Quote:
Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa
Chris, mocking me getting burned on a lit stove by a drunken stepparent?
Chris, you are a phony, place me on ignore. You want to play Christian, robed in saffron, soaked in peity? Have at it, just don’t blow your smoke towards me, because I’ll tell you the truth.
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If I've given you the impression that I think I'm pious and robed in saffron, I apologize. I'm actually quite the battered ship, but the anchor holds.
I think if we're both completely honest, we will both admit that we've said things to one another that we shouldn't have said. Whether it was mocking and denying the reality of PTSD, or mocking the reality of an instance of abuse from one's childhood. Please allow me to openly tell you that I'm sorry. I became upset that you mocked the pain I carry and so, I mocked yours. It wasn't right. I shouldn't have done that. I've prayed that God forgive me and put it under the blood. I've also prayed that you and I find that missing element that will allow us to actually see one another clearly for who we truly are and not as the cartoon-like characters we go round and round trying to beat up. The real EB isn't the EB that I've been attacking, it is a mischaracterization. The real Aquila isn't the Aquila you've been attacking, it too is a mischaracterization. Our humanity has muddied the waters. And while we might disagree on various points, I do believe we might find that we actually agree on quite a lot. In some ways, while of different opinions on various matters, our personalities are similar. We're both wordy. And we're both rather fixed in our confidence. And... well... truth be told... we both can be abrasive. But that abrasiveness isn't always a bad thing. Like sandpaper it can smooth over our rough edges.
I don't know how to word it right EB. I want to extend an olive branch of peace. But I want to explain my desire to do so in a way that is respectful to you and doesn't lend itself to being misunderstood. In this, I wish I knew exactly how to word it.
I'm not putting you on ignore. I don't think you've said anything to warrant that.
There was a time when our differences were not taken so personally. I miss those days. One man put it this way, he explained how a Pre-Trib believer might laugh with a Post-Trib brother and say, "Look, I expect to be Raptured before the Tribulation. So, I'll leave you a note on where to find my storage of food and toilet paper to help you through the Tribulation." They took their differences in stride. They understood that a brother with another opinion, experience, or conviction was still a brother on account of God having filled him with the Spirit and his having been baptized in the name of Jesus.
For example, Michael believes in Soul Sleep. I don't. While certainly only one of us can be right about that teaching, I don't doubt Michael's sincerity or salvation.
So, I want you to know that while we've differed on various standards, teachings, and practices... I don't doubt your salvation. I'm sure that when we get to Heaven, we'll both find that we were each right on some things and wrong on others. But the one thing we will realize is that we are of one spirit, for it is the Holy Spirit abiding in us, not another, and we are one spirit with Him (
II Corinthians 6:17).
What has troubled me most about our conversation is not any of the differences we have... but our attitudes. I say OUR attitudes because I know I haven't always maintained the proper attitude with you. And I want to say I'm sorry.
So, how can I express my intentions to you in a way that it will be received? I truly want to mend this. I feel the LORD impressing upon me to make this right. So, here I am. I'm not perfect. I can be an idiot at times. But I'm trying. Can we somehow work this out? I think it would make the forum more enjoyable for both of us, and perhaps even others. Such contention shouldn't remain between brothers. Of course, I'm not asking you to be my best bud. I know I've probably said things that might take you some time to forgive me for. But, I'd like to find a way to put this tension, hostility, or whatever it is behind us.
Help me out here.
God bless and keep you and yours.
Chris
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