Our beloved Jesus Christ

In my wildest dreams I did not think that the posted presence of Christ would chase people off this website.
I am new to Christ. Not really he has been there looking after me all my life. But I can not beleive that members are actually, upset because this site has posted, on it christian priciples. Most of us knew already that the owner of this website, was a christian. And it has shown ,by them (Dave and Trish) that they are practicing christians by the way they have conducted themselves.
They have shown tolerance for expressions of our members , christian and of other faiths or non faiths. The offended members seem to be saying that it should not be allowed to ask for prayer, and to speak of God and our beloved Jesus Christ. If it is to be equal, than christian beliefs should be allowed as well, and allowed to be expressed.

You're absolutely correct, Michele. Dave and Trish deciding to make the mission statement more reflective of their faith is nothing more than them speaking of something that's integral to, and inseparable from, their lives. I applaud my friends for taking a stand when they know it will be unpopular with many.

In the end, though, this site is still a gardening site and I'm sure that people of any religious persuasion will still gain much if they stick around.

Those who don't wish to discuss other, perhaps touchy, matters can refrain from reading or posting to threads they view as hot buttons just as people scan newspaper headlines and decide whether or not they wish to read the rest of the story. I know common sense abounds in this membership, in this community, and we all need to use it.

E-mail, as well as forums like these, are so instant, and that calls for personal discipline and care of others. I'm very thankful Dave gives us the ability to edit our posts so we can rephrase and delete those things we may have said in the heat of the moment and later regretted.

Let's not ruin friendships gleaned from this site. Let's continue to enjoy each others' company, learn from each other's gardening experience, and have fun here!

:o) Kimberley

Michelle, their persecution is straight out of the bible. i am taking names and praying for these posters. It gives me great joy and warms my heart so. My son was saved and baptized last Sunday. i am so proud!

AMEN

Michele,

The exiting of so many members may not have occurred in your wildest dreams, but it was expected on my part. :-( This is why, for so long, I maintained an external appearance of being neutral on the site.

I knew that coming forward and making an official statement would send some members leaving, and I grappled with this for the past several months.

This is why there never was a Prayer Forum, even though dozens of people have E-mailed me, asking for it, for several months.

Well, I decided that it was time to jump in with both feet and see what happens. I knew some would leave. I knew others would attack. But, ultimately, I think the majority of people will appreciate the statement, or at the very least, understand that it is not an attack on them.

I'm happy to say that DG is still alive and well, several days after altering the mission.

Dave

WE LOVE YOU DAVE AND TRISH

Dave, You have my absolute support. Sometimes you have to state your beliefs even knowing that you will be persecuted for it. Praise God that you took a stand in spite of what you knew would happen. That's part of being a Christian.

This site will grow and be even better for our mission statement.

The people who left will be happier elsewhere.

Funny thing is that they were trading and talking with "Christians" every day and that didn't bother them. All of a sudden, it's a problem now because it's out in the open.

Odd how some people view religion.

Persecution is part of being a Christian, some people are unaware of the personal sacrifices that are required of us, and others know and are unwilling to make those sacrifices. Dave, you are absolutely, unequivelanty correct!
God bless us all, even those who do not understand that we are about the work of our Master.

"eyes"

I found this verse today. I wanted to share it. "The dayspring from on high hath visited us...to guide our feet into the way of peace." Luke 1:78-79 KJV
I thought it was fitting.
Calalily

Dave, I am nieve, I really can not believe what I am seeing.
I am reaching out to all our members and saying we need to support one another. Love one another. We have all this time. Tears come to me when I see such a terrible day as Tuesday. Has Bin Laden has suceeded further by dividing us in this way? Cant you see?!!
No one has been put out by us. You are abandoning us.
We need each other, desperately.
Stop. And let love in your heart. Show tolerance. Help one another.

Dave I came to this forum to learn more about gardening and U have done a great job with this site. I was happy to see U are a christian as am I but respect the ones that don't live as I do. If I need gardening know how I will be here If I need spiritual help I turn to my religion. Live and let live. Nuff said !!
Greenw@@d

For out of the abundance of the heart, man speaketh!
Nuff said??
Thanks again Dave and Trish!

