Where has all the Love gone?

[righteousdude2]

My pastor posted a great message on Paul's letter to the church in Galatia concerning the fruits of the Spirit; especially the fruit of LOVE! During the course and scope of that message, God did what God does best, and that is, point out areas in my life and walk that needed corrective actions!

With that said, I am asking the members of this board to FORGIVE me for the way I have acted over the past few months! The message on the first fruit, "love" touched a nerve, and surely I have not been acting in love towards certain folks on this forum.

And in falling to the attempts to provoke angry responses and rants from me by berating me; judging me; insulting me; calling me neames, trash talking about me as an author [by constantly pointing out grammar or spelling errors]; and belittling everything I'd say by taking apart my comments, sentence by sentence .... I took the bait, fell into their trap, and allowed their comments to PROVOKE me into saying things that were unkind, and definitely not in line with what Jesus would do in a similar position!

And by acting out of defensive anger, I inadvertently caused many of you to stumble at the very sight of my poor witness!

Paul exhorted us in 1 Cor. 10:32, "Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God—" and I have, and I beg your forgiveness.

Paul has always been my mentor, and his words in 1 Timothy 1:15 about being the "chief of sinners" does not go unnoticed when it comes to my actions as of late! There is one more thought from Paul that hits home with me, and that is from Romans 7:15; "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do."

Still, I have to ask: Where has all the love, that once existed on this board, gone?

When people purposely write OPs meant to provoke another, that is not love [and I have done this myself, and again, I beg your forgiveness]. When members intentionalyl berate, insult, trash you and your personal accomplishments -- which has nothing to do with the topic of the OP, but a lot to do with provoking a response -- this is not love, and it is not an example of what Paul calls the fruit of the Spirit.

So, in order to avoid those who seem to be in this forum only to make a name for themselves by provoking others into a battle of words that almost always digresses to name calling, and other un-Christlike behavior ... I have placed those instigators on ignore, and if I have to place half the board on ignore in order to protect my personal witness for Jesus, then so be it!

I want to be at the center of restoring agape like love on this board. And that comes by responding to other's views and opinions out of love and respect, and if I have nothing of value to tender in a debate, I will surely promise to not berate, insult, call names or judge the other person or persons, just to get a rise.

I actually believe there are some on this board who "delight" in causing others to stumble, because then they can say, "See, I told you all so ... you are hypocrites and not Christ like, like me (who just provoked you in order to judge you)."

I know Rev., told me many times, "RD2, don't respond to those people." Nevertheless, I ignored him and responded. Well, Rev., I am here to say you were right ... I was wrong ... and with the prayerful help of those who love this forum and board as much as me, I can and will rise above the level of behavior some are trying hard to pull you down to! Salty and I talked yesterday in another OP about when to take correction from another. Well, some of you tried to tell me, and I didn't listen and that is why I am writing this OP!

Again ... I am sorry. Truly sorry! And I intend to reclaim my witness for Him, by ignoring those who use this board who are here merely for their own gains!

This board and forum should be a fun place to come to, and truly it should be a JUDGMENT FREE ZONE!

Shalom! :type:

 

[HAMel]

rd2, enough of the apologies already! As Popeye used to say, "I yam what I yam and that's all that I yam..."

It was once said that some really do try to find fault like there's a reward for it. Little minded people to say the least. Professionals can agree to disagree absent the disparaging remarks. Only the little minded people chose to argue.

Personally, I don't see where you've been offensive as you hold dear to your passions..., just as your foes do. Have you rubbed some fur the wrong way? Perhaps..., but it will all fall back in place.

If proven wrong I'll stand corrected. I find it very easy to apologize if I've offended or hurt someone but otherwise, I consider that I'm as entitled to my opinion(s) as anyone else.

Christian "love"? This reference is often just an excuse. Something for folks to hide behind when they attempt to find fault.

 

[just-want-peace]

rd2, enough of the apologies already! As Popeye used to say, "I yam what I yam and that's all that I yam..."

It was once said that some really do try to find fault like there's a reward for it. Little minded people to say the least. Professionals can agree to disagree absent the disparaging remarks. Only the little minded people chose to argue.

