tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post6131885889161599388..comments2023-10-24T07:03:42.942-05:00Comments on vtmbottomline: AN OPEN LETTER TO E.C.Paul Burlesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17021178307705707423noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-52494469580223038072014-07-04T21:03:20.599-05:002014-07-04T21:03:20.599-05:00Hello Paul, I met you in Lake Jackson, Texas, at W...Hello Paul, I met you in Lake Jackson, Texas, at Willow Drive Baptist Church, several years ago. I enjoyed your talking.<br /><br />Here it is over four years after you wrote this posting and nothing has changed. The same people are saying the same things. Some have dropped out (for a variety of reasons) and some continue. For me it has become mostly a curiosity to see if anyone will ever change their mind. I have not observed any who have--and I hardly see how those who think that EC's behavior is inappropriate can. <br /><br />It may be that the supporters of EC are in a worse shape. Perhaps they know they are wrong but they are unwilling to abandon their core group. If so, this has to be something that haunts them in silent times.<br /><br />Anyhow, I think of you from time to time and wish you well in your activities.<br /><br />Bennett WillisBennett Willishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01200940136846753450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-41190334513932668642010-04-19T06:28:07.216-05:002010-04-19T06:28:07.216-05:00Chris,
You've spoken kind words for which I&#...Chris,<br /><br />You've spoken kind words for which I'm appreciative. You always give some good insight for us all when you write anything.<br /><br />I do think each person's purpose, in any given situation, is unique and I'm willing to see the wisdom of others going a different direction than have I in this.<br /><br />I'm reminded what Ron Dunn used to say about King David. He was a battler for Israel and not the builder of the Temple. [Though it WAS in his heart to be the builder.] Solomon became that. Ron would say that often the battler isn't the builder but both were necessary for the other to be successful.<br /><br />I think some bloggers [Not being too dramatic here I hope.] are meant to be battlers for the Convention and others builders. I know which some of my family and friends are. Their purpose may clear the way for some Solomons to step onto the scene. Who knows.<br /><br />I admit I'm more a builder at heart. But I am grateful to God for the Davids [men AND women] I see around me. I'll rest it there. <br /><br />[Sometimes, I'll admit, I wind up a bit of a split personality in the whole thing.] ;)Paul Burlesonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17021178307705707423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-19724233476109186192010-04-18T23:28:22.810-05:002010-04-18T23:28:22.810-05:00I have to admit, I've been watching this whole...I have to admit, I've been watching this whole thing with an amused dismay. And I think this is one of the most sane commentaries on the whole debacle.<br /><br />I've admired Debbie for being unwilling to stop searching for answers. I've admired Wade for reminding us that bigger issues are in need of addressing of which this is only a symptom. I've even admired a few of the Caner supporters - the few that never said, "What's a few lies if it means the Kingdom is advanced." I think we see how not advanced the Kingdom is just as soom as those lies are revealed. But I really admire you for saying that you will leave this between him and God but hope that he will listen to God and repent. That is sage advice, probably for all of us. And the graciousness of it is second to none in this whole escapade. Kudos and thanks.Chris Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11223315390654119564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-34123714183244572202010-04-16T16:54:35.240-05:002010-04-16T16:54:35.240-05:00Aussie J,
I have to admit that after the e-mail s...Aussie J,<br /><br />I have to admit that after the e-mail sent to Wade I had to work through some very strong, negative feelings. <br /><br />I have also been able to communicate by e-mail over the past few weeks with Wade and Debbie and a couple of others who have helped me with my working through my own responsibility in this whole thing. [Unbeknownst to them as we were all just being open and honest with each other.]<br /><br />So I do know, without putting my words in their mouths, that this totally expresses their hearts about the whole thing as well. <br /><br />[I can't say they do, will, or should say NOTHING else. That's mine alone and not the course they necessarily should/will take.]<br /><br />I DO know, by the way, of some of those other sites of which you speak. I've read one or two of them.<br /><br /><br />Slow to speak,<br /><br />Thanks for stopping by and for the kind words. Be sure and read my response to Aussie J because I would say the same thing in response to your good comment had I not just said it to himPaul Burlesonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17021178307705707423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-80331927730133302302010-04-16T15:57:24.513-05:002010-04-16T15:57:24.513-05:00Very Well Written! Unlike much of the harsh, mean,...Very Well Written! Unlike much of the harsh, mean, critical, and ungodly critics of Ergun...you spoke with Grace and Compassion. There are some Blogs (they go unnamed) that will simply hear second hand news about a Christian leader and automatically call for them to be fired and forgotten. Did Galatians not say..."Gently restore them"...not Gently Beat them! You my Friend have the heart of God...how about sharing some of that with some of these other Blogs that seem to have forgotten that at the end of the day...we are all sinners saved by Grace!Slow to speakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04112253493029220293noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-54220478064564086132010-04-16T15:10:03.655-05:002010-04-16T15:10:03.655-05:00Paul,
