Blogging: The Joys and Sorrows
Aug 27
Blogging has been a great experience for me. Before I continue I want you to look at some other places I have blogged and you will see the evolution of Lionel Woods.
http://anunveiledface.wordpress.com/
http://urban-theologians.blogspot.com/
http://www.blackandreformedministries.com/
It is so funny to read some of my older posts. Actually downright hilarious. So let me talk to you about blogging if I can.
The Catalyst
I originally set out to blog to wrestle with theological issues. In 2004 I was introduced to Reformed Theology and for the first time in my Christianity I felt at home. What I mean is that Reformed Theology taught me that thinking was okay. I used to remember sitting around and trying to discuss things with people and having neither a platform nor any receivers to have such discussions with. Honestly I don’t even know how I found out about blogging. No clue actually. I think the first blog I ever saw was www.pulpit-pimps.org and maybe I googled false teachers.
There I found a place where I can discuss things, it was an outlet and I would spend hours going back and forth with people. It was a relief. I no longer had to sit around frustrated because God had provided me an outlet I was overjoyed but……..
Self-Realization
As I said I would spend hours at night going back and forth with people. I vilified those who didn’t agree with me, I realized that I was a bit “smarter” than my foes and I would use numerous tactics to dismantle, pulling out theological terms that I regurgitated from others, slicing and dicing my opponents at every whim. I was actually proud that I dismembered my foes online and when someone didn’t return a comment, I claimed myself to be the victor! How great is that. I am not only engaging others in theological debate but also winning debates so I thought…
What I soon began to realize is that I was polarizing my brothers and sisters. I was hurting people and even though it was behind a keyboard I was “biting and devouring” those who had been saved by the same blood. Those who had been extended the same grace undeservingly as I had and I began to realize that rather face to face or online my obligation to love others was not an option it was demanded by the one who loved me so tenderly.
A Personal Email and the Right Path
On the Black and Reformed website I used to have a “Good Church” list and a “Bad Church” list. On the Good list were those that agreed with me. Piper, Dever, Mahaney, Acts 29, some PCA churches, some Reformed Baptist Churches and then on my Bad list were churches like Potter’s House, World Changers, and their affiliates (usually the mainstream ones) and then in small writing I had “and whoever else accepts their teaching”
Well one day, a young lady sent me an email. She told me how she was heartbroken, how she was offended and told me if I even had any kindling of the Holy Spirit I would take those lists down because they were wrong and unloving. Boy oh boy did she set me ablaze. I sat down that night and typed about a 2 page email blasting her, calling her a heretic, including links to all the false teaching articles that had been written, links to other blogs who had researched those teachers and I topped it off with a “if you love Jesus you would recognize this”.
Well I went to click send and the Spirit stopped me. He told me to read her email again and then read mine and tell Him who was actually displaying the fruit of the Spirit. I cried that day and repented. I did send the girl an email and I did tell her I think the teachings of these individuals could be dangerous but I also told her I would take my list down and I apologized for hurting her and others. A section of scripture I had read a thousand times jumped off the page and was applied to my heart.
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
The Evolution of an Arrogant Blogger
I began to change my tone, and though I remain confident and sometimes sarcastic, it isn’t to prove others wrong but to drive discussion. Over the last few years I have changed positions on things I knew for sure, so now the only things I know for sure is that Jesus physically rose from the grave, He expects, even demands obedience, where I fall short is called “grace” and I am sure that something I wrote about will change, not everything but definitely something.
My evolution involves an inner humility, a persistent grace, and most of all a teachable disposition. I no longer write with the intention to sting, though what I write may sting, especially for those entrenched in tradition. My hopes is that just one person may begin to think critically about the faith and what it means on a daily basis. I don’t go after “false teachers” actually I don’t even think I have written anything about that type of stuff in a long long time. I am more concerned about God’s love for us, how we live towards one another and how we function as a body. I believe if you get those three right, things such as prosperity teaching, bad theology and other types of false teaching will become evident.
So Blogging?
Blogging has been great, I have gained some self-awareness. I get to interact with some very intelligent people, I have learned how to be more patient, get thicker skin and not to hold on to my convictions to the point where I polarize my brothers and sisters, even if it is online. Not to mention I have met some people and gained some friendships that I think will last into my dying years. Lawrence, the Mercadels, Tyris, Hutch, Gabriel. I talk to these people on the phone on a reuglar basis. Oh yeah and some spiritual mentors, such as Alan, Aussie John and Dave Black (all from blogging). Some I have met in the flesh others it feels like I have met them and eat with them often. My blogging time has been fun, producing both joys and sorrows and I encourage everyone who has this type of personality to do it. I hope to continue the interaction and learn from others. God bless.
