My perspective

[one love]

I would like to say a few things. First I was challenged and have been defending what I believe not trying to change your theology at all. That is not and has not been my intentions. It is so misleading to percieve that.

It has also been evident that some wont respond to me as soon as they found out I was a pastor in The Church Of God. That is fine if you some feel it is ok to alienate me. I am here with good intentions and never came to debate with 800 people my positions I hold that you used to hold.

I being told things in one direction and im trying my best to use wisdom not to offend anyone. It seems some feel they need no such restraint. I wonder If my being here makes you feel "embarassed as was stated because you did believe this way.

Im very confused by this, I have no problem talking with anyone else in any other organization but for some reason I am being totally misundestood. I think it would be best to end these type of discussions that no other false hoods about me or hurt takes place.

I have tried my best to show my intentions even through private messages. Some felt no need to respond to me even though they messaged me first but after they heard me say im in tcog that was it. How sad.......

May God Bless you.

[one love]

Just wanted to bump this.
Thank you

[MrDanger]

It has also been evident that some wont respond to me as soon as they found out I was a pastor in The Church Of God. That is fine if you some feel it is ok to alienate me.

Do you have a little bit of a victim's mentality going here? I responded to you and you chose not to respond to me. Does that automatically mean that you are avoiding me because I am an associate pastor in the COGOP? Or could it be that you just didn't see it?

[Pastor Gary]

It has also been evident that some wont respond to me as soon as they found out I was a pastor in The Church Of God.

Known here on Jude2 as "The Great Speckled Bird" defense.

[one love]

It has also been evident that some wont respond to me as soon as they found out I was a pastor in The Church Of God. That is fine if you some feel it is ok to alienate me.

Do you have a little bit of a victim's mentality going here? I responded to you and you chose not to respond to me. Does that automatically mean that you are avoiding me because I am an associate pastor in the COGOP? Or could it be that you just didn't see it?

PLease show me where friend and I will respond. No I do not. I was refering to PM's. If you did Pm I somehow missed it forgive me.

[one love]

It has also been evident that some wont respond to me as soon as they found out I was a pastor in The Church Of God.

Known here on Jude2 as "The Great Speckled Bird" defense.

meaning?

[Pastor Gary]

It has also been evident that some wont respond to me as soon as they found out I was a pastor in The Church Of God.

Known here on Jude2 as "The Great Speckled Bird" defense.

meaning?

Meaning: "...every time I try to tell y'all about the TRUTH you won't respond to me because I am TCOG!"

"All the other birds are flocking 'round her
And she is despised by the squad
But the great speckled bird in the Bible
Is one with the great church of God.

All the other churches are against her
They envy her glory and fame
They hate her because she is chosen
And has not denied Jesus' name.

Desiring to lower her standard
They watch every move that she makes
They long to find fault with her teachings
But really they find no mistake."

[MrDanger]

It has also been evident that some wont respond to me as soon as they found out I was a pastor in The Church Of God.

Known here on Jude2 as "The Great Speckled Bird" defense.

That's funny, I don't care who you are.

Onelove, I don't remember what page it was on, but it had to do with people needing to leave because they didn't agree with teachings. My point is that I didn't feel a slight. Sometimes people miss something or forget to respond or are formulating a good attack pm, etc. It's better not to assume why people have done things or not. Give them the benefit of the doubt before assuming its a slight.

[one love]

It has also been evident that some wont respond to me as soon as they found out I was a pastor in The Church Of God.

Known here on Jude2 as "The Great Speckled Bird" defense.

meaning?

Meaning: "...every time I try to tell y'all about the TRUTH you won't respond to me because I am TCOG!"

"All the other birds are flocking 'round her
And she is despised by the squad
But the great speckled bird in the Bible
Is one with the great church of God.

All the other churches are against her
They envy her glory and fame
They hate her because she is chosen
And has not denied Jesus' name.

Desiring to lower her standard
They watch every move that she makes
They long to find fault with her teachings
But really they find no mistake."

is that really what you think I have been doing? If I was would I not be starting these conversations? If I had such a spirit would I have replied to you personally as I have. BTW again I was refering to PM's those who contacted me until they found out I was TCOG. I mentioned nothing about doctrine. I am one here being asked many things and being told how wrong I am , all I have done is responded to what was asked. I could have done the same and said you are wrong. I think the answer is as I said I will avoid these conversations.

[Mike Vande]

Dude, I'm not from COGOP or COG, and never have been. I don't care one way or the other if you are COG. All that matters to me is what you say here.

Frankly, I think this place is kind of like of like an adoptive family. You get adopted by coming here, and then you get to know to become known by the other family members. That takes a period of time, and there is no way around that. Keep posting and folks will respond. You may not like how they respond, but they will.

Stick around. Folks here are a lot nicer than you seem to think.

[RamboPreacher]

one love and others...

I think that everyone's subjective experiences and understandings lead them in directions that they believe to be correct (why else would they go that way!?). whether anyone else believes the other is "right" or not.

misunderstood? maybe. but I think that goes both ways as well. When God, through the Holy Spirit first began to convict me of being judgmental towards those that I believe were being judgmental towards me, I first tried to "justify" my attitude. then I quickly came to myself and realized that I can't change someone else, but I can certainly change myself.

