As the sub-teacher for the Sun. morning class, I am for now the teacher in the Fellowship Hall Class. I can’t say that the numbers are up if anything they may be lower, however we do have a different group meeting somewhere during Sun. School that may have once been included in our class. As I have said, more than once, numbers are not the important factor–sharing the Good News- Being willing to Go and share what God is able to accomplish-Being taught the uncompromised Word of God-Loving and up lifting one another and sharing one anothers burdens-should be the focus of our classes. I am saddened to think that Bro L finds such delight in the absence of Sonny in our classes. I have not always agreed with Sonny but you know what I love him and appreciate his passion for the Word of God. I doubt you could find anyone as dedicated to their views as Sonny. He is willing to back his views with passion and study. If we all had the ability, drive, wisdom and dedication he did while he was our teacher we would all be alot further along in our CHRISTIAN WALK. I appreciate Tammy for her patience with Sonny in all of the time he spent researching, blogging and organizing web sites for us all to enjoy. I miss seeing them both and I love them both very much. I am proud to call them FRIEND.

Love you all–

Nancy

I love you all and miss you also. Keep the comments coming and I will be back with something next Tuesday. After sitting around with out much work for a year and a half, this full week of work stuff is taking some time for adjustment.

The full intent of this post was to bring out some of these thoughts you have shared. Friendship is very much a part of the Kingdom plan and purpose for us all. We must realize that we need each other to make it and to stay on mission also. I am so glad to finally realize this myself.

And Shannon, I may ban some comments in the future, but I have to say that even though I was a little hurt when I first read the first comment here, I let it through to show all readers that not all of us are who we evidently pretend to be and actually Bro L has did me a service by breathing some life into the blog after a pretty dead couple of weeks.

What the enemy seeks to use against us allows God to show us His love and attention as He turns it all around and even blesses us in spite.

Love you all

Starting on page 26, N.T. Wright says, “It really is high time we developed a Christian ethic of blogging. Bad temper is bad temper even in the apparent privacy of your own hard drive, and harsh and unjust words, when released into the wild, rampage around and do real damage. And as for the practice of saying mean and untrue things while hiding behind a pseudonym – well, if I get a letter like that it goes straight in the bin. But the cyberspace equivalents of road rage don’t happen by accident. People who type vicious, angry, slanderous and inaccurate accusations do so because they feel their worldview to be under attack. Yes, I have a pastoral concern for such people. (And, for that matter, a pastoral concern for anyone who spends more than a few minutes a day taking part in blogsite discussions, especially when they all use code names: was it for this that the creator God made human beings?) But sometimes worldviews have to be shaken. They may become idolatrous and self-serving. And I fear that that has happened, and continues to happen, even in well-regulated, shiny Christian contexts – including, of course, my own.”

I’m not trying to be wrongly divisive. And, Sonny, this is your blogsite and your call. But, if Bro L continues participating in these discussions with unsubstantiated, slanderous accusations, it might be best to filter (if not all out ban) such comments.

Blessings

Just thinking…

Friendship is a very important part of my life. My friends lift me up and pray for me when I cannot. A friend is someone who loves you unconditionally for who and what you are. A friend is someone you love and respect without expecting anything in return. I regard my true friends as an extension of my family. My life would not be complete without them. I believe that true friendships are made in heaven, and each one has been placed in our lives for a purpose. (Just me sayin’).

As for Bro L…… I am sad for that person, but his comment does not even deserve a response.

Love and Blessings,
Connie

They will be honest, but uplifting at the same time. They will be someone you can gripe to, tell secrets to, and share great joy.

Just for the record Bro. L, I will be your friend. All you have to do is ask.

Love to all.

Chris

Bro L: You seem to be running low on friends.Maybe you should try to be less divsive and liberal.The classes you stopped teaching are growing, by the way.