What a great and gentle rebuke! "A gen...Paul,<br /><br />What a great and gentle rebuke! "A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger."<br /><br />It would be an extremely proud person who could miss the humbly given,truth of your words, and reply in anger, or, simply ignore. "The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable, But the mouth of fools spouts folly"<br /><br />The contrasts in these introductory words from Proverbs 15 are so apt, "The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Watching the evil and the good.A soothing tongue is a tree of life, But perversion in it crushes the spirit. A fool rejects his father's discipline(through a caring brother), But he who regards reproof is sensible"<br /><br />I trust the hog in question will find the turnip so graciously offered.<br /><br />Bob! Creaky joints stop us from being face to face now, but, I'm looking forward to seeing you and hearing your wise words in eternity!Aussie Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16199918171163666399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-88011423038609945092010-04-16T11:38:12.964-05:002010-04-16T11:38:12.964-05:00Byron,
Thank you. You have stated what was my des...Byron,<br /><br />Thank you. You have stated what was my desire for it from the moment I started typing it. That you say my desire was accomplished is satisfying to say the least.<br /><br /><br />Christine,<br /><br />I remember reading that statement by Tim Bonney some time ago and was as impressed then as I am now with reading it again. Good comment all the way around. Thanks.Paul Burlesonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17021178307705707423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-10236424035335314212010-04-16T10:48:39.446-05:002010-04-16T10:48:39.446-05:00Some thoughts on Bob's quote: ""All ...Some thoughts on Bob's quote: ""All that is necessary for evil to triumph, is for enough good men to do nothing."<br /><br />Who is affected the most when something like this happens?<br />The young, I think, is the answer.<br />So we will look to see the effects of Caner's actions, and now Liberty's cover-up on the students at Liberty.<br /><br />But, you know something. There are times when the roles reverse, when the students become the leaders and stand up against what they know to be deeply wrong. And when that happens, they are admired, even by their professors who would not dare to do so, for fear . . . for fear.. <br /><br />Example: from BaptistLife.com in February, came an article about the exposure of Caner as a fraud. And in it, a comment was made by Tim Bonney about an incident that had occurred at MBTS. <br /> I think is a classic example for all young people who are able to recognize what is right and take a stand for it, without fear . . . without fear . . . <br /><br />Here is the quote from Tim:<br />" The one encounter I ever had with Patterson was at MBTS. He had come to speak in chapel and it was during the time when he and others were encouraging students to tape record professors to try to find something to get them in trouble with. So a group of us students showed up with tape recorders to tape his sermon. I remember him chastising us from the pulpit."<br /><br />The courage of our young in expressing their ethical integrity always gives us hope for the future survival of Christian ethics and morality.Christianehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15969310497166526545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-7835420885161367702010-04-16T10:27:03.583-05:002010-04-16T10:27:03.583-05:00This is a wonderfully Christian letter, and does s...This is a wonderfully Christian letter, and does something I find very hard to do: give a rebuke both gentle in its tone and serious in its intent, with love for an erring brother throughout.Byroniachttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14946794635613455210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-1959250399504245402010-04-16T09:26:09.111-05:002010-04-16T09:26:09.111-05:00Bob,
That blind hog finds a turnip any time he sp...Bob,<br /><br />That blind hog finds a turnip any time he speaks. <br /><br />Both comments on target IMHO.Paul Burlesonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17021178307705707423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-74327219733590315702010-04-16T07:32:54.919-05:002010-04-16T07:32:54.919-05:00It just occurred to me that this blind hog might h...It just occurred to me that this blind hog might have found a turnip.<br /><br />Paul said that divisions might be needful, to show who (or which side, if you will) has God's approval. That seems to mandate that folks speak out when they see something of a serious nature which should form a point of division. That folks speak of things which the Lord might not approve.<br /><br />Hmmm..... seems a lot of folks ARE "choosing up sides". Those not involved in the actual speaking out.<br /><br />Perhaps the old secular adage does have a spiritual basis; "All that is necessary for evil to triumph, is for enough good men to do nothing."Bob Clevelandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06110395869562328309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-81507450287492138472010-04-16T07:08:17.357-05:002010-04-16T07:08:17.357-05:00I wonder... might 1 Corinthians 11:18-19 apply to ...I wonder... might 1 Corinthians 11:18-19 apply to the divisions his actions/statements have brought about?Bob Clevelandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06110395869562328309noreply@blogger.com