> General Discussions
Where are they now?
hillsbororiver:
--- Quote from: joyful1 on November 07, 2008, 09:05:04 AM ---The freedom afforded me by discovering that God will save all men has also brought me to the place in my life that I don't have to "worry" all the time about the details of "daily living" including whether or not I've "responded" enough on this forum. I did go elsewhere recently to discuss a subject that was not being discussed here. My conclusions of this quest were congruent with Ray's teaching, but I didn't "report" it here because I understood that this particular topic was not to be discussed here, that's all. ???
This is a HUGE forum now, in both membership and posted comments. I look at it as a field, a planting that Ray started years ago now. The field has several "crops" of topics, each one producing fruit of various yield. If a person had a "general" question about almost every major "topic" in life, most likely, they could find a discussion about what Ray and various forum members think about it by simply doing a search.
It's got to be exhausting to Ray on some days to go on and on about the same thing in his response to the many emails he receives, especially now with his routine to maintain his health. And I see the forum "oldies" as doing the same. I get tired too, its just human. But if I see someone post a particularly stressed out request for information that I may have an opinion on, I do respond, God willing. We cannot be in total agreement with eachother on every single topic until we are ALL gathered unto The Lord and "fitted together" in oneness with Him. So, in spite of minor disagreements, I like visiting here and listening and learning. I am a work in progress, a student of the Word.
The "freedom" to come and go here proves that it is NOT a cult. In my opinion, Ray respects the freedom of an individual to experience whatever God has in store for them personally. He would not become subject to anyone or any institution, but lovingly offered what God taught him to others. I think most everyone here does the same, in my opinion.
As well, absence from "the body" of believers here, sometimes, IMHO, is simply taking more time to be "present" with the Lord. I am not trying to misuse Scripture here, I'm simply being "me" in wording it that way. :)
My best to all!
Joyce :)
--- End quote ---
Hi Joyce,
Your response got my attention as it really summarized my present state of mind in many respects, as one who has posted over 3000 times and started hundreds of threads my participation (especially in writing anything) has been minimal lately. I have been content to read and observe the interactions here and how moderators and members respond to the constant barrage of questions and even accusations being presented here daily.
In the approximate 3 and a half years I have been a member I have seen remarkably similar activity repeated over and over and I have responded often until lately as I must admit to a certain weariness when I perceive people are attempting to gorge themselves with knowledge but seem to spend little time chewing, swallowing and digesting (meditating on) what has been presented to them and then jump right into something else often in the very same thread!
It takes very little time for me to recognize when people join here without doing much reading of the articles, I used to respond to these questions (or statements) repeatedly but after a while it was like giving your friend the answers to a test so they did not have to study themselves, it may not be the best analogy but it is as close to my point as I can get, the pattern I have witnessed consistantly is if people are not going to read the articles with an open bible and an open mind but are content to receive sound bites, opinions and the Readers Digest version then they are very likely not going to be here very long, they will be off in search of some new thing somewhere else soon enough.
The other thing I have been observing is how the other Mods and some members patiently handle the accusations from some newer members (another consistant pattern) of being terse, or unloving or whatever as they themselves are being sarcastic, terse and unloving, a fascinating thing to behold for sure. To me it is like inviting someone into your home and they immediately complain about the color combinations, the furniture the bland food, etc. It would be more prudent to take the time to know and seek to understand before making unsolicited suggestions and complaints.
I have to apologize for not being a very good participating moderator lately contenting myself to quietly observe and seek His Wisdom from above as I peruse the Forum, there are so many members old and new who are sincerely and diligently searching for the knowledge of our Lord and when I see these positive interactions my heart really does jump for joy! On the other hand when I see the scratching at the specks in other people's eyes with the clawed end of a hammer I say "here we go again...." ::)
There is no doubt in my mind that there are some who were just as weary of my posts as I can be answering the same questions over and over, this is another reason I have held back and waited for His Breath of fresh air to clear my mind and refresh my spirit, it is in the hope that at some point I can be a better servant to our Lord here and in all facets of my life. Thankfully we have many members who have a good grasp of the material presented by Ray and are enthusiastic in helping others find the answers they seek.
His Peace to you all,
Joe
Rene:
--- Quote from: hillsbororiver on November 08, 2008, 08:04:20 AM ---
It takes very little time for me to recognize when people join here without doing much reading of the articles, I used to respond to these questions (or statements) repeatedly but after a while it was like giving your friend the answers to a test so they did not have to study themselves, it may not be the best analogy but it is as close to my point as I can get, the pattern I have witnessed consistantly is if people are not going to read the articles with an open bible and an open mind but are content to receive sound bites, opinions and the Readers Digest version then they are very likely not going to be here very long, they will be off in search of some new thing somewhere else soon enough.
The other thing I have been observing is how the other Mods and some members patiently handle the accusations from some newer members (another consistant pattern) of being terse, or unloving or whatever as they themselves are being sarcastic, terse and unloving, a fascinating thing to behold for sure. To me it is like inviting someone into your home and they immediately complain about the color combinations, the furniture the bland food, etc. It would be more prudent to take the time to know and seek to understand before making unsolicited suggestions and complaints.
--- End quote ---
Joe,
Excellent points you brought out and I am in total agreement with you. Thanks.
René
mharrell08:
--- Quote from: Rene on November 08, 2008, 08:32:23 AM ---
--- Quote from: hillsbororiver on November 08, 2008, 08:04:20 AM ---
It takes very little time for me to recognize when people join here without doing much reading of the articles, I used to respond to these questions (or statements) repeatedly but after a while it was like giving your friend the answers to a test so they did not have to study themselves, it may not be the best analogy but it is as close to my point as I can get, the pattern I have witnessed consistantly is if people are not going to read the articles with an open bible and an open mind but are content to receive sound bites, opinions and the Readers Digest version then they are very likely not going to be here very long, they will be off in search of some new thing somewhere else soon enough.
The other thing I have been observing is how the other Mods and some members patiently handle the accusations from some newer members (another consistant pattern) of being terse, or unloving or whatever as they themselves are being sarcastic, terse and unloving, a fascinating thing to behold for sure. To me it is like inviting someone into your home and they immediately complain about the color combinations, the furniture the bland food, etc. It would be more prudent to take the time to know and seek to understand before making unsolicited suggestions and complaints.
--- End quote ---
Joe,
Excellent points you brought out and I am in total agreement with you. Thanks.
René
--- End quote ---
As am I...thanks for your comments Joe. And more of your posts will be greatly appreciated. :)
Marques
CEO:
I cannot understand finding great treasure and then discarding it.
New posters help keep it polished, then they leave.
Askseeknock
Charles
hillsbororiver:
Rene, Marques & Charles,
Thanks for your responses!
--- Quote from: CEO on November 08, 2008, 09:13:27 AM ---
New posters help keep it polished, then they leave.
--- End quote ---
Very interesting point.
Peace,
Joe
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