A note on forgiving

[Nathan Friedly]

Hi folks, I just found this site while looking for the lyrics to the old kids song "Romans 10:9 and 10 I believed it once and then..." (thanks, VeganXTC); but reading around, the topic of forgiveness came to my mind, so I thought I'd share a bit with you.

Before I get started I should point out that this is meant to be loving encouragement in Gods word. If you get feeling defensive at any point, then I apologize for not writing clearly enough. My intent is not to attack anyone, so if you feel attacked then I encourage you to take a step back and try to determine why.

Ephesians 4:31-32

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

I grew up in The Way. There's no way I can imagine knowing as much of Gods word as I do without that upbringing. That's not to say I know everything, just that I am very appreciative of what I do know.

2 Corinthians 2:10-11

To whom ye forgive any thing, I [forgive] also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave [it], for your sakes [forgave I it] in the person of Christ;

Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

I'm no longer a member of the way, but I love them dearly. They are my brothers and sisters. Anything, ANYTHING they did wrong to me, I forgive them for. Holding a grudge does nothing to them and nothing positive to you.

1 John 4:20-21

If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

Romans 8:16-17

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with [him], that we may be also glorified together.

These folks are your brothers and sisters too.

Philippians 2:3

[Let]nothing [be done] through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

So that's what was on my heart, God bless you guys, you seem like a wonderful bunch of believers!

-nathan

[rascal]

Welcome Nathan :)

Glad that you are here. Thanks for sharing your heart, and I agree...lol we ARE wonderfull, Thanks!

I just hope that you still think so if some of our opinions and experiences in twi were different than yours.

Cathy

Edited December 13, 2007 by rascal

[Nero]

Nathan - you are a sugar cube. :3

I also interact with a few people still in twi - some of them are nice. Some of them aren't - which I was saddened by because a friend I've had for over a decade really couldn't let what I believed in now go.

I don't have any grudges against anyone in particular. I don't hate them. I just don't like the things I was taught growing up - or the way I was treated. Maybe it was different because you are a boy? My brothers were fine too. Or it could have been the limb I was in as well. It wasn't a good place to be for a gal.

Talking here has been nice - in fact I'm not very angry anymore or resentful - which is always how I felt in TWI.

I remember thinking the same thing about learning about God's word once upon a time. I couldn't go to a church meeting without thinking that. Now I have an open mind about things. The only thing I think I learned from TWI was how to use the bible against other people when one wanted something done. Then - used to excuse their own cruel actions. It happened quite a bit around me - although I never practiced this myself.

Welcome to the cafe! No doubt Belle will be here in a bit to take your order? :3 I will give you something to drink in meantime. Coke okay?

[Nathan Friedly]

haha, a coke sounds good. Thanks for the warm reception.

I can't say much for how it feels from the womens side, but we studied a bit of that recently. It was just wonderful to see the true meaning of verses like in Timothy and Corinthians that are guaranteeing women the right to learn and teach Gods word, just like men. The truth of Gods word stands very clearly in contrast to what some people try to twist it into. I love how perfectly the word fits together when you study it :)

[Bumpy]

haha, a coke sounds good. Thanks for the warm reception.

I can't say much for how it feels from the womens side, but we studied a bit of that recently. It was just wonderful to see the true meaning of verses like in Timothy and Corinthians that are guaranteeing women the right to learn and teach Gods word, just like men. The truth of Gods word stands very clearly in contrast to what some people try to twist it into. I love how perfectly the word fits together when you study it :)

I know we have never met, but can I buy you a Scotch?

[JeffSjo]

Hi Nathan Friedly and welcome,

Thanks for your sharing and your heart. Often times roughness is just a cover for weakness and gentleness is true strength.

You've just reminded me of that. :)

[potato]

hi Nathan. there are people in twi who I love, but many more who left or who were thrown out who I learned from and love.

3 people have apologized to me since I left, 2 are still in. strangely, these people only doubted me or were helpless to help me or played an inadvertent part in instigating one of the brainwashing sessions I was treated to by leadership. the real criminals I've encountered in twi have never owned up to wrongdoing. I do not forgive them. it's just not my job. I do not love them. they are not my brothers. those who I love have acted with love and I forgive them with all my heart. should I find the people who I hurt when I was on the twi bandwagon, I will lay my heart open and beg their forgiveness.

there are those who are in or were in twi who I love, but twi itself I hate. it is an evil machine, a whited sepulchre painted with the hearts of well-meaning people who blindly (and sometimes knowingly) hide twi's corrupted, decayed core.

