growing

[micah7:9]

Is our growing in the Lord.... upward.... of any importance in the debates? Or is the subsatance of the forum to debate and discect what others have found and worked to find, and then go through it like we may have found something new or something that disqualifies what they found? God is revealing that His is about to move, even slighty, He is going to move, will we see, hear, and understand when He does?

[Molly]

We might look like we are debating, but I think--I hope--that we are all really talking from a place of what we know and reaching forward into a place that we don't yet know.  For me, that's growing.

I also think it's good that as we move forward in our relationship with God, we stay grounded in the scriptures.  But, just what that means, is also a subject of discussion on here.

God has so many levels going on simultaneously, that what sometimes looks like a debate is just two people addressing different levels or witnessing to different experiences. :2c:

[shawn]

We might look like we are debating, but I think--I hope--that we are all really talking from a place of what we know and reaching forward into a place that we don't yet know.  For me, that's growing.

I also think it's good that as we move forward in our relationship with God, we stay grounded in the scriptures.  But, just what that means, is also a subject of discussion on here.

God has so many levels going on simultaneously, that what sometimes looks like a debate is just two people addressing different levels or witnessing to different experiences. :2c:

I have to agree.  A community like this one involves iron sharpening iron.  It's so easy to isolate, but I don't believe that's God's best for us.  Isolation can do a number of unhealthy things to our spiritual walk.  We are built to need others, different parts of the body working together.  While I believe the Holy Spirit speaks to us directly, I believe he also speaks to us through others.  God has given me certain insights, strengths within my spirit and spiritual knowledge.  I enjoy sharing those with others.  I hope they bless others.  In the same way, there are areas I need growth in my understanding and my walk.  Some of that growth comes directly through Holy Spirit revelation and experience.  But, sometimes a believer brings a word to me that meets my need for that day and beyond.  I believe the Holy Spirit uses believers to sharpen each other under the guidance of his hand.

[CHB]

I have to agree with Shawn and Molly. I am looking for answers to things I don't understand and try to share things I THINK I UNDERSTAND that it might help someone else. Many times I have had to change my mind on certain things that I once believed.

I believe God gave us all different levels of understanding to learn tolorance of others who believe differently from us. Also to learn patience, understanding, kindness, love, respect.

If everyone believed the same things we would have no reason to talk about the Bible. It would be a boreing world if everyone knew the exact same things.  I have learned a lot from many different sources. I still don't know much but I feel I am learning things daily.

CHB

[shawn]

I have to agree with Shawn and Molly. I am looking for answers to things I don't understand and try to share things I THINK I UNDERSTAND that it might help someone else. Many times I have had to change my mind on certain things that I once believed.

I believe God gave us all different levels of understanding to learn tolorance of others who believe differently from us. Also to learn patience, understanding, kindness, love, respect.

If everyone believed the same things we would have no reason to talk about the Bible. It would be a boreing world if everyone knew the exact same things.  I have learned a lot from many different sources. I still don't know much but I feel I am learning things daily.

CHB

That is a good word.  The details are much less important then how we handle our differences in opinions about those details.  Our reactions to those with differing opinions reveals much about our walk.  Were are our priorities?  Loving our neighbor?  Being right?

Unfortunately, many believers still live in fear.  I can speak of this because I know it personally.  When faced with an opinion that shakes the foundation of what we believe...how do we react?  Underlying anger is almost always fear.  We have fears that our knowledge is inaccurate, our future fate, are we getting this right.  But, I don't believe that's God's best for us.  God has called us to live free of fear and in his rest.  Today, I see my views as moving, pliable rather than static.  It's called growth.  If presented with ideas which seem very foreign to me, I try to not react with a fearful and/or a prideful response.  I try to listen...really listen, pray, discern all under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  Because in the end, I know I am in God's hands.  He won't lead me astray.  He is in charge of my spiritual care and development.  Each new view is a new opportunity to grow either in the way I handle my reactions to others or in the development of my understanding.

[Miriam]

I have to agree with Shawn and Molly. I am looking for answers to things I don't understand and try to share things I THINK I UNDERSTAND that it might help someone else. Many times I have had to change my mind on certain things that I once believed.

I believe God gave us all different levels of understanding to learn tolorance of others who believe differently from us. Also to learn patience, understanding, kindness, love, respect.

If everyone believed the same things we would have no reason to talk about the Bible. It would be a boreing world if everyone knew the exact same things.  I have learned a lot from many different sources. I still don't know much but I feel I am learning things daily.

CHB

Yes. I agree that is a very good post and describes where I find myself also.