Do you know this little parable?

[Pastor Gary]

Pastor Gary,

I am not untouched by those who have abused drugs and alcohol. My youngest brother died from a drug overdose two years ago. I say that simply to let you know that I am not a dispassionate observer. I loved my brother. But I don't blame prescription or illegal drugs for his death. I blame his abuse of those drugs.

My warning to you is to avoid a gnostic view of God's creation. Certainly, I don't deal on a daily basis with the effects of the ABUSE of alcohol that you do. I can't fathom the sadness of the broken homes, the broken relationships, the grief that results from alcoholism or the abuse of alcohol that you deal with.

IRTHENVSL -- my friend. That little parable, again, didn't mention you, our prior discussions, alcohol, or anything else. It makes me start to wonder if you are really so egocentric that you believe every post I make is somehow directed at you, related to you or is built around your philosophical construct.

Seriously: get another topic. The fixation with trying to convince everyone "It's okay to drink beer... really... I mean it... you can drink... they're wrong to tell you not to drink... beer good/legalism bad... did I mention the Bible talks about beer... hey, anybody got a beer?" is starting to make you sound like this.

Pastor Gary,

Your comment is disappointing. I posted this much earlier in the day and I have since sent you a private message in which I agreed that maybe I should be more balanced when discussing this issue. You, on the other hand, don't concede the need to modify your own position. I didn't mention beer in my comment this morning but you have castigated me for my 'fixation' with beer.

To pretend that your little 'parable' had nothing to do with our conversation last night is simply disingenuous. Then to accuse me of being egocentric because I perceived that is bull.

DUDE! Give it a rest, will you??
You live in Mississippi. I live in Hawaii. There's a huge timezone differential. I read things when I read them and respond when I respond. I can't be expected to sort out the time-stamps on your many daily entries to be sure I have the chronology correct... I responded to your PM's. I responded to your post in which you, once again, mentioned the issue of alcohol. I didn't mention it, imply it, or in any way suggest it. You may infer whatever you wish. Believe it or not, I am pondering and wrestling with a multitude of issues, and the one we have engaged is only one of the many.

I am from the Wesleyan-Holiness tradition. I make no apologies for that. I don't teach or preach that holiness is a dress code of list of "don't"s but I DO believe that holiness of heart is best exemplified in a life of simplicity, authenticity and, yes, a degree of genuine caution and restraint.

There is NO PROBLEM between us except the one you seem intent upon creating by taking personal affront at every word I post on my own board.

[beckrl]

PastorG you knew "Do you know this little parable?"
Always equate to alcohol didn't you.

Well it does to some

[Pastor Gary]

PastorG you knew "Do you know this little parable?"
Always equate to alcohol didn't you.

Well it does to some

We all tend to read and hear everything through the filter of our own experience opinions. A wise old guy taught me "To a man who only owns a hammer, every problem looks like a nail."

To apply that here, when one has been involved in a series of discussions on any single topic, one tends to read every post within that context. I have done it, so I kind of understand it.

[beckrl]

Where do you come up with theses

"To a man who only owns a hammer, every problem looks like a nail."

[Pastor Gary]

:D Where do you come up with theses

"To a man who only owns a hammer, every problem looks like a nail."

I grew up in Alabama with a father who was full of pithy, folksy country sayings, and I have served under some wise old white-haired leaders who dropped these pearls of wisdom on me.