Bro. L

I do not attend ACOG, but let me add to the discussion – you are a sad little individual that seems to get pleasure out of hurting others. Also not using your real name, wow that is very Christian of you. You are probably sitting all alone wishing you had what Sonny has, and getting jealous. You don’t need to be, Jesus will be your friend, if you just open up.

Hey you want a beef with someone you got it. Sonny is too good a person to respond in this manner, but I am not. If I ever find out who you are you will have to answer to me. That is not a threat of physical violence, but you will be held responsible for being harsh and expressing this uneducated and hurtful statement. You will be brought out in front of everyone, and you will feel their pity and their sadness. If the guilt gets to big turn to God, he will help. Also begging for forgiveness either in public or in private would be a great first step. I am willing to forgive, but it is hard to forgive what I don’t know.

If this is too harsh, you should have seen what my first draft looked like. If it is too much though, please edit at your leisure Sonny.

I love you very much.

Love ya
Laura

First and foremost in response to the questions posed, I believe the qualities of a close friend include honesty, compassion, and the ability to show genuine unselfish love for another person. Friendship is essential in my life. Sometimes when I am struggling with issues (whether physical, emotional or spiritual), the care, concern, and love of my friends helps me recognize God’s love and mercy working in my life. I know God is always there but sometimes I appreciate the kind words of a friend(s) reminding me of His promises and offering their support through my difficult times. I expect my friends to love me and care about me and I always want to reciprocate those actions. Friendships are a work in progress and they grow and develop over time. My closest friends are those people who challenge me to be the best person and Christian that I can be and are willing to bust me (so to speak) when I am not living up to my potential in those areas of my life. They are those rare people with whom I can truly be myself anytime and all the time without fear of offense or abandonment.

Now, I did not know that a Bro. L existed until this morning when John and I were discussing Sonny’s blog about his birthday. So this response is to Bro. L.

Bro. L,
First, I am not sure who within our Alabaster Church family is feeding you information about our current class structure and the fact that some classes have had an increase in attendance lately – - mainly due to some new families moving into our area – yeah! Nevertheless, I am sure that this person does not realize that you are using and somewhat twisting that information to try to hurt Sonny. I believe with all of my heart that you must be someone outside our church family b/c I refuse to believe that I attend church with someone who would purposefully try to wound or demean another person or belittle the time and contribution that person has made through years of devoted studying and teaching of God’s word. The ACOG family that I love does not respond in this manner. My mother has always said that people who try to tear you down in life are missing something very important in their own lives. So Bro. L., I will be praying that you find what you are missing, that Sonny is not hindered by you, and that the ACOG family shows you love when responding to your wounding comments.

Second,
You obviously don’t know Sonny that well or the comments about him being divisive and liberal would not have been part of your thought process. If you had said strong willed, opinionated, and passionate about what he believes, then I would have gone right along with you. You know I guess your comment could have been meant in a complimentary way b/c Jesus could have been considered to be divisive and liberal. Mr. Webster indicates that divisive means causing division or disagreement. When Jesus was going about doing miracles and spreading the Word, I am sure the Sadducees and Pharisees thought he was being divisive b/c he was causing division for them and causing disagreement b/c he was not the King/Ruler for which they had been waiting. He was also considered to be liberal b/c the conservatives of that day would never have allowed themselves to be found in the company of the type people Jesus visited with, spoke to, and dined with. Those people were people like me so I am glad He was a liberal.

Third,
He is not running short on anything – - especially friends. Since John and I have come to know Sonny and Tammy, our lives have been greatly enriched by their friendship. We adore them and our children adore them. We have spent a great deal of time in his company and know that the Sonny you see at church is the Sonny you see at home, at dinner, on vacation, etc. Again, if you were an ACOG attender you would know that he is definitely not short on friends. There are times when it is difficult to get a moment to speak with him after church b/c so many people want to visit with him or ask his opinion about something. A crowd gathered around a person is usually not a good indication that the person is without friends. Everyone notices when he is not at church and I know our family watches for him and Tammy to come in the doors b/c we love them dearly.

With love,

Barbara