MUST READ FOR ALL SI MEMBERS: Tone of Discussions Recently on SI.

Greg I have many things to say Greg but, they are just ideas. Please do not feel pressured to implement or even address some of the things I say.I thought I’d pick this up again:The main reason for the discussion forums being on this site in the first place is for discussions revolving around the audio sermon speakers and the themes and topics they bring up. Of course it has expanded to more but the whole underlying principle needs to be EDIFICATION.I have said (and still say) some regrettably unfruitful things in the past but certain themes and topics only gender strife and debate and from that I am beginning to learn to stay away from. I would like to apologize if I have offended anyone unwittingly; please, in the name of Christ, bring my faults to me that I may learn. Some have offended me. I did wonder if there could be a system of monitoring and approving what discussions are posted before they suddenly appear. Not to restrict people but to bring about an air of seriousness, that we may approach these discussions with “fear and trembling”, knowing that every word that proceeds from us will be judged as either wood, hay stubble, silver, gold or precious stones. Too many threads (and I may be wrong) appear to have come at the whim of someone who is bored, and wants people to talk or, dare I say, argue with. I believe if people knew their threads had to be approved before they are deemed worthy for fruitful discussion they would be more mindful as to the purpose of this site. This is not a place to vent your indignation or showcase your wisdom and experience, this is a place of fellowship with one another and with God, and unless we treat it as such we will continue to meet these problems. I truly wish we were mature enough to post at our own discretion, but sadly we have demonstrated that we are not. There are some among us who are mature Christians; God seeking people who take this ministry very seriously. It is not a hobby but something for which they pray and intercede. Such are worthy of the honor of monitoring us who are more impulsive than we should be and guarding the flock. I fear we have drifted so much that if such a system were implemented, we may only see, on average, five threads a week. Dr Tozer once said, “while I’m around I’m going to draw the line tight…it is the desire to make concerts that let the briers down”. The strict policy you have mentioned Greg is a sound one and a Biblical one that the flock may be protected from offensive and unfruitful ideas (among other things). The line must be drawn tight and it may cost a turning away and decline in membership but this has never been a popularity contest. At one point you could say to yourself let me just read some of these threads but now, you find yourself separating the wheat from the tares. It is so saddening to me. I hope we will opt for quality rather than quantity. Christian forums crash because it become difficult to monitor sarcasm and snide remarks. Alliances are formed along with “enemy lines”, and before you know it is a war of backbiting criticism and slander not only at each other, but also at “the world”. If the devil cannot shutdown this ministry from without he will certainly come at us from within. We need monitoring not only for our own sakes but for others. Art Kats once said, “I wish it were just a case of “good guy” versus “bad guy” but, many of the devil’s henchmen do not even know that their working for him”… and so their ignorance becomes a weapon not only against themselves but against others. Such cases are hard to deal with because we do sympathize with the ignorant but even sympathy can be ungodly with the devil’s subtlety. Jesus said in Mathew 10, “he who loves Mother or Father more than me is not worthy of me” if he came to the forum I wonder if he may say, he who loves “internet buddy” or his own ideas more than me is not worthy of me. It is tragic that some people may never “get it” but then again, who is it that saves? Is it us by our cleaver ideas or God who has been dealing with a person since birth? This forum may not be the vessel, which God uses on some people and we ought not to be so humanistic in our dealings on the forum. If at this time, a person is unable to comprehend and or follow the guidelines set out by the elders (moderators), what fellowship does he have with the Sermonidex community? Even when the moderators “banish” someone God may still reach them…and maybe in this state they might be forced to listen to the sermons.In my opinion, you must go into a discussion willing to accept that your ideas and, dare I say, even your “holy ideas”, may and will be rejected at times. There are some things you just have to let go, if only publicly an on the forum. The ideas spoken of in the sermons and articles here on Sermonidex are a good source for forum discussion material. Revelations from prayer and bible reading are wonderfully insightful and, if I may suggest something as “intense” as prayer before posting… Observations of “The World” (by this I mean observations that come from a worldly mind…examine yourselves that you may not be examined by others) and what Satan’s bunch is up to lately are in many cases pointless. Let me end here with a deep sight. (*insert deep sigh here)In Christ James

Very simple, if you would like to contribute to any post that someone else has started it must be in a uplifting manner to that particular post are don't contribute, stay clear. I would personally rather see no responses to a post that some or many don't agree with than an all out war, that would stop a lot of the bickering, It is God’s will that believers edify each other. :-)

Dear James,From the depth of my soul... Thank you so very, very much.This is a profound and true answer to prayer and has brought me to tears. I have failed over and over again to attempt to articulate in general and have been grieved over this for the past weeks...My prayer that the Lord would send someone that could state this better, give a proper expression, help form the words..., has been met and exceeded so succinctly here. Oh Lord, thank you.Thank you brother you cannot know how much this is appreciated.

