Hello brothers and sisters. I am looking forward mostly to good fellowship with the people here, which to me means honest and frank discussion, but always with kindness and respect. I see fellowship as central to faith, and by that I don't mean just services and potlucks; I mean everyday I-stand-with-you brother and sister love, care, and encouragement, and rebuke when needed. Not doing it perfectly is fine. I have learned the hard way that trying to be a good Christ, such as practicing the fruit of the spirit as laws for social interaction (in my case, looking to maintain an image), is harmful to growth in the spirit. We are, in my view, to take each other where we are and to speak and act from where we are or how else can we properly tend to each other. Smiling when I may be crying or raging on the inside denies us both opportunities to heal and learn from each other.
I apologize for starting out with a lecture but I have found so much hurt and harm produced by trying to act like a good Christian, I felt compelled to make this part of my introduction. Shalom.
I apologize for starting out with a lecture but I have found so much hurt and harm produced by trying to act like a good Christian, I felt compelled to make this part of my introduction. Shalom.
