Eat some red meat and clear your mind.
Brent, I forgot to thank you for that one... Not too often I get to do something I really enjoy & say "Dr.'s orders!"
Al,
You're an idiot... ...Don't play dumb.
On the first point, why state the obvious? Everyone who knows me already knows I'm an idiot, and those who are getting to know me at least suspect it by now. It's stated in the icon next to my every post, for crying out loud!
Point two, where do you come up with the unmitigated gall to suggest I'm playing?!
...You know what I'm talking about, and I know that you know that I know that you know what I'm talking about...
Brent, you don't know a fraction of what you appear to
think you know, and you certainly don't know me. I have nothing to hide and no reason to lie. My life is an open book-- want to know something about me? Ask a specific question. But none of your vague, subject-to-interpretation sucker-punches, designed to draw someone out where you can take potshots at him.
Also, you're hardly grateful for the "serious" matters I brought up. Don't pretend piety, it's sickening. The fact is you don't like what I said, or is it that you don't understand it? Either way, don't act all spiritual about it.
You try to sound so lofty and erudite, but it doesn't work.
Further evidence that you don't know me, or what you're talking about. I meant exactly what I said. If you doubt it, why not ask me to explain instead of insulting me by calling me a liar. Jesus
is a real man. You are just a macho bully.
Also, it's not a Bold faced lie, about editing and deleting. There is a user agreement, is there not?
This point I readily concede. I had frankly forgot completely about the user agreement. I still think the claim is deceptive & ought not be stated as it is, but you have your legal out, so I'll drop it.
Just be honest, Al. Quit trying to play the part with posts, of all things. It's a BB, that's all.
Brent & all, I am as honest with all of you as I am with myself. If I am dishonest, it is because I am self-deceived. This is no cop-out-- I have had a challenge my whole life of trying to know whether or not I am being truthful with myself. Those of you to whom this problem has never occurred may doubt me, and I can't blame you for it-- It must seem to you a very weird claim. Just thank God you don't have to deal with it!
This is one of the reasons I request prayer. I am not asking God to come & do something for me so that I won't have to. I am desperately in need of wisdom and understanding. I read & study the Word, but unlike many I do not harbor the hope that I can understand the scriptures without the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit-- or
rightly understand anything else, for that matter. I don't ask or hope that He will do my thinking or make decisions for me, but it is scriptural to pray for His guidance in life and to expect it in hope and act upon that hope by faith.
I do not believe in leading separate religious and secular lives. If I am a Christian, it is because I was bought with a great and terrible price, and I am no longer my own. Those who think that the purpose of salvation is to add a dimension of enjoyment and prosperity to the life they were already leading have missed the point of the gospel.
You most certainly do not have my permission to use my clever Bovine byproduct phrase.
Now THAT's just plain mean!
Verne,
Your comments are unwelcome on this thread unless you have read the book!
Marcia, you said:
This is the first time that you have said that you were "'never a "certified" LB'. This quote and many other references, ie the fact that you had a 'training home' led me to believe otherwise.
Please forgive me if I have caused you to have the wrong impression. For all practical purposes, I was an LB. I was in the LB meetings, was expected to function as an LB, was known to the assembly as an LB. But GG held his final approval over my head as a threat, I suppose to better control me. Even Tom Maddux, probably my closest bro & confidant, was surprised to find out after several years of this situation. I don't know whether GG used the tactic on anyone else, but I'm sure it made it much easier to explain my absence when he "let me go."
In the past at least a couple of other posters have mentioned that when you make comments like "Christ is the answer" it doesn't really help with the discussion.
The question to me is: is it true? I believe it is, and that the Word of God, ministered in truth and love, will bear fruit. I don't always do it right, but if I wait until I'm perfect, I won't be of much use in this life. (Brent, that's a perfect straight-line for you to capitalize upon!) Anyway, I think I've been delivered from that particular phrase for some time, and I try to be more constructive and clear in my comments now.
Also your worry about details and concern that we will fall away from the Lord if we discuss certain topics is what I was referring to re. LBisms. It might help if you explained to us "adults" why &/or what rather than just tell us "don't do that brethren". Let us make up our own minds.
What you describe is actually one of my pet beefs about what others do. I am unaware of having done it myself. I don't doubt your word, but it would help immensely if you could direct me to some examples of my saying "don't do" something without explaining why. My posts are certainly always open to discussion & I hold no position of authority or control hereabouts, so I don't see how I am not letting anyone make up your own minds...
Hope that helps.
Marcia
It does, indeed, as it gives me some direction in which to move, but I really hope you won't stop with what you've given me so far. Same goes for all BBers.
You may be right about everything & I may be 100% wrong, but I'm not learning much about myself from hostility & insults, although it does give me insight into those who dish it out.
I do not believe I take myself seriously at all. In fact, were it not that Christ died for me as well as for others, I would consider myself a complete joke. I am pathetic. Apart from Christ, I have absolutely nothing! So jokes at my expense are no insult to me.
But I do take the gospel of Christ very seriously and, because of that, I take everyone else seriously. This doesn't mean that I can't share laughs with you all, as I think most of you realize. But when I think there is something that needs said, I say it. If you think I'm wrong, for goodness' sake speak out! Don't hope it will all just go away, building up resentment in the meantime. My personal feelings are not to be spared, no matter how considerate you may be toward others. Please pray for me & talk to me!.
I couldn't care less whether my attitude appears pious to others. My relationship with Christ is all that matters to me-- everything else depends upon that. If it makes me appear to you to be "falsely pious," I don't know what to tell you-- I'm not interested in my reputation; maybe it's you who has an issue...
I wish you all only the richest blessing of God in Christ, whether you believe me or not.
In Christ,
al