Seekerman,
I think it is the most biblical position again I am not reformed, I never was really I guess, I was just entranced by many of the Reformers and their history and the NeoReformers because of their focus on the mind becaus of this I just took all of what they said without having my own mind to examine it. Once I examined it (over the last two years or so) I have come to different conclusions and I am comfortable agreeing with either Calvin or Wesley as long as I can agree with them through scripture. So I don’t really care about how old something is, who believed or how important they are in the minds of others. I will examine all things and see if they line up with where my heart and mind are leading me to and that is the conclusion I will take. So I am an Open Theistic Reformed Arminian Egalitarian Charismatic Organic Ecclesiological follower of Christ. Just depends on what they say and I no longer align myself with parties just specific truths (or things I feel are true).
Seeker,
I don’t think anyone takes you for a lightweight. You seem to be quite the intellect and though you can be a bit polarizing at times I still enjoy our discussions though we don’t agree on much.
Jon,
I don’t mind you interjecting like I used to, I understand that this perspective of yours is near and dear to your heart so continue to wrestle with it in these forums. I think we have all answered your questions but they aren’t the answers you want at this time but I am okay with that also. Whenever you want to interject and I have the time to interact I will. I will probably be away for the remainder of the weekend so don’t think I am ignoring you. My MBA, work and family life (and our baby shower for our dear friends Jeff and Javetta)have me pretty busy these days.
Congratulations on your MBA. I myself am going back to school this spring to get my Master’s in Counseling.
Seek,
Don’t congratulate me until I finish but thanks for the encouragement, good luck in your pursuit my blogging buddy.
Seekerman,
Let’s see. First with another one of your absurd responses. You stated:
“YOU SHOULDN’T HAVE ASKED ME TO NOT ONLY RESPOND, BUT YOU SHOULDN’T HAVE INJECTED YOURSELF INTO A DISCUSSION THAT I WAS HAVING WITH LIONEL, BY BRANCHING OFF ON ANOTHER TOPIC AS IF YOUR LIFE DEPENDED ON IT.”
My response:
This is a blog site by Lionel and Seekerman doesn’t get to control who responds to what.
Secondly, maybe in your eagerness to always be right, you got your initial respond to me confused. You stated:
“But that’s not my focus on this thread, as you can see where I’m going. I’LL DEAL WITH THAT SOME OTHER TIME. RIGHT NOW I’m dealing with a topic, I feel is far more important”
That’s why I stated:
“No rush for your response, but please respond when you feel ready.”
There was no mention of an email reply on your initial comment to me.
And last; before you go typing all the thoughts that’s running through your mind, take the time to think through your comment so that it is seasoned with more wisdom and with gentleness.
Lionel,
I appreciate the respect that you have been giving me over the last few months (well maybe weeks LOL).
You stated:
“I think we have all answered your questions but they aren’t the answers you want at this time but I am okay with that also.”
My response:
I don’t think that you have answered all my questions directly and some you just simply ignore. I also ask some of the same questions to see if your perspective has changed on a particular subject. Sorry if my questions may at times seem to be over kill, however, I try to respond in a sincere heart and with gentleness with those who may disagree with me.
Lionel,
BTW I have 3 more classes left before I’m finished with my MAT in Workforce Education at UGA. I’ve been strugling to hold on especially since I no longer teach.
Jon,
Send me those questions again. Also conrats you got Senioritis my friend
Jon said:
Seekerman,
My response:
Yeah what’s up?
Jon said:
Let’s see.
My response:
Okay?
Jon said:
First with another one of your absurd responses.
My response:
The only who is touting illogical absurdities between you and I-IS YOU. Secondly, your responses are textbook examples of sophism, as well as someone who’s trying to sound rationally coherent.
Don’t take my word; let’s allow his own words to convict him.
Let’s proceed…
Jon said:
You stated…
My response:
Oh-oh. Jon’s about to get down now!
He posts up a quote of mine:
“YOU SHOULDN’T HAVE ASKED ME TO NOT ONLY RESPOND, BUT YOU SHOULDN’T HAVE INJECTED YOURSELF INTO A DISCUSSION THAT I WAS HAVING WITH LIONEL, BY BRANCHING OFF ON ANOTHER TOPIC AS IF YOUR LIFE DEPENDED ON IT.”
Whereas he can only say:
This is a blog site by Lionel and Seekerman doesn’t get to control who responds to what.
My response:
I never said I controlled anything, sensitive one. Not only that-YOU DIDN’T RESPOND TO WHAT I WAS WRITING, RATHER YOU INSERTED A TOTALLY DIFFERENT TOPIC IN THE FORM OF A QUESTION, ADDRESSED TO ME.
And guess what-just as I don’t decide “who responds to what,” YOU DON’T CONTROL HOW I RESPOND TO SOMEONE, SUCH AS YOURSELF, WHO COMES AT ME WITH A QUESTION THAT IS IRRELEVANT TO THIS TOPIC.
You see, I can’t control the questions you throw at Lionel, nor can I answer for Lionel when you throw a question at him. I may be able to offer a suggestion, but I can’t answer and respond directly for Lionel. But guess what-I can answer for myself, and I did answer YOU directly, based on the question you asked of ME.
