Pro 10:11 The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked. My words were not a "well of life" yesterday on this forum.I need to apologize to everyone who saw what transpired yesterday. I allowed a certain member of these forums to get under my skin, and I reacted in the wrong way. I should have just dropped the issue, but instead I went on another thread that had started (which had nothing to do with what we were discussing) and posted a comment that was out of line.In doing so, I'm sure I discredited myself in the eyes of many people here... both those who contribute, and those who just come here and read. I also gave ammunition to anybody who loves to find dirt on believers. I discredited my message as well, and now there will be those who will not hear what I am saying because of this. I brought reproach on Greg and sermonindex as well. More importantly I brought reproach on the name of Christ.I admit, I'm a competitor. In football I played linebacker and defensive end. It was my job to pummel people. I was a Marine. And now I'm a coach... all my life I've competed against people in order to win. Unfortunately I allow that side of me to creep into my dealings with other believers. If I don’t keep my eyes in Christ, then I find myself needing to win.Yesterday I thought I was being light hearted with some of the verbal joisting that was going on... but after dwelling on it I've had to admit that it wasn’t as light hearted as I thought it was. I was irritated and I was angry. Irritated by some statements that I thought were pretty ridiculous, and angry at the way I was being talked to. But instead of showing grace and humility, I went the other way and lashed out.The other member said I needed to deal with my pride yesterday... and ya know what... he was right. He has said that before to me because I dare to take a stand for what I know is right, and he was wrong then... but he finally pegged it right yesterday, the was I was acting was about pride.I'm sure everyone saw the warnings from Greg, but I decided to write this apology before I ever saw it. So please know I'm not writing this to appease him, or to try and stay on this forum... I don’t care about that. I just want to make it right with as many people as I can. I'm embarrassed by my actions, and it makes me feel cut off from you all... and some of you are pretty good friends at this point.Individual apologies...Greg, I apologize for using your forums in the manner that I did, and for any embarrassment I caused you.Neil, I apologize for lashing out at you on the Osteen thread, and especially for my comments on the thread you started after that. You were right about my pride welling up yesterday. I was wrong on those two counts.Zeke, I apologize for my hypocrisy. I told you privately that if fighting broke out on the RHB thread, then I would wash my hands of it because I did not want to fight anyone... and I did just that... but then went and got in a brawl on another thread. Mike, I apologize for "calling in the cavalry" on the RHB thread, and then shooting arrows myself on the other thread.To everyone else who witnessed what transpired... I apologize for not showing more self-control. Neil has informed me privately that I should leave this forum. If I receive enough PM's suggesting the same, then I will understand and leave. It's not something that I want to do... but if my message has become ineffective because of my actions, then I will.In conclusion, I am at the feet of every one of you. God has already forgiven me. But I need to beg the forgiveness of every single person on this forum... from Neil to Philologos. Zeke to Lahry. Mike to Dorcas. Everyone... if at all possible, please forgive me.krispy
