>>>"It's All Just a Game."

[crakjak]

We are all more alike than we are different, we are just not all at the same place at the same time.

[EA]

Originally Posted by crakjak

We are all more alike than we are different, we are just not all at the same place at the same time.

Good point.

Realizing this makes one a bit more tolerant, and a lot less apt to pronounce judgement too quickly.

In my youth, I was very legalistic. I wouldn't even let my infant daughter wear pants or shorts at home. I felt like that was an inconsistency I couldn't live with. In my mind, if pants were an abomination, age and geography shouldn't matter.

While I still believe consistency is important, I now have the benefit of years of hindsight. In short, I was truly ignorant.

It wasn't just that I expected my own family to live that way - I judged others, who didn't live like us - very harshly.

During that time, two ministers tried to help me see how faulty my theology and logic was. I rejected their efforts and wrote them off. I was sure they were soft on the message.

Look at me now. While I live much the same way, my view of God, and my attude, have changed dramatically.

I was a jerk to them. I was wrong. But there is nothing they could have done to help me because I was convinced of my "rightness." Only the gentle passage of time, combined with the love of a merciful and forgiving God, could change me.

I see so many young men zealously defending traditions they know nothing of, and it makes me cringe. I see myself in them, and I want to help.

But I have found that most are unwilling to receive what I have to say. They will have to learn the same way so many of us learned - through time, study and spiritual enlightenment.

[RevDWW]

Originally Posted by Edward Anglin

Good point.

Realizing this makes one a bit more tolerant, and a lot less apt to pronounce judgement too quickly.

In my youth, I was very legalistic. I wouldn't even let my infant daughter wear pants or shorts at home. I felt like that was an inconsistency I couldn't live with. In my mind, if pants were an abomination, age and geography shouldn't matter.

While I still believe consistency is important, I now have the benefit of years of hindsight. In short, I was truly ignorant.

It wasn't just that I expected my own family to live that way - I judged others, who didn't live like us - very harshly.

During that time, two ministers tried to help me see how faulty my theology and logic was. I rejected their efforts and wrote them off. I was sure they were soft on the message.

Look at me now. While I live much the same way, my view of God, and my attude, have changed dramatically.

I was a jerk to them. I was wrong. But there is nothing they could have done to help me because I was convinced of my "rightness." Only the gentle passage of time, combined with the love of a merciful and forgiving God, could change me.

I see so many young men zealously defending traditions they know nothing of, and it makes me cringe. I see myself in them, and I want to help.

But I have found that most are unwilling to receive what I have to say. They will have to learn the same way so many of us learned - through time, study and spiritual enlightenment.

Uh Oh......you used the "T" word........what next, will you be championing compassion and charity?

While living in Milwaukee County I noticed the Sheriff's Department Patrol cars had a great bumper sticker that said "Attitude is everything". I firmly believe that David in the 51st Psalm was saying the same thing when he prayed for a clean heart and right spirit. The Spirit of the law is much more merciful than the Letter of the law. When we pass judgment by the letter, we will be judged by the letter and the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

I hope my life is one that gives others all the kindness, compassion, charity, tolerance, forgiveness, long-suffering, mercy , and grace that I need.

Perhaps some folks can't give what they don't have.

[dizzyde]

Originally Posted by Edward Anglin

Good point.

Realizing this makes one a bit more tolerant, and a lot less apt to pronounce judgement too quickly.

In my youth, I was very legalistic. I wouldn't even let my infant daughter wear pants or shorts at home. I felt like that was an inconsistency I couldn't live with. In my mind, if pants were an abomination, age and geography shouldn't matter.

While I still believe consistency is important, I now have the benefit of years of hindsight. In short, I was truly ignorant.

It wasn't just that I expected my own family to live that way - I judged others, who didn't live like us - very harshly.

During that time, two ministers tried to help me see how faulty my theology and logic was. I rejected their efforts and wrote them off. I was sure they were soft on the message.