[Nero]

True true potato - I forget sometimes about that. There are still people in there that are just rotten and they aren't our brothers and sisters. They don't want to change - they think they are right - and they are still in TWI today doing the same junk and being praised for it. They think it's loving. Whatever.

They are rotten rotten rotten.

There are a few good people in still - but when you actually realize it - it's like a shock.

[Bumpy]

Nathan, you may need a re-fill by now, or just a bottle...of something! I might have to check your ID though, as 12 is the legal drinking age here!

Actually, when you're finished 'researching' the menu, hang out for awhile with a couple of those "hot" babes from way corp days. But be careful, it's a serious conversation. <_<

Afterwards, you might want to check out my little 'gay' thread. The "guys" in the toy dept. may want to meet you! You can talk about all the SEX you want with them!

(By the way...you don't know a 'guy' named Larry who lives in the neighborhood, do you?)

[Nathan Friedly]

I know we have never met, but can I buy you a Scotch?

Absolutely! I like you guys even more now!

I do not forgive them. it's just not my job. I do not love them.

I disagree with you there. Loving is a decision and it it your job. If you look at it one way, loving is your only job. (I lump loving and forgiving in together, I see them as very closely related.)

I understand that you were hurt, badly. And I sympathize with you. Myself and my family went through much of the same thing.

That was exactly what I was trying to address though. Give God a chance here. Like the old song, "He's the healer of broken hearts..." You receive the benefits of forgiving them.

Take a look at Job. He was burned. Really taken for all he was worth. He didn't deserve any of it. And to make matters worse, his friends, even his wife became miserable comforters. "This is what you did wrong" and "Curse God and die." With friends like that....

But you know when he received his healing? The turning point where he went from having nothing to having everything restored twofold? When he prayed for his miserable comforters.

Job 42:10

And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.

If you read the context, God rebuked the "friends", all Job needed to do was pray for them.

Take a look at this also:

Matthew 5:43-48

Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?

And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more [than others]? do not even the publicans so?

Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Once again, please don't take this as a personal attack. That would only serve to ruin the point.

EDIT:

This teaching by Jeff Wendling may be of interest to you: http://cffil.org/weekend11.07/Jeff.mp3

The rest of the teachings from that Weekend in the Word are right here: http://cffil.org/weekend11.07.htm

And Bumpy, I'm not sure how to take that.. No, I don't know anybody named Larry, guy or otherwise...

Edited December 13, 2007 by Nathan Friedly

[Abigail]

And Bumpy, I'm not sure how to take that.. No, I don't know anybody named Larry, guy or otherwise...

Welcome to the cafe, Nathan. Have a shot. Seriously, have a shot, cause that's precisely how you should take Bumpy. A lick of salt, a shot of tequilla, then suck on a lime. Eventually everything he says will make perfect sense to you - then you will know you have truly crossed over.

As for Larry, well he and his sister Mary can be quite contrary, but they are best when hanging out with Mo and Curly.

Edited December 13, 2007 by Abigail

[Bumpy]

Absolutely! I like you guys even more now!

And Bumpy, I'm not sure how to take that.. No, I don't know anybody named Larry, guy or otherwise...

Nathan, you're doing great! Larry usually shows up after hours with a hot date, and it basically pi$$es off his ex-girlfriend. Meanwhile, there are lots of PFAL grads here who always enjoy what's going on at twi! Think of it as recent past history.

Let me know if you have any question and have fun!

Le Bump

PS, I'm not really French!

[Nathan Friedly]

lol, alright.

I still need to get around to getting myself a copy of PFAL. Oughta put it on my christmas list....

Edited December 13, 2007 by Nathan Friedly

[potato]

I do pray for my friends, and even though I don't consider myself christian any more, I believe God hears my prayers.

as far as living biblically, I do good as much as lieth within me. I would forgive an enemy in a heartbeat were I to see a genuine change. until then, no. you might think it's my job to love everyone, but it's really not. those who continue to do evil, or who act like their past evils never happened, I don't love and I don't forgive. I'll leave that up to God, he knows better than I.

[Oakspear]

Nathan, I forgive you

[potato]

I guess I never did say, welcome Nathan. I was in a conversational mood this morning :)

[waysider]

Hi, Nathan

This place can be a little bit like a roller coaster ride at the amusement park.

(Except you don't have to stand in long lines for a thrill ride.)

Anyway, Welcome aboard.

[Watered Garden]

Nathan, I just wanted to say welcome. You sound like a very mature and kindhearted young man.

If your dad is from a town in northwest Ohio that is the peony capital of the US, then I kinda knew him, and he and Mr. Garden are from the same town.