Just because you are petty, overly sensitive, as well arrogantly illogical, to where it blinds you in your understanding of the difference and particulars, well-I’ll be praying for you. But in the meantime, it’s time for you to begin looking at the man in the mirror, because on this matter, you are no moral authority. And what do you seek to gain, other than what I can see as carnal intentions, that you have conveniently masked, and self-deluded yourself into thinking is righteous inquest.
Jon can only say:
Secondly, maybe in your eagerness to always be right, you got your initial respond to me confused.
My response:
How so?
Jon said:
You stated:
My response:
Okay?
(Jon posts up a quote of mine from that hitherto post.)
“But that’s not my focus on this thread, as you can see where I’m going. I’LL DEAL WITH THAT SOME OTHER TIME. RIGHT NOW I’m dealing with a topic, I feel is far more important”
My response:
Okay Jon (sighs). Where is my “eagerness to always be right (as if you don’t have an eagerness to always think you’re right, and be right, and others wrong; don’t lie now),” and where is my alleged confusion within this statement of mine?
John said:
That’s why I stated:
My response:
Oh-oh SNAP! What it be?
Jon repeated what he posted earlier:
“No rush for your response, but please respond when you feel ready.”
There was no mention of an email reply on your initial comment to me.
My response:
Yes there was, however that post, as well as the other 50 some odd posts, were deleted by Lionel.
Jon said:
And last;
My response:
Yeah boy!
Jon said:
before you go typing all the thoughts that’s running through your mind,
My response:
Okay, okay?
Jon said:
take the time to think through your comment so that it is seasoned with more wisdom and with gentleness.
My response:
Just because you say my responses aren’t “seasoned with more wisdom,” doesn’t make it true, neither does your remark concerning my “gentleness.” I was initially gentle with you, HOWEVER, you don’t possess enough “seasoned wisdom” to understand, or discern this, because you were so wrapped up in your own intellectual self-indulgence.
Would you like for me to elaborate more?
Wow! Jon really told me; get down, get down!
Having said all of that, you must learn to back off when someone tells you GENTLY to back off, and not provoke, or tempt folks into acting in such a manner you perceive as being rude, whether real, or imagined. You have a tendency of trying to catch someone whom you feel is vulnerable, at a specific time, so as to disrupt and interrupt their apple cart, which is WRONG. There’s a side to you that is perverse, in that you get off on frustrating folks, under the guise of a gentle and syrupy sweet presentation.
You’re so busy in trying to pronounce judgments on other folks, in how they respond to you, to where you haven’t critically taken a look at yourself, and how at times your motivations can be foul.
Oh don’t get me wrong, at times, controversy is a virtue, but to be controversial, just for the sake of being controversial, especially if it leads to carnal ends-is a sin. I gave you my email address in my original response to you, because I didn’t want to pursue this line of conversation, ONLINE, for I was stuck on what I was addressing with Lionel, which was very important, despite what YOU believe about the matter.
I came at you respectfully, but yet you followed my response up with more questions, which should’ve been addressed to me via email, as opposed to this forum. Okay granted, you have a right to ask me any question or follow up question on this forum, right? Okay I hear ya; HOWEVER, I have the right to respond to a question thrown at me, by you-ANY WAY I CHOOSE TO. Just because I respond to you, in a way that you don’t like, which suggests you ought to take this off line WITH ME, doesn’t mean I’m trying to control this board’s conversational flow, whether I am specifically addressing what I will personally address, and not address, at this given time.
If you’re not able to understand, or refuse to be wise on the matter, and use discretion, buttressed with a heaping dose of Godly discernment-then maybe you are indeed a lost cause, for you can only see your own interests, and not those of others.
In closing, you may be partially gentle, but you are indeed carnal, and not all that wise; nor is what you say about me estimable…
Jon, you are right, I didn’t advise you to email me in my initial post to you-IT WAS MY SECOND POST where I offered my email address. So I will admit to being wrong on the chronology, but I was right about everything else…
Oh, and I was wrong about Lionel deleting the earlier posts. I forgot to click on the Older Comments “button.”
Seekerman or Jon,
If a comment doesn’t show up it is because it was spammed by the system. I don’t delete comments at all.
You may be right Lionel, because I could’ve sworn that my first response to Jon, was that he email me. Then again, I could be wrong on that end, but I did request he do so (email me) in my second, or third post (provided I made an initial post that wasn’t posted).
Lionel,
Lionel,
I asked this question on your Testing All Things post:
“How do you interpret I Cor 15:22?
Does the all that die in Adam represent all of humanity? If not, why not?
If so why would the all referred to in Christ not represent all of humanity as well?
Please point out my error, if any, in understanding this verse.”
A quote of mine from this post that bears repeating, and then I’m through with this topic and this thread (unless I receive a response):
“To make it plain- if God is the author of evil, and every evil act, then God must have a vile, lascivious, wicked and macabre, imagination and desires.
Simply put, he must be the Devil, and Jesus Christ-SATAN IN THE FORM OF MAN!”
Remember, according to the “Great Reformer,” Martin Luther: GOD IS THE AUTHOR OF EVIL!