This is the traditional Passion week. Easter is coming. I love this time of year. I love celebrating Easter. But the Thursday and Friday before the weekend are always somber for me. This year it seems to be even more. It may sound odd but it seems like I lost a friend. Let me explain without too much detail.
I have been part of an online community for a few years. I have developed real friendships with many on the forum, so I thought. A few yes, but many alas are not. The purpose of the forum is a major passion in my life. I will always be for that purpose. I will always want to be around people with that same purpose. But today I decided it was time to leave the forum that I love as much as I love a friend. I originally did not intend to. Through some circumstances that have happened over the past week I basically had to take a backseat to posting any of my thoughts. I was fine with that. As hard as that was.
But what is interesting is I go to the forum and read others posts and it dawns on me, although they may not be coming out and saying it, they seem glad that I am gone. Maybe I am reading too much into their posts. Or maybe what I have been accused of has happened to me also. No matter the case I realize for the good of the forum and possible new members, that I no longer belong there. It really hurts my heart to say that. I have respect for many people on that forum and have received sound advice from some concerning issues that I went through in ministry. I am rather shaken to have to do this but I survived before I was there and I suppose I will now that I am not. I believe they will to.
I guess the other side of the coin is, because I "goofed" around too much people did not take me seriously when I would give my opinion to some of their questions. I was being completely serious but it got to the point, which it seems to me, that they really didn't care what I had to say. So I made my decision. Like I said, I feel like I lost a good friend. So I say goodbye to my "friend" and friends on that forum. I only wish God's blessings on all of them. I will continue to be passionate about the purpose and still attend different events when I can. It's just the forum I will need to stay away from.
I have been part of an online community for a few years. I have developed real friendships with many on the forum, so I thought. A few yes, but many alas are not. The purpose of the forum is a major passion in my life. I will always be for that purpose. I will always want to be around people with that same purpose. But today I decided it was time to leave the forum that I love as much as I love a friend. I originally did not intend to. Through some circumstances that have happened over the past week I basically had to take a backseat to posting any of my thoughts. I was fine with that. As hard as that was.
But what is interesting is I go to the forum and read others posts and it dawns on me, although they may not be coming out and saying it, they seem glad that I am gone. Maybe I am reading too much into their posts. Or maybe what I have been accused of has happened to me also. No matter the case I realize for the good of the forum and possible new members, that I no longer belong there. It really hurts my heart to say that. I have respect for many people on that forum and have received sound advice from some concerning issues that I went through in ministry. I am rather shaken to have to do this but I survived before I was there and I suppose I will now that I am not. I believe they will to.
I guess the other side of the coin is, because I "goofed" around too much people did not take me seriously when I would give my opinion to some of their questions. I was being completely serious but it got to the point, which it seems to me, that they really didn't care what I had to say. So I made my decision. Like I said, I feel like I lost a good friend. So I say goodbye to my "friend" and friends on that forum. I only wish God's blessings on all of them. I will continue to be passionate about the purpose and still attend different events when I can. It's just the forum I will need to stay away from.
Comments
You have made a difference in the lives of many on that forum, just as I know you have made a difference right where you are.
We'll find someway to keep pushing each other (and tweaking each other) where people actually enjoy living and serving Christ.
Hope you have a great weekend.
Your brother David
this just seems to add to all my confusion with all the stuff going on in my life, now the ones I admired have now made the exodus from that forum!
Bro I'll still covet your input!
GNID, you leaving makes it harder to get your input...Dave too!!!
You will be missed. I am not sure what I missed while I was gone for a week, but several key people have stopped posting. With you and the others gone, the place will never be the same.
Blessings,
Robert AKA The Fish
Seriously, you know I'll always stand with you. I'll miss the place too but, you know, to everything there is a season. We're not banned, just disliked. :)
Time to move forward. You'll always be our fat l'il flag.
Art