Auf Wiedersehen

Literally, this blog title means "until we meet again" or "good-bye for the present time". I find that most fitting for what I'm announcing here.

You know, I came to CD Forum green and naive as regards the acceptance and understanding of Christianity. I came here with a limited scope as compared to the vast differences that plague the Body of Christ. I thought everyone at least believed in Christ as a person and truly the only issue was whether one accepted him as God, Lord and Savior. I thought believers, professing Christians all believed the same fundamental things, but just exercised their faith differently or had different styles of worship. Boy was I ever wrong!

The first few months after I found this place was spent reading what others thought. To tell you the truth it was a shock to my system. I would read and shake my head in disbelief at not only what professing Christians posted, but what non-believers posted. I thought, this is common sense stuff why don't they get it.

Then for the next year and a half I felt the urge, compelled actually, to get my beliefs and my POV and what I believed to be truth out there. I wanted my views heard and wanted to refute the nay-sayers. I truly wanted them to hear and understand what it was that I had come to knowledge of as regards my belief and my faith and my relationship with God and my interactions with those different than myself. To borrow a verse from Genesis, in the beginning it was good.

And so it was. Yes, we were different and yes, we disagreed. However, there was more respect. There was more harmony than discord even between believers and non-believers and especially between believers of various persuasions. There was communication and it appeared open and honest. There was dialogue where even if you couldn't agree with someone, you at least understood why or where they other party was coming from in their train of thought.

During that "golden" period of time for me, I went through some rough patches. I couldn't believe the support I found here, from all walks of life. It truly uplifited me and humbled me. I pray I reciprocated when possible, when aware. If I dropped the ball for anyone out there, I deeply apologize and ask you to forgive me. All in all it truly felt as if God was with me and no matter how heated the debates raged, there was still civility.

Then it seems darkness has fallen. Yes, these boards grow and change but also, I've grown and I've changed, thanks no less to this very board. The challenges I've faced down on here, some that shook my faith very hard, forced me to stop being a complacant Christian, a Sunday only Christian and start really digging into what I believed and why I believed it. I had to study my bible, really study it, along with other subjects to get at the heart of my belief and what it was I believed. God works in mysterious ways, and He did a work in me.

God used this forum to my benefit untimately. My faith has been renewed, strengthened and deepened because of my participation here. To everyone, thank you. Because whether you knew it or not, whether you want to believe me or not, God used you and your posts and your beliefs to help me come to a better place in my life and in my walk with Christ. Again, for that I thank you all. I am grateful to God for being with me while I went through this.

But there is a time and a season for every purpose under heaven. My season here, I believe God has shown me, is over. Actually, I think I overstayed my welcome, as it were. There is no longer room here for me. Either the board has changed that much, or I have grown to a point where I am no longer compelled to be here. I'm not sure which impetus is greater, but nonetheless, I am moving on.

I'm not leaving CD lock, stock and barrel. My profile will remain. I will still check for DMs or profile messages. I might put something on my State forum or in Bible Talk. I may post a blog here or there in the future. But I no longer feel required or obligated to participate. My thoughts have gone silent.

I have said all I can say. My words are still here. My thoughts and beliefs are out there for the entire world to see. I haven't hid anything. I have been as open, transparent and truthful as possible. So for those truly seeking, I am not gone. For those looking for answers to tough questions, they are still there. You'll just have to look a bit harder to find them.

God is God and He is in control. I will follow where He leads. For now that is not here. Until we meet again....may God's grace and peace be upon you in abundance and I will continually pray for my brothers & sisters.

Blessings to all