Anyways, welcome to the fray! Be sure to come around next July when I'm serving up my ripe tomatoes, raspberry sorbet, and blackberries from the garden!

WG

[Tom Strange]

Hi folks, I just found this site while looking for the lyrics to the old kids song "Romans 10:9 and 10 I believed it once and then..." (thanks, VeganXTC); but reading around, the topic of forgiveness came to my mind, so I thought I'd share a bit with you.

Before I get started I should point out that this is meant to be loving encouragement in Gods word. If you get feeling defensive at any point, then I apologize for not writing clearly enough. My intent is not to attack anyone, so if you feel attacked then I encourage you to take a step back and try to determine why.

I grew up in The Way. There's no way I can imagine knowing as much of Gods word as I do without that upbringing. That's not to say I know everything, just that I am very appreciative of what I do know.

I'm no longer a member of the way, but I love them dearly. They are my brothers and sisters. Anything, ANYTHING they did wrong to me, I forgive them for. Holding a grudge does nothing to them and nothing positive to you.

These folks are your brothers and sisters too.

So that's what was on my heart, God bless you guys, you seem like a wonderful bunch of believers!

-nathan

Hey Nathan! It sounds like you really dig the whole TWI thing. Maybe you could start a fellowship in your area (I'm sure they need one) and then you can be our spy!

nah... just kiddin'... there's a card game (for money) in the back and the bar is towards the front! remember that and you can't go wrong!

carry on with the plan of the day...

Edited December 14, 2007 by Tom Strange

[dmiller]

There's a card game (for money) in the back and the bar is towards the front! remember that and you can't go wrong!

carry on with the plan of the day...

Hmmmmm. Our cafe??? Where you can't even type Pe$h!tta without some serious typo acrobatics??

Aren't you thinking of that other site that has NO email, just a snail mail addy --

and if you're lucky enough to find their phone numer, they refer you to someone else?

They should add t-shirts to their merchandise -- (available to grads of CF&S only) that say:

:D :o :D

[Nero]

I disagree with you there. Loving is a decision and it it your job. If you look at it one way, loving is your only job. (I lump loving and forgiving in together, I see them as very closely related.)

I understand that you were hurt, badly. And I sympathize with you. Myself and my family went through much of the same thing.

That was exactly what I was trying to address though. Give God a chance here. Like the old song, "He's the healer of broken hearts..." You receive the benefits of forgiving them.

I know this has been brought up a bunch - and I hate to do it again because you are a sugar - but this isn't a Christian website. =( I'm agnostic... so I'm not going to go forgiving a bunch of hateful bastards and love them because your God says so.

Even though I'm agnostic - I don't usually mind a prayer being thrown my way - as my duel-religion native american teacher said: it's good to stack the cards in your favor. XP

I think you'll do well on here though - you are very sweet - and your tone isn't attacking unlike most people who still love twi.

[Nathan Friedly]

Nathan, I just wanted to say welcome. You sound like a very mature and kindhearted young man.

If your dad is from a town in northwest Ohio that is the peony capital of the US, then I kinda knew him, and he and Mr. Garden are from the same town.

Anyways, welcome to the fray! Be sure to come around next July when I'm serving up my ripe tomatoes, raspberry sorbet, and blackberries from the garden!

WG

I'n not sure if it's the Peony Capital or not, but it's definitely the right area. You probably did know him. And thanks for the welcome - I just might take you up on that offer!

Hey Nathan! It sounds like you really dig the whole TWI thing. Maybe you could start a fellowship in your area (I'm sure they need one) and then you can be our spy!

nah... just kiddin'... there's a card game (for money) in the back and the bar is towards the front! remember that and you can't go wrong!

carry on with the plan of the day...

haha, we already have a fellowship in my area (though not a twi one). In fact, we're doing an open house tonight! If anybody is near Troy, Ohio you'd be welcome to drop in. it's 7:30 to 9:30 tonight. gimme a call if you think you can make it:

[edit] it was recommended by a forum member that I hide my phone number. I decided to meet him half ways and only post my google grand central "home" number: 937-947-5112.

The fellowship is Tuesdays at 7, everyone is welcome to that as well. You don't even have to be a Christian to come. :)

And thank you to the other welcomes that I havn't responded to directly!

Edited December 14, 2007 by Nathan Friedly

[oldiesman]

Welcome Nathan. Thanks for the invite and if I were in your neighborhood, I would like to stop by.

[Nero]

Ah - I see. What kind of fellowship is it then? Sort of a hanging out together with no biblical teachings?

[oldiesman]

The impression I get is that Nathan is fellowshipping with CFF, but I could be wrong.