xjwsforChrist

I hope I'm not out of line. It's not just you. Some posts do carry a "tone". I've learned to stop reading at that point and just skip to the parts that are relevant to the larger audience.

For me, this site and some on here are a breath of fresh air compared to what I've been taught for my entire life. It's as if my eyes have been opened and I am more prepared to "listen". Not, if only my ears would be opened... LOL!

One thing I respect about this site is that the majority are not nitpicking at all things WTS that they don't like. I'm much more interested in spiritual things and the TRUTH of such matters. I find that sort of discussion refreshing.

Two thumbs up to what you said, LQ, especially this:

You're not out of line, Leaving.

I am glad you and Ataloa are able to wade through to the spiritual matters : )

I am sorry to you also Paul, that you are feeling down because of the bickering. I also dislike the bickering, and would love to get back to things being solely FOR Christ, and that we may share as we hear from Him, and build one another UP.

Peace,
tammy

I will try my best to do my part in toning down the bickering (peace to you all, and MY apologies for my part!). I cannot promise that I would respond when my God, my Lord, or dear ones are being attacked, though. I can only ask for the benefit of the doubt and folks' forgiveness in advance. If one's can give it, wonderful. If not, no worries, none at all. I am not opposed to a subtle coat-pull, though, if it's deemed necessary (and beneficial). In which case, I will try... harder.

Again, peace to you ALL!

Your servant and a slave of Christ,

Shellama

I only ask that if we are truly spiritual and not religious, to act more spiritual and less religious.
We have to do are best to NOT become what we most despise, yes?

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To fear me is to love me....

Yes, Paul!

Great reminder!

Thanks Justmom

True, dear P (peace to you dear one!). BUT... if we are HONEST then we KNOW we are going to fall short. Going to. I KNOW I will. Which is WHY I need a savior. Praise JAH... He has given us One... an ADVOCATE, Helper, Comforter, Paraclete: the HOLY Spirit that is His SON, the HOLY ONE of Israel, JAHESHUA, the Chosen One of JAH (MischaJah)!!

1 John 2:1-2

I have experienced him as merciful and forgiving when I acknowledge my errors to him (which I must CONSTANTLY do, given my life in general and PARTICULARY participation on boards like these which sometime bring out my passion and elevate my zeal so that "kindness" is sometimes overstepped)...

He says "Go your way in peace; your sin is no more" and I know that is TRUE... so long as I, too, am merciful when asked to be... and forgiving... regardless.

But I will work on my errors, dear brother, and can only ask you dears ones here for YOUR mercy and forgiveness. Because sometimes its hard to overlook lies and moreso when they're against your own Master. Love for and loyalty to HIM might cause one to be fervent in their words. Especially in a place the purpose of which is to be ABLE to openly share that love and loyalty withOUT fear of reprisal (from others who also claim such love and loyalty).

Again peace to you and to you all!

YOUR servant, sister, and fellow slave of Christ,

Shellama

We know your zeal and your love Shel, it is one of the MANY things we love you for
I understand it.
How can we NOT have zeal for Our Lord once we KNOW His Love?
How can we NOT want to spread His Gospel since His gospel IS LIFE?

I know, believe me I know all to well !
Never change Shel, your love, devotion and zeal for Our lord is an example for Us all.

As you know, my greatest fear is and always has been NOT the Gospel of Our Lord BUT failing it and Him, failing to do Him justice and failing to show His undying love for us.
And the only way to fail is to turn someone away from Him and that is my biggest fear, that something I say or do will turn a person away from Christ.

I think we all share this fear to some extent PSac, but we mustn't underestimate Christ who is not partial. If He did what He did so that Paul on the road to Tarsus would come to Him, then we know He will do whatever an individual needs to call that one to Himself.

I do believe that we have to show kindness, absolutely, but we can't sacrifice truth just to appease. That would be disloyalty. So, we can only do our best.

Loz x

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"This is my son. LISTEN to Him!"

Yes, Loz.

We have to put our faith in Him and what He tells us to share... because WE don't know who will hear and who will not, who can bear and who is not yet ready to bear something; or who might NEED to hear something at the time. He knows though. So as best as we can, we just need to follow Him, and let Him lead us, in all things, including in regard to anything He gives us to do or to share.

The Body is also made up of different people with different gifts and different approaches and different strengths and different weaknesses. The Truth is always the same though.

I understand your fear too, Paul. My fear is in failing Him, and NOT speaking what He gives me to share, so not hearing and not doing as He wants me to do. Not because I fear Him or punishment of course (as you know, because I am sure it is the same with you)... but because I do not want to disappoint Him; even though I know that I fail all the time, and yet He is still here. He has given me so much, and I still slack off, and sometimes am too scared to speak, or do not want to offend. I keep asking though, and keep praying for the strength to do as He asks, and I am learning (with His help) to be less concerned about offending, and more concerned about doing as HE wants me to do.

Peace to you!

tammy