A Public Apology

[StormyOne]

Fellow members..... Today is sabbath school we discussed grace, and the fact everything that the believer becomes is the result of God's working in us, and not anything we have done ourselves... We ended the discussion with this familiar passage...

1 Corinthians 13 (from the Amplied Bible):
4Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily.

5It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God's love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].

6It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail.

7Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening].

8Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end].

As we were discussing this text God impressed me to publicly apologize for every offensive or unchristlike word I have posted during my brief time here. I apologize to all (that would include Palehorse, T&O, Honor, Sassy) I have offended, antagonized, or dealt with in an unkind manner...

I also apologize for insisting on my own way, for being rude, for being impatient, and for not looking for the best in everyone here...

While we may not agree in areas, our disagreements do not warrant mistreatment....

May God continue to to bless you and may you continue to allow His spirit to tranform your lives....

peace....

 

[TrustAndObey]

Good news travels fast.

Brother Stormy, apology totally accepted.

I have been praying for you and for myself. Pride is such a wall to fellowship and I was praying for a break down in that wall. It looks like the Holy Spirit has been working in us both, praise God!

I think you are a very intelligent man and I look forward to speaking with the new you. I think you'll notice an improvement in me as well.

Your sister in Christ,
~Lainie

 

[PaleHorse]

StormyOne,
I also gladly accept your apology and extend one myself.

I have been prideful, I have offended (both intentionally as well as unintentionally), I've most certainly been impatient, and I have failed to look for the best in you as well. Please accept my heart-felt apology, brother Stormy, for I am truly sorry.

 

[SassySDA]

Apology accepted. I apologize for anything hurtful or prideful that I have said, as well.

We are all brothers and sisters in Christ, we should be loving one another and holding one another up to Him.

Things (of the world) are only going to get worse. We're going to need each other, we're ALL going to need ALL of our brothers and sisters as time progresses.

As sister Lainie says, you ARE an intelligent man, I look forward to getting to know you.

 

[woobadooba]

Salvation has come into this forum today!

 

[daveleau]

Great post. I was reading today about 5 different views on Sanctification (by Alexander) and one of the views paraphrased this nicely saying "no amount of Christian orthodoxy can justify unkind words" (1 Cor 13:2-4). I really liked that, and I like what you've posted Stormy. No need to apologize, IMO. As you were already forgiven.

 

[TrustAndObey]

Great post. I was reading today about 5 different views on Sanctification (by Alexander) and one of the views paraphrased this nicely saying "no amount of Christian orthodoxy can justify unkind words" (1 Cor 13:2-4). I really liked that, and I like what you've posted Stormy. No need to apologize, IMO. As you were already forgiven.

I agree, but isn't it nice when someone does apologize? It renews faith in humanity, not to mention that it proves there really is a Holy Spirit whispering to all of us.

 

[Princessdi]

This is just beautiful! I, too, need to apologize for anything that I have done in anger, frustration, and not representing Christ as I should. I am sooo thankful for new starts made possible by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ! God continue to bless each and every one of you!

 

[HoneyDew]

It sure is a wonderful day. I knew there was a reason I felt really happy today, apart from it being Sabbath and being able to spend time with my family.
I wish to apologize too, for whatever unkindness I have shown in my time here -- many times we don't even know the extent to which we hurt another.
I am going on my way rejoicing.

 

[BondGirl]

True forgiveness is a beautiful thang....

 

[seangoh]

I'm just an outsider and don't know the tension you all had with one another but it's just wonderful when people attempt to get back together so to speak. I'm sure StormyOne feels like a huge boulder is off his shoulders now. It sure feels good to be free ain't it?

 

[StormyOne]

I'm just an outsider and don't know the tension you all had with one another but it's just wonderful when people attempt to get back together so to speak. I'm sure StormyOne feels like a huge boulder is off his shoulders now. It sure feels good to be free ain't it?

Actually until God impressed me that my attitude was not pleasing to Him, and that my actions were not reflecting His values, I didn't feel burdened at all.... However when He made me aware, showed me that I was wretched, blind, and clueless, it was clear what had to be done...

 

[woobadooba]

Actually until God impressed me that my attitude was not pleasing to Him, and that my actions were not reflecting His values, I didn't feel burdened at all.... However when He made me aware, showed me that I was wretched, blind, and clueless, it was clear what had to be done...

Just recently, the Lord opened my eyes to something that I hadn't seen too, until now that is.


I've been spending a lot of time arguing with atheists in the GA forum. And almost always it proves to be to no avail.

For, they often cast their insults, and I would at times find myself retaliating with a snide objection or retort. That, of course, didn't go over too well.


In any case, the Lord used an atheist to awaken me to the reality of my condition, in that He disclosed to me what was really happening.


The atheist said,

Actually, you've wasted your time imagining you can hasten the day the Holy Spirit will enter us on its own volition so that we may become receptive and believe. Only with the Holy Spirit inside can one be a Christian.

And this is very true!


There I was trying to argue my way into this person's heart, so much so, that at times I even acted crudely. Thus I thereby countered the work that I sought to accomplish in getting this person to agree that God is real, and that He loves us all. What irony!


But I realize now that it doesn't matter how strong your arguments are. If a person isn't ready to receive the truth, all of the arguing of a lifetime isn't going to accomplish what God can do in just one second to enter into a person's heart when it's ready to be entered into!


Truth is, this also applies to the Christian. All of the arguing in the world isn't going to make someone agree with you. If you don't believe me, just go and try to discuss theology with a Calvinist!


Nevertheless, if a person isn't capable at that time of seeing
the truth in what you are saying, that doesn't mean he/she never will fathom it. It just simply means that he/she isn't ready for it. And no argument in the world is going to accomplish what only Jesus Christ can do through the work of the Holy Spirit.


So, we can share what we know, but we should never expect anyone to jump on the band-wagon at first sight. We need to be patient in dealing with those who do not readily accept what we believe.


And yet, at the same time, we also need to recognize that God can teach us, as He did through the atheist with me, something that we may be unaware of about ourselves.


We don't have all of the answers, and we should never be so proud to think that we do.

 

[Seraph1m]

Fellow members..... Today is sabbath school we discussed grace, and the fact everything that the believer becomes is the result of God's working in us, and not anything we have done ourselves...

peace....

The Holy Spirit was truly moving in the hearts of His children bro. While comtemplating what the pastor spoke on regarding two disciples, John and Peter, I was blessed to hear the Holy Spirit speak too. This verse in Galatians reminds me of my place in Him... 2:20 I myself no longer live, but Christ lives in me. So I live my life in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. NLT.

I apologize for speaking in haste or, saying anything to anyone which was offensive.

Blessings to you Stormy for being a leader among men and a true example of a kind and selfless brother in Christ. May we all allow the Holy Spirit to give us the strength and courage to be what He would have us to be. In Jesus name AMEN amen & amen.

Grace and Peace

 

[TrustAndObey]

My grandmother (may she rest in peace) used to say "if you want to dislike someone you can find a hundred reasons to. If you want to like them however, you'll find 101."

 

[TrustAndObey]

For some reason my last post decided to post twice, so I'll use this extra post space as an opportunity to say I love you all, how's that?!

 

[moicherie]

Group hugs and kisses everyone is there a smilie we can use?

 

[HoneyDew]

Smilies here leave much to be desired ... how about "group prayer" smilie?

 

[BondGirl]

I likes that Honey!

 

[StormyOne]

bump because we were discussing it....