MIKERO@CRNLNS (Michael R. Roman) (01/12/90)
Hopefully, I can do this in a spirit of love.... There have been some confrontational messages posted to CHRISTIA lately. Maybe it's because of some sort of post-holiday letdown -- God knows. I don't like it, and I wish it would stop. Mark McGrew suggests prayer, meditation, Bible reading, and reflection; I would amend that with the suggestion that these actions be centered on the question "why do I subscribe to Christia?" I posed the question, and I'm ready to answer it. I believe that God has given all of us gifts; I have some gifts others don't have, and other people have gifts that I don't have. I subscribe to Christia for fellowship and sharing of gifts. I believe that God wants me to share what He has given me with you all, and I'm certainly ready to benefit from the gifts you all have to share. A posting is a (sometimes very personal) gift to us all; we should treat such gifts with respect. There are some things I try to remember whenever I post. The medium has its limits; no one can see my expression or hear my tone of voice -- I try to think of how my post will be received. Second, the way I say something is important, sometimes more important than what I have to say (I tell one of my cats what a chowderhead she is; all she knows is the affection in my voice ;-) ). Third, if I'm going to criticize someone, I try to make sure that I understand what that person said; once I decide to criticize, I try to do it in a spirit of love. Comments about Bible literacy remind me about the debate over tongues, especially as outlined in 1 Corinthians. It is a gift, one which can (and should be) developed. But let's not forget that we all have other gifts to offer. God is not limited to speaking to us just through the Bible. I appreciate insights that come from other sources (like a feeling of connectedness with other people and with God's creation), and I hope I continue to see them on Christia, just as I hope to continue to see Scriptural citations. in faith, Mike Roman