Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!clyde.concordia.ca!uunet!cs.utexas.edu!rutgers!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: cci632!sre@cs.rochester.edu (Sherry Ellington) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Sharing Message-ID: Date: 21 Aug 90 02:41:42 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: Computer Consoles Inc. An STC Company, Rochester NY Lines: 40 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu The following is a reply to a message I had posted a while back relating how I'd like to see more sharing in this group. Don R. Wiseman gave me permission to print his reply to me. It speaks a lot of what I feel. Sorry Don I was late at this: I too have been a casual observer of this group and have been disturbed at times at the focus of the group. As a Christian, one of the primary goals of my walk is to stay focused on Jesus Christ. I find that although I have many burdens and troubles, when I am walking closely with Jeses (ie. talking to him, listening to him, reading his teachings, and generally sitting at his feet adoring God's son) that I forget I have any troubles at all. However, I work in an academic environment like many others who read this discussion. And it is very easy for me to get lost in intellectual discussions about churches and doctrines, etc. It is very easy for me, because I enjoy intellectual persuits, and I am surrounded by them in this University setting. In fact, I have no fundemental problem with the concept of talking about such things. But what my soul really longs for; what I am always craving is to brush up against the heart of my savior. To hear stories of how he is moving in our lives, to help my brother see Jesus more clearly, to have my brother help me, and to worship and praise him for who he is, and what he is doing. Occasionally I scan this groups discussions, and when I am really blessed, I will find a testimony, or a witness to a miracle, or a plea for prayer, etc. But mostly, I see these other discussions which, although interesting, just don't satisfy that hunger. My dream, my sincere prayer, and my reason to keep checking this group from time to time, is that this group might start to share their hearts. That it might become a living witness and support to both Christians and non-Christians. And that it be more than just a place to talk religion. We can talk religion, but we could also talk Jesus, and we could make this something really awesome. Don Wiseman (dwiseman@groucho.mrc.uidaho.edu)