A New Guy's Perspective

[DavidRMaas]

I recently joined CCGathering at the suggestion of an old friend.  I post this under “rubber room” since that is where I am most at home. 

I have three interests here:  to be edified, to renew old acquaintances and find new ones, and hopefully when I can to edify others.  Reopening old wounds or endless recriminations is not of interest.

I evaluated this site’s statistics and a number of past threads.  While I am not particularly good with numbers it quickly became apparent that four voices at present dominate this board:  Robert Sackett, Steve Born, Lanny and Helen.  While there are other voices active here, for the most part their activities have decreased in frequency over time.  Since clearly this is a discussion board in rapid decline I have to ask, why?

Robert Sackett makes valiant efforts to focus discussions on the Word of God. Though he may be a bit ‘rough around the edges’ for some people's taste, the scripture-loving loose cannon in me pays him a 21-gun salute.

Steve Born has progressed far beyond his Chapel years.  He is relentless.  He has an agenda though what it is I do not know.  Like the Holy Trinity why he persists on this board remains a mystery.

Lanny’s timing is impeccable in his efforts to defuse arguments and his grammar is excellent.  He is on topic and concise, using three words to communicate what takes me thirty.

Helen is Helen.

I have presumed much and pontificated enough. So where do we go from here?

[Helen]

Since clearly this is a discussion board in rapid decline I have to ask, why?

It seems that most of the people on this board have been able to spend enough time discussing their main concerns about the Chapel David and they are finding closure and are going on from some of the Chapel-think that is still prevalent on this board from time to time.  This is not a bad reason why this board is slowing down. 

[Joel J.]

   David,

Good to see/hear from you again as I remember you well from back from the seventies.

I am on the Gordy board these days just spending time fellowshipping. I have met many friends here.

I stay away from harsh debates these days, I am not interested in squaring off with someone who believes differently then myself, especially someone who is entrenched in their position.  I do not think we are called to debate with those who are just here to debate...I believe it just feeds the ill they have inside.

 I do enjoy reading debates when both parties are sharping their iron against each other, like say Bob and Lanny, I have changed my mind on many issues participating on this board.

Also I go witnessing once a week and talk my head off for three or four hours straight and that takes any fight I might have right out of me. I attended Jamie's fellowship this last year and he said to me that I never talk.  I said back to him I am all talked out. Witnessing also causes me not to want to argue with demonized people, you learn real quick on the streets that you can not win when arguing with demons. Better to look stupid excusing yourself right at first then at the end of some wasted time

The coolest thing I have learned this last year is I am not responsible for anyone but myself, I do not need to respond to every gun fighter that walks into town and spits on my boots. I can just turn and walk away and let God deal with them. I just do not feel tempted to get into it anymore..I love this new feeling I have, and it only took me 35 years to learn

Ok then...........just did not want to keep ya hanging.

[candy]

Steve Born has progressed far beyond his Chapel years.  He is relentless.  He has an agenda though what it is I do not know.  Like the Holy Trinity why he persists on this board remains a mystery.

Hi David.  This is funny funny funny.  I got a good laugh out of this. 

There are any number of things I would like to discuss here but I have found that those I really want to talk to are careful with their words and dont say much.  Any discussion regarding the nature of Jesus, (which I am very interested in) always becomes dominated by SB's concerns regarding trinitarianism.  I usually get bored on that point.

And Helen often bites me in the hinder, or ever worse, she chews my
#&*!    It is true that I am losing weight but I need more off my tummy please.

(No doubt, I will get some kind of reprimand for above comments, but we must take such risks every so often!)

Nevertheless, I have gotten a great deal of good out of this board.  One of the best things that I learned here was that I am not alone in how I view Jesus.   What a joy that has  been for me. I only wish we could talk about it more, but that seems impossible at this point.

I have also benefited enormously from discussions about "moving in the spirit" and what that actually means.

Oh, and I have also learned quite a bit about "the prophetic movement" by some discussions here.  This has proven quite useful to me these days.

