"[i]It is encouraging to notice that the forums on sermonIndex.net have brought much encouragement, edification, and exhoration to the body of Christ world-wide. Some pastors recommended to me not to have a life-communication tool such as the discussion forums on a site with all these sermons, one of the major fears of the pastors that spoke to me was the fact that the discussions on the site could take away from the sermons and even discredit them to many people viewing the site.
But I praise God this has not happened but rather the opposite, in my heart I truly believe the forums have added to the sermons and shown a modern day example of those that are seekers of the truth such as others were that are recorded here for a testimony. I have over and over thought of the fact that our words are being read by hundreds and thousands. This should bring soberity to our souls as we share our opinions and the word of God. [b]All words[/b] Christ said will come into judgement. Not one word that we have said on the forums will not be judged by God.[/i]"
Worth repeating. I marvel still at what all has gone on through these past years. How much it has shaped my own thoughts, how much is carried away from here in contemplation, in reconsideration ... We are truly blessed to have some wonderful saints in our midst. Both pastors and the "lay people" (there must be a better word than that ...). [i]Making disciples[/i] is so evident and possible ... am of very much the mind still that a spiritual education is right here for the taking, by exploring and mining the treasures contained in sermons, articles, suggestions for long forgotten books, saints, Christian history ...
And this forum ... The arm hair rises up and stands at attention, those wonderful shivers of joy and thanksgiving to the Lord. It's redundant but it must be said again; Whatever one does here, I plead a twist on the old adage, "[i]Do not judge a post by it's cover[/i]" or make that "Subject Line". So many postings take such mysterious and often marvelous twists and turns that only a glance at a heading or title may leave one with a ... [i]presumption[/i]
;-)
... and missing a great deal of wisdom and spiritual content.
Brother, still well remember the early beginnings here, the challenges that were faced, the real possibility that this whole forum could have met a fate of others that destructed under division and infighting and a whole host of other evils. Trying to keep that balance here of patience, of room for misunderstanding and correction, for opportunity to be both true and honest, with ourselves, with each other ... To repent and admit, confess, which is so much to our advantage and does far more to make us true witness's than we could ever know ... Oh, I am certain this is where the church has missed it greatly, what the lost world is looking for, just truly honest people across the board, in all our dealings and doings...
The difficulties met with dealing with the unruly, primarily due to conduct more than opinion, that very last and grievous straw ... I thank God that they have been ultimately few and far in between.
And I thank God that He has so answered the prayers of keeping all this somehow, mysteriously under His care ...
My, to just dwell on the changes and ... another rush of hair standing electricity ... This place, this peculiar and wonderful gathering. It has so unimaginably altered and changed this one spiritual life (And all of life is spiritual for the reborn) so much it renders me speechless, scrambling for expression. To imagine what it may have and could do for others ...
