Goodbye

[map4]

I liked reading his posts.

Doesn't matter to me if I agree or not (not necessraily talking about his posts), I like to hear what other people have learned. Sometimes I learn from them. At least I know where they are coming from. And sometimes I need what I believe to be challenged to see if I really believe what I say I do. Kinda like testing my faith. Makes me dig deeper in the Word and spend time in prayer to see if I am hearing correctly.

Isn't that what we all want. To hear correctly and not be misled or deceived?

Not saying we should accept everything from everybody, but seek His face and ask Him to show us if we are in error. To show us if we have misuderstood, misinterrpreted, or perhaps even been mislead. I want to know if I have missed hearing His voice.

 

[SavedByGrace3]

Goodbye grasshopper!

Consider that you catch more flies with sugar.
I am sure you have much to share... just improve on that delivery a bit.
I used to be a "watchman" and was constantly frustrated, rejected, disliked, and downright sad.
I changed the approach to more of a teaching style than an "attack dog" style, and yippie! And I change many more minds sharing than daring.
There are people still do not like me, but that is ok because it is their problem not mine!
Peacie.

 

[Father Rick]

It was a "dusting off the feet" thing. He posted some things he felt led to, and when he was done he was done. (HA! He's probably reading this shaking his head)

I don't know if these are his words or yours... so please understand that while what I am going to say may apply to Watchman, it is NOT directed specifically at him but rather at an error I have seen in many.

First, anyone who thinks they should "dust off their feet" toward other Christians is 1) completely mis-understanding Christ's command (since such was specifically directed to unbelievers who rejected the gospel and NOT at other believers) and 2) ensnared in pride and doesn't realize it.

As Christians, we are called to live in community with one another. We are all part of ONE body. And scripture is blatantly clear that one part of the body CANNOT say to another part of the body "I have no need of you". Rather, "as iron sharpens iron, so the countenance of one man sharpens another".

When it comes to our brothers in Christ, we are to learn and grow from one another. If we blow off our brother as being "not spiritual enough" or "not mature enough" or whatever, it is not just our brother we are rejecting but it is actually Christ, Himself, who lives within our brother that we are rejecting as well.

Those who I'll term as "hit and run prophets"... that is, those who blow in, don't build relationship, don't learn community, but simply feel compelled to "put everyone straight"... then blow out again are not following Biblical patterns, are not demonstrating Christ's nature, and should not be surprised when the "word" they give is not accepted. Even if the "word" truly is from God, the character/manner in which it is given overshadows the "word", in essence rendering it moot.

Look at Christ. He didn't just appear one day, yell at the Pharisees, take a bullwhip in the temple, say "Follow me", then run off. Rather, He came and lived with us, as one of us... building relationship, spending time with His disciples (as well as the sinners), eating dinner with them, visiting their homes, becoming their close friend. He spent 30 years living among us before He ever started "ministering" to us. His is the model we are to follow.

 

[SavedByGrace3]

The fact is, if you walk into a room with an attitude and a chip on your shoulder and proceed to tell everyone where they are wrong, then do not expect to have any friends. That is how human relations work. And slapping people on the hands is not the way to change their minds. All that does is make them hide their hands.
Talk to people as if they are people, not as if they are broken things that need fixing and you are the one to do the job.

I suggest a college level class on human relations, and how to communicate with people.

 

[SavedByGrace3]

It takes O christians, christians are supposed to be the light bulb.
the only light shinning in this thread is that of satan when people joke and be scarcastic and mean when someone is LEAVING. We are supposed to be one flock but when someone leaves the sheep laugh and throw rocks at the sheep straying away from the flock could it be there are wolves dressed as sheep within the flock ?? I used to wonder what the word APATHY meant this forum has taught me the exact meaning of the word time and time again.
Brother i am sorry you are leaving i dont know you but i am sure i missed out on coming to know you ,God gave me the oppertunity to know you and i never took the time to even say high and now you are leaving and that sadens me. Brother rod

So this is what we get from "watchmen" type posts:

We are all broken and need fixing.
We are all wolves.
We are apathetic.
All this because we do not instantly agree with every word that they are saying.
Tough.
I do not apologize for standing by what I believe and not bowing down to the name calling and egotism of people who think I am always wrong and they are always right. According to them, we are all steeped in lies (what we individually think) and need to be shown the "truth" (that being what they think).