Hi Greg,This is good that this is coming out. I have grown much in Christ as a result of the ministry of SI. Please forgive me if I have posted something offensive or in appropriate to the discussions. I know that from talking with my wife that Discussion forums are great but somewhat impersonal in nature. It is easy to post something on the discussion forum in "defense" of what you might believe since we don't have to look at our brothers and sisters eyeballs and read their souls. I have to keep this in mind when I am emailing one another, even on a forum like this. While these are just letters on my computer monitor, it is a real flesh and blood person created in the image of God that I must love and grow togheter in Christ with. May God be glorified on SI as we love each other and help us grow more close to Him as we walk together. Amen!Grace,Doug

I have grown much in Christ as a result of the ministry of SI. Please forgive me if I have posted something offensive or in appropriate to the discussions. I want to echo this thought. God has used Sermonindex greatly in my life and the lives of several friends and family members. I am sure I could have used greater wisdom and caution personally as I have posted here on SI. God help me and direct me to be more sensitive to the Holy Spirit as I try to ask and answer questions.God Bless and Much Brotherly Love,-Robert

Dear James,From the depth of my soul...Thank you so very, very much.This is a profound and true answer to prayer and has brought me to tears. I have failed over and over again to attempt to articulate in general and have been grieved over this for the past weeks...My prayer that the Lord would send someone that could state this better, give a proper expression, help form the words..., has been met and exceeded so succinctly here.Oh Lord, thank you.Thank you brother you cannot know how much this is appreciated.Dear MikeI continue too learn from your humble and gentle soul dear brother. If anything at all was profound let it be attributed to the Lord but if anything was a little off that was where I came in. To God be the glory who has used the members of this forum as vessels to minister to each other. Praise, honor glory, might and wisdom be to God and His Son, Jesus Christ world without end. Amen.James

oops...sorry everyone. That last one was me (James) not Farai!

Jesus said in Mathew 10, “he who loves Mother or Father more than me is not worthy of me” if he came to the forum I wonder if he may say, he who loves “internet buddy” or his own ideas more than me is not worthy of me.There are those among us who usually prefer to just read the posts here. I am one of those and many times I felt like somebody watching, from the operating room gallery, a team of surgeons operating on a patient. What happened of late is like the surgeons fighting among themselves forgetting that there is a patient that needed healing. The word of truth that we handle is like a surgical knife cutting off the diseased part. It is the ministration of this word of life that have set apart SI from many other sites. May we never forget this. For this I am grateful. So are my friends who like many among us, have rejoiced over the Treasure that we have come to lay hold and has laid hold of us. To God alone be the glory.

You know brethren, I also have learned much from being a member of this forum. I've also had the pleasure of being able to share whatever revelations God has given me with the other members. One thing that God has shown me is that we are all good at identifying problems with the church or in the church. This is true from the nature of a lot of the discussion in the forum. IT is good to recognize such problems. However we must be willing to do our part to see these issues addressed. When God reveals a problem to us, He has also revealed the solution to someone and is and when you are that someone, you are responsible for passing on that revelation for the betterment of the whole body. I have sat on information that I should have shared and I'm sure we all have at some point. However the word that God puts on your heart must be spoken irrespective of any reservations you may have. God knows that you may offend some, give joy to others or encouragement even and has seen all these affects ahead of time and still equires for the sharing of that revelation. Sometimes we simply thing that God has not thought of "what will happen after I share this" In all honesty some of the revelations God gives will be offensive because we have been wrong in our perceptions and being set right is uncomfotable to say the least. When Christ spoke at the synagogues and so forth, he offended those in charge and so they had Him killed. I feel that we as Christians have so badly misrepresented God and have such a poor conception of Him and His truth that when we are confronted with it, it is offensive in some instances. Let us not be afraid to speak what God puts on our hearts because we fear offending others. That is not to say that we should go about stirring up stuff but we should realize that as we do God's work, that is one of the things that can happen.But also not all of God's revelations are like that.