In the past few years, a number of folks showed up here who were ready to rumble--they picked fights with anyone they could and they completely dominated the board until it really was insufferable.  They are gone now, and they took their cannons with them for the most part.

Anyway, things have changed over the years.  I tend to imitate Joel's style, although I could never actually have his style.  I mean really!

Anyway, I dont remember you from the chapel but thanks for dropping in.  I used to feel like I  knew tons of people at the chapel.  It's surprising how many long-timers I never  knew!

[Helen]

I used to think the same way against Steve and found that respect for a person's theology can outweigh their love for the brethren.  I had to come to term with, 'do I love my brother Steve in the Lord?'  Being honest with myself, I realized my heart towards him was not right before God, when I joined in mocking that was leveled at him here because we do not agree with his understanding of the Word and I found that I was not only able to understand Steve better, but also many of my Christian brethren that have never been influenced by the doctrines of the Chapel at all. 

I don't have to feel the slight of those here as any great threat, when I make every effort to learn what the Word says; despite the loss of popularity.   

[DavidRMaas]

Joel,

I appreciate your comments and insights.  I do not know your last name, I cannot immediately recall anyone named Joel and therefore cannot place you in my mind.  But do not take offense as this is due to my orientation.  My brain processes raw data and tedious details better than it does names or faces.  To this day I still can't remember my own mother's birthday, though painfully repeated failures on my part have at last conditioned me to never forget my wedding anniversary.  Pavlov's methods still work. My mind is usually wandering off somewhere following its own whims as it has a "mind" of its own.

Candy,

I am surprised when someone from CCBTC does know who I am.  My circle of close friends was always small. I have never socialized much.

It's always nice when someone recognizes my tongue is usually firmly implanted in my cheek.

I am glad to hear you and others continue to benefit and my evaluation of the situation could very well be incorrect, and I actually hope so.  I have only shared my initial impression after examining the board’s statistics (yes, I cheated and relied on the excellent bar charts provided by the Administrator rather than the specific statistics) as well as reading a good number of past exchanges.

Though I have studied Christology and the nature of God to a good extent (and in the process changed certain of my views), these are not actually my main topics of emphasis though I'm always eager to discuss them with interested parties.

I understand that some may hold back and I respect their wishes/reasons.  For several reasons I decided at one point to use my own name on discussion boards and routinely provide my email addresses so anyone can contact me directly to continue further discussions offline, ask me anything point blank, complain, etc. (eleutheria@prodigy.net, bear7755@gmail.com), or not. 

Helen,

Regarding your comment, "It seems that most of the people on this board have been able to spend enough time discussing their main concerns about the Chapel David and they are finding closure and are going on..."  I want to believe this and sincerely hope your evaluation is more spot on than mine.

[Joel J.]

 Here is the scripture I preface my statements on..

Titus 3:9-10

 9But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. 10Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him.

We are not called to go on and on and on and on with someone whom is divisive.

[Helen]

Here is the scripture I preface my statements on..

Titus 3:9-10

 9But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. 10Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him.

We are not called to go on and on and on and on with someone whom is divisive.

Joel, you might want to rethink calling your brethren heretics.  You end up doing exactly what you are preaching against. 

[Joel J.]

  Helen.

I am missing what you are stating, where did I call someone a heretic?

Yes

[Helen]

  Helen.

I am missing what you are stating, where did I can someone a heretic?

Just for clarification, did you mean 'where did I call someone a heretic?' 

[Helen]

call yes thanks

9But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. 10A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; Titus 3:9-10  KJV

Heretick (Grk.), hairetikos.

[Joel J.]

  Oh, ok it is in the Grk. now what is your point about it, who was I calling a heretic?

[Helen]

 Oh, ok it is in the Grk. now what is your point about it, who was I calling a heretic?

Those you accuse here with this verse Joel.

[Joel J.]

  So is what you are say is this verse only applies to those outside of the body of Christ?


                                           

[Helen]

  So is what you are say is this verse only applies to those outside of the body of Christ?

I can comment on that, but just to be clear Joel, so you DID intend to call some of us here heretics?