Nope.. no apologizes at all.

Guess what... I can be a "watchman" too!
And I think they should all bow down to the "truth" as I see it! My truth is God's truth! (Is that not what ALL "watchmen" say?) And it is they who are the ones who are wrong and need fixing!

If they don't value my efforts, then I will slink away hurt and bitter; regretting the time I "wasted" here with the likes of "them." We are all fools anyways! Right!
Dust dust dust.

I don't think so.

Good luck getting ANYONE to listen to you with that attitude. It just does not work. It never has.

 

[Tychicus2]

I don't know if these are his words or yours... so please understand that while what I am going to say may apply to Watchman, it is NOT directed specifically at him but rather at an error I have seen in many.

First, anyone who thinks they should "dust off their feet" toward other Christians is 1) completely mis-understanding Christ's command (since such was specifically directed to unbelievers who rejected the gospel and NOT at other believers) and 2) ensnared in pride and doesn't realize it.

As Christians, we are called to live in community with one another. We are all part of ONE body. And scripture is blatantly clear that one part of the body CANNOT say to another part of the body "I have no need of you". Rather, "as iron sharpens iron, so the countenance of one man sharpens another".

When it comes to our brothers in Christ, we are to learn and grow from one another. If we blow off our brother as being "not spiritual enough" or "not mature enough" or whatever, it is not just our brother we are rejecting but it is actually Christ, Himself, who lives within our brother that we are rejecting as well.

Those who I'll term as "hit and run prophets"... that is, those who blow in, don't build relationship, don't learn community, but simply feel compelled to "put everyone straight"... then blow out again are not following Biblical patterns, are not demonstrating Christ's nature, and should not be surprised when the "word" they give is not accepted. Even if the "word" truly is from God, the character/manner in which it is given overshadows the "word", in essence rendering it moot.

Look at Christ. He didn't just appear one day, yell at the Pharisees, take a bullwhip in the temple, say "Follow me", then run off. Rather, He came and lived with us, as one of us... building relationship, spending time with His disciples (as well as the sinners), eating dinner with them, visiting their homes, becoming their close friend. He spent 30 years living among us before He ever started "ministering" to us. His is the model we are to follow.

Well Said...

 

[Tychicus2]

So this is what we get from "watchmen" type posts:

We are all broken and need fixing.
We are all wolves.
We are apathetic.
All this because we do not instantly agree with every word that they are saying.
Tough.
I do not apologize for standing by what I believe and not bowing down to the name calling and egotism of people who think I am always wrong and they are always right. According to them, we are all steeped in lies (what we individually think) and need to be shown the "truth" (that being what they think).

Nope.. no apologizes at all.

Guess what... I can be a "watchman" too!
And I think they should all bow down to the "truth" as I see it! My truth is God's truth! (Is that not what ALL "watchmen" say?) And it is they who are the ones who are wrong and need fixing!

If they don't value my efforts, then I will slink away hurt and bitter; regretting the time I "wasted" here with the likes of "them." We are all fools anyways! Right!
Dust dust dust.

I don't think so.

Good luck getting ANYONE to listen to you with that attitude. It just does not work. It never has.

Well Said also... regarding *watchman* like people....

In fact a Christian so *bittin* by them may perceive the one Biting as a Wolf in Sheeps clothing as our Lord warned about.

Here,

Ty

 

[Tamara224]

Good luck getting ANYONE to listen to you with that attitude. It just does not work. It never has.

Can't.... say... what...I...really....really....want...to....say...

God bless you Dids!

 

[Moriah_Conquering_Wind]

It was a "dusting off the feet" thing. He posted some things he felt led to, and when he was done he was done. (HA! He's probably reading this shaking his head)

THERE, see? Moriah bes RIGHT ALL ALONG about this.

HAH.

Moriah: 1
Guilt-trippers: 0

 

[Moriah_Conquering_Wind]

I don't know if these are his words or yours... so please understand that while what I am going to say may apply to Watchman, it is NOT directed specifically at him but rather at an error I have seen in many.

First, anyone who thinks they should "dust off their feet" toward other Christians is 1) completely mis-understanding Christ's command (since such was specifically directed to unbelievers who rejected the gospel and NOT at other believers) and 2) ensnared in pride and doesn't realize it.

