In years past, I would write a yearly post that I would, admittedly, presumptiously entitle "The State of the Forum Address". Since I haven't been posting much the past few months, I think I should excuse my self from speaking for the Forum about the Forum. This time, I'll just make a personal observation. A view from the cheap seats, so to speak.
I saw a news report on my...huh, "monitor", that global warming is rising sea levels. At least one 3rd world nation is beginning to see the effect in their rice paddies. Salt water is encroaching from the sea making the paddies useless. Beaches are ever so slowly disappearing around the world. The islands are shrinking.
Recently, I prepared to attend a Mens Retreat at a local Apostolic Church. I donned my best suit (Long sleeve shirt buttoned appropriately at the wrist, hair, freshly cut and groomed, well above the ears and collar) and proceeded to the church. A rather large church for the area (seats approximately 400). This, I thought, would be a well attended Retreat (Though I still don't get the meaning of the word "retreat". Retreat? When we should be moving forward?) But, as service began, in a building that seated some 400, there was about 10 men in attendance. These islands we call Apostolic churces seem to be shrinking.
Prominent religious organizations (which shall remain nameless) seem to be shrinking as well. At least one, dubbed by many as the "Mothership", has undergone some rather drastic downsizing as some of their own have abandon ship in search of other modes of transport. New and improved ships are leaving drydock with promises of deluxe accomodations and better services.... yet, they set sail only half full. The leaders promises "Worldwide" cruises and ""Global" siteseeing adventures, but, in reality, all that is accomplished is more division among the ranks and fewer being reached with this "Gospel to all the World". The islands of religious fellowships are shrinking.
The worlds economy is shrinking as well. Companies are downsizing- many are being downsized out of existence. Employment lis down, unemployment is up. The housing market is dead. Walmart is downsizing its inventory. No one is buying what they have. The islands... the worlds economy... is shrinking.
AFF has been an oasis for me for a while. For a long while, about the only fellowship I had with Apostolic Christians was here on AFF. And, I've come to know people here on AFF as more than just blips on a computer screen. Many are my friends. I've met a few- and there are dozens more I hope to meet. Alas, though, some of my friends are gone. I don't see them on AFF anymore. I wonder where they have gone. Lately, I've noticed a new breed of Affers. "Newbies" are always welcome and I look forward to hearing from them, but, it seems the winds have shifted some. We've always had disagreements. Without disagreements and occasional fussing, the winds would be dead and lifeless. But, when the winds of debate would reach "gale force" someone would always take the initative to calm the storm. And there would be peace at least for a while. Lately, however, it seems the winds of arguing and fussing seems to be favored over the peaceful winds of Christain love. Arguments reach epic proportions and no one, it seems, wants to extend an olive branch. My favored oasis of AFF seems to be shrinking. I don't find the source of encouragement here as I found in days gone by. I've set at this computer and wept and cried and even repented in the past. Now, I wonder is it time to move on and find another place of refuge. Is AFF shrinking as a place where one can be blessed , encouraged and edified? Or is it being overcrowded by those who seek only to be heard, and not also to hear? Read these words carefully:
Act 1:1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, Its not enough to just teach the things of God, but we should DO the things we teach as well. Teaching doesn't make one great. Its those who teach AND do what they teach who will be the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.
Mat 5:19 Now, the question hear is this: If each of us were pastors of churches, would we want our churches to be divided as we seem to be here on AFF? Would we encourage the bickering and fussing that seems to be encouraged here? Or, would we
"Follow peace with all men...." as the Bible teaches us?
We have a mandate from God to stand up for what we believe to be truth. But, we also have a mandate in
Eph. 4:3- "Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace". We must stand for truth, but truth should not become a wedge that pits brother against brother. aWe shouldn't be contributing to the shinkage of our island, but we should be enlarging our borders by working together to reach the world for Christ. And, according to Jesus, we'll only do that by putting forth a united front
(John 17:23). "United" shouldn't be just a part of our name...it should be what we are.
The islands are shinking. What to do about it? Thats the debate in political and scientific circles today. What about our island called AFF? What can we do about it? WE can begin by thinking of other posters are more than just blips on a screen. They are real people, with feelings. We should talk to one another like we are talking face to face. Try it. I'm sure we'll find our tone wouldn't be so harsh if we were talking face to face. And we could both DO and TEACH the things we are trying to say. If I tell you we should love one another with a mean and hateful attitude, I don't think anyone with a half of a mind would listen to me, now would they? Love one another. What a concept. Love one another works on AFF too, you know?
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