While repenting, I realized that changing myself wasn't even about what I believe, necessarily; but more about my attitude towards others that didnt' believe like myself. I can agree to disagree, and if the other will do the same, then there is no animosity.

having a discussion about the differences might help, or at least might help each other to discover why the other feels the way they do. I have had some changes in what I believe and why I believe them, over the years. I believe this to be a healthy approach to walking in the path as directed by the amount of illumination I have at the time.

having my faith challenged is something that I don't necessarily seek, but it is not something that I will eschew either. So when there are "documentaries" like the lost tomb of Jesus, the gospel of Thomas, the science of the 10 plagues, etc... I look forward to studying about those things so that I can place my faith right on the firing line to see it stand.

When confronted with a "Christian" doctrine that I don't believe, or don't know about, I will continue to study. believing something that is "in the Bible", but I have never studied to find out for myself - doesn't make sense. it only shows that I am a lemming, willing to follow theleader no matter what.

I am not saying either that we should not trust our teachers and pastors. but I am saying that we should have a hunger for God's Word as disciples of Christ. We will be known as disciples by love, it doesn't say we will be known as Christians.

I believe there to be a subtle difference. All Disciples of Christ are Christian, but I do not believe that all Christians are disciples of Christ. There are many folk that claim and proclaim Christianity, but don't know Christ as savior.

with that said, I do have a challenge with being prejudged for one reason or another. That does not mean that I will respond in like manner. I don't have to condone to be tolerant. tolerance does not equate acceptance.

Judaeo Christianity is an "exclusive" religion. it has been from the beginning. this is part of it's uniqueness. the early church was interesting, as I believe. the pagans around them were diverse, and not only tolerant, but accepting of other pagan religions. When a new pagan religion started, it was accepted. those religions weren't either/or.

Christianity proclaimed that you must put aside the pagan things, in order to be Christian, or better perhaps is to say that they had to so that they could be disciples of Christ. either way, Christianity began to grow, at the expense of other religions. Unlike Pagans that all could share their "gods".

It is interesting that some Christians believe this SAME way in reference to other Christians! In this current kosmos, the denominations of Christianity separate each other. and many will claim that they are the only one that is "right". this has been the paradigm since the earliest church, and now continues, but with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, since the "pagans" are few and far between - "we" accuse our brothers and sisters. this ought not be.

[one love]

Onelove, I don't remember what page it was on, but it had to do with people needing to leave because they didn't agree with teachings. My point is that I didn't feel a slight. Sometimes people miss something or forget to respond or are formulating a good attack pm, etc. It's better not to assume why people have done things or not. Give them the benefit of the doubt before assuming its a slight

.

I always do. I guess you would need to know the conversation which is niether here nor there at this point. The challenge is as I said I try to choose words wisely as to not offend others but some show no such restraint. Does that effect me no, but it does hinder a response that will just end up in circles or not being able to answer without everyone going into a rage. Though this same concern seems to not effect others. I came here for the sole purpose of making more friends that are faithful christians. Have debate and good biblical discussion. I enjoy many here but I dont do well with false assumptions that are preconcieved judgements. That is something I will have to deal with.
Sometimes we forget that the wrong words can cause damage. I believe this is why the bible says "guard your conversation" I love healthy debate, I love to agree to disagree. Insults are absolutely unexceptable not becasue I cant take the heat but because it is ungodly and usually takes the conversation in the wrong direction.

Mike I appreciate that. I dont plan on going anywhere but some converations I will probablly refrain from. It is evident that it is not to find out information but rather just try to prove a point. By doing so it just becomes elevated in the wrong direction and becomes unedifying. You can say so many things with wisdom completely disagreeing and still have a good spirit. Love covers a multitude of sins, this is my desire. I dont desire to offend , provoke or hurt anyone.
Rambo you are an awesome person I appreciate you and your insight!!!

I have been fighting a battle lately so overlook some of my own aggression and just whisper a word of prayer for this situation.

May God Bless you

[RamboPreacher]

...
Rambo you are an awesome person I appreciate you and your insight!!!
..

Thanks.
Oh and By the way, I don't happen to believe in "debates" on a public forum. they are public, everyone can and usually do join in, there are no moderators of the debate, and it isn't dialogical for those reasons, not to mention again the text only forum limitations. That's why I prefer to say that we are having a discussion. since we all assume (I hope), that it's possible to misunderstand and even mis-speak, in a discussion (and also recognize the text-only limiting format) - just my dos centavos

[scooter]

Dude, I'm not from COGOP or COG, and never have been. I don't care one way or the other if you are COG. All that matters to me is what you say here.

Frankly, I think this place is kind of like of like an adoptive family. You get adopted by coming here, and then you get to know to become known by the other family members. That takes a period of time, and there is no way around that. Keep posting and folks will respond. You may not like how they respond, but they will.

Stick around. Folks here are a lot nicer than you seem to think.

Response: Or he could leave start a message board and call it THE one love true Jude2.

[scooter]

Rambo you are an awesome person I appreciate you and your insight!!!
May God Bless you

Response: Just don't come to his church to be told how your awesome insight has caused you such error that you must now change or hit the bricks. In love of course.