As Christians, we are called to live in community with one another. We are all part of ONE body. And scripture is blatantly clear that one part of the body CANNOT say to another part of the body "I have no need of you". Rather, "as iron sharpens iron, so the countenance of one man sharpens another".

When it comes to our brothers in Christ, we are to learn and grow from one another. If we blow off our brother as being "not spiritual enough" or "not mature enough" or whatever, it is not just our brother we are rejecting but it is actually Christ, Himself, who lives within our brother that we are rejecting as well.

Those who I'll term as "hit and run prophets"... that is, those who blow in, don't build relationship, don't learn community, but simply feel compelled to "put everyone straight"... then blow out again are not following Biblical patterns, are not demonstrating Christ's nature, and should not be surprised when the "word" they give is not accepted. Even if the "word" truly is from God, the character/manner in which it is given overshadows the "word", in essence rendering it moot.

Look at Christ. He didn't just appear one day, yell at the Pharisees, take a bullwhip in the temple, say "Follow me", then run off. Rather, He came and lived with us, as one of us... building relationship, spending time with His disciples (as well as the sinners), eating dinner with them, visiting their homes, becoming their close friend. He spent 30 years living among us before He ever started "ministering" to us. His is the model we are to follow.

As usual, Father Rick has manifested the voice of wisdom.

 

[Moriah_Conquering_Wind]

The fact is, if you walk into a room with an attitude and a chip on your shoulder and proceed to tell everyone where they are wrong, then do not expect to have any friends. That is how human relations work. And slapping people on the hands is not the way to change their minds. All that does is make them hide their hands.
Talk to people as if they are people, not as if they are broken things that need fixing and you are the one to do the job.

Good advice.

(*cheerfully pours itself a much needed dose as well*)

 

[millerrod]

So this is what we get from "watchmen" type posts:

We are all broken and need fixing.
We are all wolves.
We are apathetic.
All this because we do not instantly agree with every word that they are saying.
Tough.
I do not apologize for standing by what I believe and not bowing down to the name calling and egotism of people who think I am always wrong and they are always right. According to them, we are all steeped in lies (what we individually think) and need to be shown the "truth" (that being what they think).

Nope.. no apologizes at all.

Guess what... I can be a "watchman" too!
And I think they should all bow down to the "truth" as I see it! My truth is God's truth! (Is that not what ALL "watchmen" say?) And it is they who are the ones who are wrong and need fixing!

If they don't value my efforts, then I will slink away hurt and bitter; regretting the time I "wasted" here with the likes of "them." We are all fools anyways! Right!
Dust dust dust.

I don't think so.

Good luck getting ANYONE to listen to you with that attitude. It just does not work. It never has.

Dids i am sorry you feel that way i try to do my best at being obident to God and God alone. I am guilty of speaking straight up. I am way to straight forward in my speaking but i am learning and i do reconize my need to change how i aproach and how i say things. I am at best a work in progress and i no doubt try Gods patience as well as my brothers and sisters patience as well. I love you brother i am sorry for the way i am but God can and does do amazing things in peoples lives if we are willing to repent and admit and reconize a change needs to be made. I am just clay brother be patient and some day God will have me shaped into how he wants me to be. From the days when i would park my Harley in front of a bar, go in and beat the hell out of someone just for looking at me, God has done alot of shaping already and i reconize God has alot more shaping to do. But i am willing brother i really am !! Brother rod

 

[Moriah_Conquering_Wind]

This is shaping up to be a good thread. Moriah sees a lot of honesty going on and open hearts and people talking WITH one another not AT. Good good good and PRAISE GOD. This does its heart a world of good. THANK You Jesus THANK You.

 

[SavedByGrace3]

Dids i am sorry you feel that way i try to do my best at being obident to God and God alone. I am guilty of speaking straight up. I am way to straight forward in my speaking but i am learning and i do reconize my need to change how i aproach and how i say things. I am at best a work in progress and i no doubt try Gods patience as well as my brothers and sisters patience as well. I love you brother i am sorry for the way i am but God can and does do amazing things in peoples lives if we are willing to repent and admit and reconize a change needs to be made. I am just clay brother be patient and some day God will have me shaped into how he wants me to be. From the days when i would park my Harley in front of a bar, go in and beat the hell out of someone just for looking at me, God has done alot of shaping already and i reconize God has alot more shaping to do. But i am willing brother i really am !! Brother rod

