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Originally Posted by NewManLiving
Dear Brother,
Do you really think you will be received back into the LC fold with open arms after your dinner confrontation?
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If you are asking me what I think then I think I should be allowed to have a private conversation with a brother that I have known well going back to 1978 without it being characterized as a "dinner confrontation". I was direct. I began the conversation telling Ed I'd heard a lot about him, he said he hoped it was good, and I said "No, it isn't". I was very frank, but I was speaking in love. I was polite, respectful, and put him in remembrance of a time when we were both in one accord. That said, I have no concern over whether or not I will be "received back into the LC fold". This is not my intention. I greeted many saints this last weekend, told them where I meet, shared contact information, and was quite happy to meet many of them again.
Quote:
Originally Posted by NewManLiving
You were asked not to attend the meeting. Do you think this is something temporary? If I understand you correctly you have not been there in ten years. They have not repented in 30 years and by Ed's response to you the monkey is still there. In my opinion you are now a marked man no matter who your friends are and you will not be warmly welcomed.
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I was a marked man when the Spirit marked me out. Nothing new.
Quote:
Originally Posted by NewManLiving
Even if they did conditionally allow you to attend, do you honestly think you can turn a blind eye to what you yourself know to be the truth. You would be expected to do that.
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No one who knows me would expect that. I did not mention this, but Sunday morning when the testimony time came I stood up and spoke. In NY they put up microphones and you have to stand in line. There was a very interesting response from the elders as I stood in that line. I decided many years ago that I was not going to "turn a blind eye to the truth" and have been faithful to that ever since. I can assure you that I have been forthright in speaking to many of these leading ones from my generation.
Quote:
Originally Posted by NewManLiving
Those of us on this forum realize a lot more than you give us credit for. Ed's shoes are no different from anyone else's. He has the same responsibility to be faithful to the truth as any leader in the LC,
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You need me to credit you? I am no expert on what you do or don't realize. Just point me to the posts that talk about "walking in Ed's shoes" and I'll be able to apprehend what you realize. I have seen 20+ posts that refer to EM (which I understand to be Ed) but in my very limited scan have not seen any that talk about his perspective.
However, in my opinion, the point the Lord is making in Matt 18:1-4 is that we are all leaders, every one of us. As believers we are being trained to rule and reign with Christ. If the Lord says that the greatest in the kingdom is one who is like a little child then how can you distinguish between the "leaders" and everyone else. I think we will have a way to walk back from the precipice if we could understand this.
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Originally Posted by NewManLiving
including those faithful leaders that were slandered for attempting to uphold the truth while Ed and others just covered their ears and eyes to make Witness Lee happy.
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Yes, I think that was my point in my discussion with him. I do hope that he will confess and repent publicly, and I realize how terrifying that would be for him.
Quote:
Originally Posted by NewManLiving
Ed's statement about where PL went after death is another indication of a problem. We do not know where PL went. We do not know if PL died in the Lord Jesus, or if his death was the result of disipline. If he did not then he assuredly did not go to be "with the Lord". Not in this age or the next.
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Well at the very least we all know that PL will appear before the Lord's judgement seat and at that point in time he will "be with the Lord" at least until the judgement is handed down. That is for the Lord, not for me, or even for you. That is the least of my concern. PL is no longer a threat to the saints, but elders who behave in the way that these Anaheim elders did are.
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Originally Posted by NewManLiving
If the Lord has put this on your heart may His will be done in any case. But I would caution you not to give yourself a cross that the Lord did not give you. While all things do work together for good to those that love God, we sometimes invite our own trouble. May the Lord give us all wisdom!
May we all at every moment look away to the Lord Jesus Christ to be our center and circumference, then we will be content and in peace no matter where we are because we will be found in Him .
May the Lord give you His peace and enjoyment always
John
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We are all accountable when we see sin to say so to the brother or sister. I knew Ed, I saw what he did, I wanted to speak to him, and now that I have my burden is released. What he does with it is completely up to him. As I said he has to stand before the Lord for his actions.