MK forum

"No one lets you feel sorry for yourself at all!!!"

Haha! No time for that! Just a lot of hard work!

O.k. Sister, I'm with you. Here's the plan. Men are simple creatures, so we can quickly diagnose Bemused, get him off the couch and then get on with the real work of sorting ourselves and the world out together, with a latte, some soothing music and a bit of internet retail therapy, while we take turns on [/quote]

This sounds wonderlicious!

And I think I did say somewhere about Bemused working for us . . .carry on, Bemused!

Gene Long, I’ve pondered whether or not to send you a PM or to answer this in public here. Since you seem to be a straight-forward person I think this is best.

You are right, my original impression that I would be stigmatized for not being visible on this forum was totally inaccurate. From your response, it appears I am to be mocked for BECOMING visible. My motives are declared suspect from the beginning and my attempt to join the forum is met with what I interpreted to be unsheathed claws. Your statement, “I hope that all readers of this forum understand that every person who posts is responsible for their own content” is fair warning, and I take it at face value. Thank you.

I must disagree with your statement that your “ability to do mental gymnastics has deteriorated.” You seem very agile. I am still considering whether or not to address the questions you raised about my posts, as I’m not sure if they are legitimate questions or waiting daggers. Perhaps if you rephrase them it might clarify your intent. I’ve read your blog from years ago about the libel against you by NTM (http://thailibel.blogspot.com/), and I see some parallels to this situation -- but this time I’m in your shoes. Just as you conveyed to NTM, I have no idea why you are responding as you are, but I want to presume there is a legitimate reason. I also want to presume that you are a godly man and that you will choose to extend grace to me if, by my words here, I have misunderstood and/or offended you.

To Everyone: I joined this forum in openness and honesty, and with good intentions. I am responding in this post with the same attitude. My original posts were worded gently and apparently caused misunderstandings, so the statements above are intentionally straight-forward in an attempt to communicate more clearly. I am glad that the Forum members feel the freedom to express themselves and their opinions openly; but the what-I-took-to-be-rude responses caught me by surprise. If my post here is inappropriate, please let me know.

Dreamwords, I have no desire to turn your forum for healing into a battlefield.

[quote=Paul Syson]Dreamwords, I have no desire to turn your forum for healing into a battlefield[/quote]

Paul, you have my respect by being willing to come on here, especially without hiding behind an anonymous name. I think battlefields are more healing than passive silence, so I welcome the dialogue.

Lori, you are unbelievably gracious.

Hey Paul, you have it easy compared to me. You see, you're of similar faith to almost everyone else here, except me. I'm the odd one out, because I'm an Agnostic (but a nice Sympathetic Agnostic).
Now being a person of failed faith, in a sea of dedicated Christians can be pretty uncomfortable, but I cope and apart from the occasional meltdown, I survive
It's taken some a bit of time to get their head round why an MK would post so much and have such hopeless doubts about his faith. But I must say that I have been well accepted and even appreciated as I ramble on in my Agnostic state. Of course I'm under no illusion that some see me as a whole mission field in itself and are regularly on bended knee interceding that I'll get my act together and get back into the fold.
But like you, I find myself on a different path to most here. It's not a path that most here would ever wish to be on, but for the time being it is the right one for me, just like being in NTM is the right path for you.
I admire your courage for coming on this site, just like Mrs Bemused admires my courage for going way out of my comfort zone and doing what I do.
So my advice is stick around, you probably have more in common with my learned friends than I do, but they graciously accept me warts and all. If you get a bit of a hard time, refer to the "soccer rules" and wave a red card. This is a very long game of soccer, so if you need a breather, we understand. I've thrown my toys out of the cot once or twice (but I'm allowed to because I ain't no Saint ), but I eventually get my act together and get back on the field.
And if you do feel totally out of place, then spare a thought for the poor Sympathetic Agnostic MK from somewhere way South of Mexico and West of Hawaii . . . .

thank you, Dreamwords, for your response. As Allbetter said, you are indeed gracious -- and the ability to be gracious is evidence of healing. Stay the course! {smiley face with fist in the air here}

And Bemused, I won't address your claim to agnosticism -- I'm sure you've heard all the comments before. Suffice it to say that I appreciate you. What you believe, don't believe, or aren't sure about is between you and, uh, God