Christianity Oasis Forum

[Mackenaw]

Hello Everyone

I wasn't sure where to put this, but since we are all called of God I figured this Forum was as good as any to post in.

Tonight in the REAL Solutions Chat gathering, I was made aware of the confusion of some as to what was being discussed and the reason for it. As with any group of people, we tend to adopt certain lingo that others that are new to the group might not understand, initially. The word "Newbies" confuses some, because it has several meanings and/or uses...new to site, new to Christianity, etc. Same goes with the word "lost"...lost could mean non-Christian, yet it could apply to Christians that feel lost because of overwhelming trials, and I suppose it could also be used by some to denote "babes" in Christ who are just starting out and might feel lost because they feel they have so much to learn.

I know that we wanted to include everyone and allow anyone who wanted to attend these gatherings to feel welcome. Woooooohoooooo!!! That's a good thing. The problem is though that we touch on many topics and subjects that others have not seen, witnessed or heard before -- such as: there are cliques, etc. I know for those that are new to the site and so excited about what God has shown them through His love flowing the way it does here, that it is shocking and a tad disappointing to hear that there are some cliques and some whisperings in amongst a few members. And because some of us are quite passionate in how we express things -- combined with the coldness of the internet screen, it can be a little confusing and even disheartening to hear/read that we are not working in Unity all the time, and we have some negative issues that must be addressed.

We are being REAL about all this, and in order to achieve Unity we need to shine light on the dark areas. But, for those of you who have not seen or heard of divisions or cliques or any whispering, I pray you'll not go looking for it. It may be human nature to do so out of curiosity; however, as a child of God, we also have God's nature working in us to steer us away from such. Let Him keep the steering wheel, and pray for God's will to be done in those "few" members' lives that are involved.

This is God's site and His Spirit dwells here, through the members that God led here, and who are committed to serve God, by His call.

Tonight a new member, who is on Fire for The Lord, expressed concern to me over some of the things said/typed about cliques and such. I suggested that it is a type of Pep Talk, yet we are all very passionate people and discussing tougher topics can be difficult. No, I'm not trying to cover anything or paint it all in pretty pastel colors -- I just don't want the message to be that everything is wrong here. Because, in my opinion, that is NOT true. I love this site and the members. This is not a sinking ship.

While thinking about all this, I was reminded of an account in The Bible (Acts Chapter 12). A group of disciples were gathered together, praying. James had just been killed by Herod, and Peter had been taken away. I'm sure the disciples were quite distraught at what was happening all around them. Suddenly, Peter knocks on the door where they are all gathered, and a damsel, Rhoda, went to the door. She did not open the door, but Peter spoke and she ran and told everyone else what was going on. They thought she had seen a ghost (which is kinda interesting, in itself), but as Peter kept knocking others went to check it out, and discovered that it was, in fact, Peter.

The point...Rhoda was there with the disciples. I'm sure many would have preferred to shield Rhoda's eyes and ears to the more unpleasant things that happen when men and women, flawed as we all are, earnestly come together to discuss those type of life issues, all the while trying to serve our Lord God. But, this is what it is all about. Flawed human beings trying to come together in unity to serve our Lord, as one.

I am encouraged, and I hope others are too. We serve an Awesome God!!! Thank You Jesus!!!

Anyway, I just wanted to share that.

God bless and keep you.
Love,
Mack

[mlg]

Hello Mackenaw, what beautiful words you share. I too was thinking of last night's gathering...and what hit me most were thoughts of Paul and Timothy. I want to explain.

Last night's discussion was mostly focused on sharing with new members, but I couldn't help but think over and over in my mind...we have to train up ourselves...and this means feeding us all, as Paul did Timothy. I think of this verse:

2 Timothy 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

I think it's important we have unity in our studies of God's word, so that we can then share a unified love with the new members..whether they be new in Christ, lost souls, or have been renewed in Christ many years and are just entering the Oasis.

As I read through 1st and 2nd Timothy, I couldn't help but think how Paul not only was called to the Gentiles to preach and teach...

2 Timothy 2:11
11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

But...that Paul felt the need to reach out to Timothy a fellow Christian and servant unto the Lord to help encourage and uplift and guide...feeding Him Truth as well.

I may be off topic here too sis...but felt since you were discussing your thoughts about last night...that I too wanted to add mine.

One more thought sis...the Bible mentions issues with unity amongst the churches years ago and of course we can see it continues today...God placed it for ALL to read in the Bible...whether new or not....it's good to be honest and open in the UNITY program...as then new souls will see we all have flaws and have decided to work Together to overcome.


luv ya bunches

[vahn]

Sister Mack

-- I just don't want the message to be that everything is wrong here. Because, in my opinion, that is NOT true. I love this site and the members. This is not a sinking ship.

Amen and ditto to that .


Luv ya
In Christ, our Lord

[sbennett]

YAY mack...I loved reading your post and the responses. I walk around in the real world with real people that I physically hear, see and interact with....and yet I stay pretty clueless about most things. LOL!!! So, you can imagine how clueless I tend to be interacting with souls on the internet through written words only! I tend to not look deep enough into things so I kinda missed the DIS unity and the need for unity until after the fact. This is my thought on unity at this point...on Oasis and in my own life. I feel if I do my best to focus on God and pray to seek HIS will in my life then HE will use me as he sees fit to serve HIM....at Oasis and in my day to day life. If I take my focus off of HIM I will then be more self minded and start to serve myself instead. If we do our best to put Christ first then HE will guide us to be unified in serving HIM here...doing HIS agenda only.

I am so very thankful that God led me here where I am growing closer to HIM each day and where I can be used to serve HIM. I think this place and everyone here are AWESOME!!!

[Mackenaw]

Hello Mlg, Vahn and Benny

Thank you all for your posts. I see that there is now a separate Forum for REAL Soul-utions discussions. Wooooooohoooooo!!!

God bless and keep you.
Love,
Mack

[Dora]

I don't have much knowledge to share but one thing that keeps coming to my mind through out this, is that the unity shouldn't stop here at the Oasis. The entire body of Christ should feel this. Imagine the impact that would make!!!!

I like the title "Real unity."

I want to quote our sisters here

Jill said.....
"By clinging to the idea that the past could have been different, I am suddenly dwelling on all of the people involved in that situation and the small part each played. This will always leave a crack in the door for unforgiveness to enter our heart. Until we let go of that hope of a different past, it will be difficult for us to move forward in forgiveness."

I believe forgiveness is a key to unity. Forgiving even when someone doesn't ask. Forgiving even when they don't deserve it. After all, we don't deserve what God did for us.