Please forgive me....

[MaryFreeman]

I am not exactly sure I should post this here....

And I am not exactly sure what to say....

I came across a passage that pierced me to the heart....
1Ti 5:1 DO NOT sharply censure or rebuke an older man, but entreat and plead with him as [you would with] a father. Treat younger men like brothers;
1Ti 5:2 [Treat] older women like mothers [and] younger women like sisters, in all purity.

I do not believe I came across this by accident....

Or that it would pierce me to the heart if it was not meant for me....

When I was here before as Ivbnsetfree.... ProjectPeter said I was "rough as a corn cob".... Although I will not sugar coat what I say.... I don't feel I have to be rude.... I am rough as a corn cob.... But it is different from being rude.... Or as the passage above states.... "Sharp".... I said in my hello thread.... In introductions?.... That I also fight a battle on facebook.... I find people who are using famous names to lure our children into things such as sending them.... er.... PICTURES.... of themselves (please say you know what I mean).... And expose them.... Sometimes I have a hard time seperating myself from that battle.... And some of my posts here have looked.... even to me.... rather sharp....

If you feel I have not treated you the way Paul exhorts us to treat each other....

Please forgive me....

[kay-gee]

You are doing OK. I have the same issue. I've been rebuked so many times by mods I can't count. Bible talk is tough business. It hits people where they live, so to speak. It is hard not to let emotion run wild with our words when we make posts.

all the best...

[Crosstalk]

Do you pray for wisdom and that your posts will minister to people instead of winning a discussion? Here are some good Scriptures to read before posting:

"13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace." James 3:13-18

"Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. 24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will." 2 Tim. 2:22-26

"16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery,[c] fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders,[d] drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another." Gal. 5:16-25

[blessedmommyuv3]

Do you pray for wisdom and that your posts will minister to people instead of winning a discussion?

Wow, this one little sentence says so much.


Jen

[Freek]

23 But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.

If we all heed this, this board will have to close. How many discussions really edify the participants?

[Vhayes]

If we all heed this, this board will have to close. How many discussions really edify the participants?

So why are you here?

Seriously, I think we all learn from each other. There are scholars here as well as just plain folks. We pool what we have learned and learn from each other. There is also the encouragement factor. May people on this board have given me insight, encouragement and prayer when I needed it.

[Freek]

So why are you here?

I don't know. I guess I try to share some insights, but to this day no-one gave any indication that the things I shared were cool or whatever the right word is. You know what I mean. It is frustrating, but maybe, just maybe someone stumbles over the stuff I write and gets edified. I hope...

Seriously, I think we all learn from each other. There are scholars here as well as just plain folks. We pool what we have learned and learn from each other. There is also the encouragement factor. May people on this board have given me insight, encouragement and prayer when I needed it.

I don't dispute the fact that there are scholars here. Sometimes Bible scholarship can be advantageous.

[Crosstalk]

We can pray for each other here and minister to people who ask real questions concerning the Bible. Remember that part of the Great Commission is to disciple people after they're saved and baptized. We can do that here if we pick our spots carefully and prayerfully.

A number of years ago I used to post on a few Christian apologetics sites and would debate Christians, Catholics and folks in various cults as well as non believers.
Discussions could go on and on with people thinking that if they posted last they won. I got tired of it and quit for about 5 years until I was led here. I missed what I
learned though through the process of posting almost every night for hours on end. I was always careful to pray before turning on my computer and to never bring reproach
to the name of Christ no matter how much I was attacked. I always leaned on these verses because I knew this attitude is well pleasing to the Lord:

16 "Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,”[a] says the Lord. 20 Therefore



“ If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Rom. 12:16-21

God will reward those who use this site in a manner pleasing to Him. But if posting comes from the pride of winning an argument then it will burn at the Judgement Seat of Christ.

BTW Mary, those verses I posted above were not meant as an indictment on how you use your time here, only God knows your heart. Those verses are for all of us including me.

Eph. 3:14-21

[Quickened]

At some time we are all guilty of this. We learn at different paces. We are zealous for our Lord and His word. While we are still fallible humans this is something we will face.