My joy, and My sorrow

[livin_in_the_Son]

First off, i want to say, I love this site, you people have become my cyber-family, and church. Every morning, after quiet time, I check in, even though my user name is always logged in, I'm not always present. I think of you often, and remember you in prayers, even saying special prayers for special requests. I have asked advice, given comments, praised our Lord and learned a boatload.....but today, I didn't want to be here.

Some background on me I have been physically, emotionally, and sexually abused. I have been beaten, molested, and raped....but the worst pain has always been through words...implied, shouted, mocked, laughed at, put down......you name it.

I have been actively looking for a home church, even sent PMs and posted threads for suggestions, prayed for it, etc. Finally, we found the church right for us. It's small, but not too small, it's bible-based without cataloging the bible. It has an awesome children's church, and the pastor preaches from the bible with proper conviction filled of the Holy Spirit. I was so excited to come home, praising God for answering a prayer, and to speak of my joy to my family.....only to walk into back-biting and beligerent posting....

It hurt my heart. It made me want to retreat to a safe place, in short it made me not want to be here. I'm not calling anyone out, or naming a specific post...but the recent level of snarky posts has me thinking that THIS isn't what we are called to do. This isn't love, it isn't Christian....and it certainly makes those that condemn us to feel justified in pointing fingers.....

We are NOT perfect but we should at least be more quick to give the benefit of the doubt, and forgiveness than heathens....right? Whether we agree, disagree, or trip up in our flesh....My prayer tonight is that maybe the anger so blatently expressed lately, escapes from our midsts, and that we turn back to showing brotherly love for our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.

In Him, who loved us, even when we were sinners,
Juli

Ps. Thank You God for answering my prayer for a new church home. You are ever worthy of my praise!

[Hannah]

EPH 4:1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit-- just as you were called to one hope when you were called-- 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

I pray along with you Living_in_the_son we will all be able to grow in this way so there is more unity amongst us for the sake of each other and as our witness to those who come here to read our postings, amen.

Thanks for reminding us to be more loving and patient with each other.

I know I haven't apologised for all the hurts I have caused in the past. So I will take this opportunity to say I'm sorry. I really didn't mean to set out to offend others. Again my aplogies for hurting you.

[anath]

My prayer tonight is that maybe the anger so blatently expressed lately, escapes from our midsts, and that we turn back to showing brotherly love for our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.

In Him, who loved us, even when we were sinners,
Juli

Ps. Thank You God for answering my prayer for a new church home. You are ever worthy of my praise!

In agreement with Juli and Lord we give You all the praise and glory for leading Juli to find a church home. In Jesus Name, Amen.

[mattfivefour]

THIS isn't what we are called to do. This isn't love, it isn't Christian....and it certainly makes those that condemn us to feel justified in pointing fingers.....

You are absolutely correct, Juli. When we allow the old man to surface we grieve the Holy Spirit. And we give Satan ground.

We are NOT perfect but we should at least be more quick to give the benefit of the doubt, and forgiveness than heathens....right? Whether we agree, disagree, or trip up in our flesh.

Yes. Absolutely. God says that "Love covers a multitude of sins." (1 Peter 4:8) In other words, if we truly love our brothers and sisters even if they offend us we will not notice. And we certainly will not take it into account. Is that not what 1 Corinthians 13:5 (NASB) says? "[Love] does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered."

My prayer tonight is that maybe the anger so blatently expressed lately, escapes from our midsts, and that we turn back to showing brotherly love for our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.

I join you in that heart-felt prayer, Juli.