Personally, I don't see where you've been offensive as you hold dear to your passions..., just as your foes do. Have you rubbed some fur the wrong way? Perhaps..., but it will all fall back in place.

If proven wrong I'll stand corrected. I find it very easy to apologize if I've offended or hurt someone but otherwise, I consider that I'm as entitled to my opinion(s) as anyone else.

Christian "love"? This reference is often just an excuse. Something for folks to hide behind when they attempt to find fault.

Put me down for a great big "L I K E "!

I have put two on ignore and though I still see their posts when quoted, it somehow is not as abrasive as when read directly. I have been amazed at the calmness this practice has afforded me in surfing this BB

TRY IT, YOU'LL LIKE IT!!!!!! :thumbs::thumbs:

 

[InTheLight]

I have put two on ignore

Only two? P-f-f-f-ft

Rookie. :laugh:

TRY IT, YOU'LL LIKE IT!!!!!! :thumbs::thumbs:

Yes, it does help immensely.

 

[Bro. Curtis]

Only two? P-f-f-f-ft

Rookie. :laugh:

:laugh::laugh::laugh:

Hoo-boy.

 

[Van]

Nothing wrong with treating others as we would like to be treated.

 

[Bro. Curtis]

RDII is a passionate dude. It happens to a lot of us.

 

[Zaac]

Nothing wrong with treating others as we would like to be treated.

BINGO!!!:applause:

There are simply people in this world who don't want any of their untruths, stereotypes, or disobediences challenged as being what they are.

They demand "judgment free" zones because they want everyone to agree with what they say without challenge.

God's word says that 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Tim 3:16

He wouldn't have given us the word by which to righteously judge in love if it were not his intent.

But what I've found is that the very people who chew people up and spit them out for not sharing the same POV on issues always seem to be the very ones who don't want you to righteously judge their behavior and disobedience.

The OP asks the same thing that I have asked for years? Where's the love? Where's the love for the neighbors? Where's the love for the folks who don't share the majority's POV? Where's the love for the poor? The widow The oppressed?

If people in the Body of Christ were loving Christ and others as they should instead of in accordance with who agreed with their political morals, then the question would not have to be asked.

While I applaud the OP and the intent of this thread, it will mean essentially nothing until certain people stop treating anyone and everything that doesn't measure up to their political morality as modern day lepers.

 

[just-want-peace]

Only two? P-f-f-f-ft

Rookie. :laugh:

Yes, it does help immensely.

This is because I am a very tolerant person, or as my wife once told me, after I commented that our 50th is close & I asked how she had put up with me for so long ---- she quickly responded --- "I have the gift of long-suffering." I almost spewed coffee on her with that retort.
So, I also am long-suffering!!!:love2:

 

[Zaac]

This is because I am a very tolerant person, or as my wife once told me, after I commented that our 50th is close & I asked how she had put up with me for so long ---- she quickly responded --- "I have the gift of long-suffering." I almost spewed coffee on her with that retort.
So, I also am long-suffering!!!:love2:

:laugh: Congratulations on the upcoming 50th. I love to brag on couples like you guys because it is encouraging to see folks take their vows seriously.

 

[Yeshua1]

BINGO!!!:applause:

There are simply people in this world who don't want any of their untruths, stereotypes, or disobediences challenged as being what they are.

They demand "judgment free" zones because they want everyone to agree with what they say without challenge.

God's word says that 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Tim 3:16

He wouldn't have given us the word by which to righteously judge in love if it were not his intent.

But what I've found is that the very people who chew people up and spit them out for not sharing the same POV on issues always seem to be the very ones who don't want you to righteously judge their behavior and disobedience.

The OP asks the same thing that I have asked for years? Where's the love? Where's the love for the neighbors? Where's the love for the folks who don't share the majority's POV? Where's the love for the poor? The widow The oppressed?

If people in the Body of Christ were loving Christ and others as they should instead of in accordance with who agreed with their political morals, then the question would not have to be asked.

While I applaud the OP and the intent of this thread, it will mean essentially nothing until certain people stop treating anyone and everything that doesn't measure up to their political morality as modern day lepers.

