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Patience & Perserverence

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LittleBear:
Dear Gena,

You are a very wise woman! I love you.

I didn't realize there WAS a forum for a couple of years when I was reading Ray's material, so the only one I turned to was God with my questions and doubts and turmoil.

I agree with you Joe, new people need to read the material first and this takes time, lots of time. And lots of prayer with the reading. It is God that gives the understanding.

Love,

Ursula

gmik:
Bless your heart Ursula.  That was so sweet!

I've read your posts so I know that you too, dear little bear, are wise indeed!  My love back to you.

(sorry guys! :'( :-* ;))

YellowStone:
Great Thread Joe and wonderful comments by all :)

If I may I would very much like to comment on the difference between finding something and understanding it. The truth that Ray has on his site is no different than the truth I have in my many bibles; sure, he explains it a little better but does not change it.

How many here have read something many times before WHAM!!!! the true meaning whacks one on the side of the head as one stares in amazement. "Where did that come from!!!!"

Truly, I have come to the realization that it matters little if a "newby" has the God given mindest to seek all truth diligently, or not. This is betwen God and this person. What matters most is not how they act around us, but how we act around them.

I was told so many times during my "church" life that my questions should not be asked. Which of course told me that they did NOT have the answers. My questons were legitimate. I'm not so sure telling a newby to go read Ray's writings is not so different. If we found someone injured on the side of the road, would we stop only long enough to tell them that there is an ER just down the road; that all the help they need can befound there.

Really? :) what if they are not strong enough to get there and die. What help was telling them about the ER then. Is this not the same as the newby seeking truth? Are we to assume that they have the strength and fortitude to find it themselves, even if we tell them where to look?

Anyone who has ever worked in an ER will know very well that the sick and injured will often lash out at who ever is closest; yet the staff never walk away. Rather, they simply turn the other cheek and continue adminstrating wahtever is needed. We must expect the same reaction on this forum; short tempers, bad language, impatience, etc. Likewise we must always be ready to calm the situation, to level the playing field and demonstrate always the Spirit of Truth by the fruits of our words and actions.

We must never forget that, that every opprtunity (that is every moment) given to us should be one to show that we are patient and willing to help in anyway we can. Is this not why the Spirit is given?

I think so. :)

Love to all,
Darren

hillsbororiver:
Hi Darren,

Your point is well taken and in regard to some of the responses I have read I must think that we as members have failed some of the newer members because we have been inconsistent in the way we deal with some of the questions at different times.

I don't feel I need to quote the Lord's admonishment to seek Him above all things, which includes searching His Word diligently, this is repeated over and over through scripture.

My point is when questions are raised by folks and it is clearly dealt with in an article or even an email we should point in that direction first, it has happened frequently enough to even frustrate me at times when I read over and over the same questions such as;

So how can we not have free will, so we are robots then? Somebody please explain this.

How can there not be a trinity when the bible says there is?

Jesus spoke more about hell than heaven so how can you believe there is no hell?

How can we not tithe when the bible says we are robbing God if we don't?

THESE QUESTIONS ARE ANSWERED IN THE PAPERS!

Sometimes being nice and compliant is not doing anyone any good and really we are rewarding an impatient spirit, slow down, take a deep breath, relax, pray in a humble spirit and READ!

If we don't do this consistantly, then what?

Then come the debates, the strife and the membership at odds because an answer may be perceived as curt, abrupt, unloving, etc. More often than not the new person asking the questions, who would not take the time to read the articles in the first place is gone after a few days but the animosity, distrust and division remains in the Forum, sometimes inspiring others to either leave or to not participate as often eventually drifting away.

There must be an honest effort by both the new and the more established members, newbies please read the articles, especially the ones that speak to your questions, if you cannot find them ask for directions. Older members should comply politely to these requests and fight the temptation to teach on their own, I hope I don't offend anyone but Ray explains these things better than any of us, I have seen some tension arise in all too many of the threads that veer away from the articles and are reasoned from our own understanding.

This site was established to discuss the writings of Ray and not as another christian debate society where we invite anyone with an agenda and a keyboard to participate and yank our strings, some do come in with sincere questions not looking for strife and they should not be upset or feel rejected when pointed to an article rather than our synopsis of an article.

There have been others not so sincere who's only goal is to divide that is where discernment comes in, the moderators have become more sensitive to the warning signs through diligence and prayer, we do not enjoy having to delete threads, give warnings or ban anyone, but when it is necessary it will be done.

The question is asked up front, "have you read the articles?" So it should come as no surprise to anyone. Now with all that being said when someone who has read and studied the material comes back with questions related to a specific point of an article we should patiently indulge our brethren to the best of our ability.

Patience and perserverence should be practiced by all, new members there is no fast track to knowledge and understanding, older members be an example of a patient spirit helping guide our brethren to a better knowledge of our Lord and His plan and purpose for His creation.

His Peace and Wisdom to you all,

Joe

rk12201960:
Amen Joe.

we need a base or starting point. Its always been there as you have pointed out to us again.
Rays letters are why we are here. We should be in agreement with this as a basic understanding. From this we can build on as instructed by God.

Thanks for the reminder brother.

 Randy.

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