What I have learned from AFF

[OneAccord]

For the "Johnny Come Latelys" among us:

I've been a member of this forum since, well, since it was a baby. I knew its Daddy Forum (New Faith Child Forum). I even knew its Granddaddy Forum, (FCF) but only briefly.

Heres what I learned from AFF and its predecessors:

1. Though few of us have met in person, we are FRIENDS. We don't always agree, and we don't always get along... but we are FRIENDS. Some are long time friends, friends from even before there ever was a forum, or an internet for that matter. Friends. Get it? Its right there in our name "Apostolic FRIENDS Forum". Friends, unlike family, don't look the same. They don't act the same and don't always believe the same way. But, because they are friends first, they get a long. Or at least tolerate each other. They may fuss, they may fume, but when the dust settles, they are still friends.

2. I think of AFF as family. Because, well, we all come from the same source. I have a brother who is an atheist. Scientific guy who doesn't understand how anyone (like me) can be so simple minded as to believe in a God who doesn't exist or in a heaven that just ain't out there among the stars. We disagree, but, when its all said and done, we are still family. Like it or not. People on AFF all come from the same source. We've taken different roads, and those roads seem to take us in different directions. But we all come from the same Source. We are family. It isn't where we are going that makes us family- but where we came from... that makes us family.

3. A member of this forum watched helplessly as his wife lay dying. He watched as she slipped from this life to the next. He watched as her casket entombed body was lowered into the ground. But he didn't watch alone. All across America, in Canada, in Brazil, and in Korea, people who this man didn't know, watched with him. They prayed for him. They wept with him. They supported him and comforted him when there seemed to be no support or comfort. When he had no reason to go on living, these people gave him one more reason to get out of bed and go on with life. Some still call him or PM him and ask, "How you doin'?" The T'day after his wifes death, one sister on this forum sent him a T'day dinner because she cares. Get that? SHE CARES. And so do a lot of other people on this forum. Members of this forum attended this brothers wifes funeral, even though they had never met the brother. They care. This forum sent flowers and people gave money to a stranger because they care. This brother ain't some hot shot Apostolic preacher. He ain't one of the most popular posters. He's just a guy.... a nobody. But these people, some of which are Apostolic preachers and of which ALL are Somebodys, cares. They care. Its what they do.

So, while you're busy questioning peoples Apostolicity, the members of this forum are living their CHRISTianity in ways I wonder if some will ever begin to fathom. They may not dot the i's or cross their t's like you think they should. But, when it really counts... these people have God's love shed abroad in their hearts. How do I know that? I've seen it. I've felt it.

So, while some dole out the "compromiser" and "backslider" labels, remember this: These people are my friends. They are my family. They care. And, if you ever need them to, they'll care for you the same way, because, you can be friend and family too... if you will allow it. I have a great respect for these folks. And, I love them. So, two words, my friend...BACK OFF!

And THATS what I have learned from AFF.