You mean if we disagree with the policies of the president, don't approve same sex, want to secure borders and destroy Isis, we are judgemental?

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Only two? P-f-f-f-ft

Rookie. :laugh:

.

Ahhhh funny! :laugh:

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

You mean if we disagree with the policies of the president, don't approve same sex, want to secure borders and destroy Isis, we are judgemental?

Ho Haaa haaaa.....hey Y.....now your becoming a Bush Wacker.....ha ha ha, nice going:thumbs:

 

[Reynolds]

My pastor posted a great message on Paul's letter to the church in Galatia concerning the fruits of the Spirit; especially the fruit of LOVE! During the course and scope of that message, God did what God does best, and that is, point out areas in my life and walk that needed corrective actions!

With that said, I am asking the members of this board to FORGIVE me for the way I have acted over the past few months! The message on the first fruit, "love" touched a nerve, and surely I have not been acting in love towards certain folks on this forum.

And in falling to the attempts to provoke angry responses and rants from me by berating me; judging me; insulting me; calling me neames, trash talking about me as an author [by constantly pointing out grammar or spelling errors]; and belittling everything I'd say by taking apart my comments, sentence by sentence .... I took the bait, fell into their trap, and allowed their comments to PROVOKE me into saying things that were unkind, and definitely not in line with what Jesus would do in a similar position!

And by acting out of defensive anger, I inadvertently caused many of you to stumble at the very sight of my poor witness!

Paul exhorted us in 1 Cor. 10:32, "Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God—" and I have, and I beg your forgiveness.

Paul has always been my mentor, and his words in 1 Timothy 1:15 about being the "chief of sinners" does not go unnoticed when it comes to my actions as of late! There is one more thought from Paul that hits home with me, and that is from Romans 7:15; "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do."

Still, I have to ask: Where has all the love, that once existed on this board, gone?

When people purposely write OPs meant to provoke another, that is not love [and I have done this myself, and again, I beg your forgiveness]. When members intentionalyl berate, insult, trash you and your personal accomplishments -- which has nothing to do with the topic of the OP, but a lot to do with provoking a response -- this is not love, and it is not an example of what Paul calls the fruit of the Spirit.

So, in order to avoid those who seem to be in this forum only to make a name for themselves by provoking others into a battle of words that almost always digresses to name calling, and other un-Christlike behavior ... I have placed those instigators on ignore, and if I have to place half the board on ignore in order to protect my personal witness for Jesus, then so be it!

I want to be at the center of restoring agape like love on this board. And that comes by responding to other's views and opinions out of love and respect, and if I have nothing of value to tender in a debate, I will surely promise to not berate, insult, call names or judge the other person or persons, just to get a rise.

I actually believe there are some on this board who "delight" in causing others to stumble, because then they can say, "See, I told you all so ... you are hypocrites and not Christ like, like me (who just provoked you in order to judge you)."

I know Rev., told me many times, "RD2, don't respond to those people." Nevertheless, I ignored him and responded. Well, Rev., I am here to say you were right ... I was wrong ... and with the prayerful help of those who love this forum and board as much as me, I can and will rise above the level of behavior some are trying hard to pull you down to! Salty and I talked yesterday in another OP about when to take correction from another. Well, some of you tried to tell me, and I didn't listen and that is why I am writing this OP!

Again ... I am sorry. Truly sorry! And I intend to reclaim my witness for Him, by ignoring those who use this board who are here merely for their own gains!

This board and forum should be a fun place to come to, and truly it should be a JUDGMENT FREE ZONE!

Shalom! :type:

It is easy to fall into the trap of forgetting that the people on the other end of the computer are our brothers and sisters. Written vs spoken communication.

 

[righteousdude2]

It is easy to fall into the trap of forgetting that the people on the other end of the computer are our brothers and sisters. Written vs spoken communication.

This is true. And I can assuredly say, that some of those with harsh words and judgment would not be so quick to judge if they were sitting across from us!

But, since I wrote this and place a handful of offenders on IGNORE, I am once again enjoying the BB!