It is amazing to me how few people responded to my blog when I was living up to their expectations, but now that I have "failed" in life once again, the responses come out. What really comes out is that which proves my points completely.
In our "modern" version of the faith, people feel the need to judge, condemn, and be critical freely. I really don't see Jesus acting like my respondents have on this blog. In my article I admitted my failure and voiced my opinion about what people act like who otherwise call themselves followers of Jesus. The self-righteous responses by most who did take the time to respond, is evident and proves my points. I am not asking you to condone anything. I am not asking you to refrain from hurting. One person said that my life proves that it is true, Christians are hypocrites. A hypocrite is one who says one thing and does another. I would suggest that I am not the one being hypocritical, because I have freely admitted my wrong and do indeed plead for the mercy of God...do you? I was, however, being real about where I am today. You needn't agree. But you did choose to read and some chose to respond.
To those who wrote rather scathing remarks, I forgive you. I also want to remind some of you that only God, you and I know some of the things that you have hidden in your closet, and they're not pretty! Do you want me to launch this kind of judgment against you? I think not. You also needn't worry. Unlike some of you, I understand the word "confidential" and will continue to keep your confidences.
I am only asking that you consider responding like Jesus would. Believe it or not, I still love you and thank you for your love if you choose to give it.
I have had some rather interesting experiences this past week. I have had a number of people who have come by to see me (and us), even going out of their way to do so, just to tell me that they love me...unconditionally...that they even will hang out with us, that is Melissa and me, without judgment... and yes, they are true believers in Jesus. I am grateful for each and every one of you who have done so. Most of those who have come to us and expressed their love had read the blog. While some of you may categorize these in the same way you have me, I will not submit to that religious spirit that you launch against us. Did your grandma ever say to you, "If you haven't something nice to say, say nothing"?
So, with this response to the responses, I will bid you farewell for a while. Next blog will feature a special guest writer... Melissa has asked to respond to those who choose to be so callous and uncaring... what she has written is very good and very real. When you read it all that I ask is that you consider this statement from me...you don't know what you don't know...so before you judge us, remember that you only have what information, or gossip, that you have...
Have a nice day!
-Dale
Next blog from me: Why Buddhists are more Christian than many Christians...thought that might get your attention....
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4 comments:
again I repeat......
dale,
I find it so interesting that you judge everyone around you as you tell everyone not to judge you. Give me a break Dale. I also find it so unbelievable how you proclaim that you have not left God.... What god are you referring to? You see, the God of the Bible that you have taught for all these years is obviously not the God you are serving today. When I read this blog all I could think was wow.... thank God He has removed this person from my life. Thank God he has been removed from my childrens lives because he has no right to be a part of our lives. This "new" person you have become..... is a joke. As you so mockingly put it in your text to me months ago "as I am a more mature christian than you, and I know the Bible front to back" , I simply say, grow up! You have taught me a lot in my life Dale. But what you have taught me this past year has been the most important. You keep saying that this is only about you.... that is simply a lie. You are the one that took on the role of my Pastor. You knew that your life would be put in front of us as a church to be an example. Never did I see you as my Saviour. If that were so I would have walked away just as quickly as you did. Yet instead, as I sit here in my house every day taking care of my children, I look up at JESUS and know that although you CHOSE to walk away, I will not... I am stronger now... but all because this man that I loved and admired as a Pastor and more than that, a friend, chose to leave God.. It's so sad.... for what? A woman and a life that you will never be satisfied in. Once Melissa is no longer exciting and you ruin her childrens lives whose will you move onto next? You KNOW that Jesus is the only one that can satisfy that hole and yet you still choose to do this... You can say whatever you want about how you "Know that you need Jesus to cleanse us and make us whole" .... Yeah, the devil "KNOWS" that as well..... is he cleansed and made whole by simply KNOWING that? NO! you can't have it both ways Dale... You really believe you will be whole while living in a place with a woman that is not your wife? You honestly believe that Jesus is going to cleanse you when you refuse to repent? You said in your blog how you "privately held the view that if you disagreed with my view you were certainly wrong. It is this view that I repent of now." WOW you actually repented for something! I find it amazing how you don't choose repentance when it comes to your failing as a Pastor, author, Bible teacher, or even a father and yet you choose to "change your mind" (isn't that what you taught me what repentance was?) about what the BIBLE clearly teaches This blog made me sick. It is simply a man who clearly is not the man that we as a family have loved and admired. Instead we pity you. We pity you because without a doubt you have chosen to satisfy your own desires rather than to lay down your life for the Lord you so often preached about and proclaimed to love. You are releived to not be a Pastor now huh?? Well, guess what? I'm also RELEIVED that you are not my Pastor anymore as well...... You don't deserve that honor!! May God have mercy on you Dale, if you indeed do choose to REPENT......
PS you really need to change your title... you are NO PASTOR and like I said don't deserve that title now.
Jodie Lindell
Dale I honestly don't think that people are being judgemental, I think that they are concerned. Its hard for us to think about the many sermons you have preached about loving your wife as christ loved the church and preaching against adultry. You taught many to turn from thier sin and repent. You taught that if your right eye looked at a woman with lust then to poke it out. I think that we are just all so confused. You said at weddings what God has joined together let no man seperate. So for us to know that you are a married man yet, living in a sinful situation without any remorse, is confusing to most of us. You have taught against it for so long its just hard to comprehend. Yes, we all sin, yes we all make mistakes, but seriously??? To do what you are doing and think that God will bless your life with Melissa is mind boggling. Do you really think that God is up there thinking "Yes, son sleep with another woman other than your wife, continue to live a life of lust and sin, You're doing great!!" HECK NO! His heart is breaking and bleeding for his precious son who has chosen to break his law and for his son who has turned his back on the word of God. But you don't care, you have no remorse for the life you have decided to choose, no compassion for the woman you shared over 20 yr.s with, the woman who loves you more than life its self and followed you in your journey with God. You let another woman come in and destroy your home and the wonderful life you once had. There will never be a more loving person than Trudy Haight your wife! Instead you parade your girlfriend around town and thrust it in her face, its disgusting! God will fully bless Trudy she has been such a faithful God fearing amazing woman! You can not justify what you are doing that just won't happen. Do you think your "Best Friends" Bob, Don and Dale Fife think what you are doing is fine and dandy?? Probably not, so do you think that they are just a brand of christianity too, judgemental just like the rest of us?? I laughed about you calling us a brand of christianity last I knew you taught against religion and taught a personal relationship with Christ. I have no brand! I have Jesus, my redeemer! Melissa or should I say, the other woman, should be ashamed of herself, sleeping with another woman's husband! I would be hiding under the biggest bolder I could find! Again you can't justify your actions and one day you will meet Jesus face to face, lets hope you get it all figured out by then! I don't think that Buddha will care about your soul.
"I also want to remind some of you that only God, you and I know some of the things that you have hidden in your closet, and they're not pretty!"
Doesn't it say in the Bible that once you ask for God's forgiveness that it is cast as far as East is to the West? It's as if it never happened to God. Sounds like you are just holding onto anything you might know for future reference. Satan sure does.
"I also want to remind some of you that only God, you and I know some of the things that you have hidden in your closet, and they're not pretty!"
Doesn't it say in the Bible that once you ask for God's forgiveness that it is cast as far as East is to the West? It's as if it never happened to God. Sounds like you are just holding onto anything you might know for future reference. Satan sure does.
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