I am too. Everything you said is true about me too. But I am not sorry for it and neither should you be. I too am speaking straight up.
The thing that defines a true watchman is empathy.
I feel you have empathy. You can and do feel the hurts, pains sorrows, and even the darkness that exists in your brothers and sisters. But then it is all a matter of how you respond. Is your response really love? It is easy to see the wrongs in others. But are you feeling their pain? Do you see why they are the way they are? Have you been that way yourself? Sounds like you have.
Take care in your assumption that every word you say is of and from God. That is highly unlikely.... for anyone. Regardless of how much truth you think you have, you have error. We all do. The biggest error is thinking that you have none...because then you cannot and will never learn anything. Perfection does not have to. So what happens when you "demand" that others conform to your error? That is not good. What if you sway people from the truth into your error? That is not good.
I think "watchmen" types have a sense of urgency. The world is going to hell.They feel like they have to do something! Someone has to do something! At some point you just have to give it up and believe that God is dealing with this. He is not laying around doing nothing. Faith that works through love accomplishes much. But urgency alone only breeds frustration and sorrow.
Enough////

 

[Jere209]

Kinda reminds me of how some felt about John the Baptist....

 

[churchlady]

Having a prophetess for a best friend, I have witnessed time and again, over decades the growing process of a prophet.

God uses them because they have a tremendous love of truth and righteousness and holiness, and are willing to be disliked if that is the price to pay of obeying God as His mouthpiece.

They see black and white instead of gray like most of us.

All Paul's need their Barnamas' (sp), to run interference at times for them, letting them escape by the basket at night, because they can have some pretty sharp edges that make a lot of people mad.

But they are highly valuable among us, and we need to protect them while God is refining them.

God is refining all of us, not just them. It's just that their message is blunt and goes straight to the flesh to hack it off sometimes.

My friend the prophetess, is a lot softer than she used to be with her delivery. She was always afraid that if she softened the message, it was because she feared man more than she feared God. Thank God He's longsuffering with all of us.

 

[millerrod]

The line of accusers is a long long line but i wonder how many can sack their pride and step out of that long line. be it we are defending another brother or sister and in doing so stand in the line of accusors or be it we become an accusor by acussing the acussors its still all the same line of accusors. A line we all need to step out of, if our pride allows us to do so.

 

[Ajax 777]

But urgency alone only breeds frustration and sorrow.
Enough////

Is your irony here intentional?

 

[SavedByGrace3]

Kinda reminds me of how some felt about John the Baptist....

And if you recall... he got handed his head on a platter.

 

[millerrod]

I am too. Everything you said is true about me too. But I am not sorry for it and neither should you be. I too am speaking straight up.
The thing that defines a true watchman is empathy.
I feel you have empathy. You can and do feel the hurts, pains sorrows, and even the darkness that exists in your brothers and sisters. But then it is all a matter of how you respond. Is your response really love? It is easy to see the wrongs in others. But are you feeling their pain? Do you see why they are the way they are? Have you been that way yourself? Sounds like you have.
Take care in your assumption that every word you say is of and from God. That is highly unlikely.... for anyone. Regardless of how much truth you think you have, you have error. We all do. The biggest error is thinking that you have none...because then you cannot and will never learn anything. Perfection does not have to. So what happens when you "demand" that others conform to your error? That is not good. What if you sway people from the truth into your error? That is not good.
I think "watchmen" types have a sense of urgency. The world is going to hell.They feel like they have to do something! Someone has to do something! At some point you just have to give it up and believe that God is dealing with this. He is not laying around doing nothing. Faith that works through love accomplishes much. But urgency alone only breeds frustration and sorrow.
Enough////

I believe brother my post was admitting to the fact i have error and alot of it. I have never said that all i speak is from God its not.
However with that said if i speak a message of Forewarning from God it is from God because before i speak it i make sure its been confirmed by several brothers or sisters of Christ. For these messages i do not apoligize they are given-delivered out of obidence and they are from God.
I will be the first to admit and i did admit i need growth in many areas so by all means brother whenever you see me being to blunt or anything you see as error please by all means alert me to it i have no problem whatsoever sacking my pride and changing when i need to.
Wish i had more time to talk but i need to get back to serving God and delivering messages. Brother rod