In a message dated 12/17/99 2:48:57 PM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED]
writes:
> As the Christians that we are supposed to be, we should
> be forgiving them not criticizing them. Of course this is one of the
> biggest problems in our churches today. We can forgive the sinner but not
> the fellow brother in the Lord.
Amen! I almost quit Rangers entirely over this issue not too long ago.
It sets a very poor example of who we are and who we represent. I did some
stuff, got criticized very harshly for it and to turn around and find them
doing the same thing that I was criticized for. For a non Christian who was
thinking about being a Christian to see that happen would cause one to think
about it seriously and lead to the "no thanks side" This happened to someone
very close to me and it caused a lot of damage, pain and aggravation by the
lack of example that was brought forth. It was a silent banishment that I
got so I had to put some distance in between it. No one ever said anything
about what I did wrong, what was involved or anything, but I still was made
out to be a monster regardless. No one wanted to talk to me about the problem
that they had with me. (Doesn't the Bible say that we are to do that?) It's
just really bad politics. I might of had some shortcomings, but I had NO ONE
to stand by me and help me to build up instead of tear down. The people who
already had work cut out for them were already tied up. Everything was
expected of me and I didn't receive any help and even though I asked for
help, no one wanted to come forward and discuss what needed to be done and
how it should be done. People tend to forget that all too often, ACTIONS,
speak louder than Words. I found myself asking many times, why are we here?
Are we in this for ourselves or what the boys can get out of it? (remembering
where the main focus is) Why are we out there looking for glory in the
physical world when we are forgetting that things like numbers have no
meaning in the face of eternity and God the Father. God isn't concerned with
how many people got saved, but who did get saved. Each person's experience
should not be coerced but it should be the move of the Spirit on their hearts
on whether to accept the Lord or reject the Lord as their Savior.
I'm not able to have children of my own at this time, but why am I in
Royal Rangers? Because when I was 15, the Lord gave me a genuine calling to
Serve Him in the Mission field. Overseas experiences are nice and I would
never do anything to denote from that, but It was laid on my heart that the
mission field in which I now serve on is right here in my own neighborhood.
God called me to this ministry. I'm still here because the Lord still has
work for me. Until the Lord tarries or leads me elsewhere, I will remain
here. Always vigilant. Every attempt that has thrown itself up in my way,
sure they have got me pretty disgusted, but not defeated. I had really
wanted to quit Rangers a short time ago because I was so disgusted in a lot
of nonsense. But it wasn't God's plan that I be gone. God has just refocused
me and put me somewhere else to carry out His will. Be sincere, be genuine
and in prayer,
God Bless,
Iron Mike
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