What I love about Christianity Board

[This Vale Of Tears]

I've been thinking about this for a while. I'm no stranger to discussion boards and mostly those of a political or religious nature. Particularly in the political forums, it can get downright rancorous and I won't deny I've been sucked into the mud slinging with despicable and embarrassing behavior.

But I feel the Holy Spirit on this forum and that sets this forum apart.

There's a cornucopia of goodwill here. It's not that we don't have spirited disagreements, it's that there seems to be a wellspring of grace that smooths rough edges and restores Christian unity. I've seen it from those who I sometimes butt heads with on theological or denominational issues. I feel loved in spite of our differences and I love you too....even if you think the Pope is the antichrist.

And I have to give a shout out to the administrators and moderators here who have put this site together and make it work. Of course, much of what happens here just can't be planned out. The site creators brought the loaves and the fish, but it's Jesus who multiplies.

So I just wanted to say thank you and I'm having a wonderful time here.

 

[Dan57]

Ditto, I think its a pretty good forum too, despite the many differences of opinion and interpretation. But I reckon that's how we learns things, adjust our views, and considers things we hadn't thought of before. The only turn-off for me is the excessively long post, where some members ramble on and on. They often wander way off subject, take forever to make their point, and feel its a necessity to quote half the bible. I often skip those tedious post and wish people could be a tad more concise. Never-the-less, I've learned much here and appreciate all who have contributed to the discussions.

 

[HammerStone]

Thank you.

Posts and emails like this are why I do it. It's also why I believe God is still very firmly at work here and that we are not done yet.

A part of the mission of this site since day one has been to be a true forum for ideas. It's a difficult thing when you begin to incorporate truth - and by truth I mean the knowledge that the God of the universe manifested in the form of the one and only Son who came to Earth to die on a cross for all of us - into discussion because people tend to get very heated. That's not really a surprise to any of us, I would hope.

(I often wish Christians, myself withstanding, were more passionate!)

The real thanks goes to the team here. They are a great bunch of men and women who have stood by me throughout time, even when I've been slow to come to an important realization. I hope there is a spirit of grace here because Jesus extended us all grace beyond compare. I also want a spirit of precision and passion, as we do trade metaphorical blows on the way to understanding the entire message of the gospel.

I am happy to see that Catholic and Protestant can coexist. We can disagree, even vehemently, on doctrine and that's okay. What ultimately matters is Jesus and Lord, even though we may disagree over what exactly that Lordship looks like.

I catch a lot of flack for quoting him, but one of the guys who I think a good bit of as a Christian is Andy Stanley, son of the famous Charles Stanley. A few years ago I got a chance to see him teach at a local conference, and he made a statement which resonated with me.

Andy said we should be intent on making a difference versus making a point. It's easy to score points with whatever base you cater to: liberal or conservative, Protestant or Catholic, Cessationist or Continuist, to name a few. It's easy to throw out red meat. It's easy to offend and enflame. However, it's much harder to make a difference, to change things (to change hearts, characters, whatever). Obviously we look to the Lord to do the heart changing, but we know that he uses us imperfect vessels for that. I believe that the Lord works mightily in people who submit to him, and part of that submission is learning not to crush the opposition, but to overwhelm it with grace.

What testimony it is to a limitless God when his followers can strongly disagree, yet still love one another. The world is full of people who can tribalize and call names. The world is lacking in men and women overflowing with grace.

 

[horsecamp]

Grace is given to heal the spiritually sick, not to decorate spiritual heroes. Martin Luther


yet every one of us sick puppies -------------if were honest would rather think of our selves as a spirtual hero.

GODS Grace =============as told simply and unashamedly by Luther.

Either sin is with you, lying on your shoulders, or it is lying on Christ, the Lamb of God. Now if it is lying on your back, you are lost; but if it is resting on Christ, you are free, and you will be saved. :) Now choose what you want. --Martin Luther