Ray on Dec. 19, 2006
You write in your "email to Ray" section of the forum, "Our Forum is not the place to try out new ideas and teachings on Biblical themes. You can send them to me, but then again I cannot answer all of these teachings and questions either."
It seems that you should detach the forum from your website, then.
It seems there are MANY in the forum that feel they have to have your stamp of approval on things they share. That's why I left the forum. Also, there were too many people that seemed they looked down on the un-called yet and assumed they were called and more wise and going to be chosen. And yes, I'm well aware that you encourage people to believe God & trust the Word over you - but there are many that seem to miss that.
~Nicholas
Dear Nicholas:
Sounds to me that you are judging them just as you are accusing them of judging you? What do think?
I have never given anyone permission to say anything on our Forum. I have instructed our Moderators a time or two, however, to NOT allow certain things on our Forum. It's kinda like a shepherd protecting the sheep against the wolves and foxes. There are spiritual wolves and foxes, you know. Don't you?
No, I don't want the Forum "detached" from our site. We don't work at causing devision and separation, but rather unity in our ministry.
Why get caught up in all this childish, "he said, she said, they said......?" Most people don't have a problem with our Forum. Some do. Some want to be teachers of new truth, when they don't understand the OLD truths. We don't allow that. I'm sorry, but we don't allow anyone who so desires, to teach heresy or to teach anything on our Forum. You are allowed to discuss things, but don't start writing five and ten pages of exegesis commentary on the book of Revelation, cause we will cut you off. Baptists don't invite Jehovah's Witness ministers to teach at their Sunday services even though the marquee may read: "All Welcome," and we don't allow anyone to teach on our Forum, or try to get people to go to other sites to read someone elses heresy.
I am sorry if you don't approve, but that's the way it is.
Ya know, I don't believe that I have ever heard of anyone leaving our Forum because they felt too inferior to stay on. But I have heard of dozens and dozens who have left because they felt too superior to the others, to stay on the Forum. Swallow your pride, and join in the fellowship, and don't get all bent out of shape.
God be with you,
Ray
I am not sure if anyone wants to discuss this and share their perceptions but I thought it might not be a bad idea to air this out a bit. Over the past year or so I have had many PM & e-mail discussions with folks who feel like this writer, there are some who just assumed certain things were implied that were only miscommunications, these were easy to bridge, sometimes it has appeared to have been resolved, for a time at least and then the anxiety they feel returns and other times I feel as if I am speaking Chinese to an Indian who was educated in England by a Canadian who only knew how to speak French.
While we are admonished to be of a like mind does this mean that we are to agree wholeheartedly on every topic at every point in time? Or does it mean that we as the Body of Christ, as Brethren in His Kingdom that we should first and foremost display the fruits of the spirit in our interactions with all we come into contact with?
Most if not all of us have Babylonian luggage we have carried for quite a while, some doctrines (baggage) are easily tossed aside while others have sentimental value that are not easily disposed of, is this one of the reasons we are admonished to have patience? To wait for confirmation from His Spirit to things we may not understand as completely as we thought?
I know that in the time I have been involved here there have been some things that took longer to sink in than others. I have also been amazed at how some folks will come in all ablaze in a new found fellowship only to trash it the first time someone does not embrace 100% a thought or premise they have postulated, where in this world of imperfection do we ever find such agreement at all times?
We all are on a One on one walk with the Lord, thankfully we can share our experiences and insights with each other, if I were on a journey in a country I was not totally familiar with would I be justified in being angry or frustrated with a fellow traveler who did not see the bluejay singing in the elm tree in a certain park at 6 AM Saturday morning as the wispy clouds were shaped like an anvil enhancing the sunrise with a spectrum of colors?
All comments are very welcome.
His Peace and Wisdom to you,
Joe