Grieved

[lomarah]

 :sigh:

[Molly]

What do you think, Lo?  Is it really fair to ask the mods to take time out of their otherwise busy lives to constantly edit posts so the rest of us don't have to read them and can live in peace?

I'm glad I only had to read the 'moderator edit' version, myself. :laugh:

But, that stuff is pretty standard for the internet.  We are spoiled here.

[jabcat]

:)

What do we do when a person asks for forgiveness while continuing to do the thing they are asking forgiveness for... ? :sigh: I don't know.

It's a good question, and I don't have every angle covered on it.  But let me share some thoughts by speaking in generalities and by way of example to your thought/question.  This is actually an extreme example, not saying it's in complete parallel to any recent or current events.   But it still may make some useful point. 

Any of us - assume you're married to someone who is continually beating you and bringing other men/women into the house and sleeping with them right under your nose.  Kicking you out of your own bedroom to do it.  Should you forgive them?  Yes [eventually/as soon as you're able.  Sometimes in extreme circumstances it may take awhile, right?]  However, that said.  Do you stay with them, let yourself keep getting beat and cheated on every night?  Or would it make more sense to at some point - maybe VERY QUICKLY - protect yourself, set limits on what you're going to put up with, what you're going to subject yourself to?  Let's also say there are children involved that you're responsible for.  Even though you're working on forgiving, by God's grace you're not going to get back at him, try to hurt him, make him pay for it - would you still also take steps to protect them?  Or, would we say, "I see you in bed right now with that other woman, and you've just beat my head in, but yes, I hear you asking me to forgive you, so go ahead and sleep with her right now and when you're done come on out here and beat me again.  And while you're at it, kick the kids around too"?

I think we absolutely need to love people and treat them with respect.  Everyone, as much as possible - including living at peace with them if possible, "as lies within us/depends on us".  Still, the Apostle Paul set some pretty clear guidelines as to how to handle certain relationships.  I won't claim to be the authority on how all that should work, nor say I'm personally the one to do it [much of that here is decided based on established forum guidelines, in place for good reasons].  However, as example in the discussion, he told the ecclesia to put out from amongst them certain individuals with certain attitudes and behaviors - in fact, to not even share a meal with them.  Without checking, I believe on that one he was talking about someone living in obvious, open, unrepentant/uncaring sin?  Anyway, should we be careful with all that?  Absolutely!  Should we be careful to not be puffed up, prideful, scorning, even hateful?  Absolutely!  But IMO, not one of those personal cautions and things that are needed to be self-examined for right attitude and motive, negate the things Paul taught about handling certain relationships.  It's not one or the other - all love and no other issues vs. all issues and no love.  Although I personally constantly fall short in many areas and need God's grace as much as all here, and more than many - still, shouldn't we strive to take in the whole gospel?    Not saying I know exactly how to do it, but still, maybe some food for thought - including for me.  So IMO, forgiving is not the same as not dealing with an issue that needs to be appropriately dealt with. 
:2c:

[ded2daworld]

 :thumbsup:

[lomarah]

I think this thread should be closed now. I don't know if it was a good idea to start it at all. I know that Marc is likely reading all of this. (Which was a reason I wanted to start it in the first place, I didn't know how else to get ahold of him.)

This whole thing continues to grieve me terribly. The Lord very obviously put Marc on my heart way back when he first rejoined (you can go read it in his welcome thread). So having all of this go down, to me, is like having a bunch of my brothers attacking each other from all sides and then one of them being disowned by the family. (No, I am not saying the ban was a bad call, I am only trying to describe what it feels like for me.) I wish that things would've went so differently. (And Marc I know that you were slapped first but I wish you would've made it easier on the mods so that they didn't have to ban you.)

Marc if you are reading this, I hope you know that you are deeply loved. (And you have said before that you do know it.)  Until we meet again.  :HeartThrob:

I am planning on taking a bit of a vacation (unless the Lord has other plans) so if anyone wants/needs to contact me pm would be the best way and if you would like a timely response leaving your email would be a good idea. Love to you all, see you soon.  :HeartThrob:

[jabcat]

:)

Just one last thought.  The "fact" that marc was "slapped first" is at the very least debatable (which we don't do here   :laughing7:  )    Anyway, as documented regularly on the forum (haha), we all have our own unique perspectives, and it varies from time to time depending on our moods, walk, situation;  acceptance/denial, reality/imagination, etc./.cte   :)   I do 'em all.

Right - let's pray for each other, and treat each other with respect.  Just because a "situation" has needed to be dealt with, doesn't mean there has to be any hate, attacking, unforgiveness, etc.   Marc and I have also had several pleasant, respectful exchanges outside of tent the past couple of days.  I'd still respond in kind if marc wanted to, and he's shown several times that he can do the same - even after/during this particular situation that has needed addressed. 

Honestly - Gary told me once that if he participated much, he'd get banned from his own forum.   :laugh:   That doesn't make him a leper or a terrible person.  But he added, "I don't do discussion forums well".   

Let's go ahead and lock it as you request, drop this, and move on.  Blessings.

EDIT -  In the past couple hours I've realized I missed the point in my reply above.  IMO, it's never really about who "got slapped first".  It's about what are the forum guidelines and acceptable limits.  In other words, for example again - even if someone spits in my face for no good reason, do I have the right to shoot him, tear up the place, and beat up most of those around him?   

Blessings.