Look at me now. While I live much the same way, my view of God, and my attude, have changed dramatically.

I was a jerk to them. I was wrong. But there is nothing they could have done to help me because I was convinced of my "rightness." Only the gentle passage of time, combined with the love of a merciful and forgiving God, could change me.

I see so many young men zealously defending traditions they know nothing of, and it makes me cringe. I see myself in them, and I want to help.

But I have found that most are unwilling to receive what I have to say. They will have to learn the same way so many of us learned - through time, study and spiritual enlightenment.

Just chiming in with the rest, but these are powerful thoughts that you are presenting. I admire the courage that you have, and have had, in challenging the status quo and expecting that proclaimed "truth" should be able to handle discussion and scrutiny. I know without a doubt that there have been lonely moments on your journey, I for one, thank you for taking it.

[Fiyahstarter]

Originally Posted by dizzyde

Just chiming in with the rest, but these are powerful thoughts that you are presenting. I admire the courage that you have, and have had, in challenging the status quo and expecting that proclaimed "truth" should be able to handle discussion and scrutiny. I know without a doubt that there have been lonely moments on your journey, I for one, thank you for taking it.

I, for two...

[CC1]

Originally Posted by EA

Good point.

Realizing this makes one a bit more tolerant, and a lot less apt to pronounce judgement too quickly.

In my youth, I was very legalistic. I wouldn't even let my infant daughter wear pants or shorts at home. I felt like that was an inconsistency I couldn't live with. In my mind, if pants were an abomination, age and geography shouldn't matter.

While I still believe consistency is important, I now have the benefit of years of hindsight. In short, I was truly ignorant.

It wasn't just that I expected my own family to live that way - I judged others, who didn't live like us - very harshly.

During that time, two ministers tried to help me see how faulty my theology and logic was. I rejected their efforts and wrote them off. I was sure they were soft on the message.

Look at me now. While I live much the same way, my view of God, and my attude, have changed dramatically.

I was a jerk to them. I was wrong. But there is nothing they could have done to help me because I was convinced of my "rightness." Only the gentle passage of time, combined with the love of a merciful and forgiving God, could change me.

I see so many young men zealously defending traditions they know nothing of, and it makes me cringe. I see myself in them, and I want to help.

But I have found that most are unwilling to receive what I have to say. They will have to learn the same way so many of us learned - through time, study and spiritual enlightenment.

I appreciate your transparency. You never know who might read this and be helped by it.

EDIT NOTE: I just realized this is a year old but it is still good and my comment remains the same.

[*AQuietPlace*]

Originally Posted by EA

Good point.

Realizing this makes one a bit more tolerant, and a lot less apt to pronounce judgement too quickly.

In my youth, I was very legalistic. I wouldn't even let my infant daughter wear pants or shorts at home. I felt like that was an inconsistency I couldn't live with. In my mind, if pants were an abomination, age and geography shouldn't matter.

While I still believe consistency is important, I now have the benefit of years of hindsight. In short, I was truly ignorant.

It wasn't just that I expected my own family to live that way - I judged others, who didn't live like us - very harshly.

During that time, two ministers tried to help me see how faulty my theology and logic was. I rejected their efforts and wrote them off. I was sure they were soft on the message.

Look at me now. While I live much the same way, my view of God, and my attude, have changed dramatically.

I was a jerk to them. I was wrong. But there is nothing they could have done to help me because I was convinced of my "rightness." Only the gentle passage of time, combined with the love of a merciful and forgiving God, could change me.

I see so many young men zealously defending traditions they know nothing of, and it makes me cringe. I see myself in them, and I want to help.

But I have found that most are unwilling to receive what I have to say. They will have to learn the same way so many of us learned - through time, study and spiritual enlightenment.

This is the story of many of us.

I blush and cringe when I think of how judgmental I used to be. I was so arrogant at times.....I'm so thankful for God's mercy.