At the risk of falling flat on my face again (a good place to be regardless)...Part of what brought the tears and upon later reflection felt a bit embarrassed and maybe even a little over the top there... But this seems to be still being brought out into the light, as it should and was mentioned here, "It is a good thing".Not particularly pretty, but good nonetheless.Even right now there are a number of posts up dealing with situations in the body, the Lords body and borrowing another illustration, if I got the proper thrust there, that perhaps some surgery is being preformed.Maybe the 'problem' is in the application of the antiseptics and anesthetic's. Two areas that are key here:Christian forums crash because it become difficult to monitor sarcasm and snide remarks. Alliances are formed along with “enemy lines”, and before you know it is a war of backbiting criticism and slander not only at each other, but also at “the world”. If the devil cannot shutdown this ministry from without he will certainly come at us from within. We need monitoring not only for our own sakes but for others. Art Kats once said, “I wish it were just a case of “good guy” versus “bad guy” but, many of the devil’s henchmen do not even know that their working for him”… and so their ignorance becomes a weapon not only against themselves but against others. Such cases are hard to deal with because we do sympathize with the ignorant but even sympathy can be ungodly with the devil’s subtlety. Jesus said in Mathew 10, “he who loves Mother or Father more than me is not worthy of me” if he came to the forum I wonder if he may say, he who loves “internet buddy” or his own ideas more than me is not worthy of me. It is tragic that some people may never “get it” but then again, who is it that saves? Is it us by our cleaver ideas or God who has been dealing with a person since birth? Have been thinking much on this and the struggle to express the intent behind what Paul said here and how it applies to so much of our dealing with one another:2Co 7:8 For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season. 2Co 7:9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. 2Co 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. 2Co 7:11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter. 2Co 7:12 Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you. 2Co 7:13 Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all. If this is not our intent in all things dealing with each other, then could we not say we have missed it completely?Misunderstandings are to be expected and yet the attitude behind the one who has to bring out the issues...Is it haughtiness? Or a 'better than', or even in the misunderstood application of Ravenhills words:"If you are going to get mature in God all the dwarfs around you will criticize and sneer at you and say 'Your trying to be holier than the rest of us, ah?"Sounds harsh but the danger is in either of the extremes. One being that it becomes some sort of badge that elevates us one above the other, the opposite that we make compromise and don't want to 'offend' so we will stay silent, just as the adversary would have it, actually certain he would prefer either than the heartbreak over these things.IF.... I can rebuke without a pang, then I know nothing of Calvary love.My, went looking for that quote...Oh that we could all grasp these things, this is a wonderful devotion that Ron put up, here's another applicable thought:If...the care of a soul (or a community) be entrusted to me, and I consent to subject it to weakening influences, because the voice of the world - my immediate Christian world - fills my ears,...then I know nothing of Calvary love.Amy Wilson Carmichael - IfIt's not easy, not pretty, full of misunderstandings and often times the very things that we can be accused of from the angle of having gone to far are true to the ones bringing things to light. The hope is that it is recognized for what it is and repentance is quick and on the other extreme that forgiveness is just as fast.Bottom line intent must be towards restoration, and yet that may not always be possible depending on where our heads or hearts are at. Think that if anyone finds any pleasure whatsoever in any of these things or even if one is to think that one has that intent in their heart as an accusation (when they harbor no such thing) is sorely missing it all. It can be masked over at times and at others the pride, the self-exaltation is seen and heard loudly.But maybe it is that blindside that we don't see, that we do need to be shown from our own 'kind' and I hope that it is a welcome reproach, it can be the kindness ugliness that can be brought. I welcome it, please don't leave me in ignorance or blindness. We ought not to be offended when these things need to be addressed.Certainly have been reflecting much here on all these things and repent and ask for your forgiveness in the way I let a lot of this dissension and divisiveness get a bit under my skin. Think some tact was missing even with the seriousness of the things that needed to be addressed.To bring this back to the present and the issues of naming names of certain ministries and there teachings and whether or not this should be discussed... Think that all the above applies. If the intent is to malign, bash, or misconstrue to make a point it is a grievous thing and a disservice to what we ought to be and that is truth tellers, not gossipers (not accusing). Don't think we need to shy away from bringing up any issue that is leading brethren astray, if we can keep things in there right perspectives.Something that has dawned from listening to these old preachers of the past is in how much of a drift there is from a state of mind that is either unduly harsh or pathetically soft. Think the whole idea of 'tolerance' has crept into Christian thinking in such a way as to make us either curmudgeons or effeminate (Sorry ladies, most of you here don't seem to have that problem...oddly... Oh I hope that doesn't get misconstrued....).But wonder whatever happened to the days when most were not so easily offended, but welcomed correction and not feeling like they had to tip- toe around everything...And the extreme opposite, which has been rearing it's ugly head of late, better said here:The More Exceeding WorshipI beseech you therefore . . . to present your bodies a living sacrifice, . . . which is your spiritual worship [mg]. (Romans 12:1 rv)Therefore also a teacher saith, “It is good when a man imparts his property and cometh to the help of his fellow men; but it is far better to give all and to follow Christ in a poor life.”Worship is giving the best we have unreservedly to God. Jesus Christ was entirely merciful because He kept nothing at all. We are merciful in spots, in a fragmentary way, because we will stick to our opinionettes. Whatever makes us spiritually satisfied will twist our mercy at once, because an opinionette is attached to every spot where we are satisfied, and when anyone comes in contact with that spot of satisfaction we are merciless to them. Jesus Christ was never merciless, and it is only as we draw on His life that we are like our Father in heaven. The only safety is to live the life hid with Christ in God. As long as we are consciously there, we are not there. It is only when we are there that it never occurs to us that we are, but the evidence is strong because others are getting the blessings of God through us and are helping themselves to us, even as Jesus Christ was made broken bread and poured-out wine for us. God cannot make some of us into broken bread because there are bits of unbaked dough in us that would produce indigestion.”Chambers, O.

I read through this thread and you know what I was thinking? This website, to me, is just like a church. We are experiencing the same problems a church has. Many of us here are in RELATIONSHIP. We are fellowshipping in Christ. Therefore we are church. Oh, this is difficult...just pause and think about that.