Weeding the garden is a tedious chore! One that must be dont so that flowers can again grow and bloom!

"Weeding the garden..." implies that these people are being removed by Dave. This isn't true, they are choosing to leave on their own.

Dave, and Trish, too!
God bless you richly for standing firm.... Christ was persecuted in His day and warned us to expect.... I Peter talks about "Why are you surprised?..." And in James, it says, "Blessed are those that persevere, for when they have stood the test, they will receive the crown of life that God has pormised those that love Him."
It is time we do stand tall for Christ... and yes, some may leave, yet, as you saw the other night in the chat room... some yearn for the truth and there may be some that come to Christ because of this website!!!
I have only seen God work when we are not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ... He was what our country was based upon... and now we all need to get back to Him...
you are all such a blessing...and Michell- don't ever lose your fire for Him...allow Him to keep th embers ablaze in your heart...
and Gardenwife,TiG, CoCo, Smiln, 5kulp, Calalily, and Eyes... "keep the faith"!
-JSS

I AM SO TOUCHED AND PROUD OF YOU GUYS FOR STANDING UP FOR WHAT YOU WANT YOUR SITE TO BECOME,IT'S NICE TO KNOW YOU
INVITE OTHER'S AND KNOW THEY WILL BE WELCOMED WITH OPEN
ARMS.

WAY TO STAND FIRM,,,JSS.GW,TIG,COCO.SMILIN,5KULP,CALA,EYES
YOU MAKE ME SO PROUD TO TELL PEOPLE OF THE WONDERFUL PEOPLE THEY WILL GET TO KNOW HERE
LOVE[[[NANA]]]

Hi Nana!!! Glad to see you posting!!! Keeping you in prayer!
-JSS

Dave..you have my full support, and appreciation!

Dave
I agree with you wholeheartdly.

Paul

Since I seldom venture out of the FarmLife Forum I was totally unaware of what has been going on until a couple fellow FLF folks told me there have been attacks on Trish and Dave, mostly because of their spiritual stand. I lift up Trish & Dave to JESUS for guidance and strength. May they realize how many other Christians are out here praying for them and each other. Prayer is so important.
Pat Robertson of the 700 Club has called for 50 days of prayer. He asks each person to commit to 15 minutes of prayer for our nation every day. Will anyone else here join us? Many of us fast one day a month for our nation and its leaders, especially Pres. Bush. Anyone else care to join us in that also? II Chronicles 3: ? says If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray & turn from their wicked ways then will I hear from heaven and heal their land. That's a paraphase, folks. There is a lot of repenting to be done even by those who call themselves Christians. Judgement must begin in the body of Christ JESUS.

Dave,it is so refreshing to have such an excellent christian based garden site .I thank you and agree with you whole heartedly.Keep up the good work.There is so much knowledge and help here.I really like the owner and members here.I have learned a lot in a short time here.Thanks to all!

This is so upsetting! My DH was told this week that he would need to undergo a new regime of chemo. The first thing I thought of was...Gotta get my Prayer chain going again". I will now include our wonderful Hosts, Dave and Trish. Thank you...Jo

roadrunner,my thoughts and prayers go out to you and your DH, today,tomorrow and always. May the Good Lord lay his healing hands upon him.
May God Bless you and your family
CoCo

dave and trish, i was so happy to find out you were christians too,do not worry about anything,jesus IS LORD and always will he watch over us and protect us from prosicution. god bless you ALL!!!! in christ love, sue

I just looked in on this post....DG is now a Christian based forum? You posted this after the September 11th attack?

I have to tell you in all honestly I think that this may have been innapropriate at this time. There are many people who just want for everyone in the WHOLE world to get along and this may be considered xenophobic, un-american, and divisive.

At a time where we all need to hug each other closer such a statement is extremely very UNcomforting and difficult to swallow. I thought Daves was started as a place where all could feel welcome and wanted, where the down-trodden and rejected could find a home....and now there is this "wall building", this seperating, this "rightousness".

How sad....isn't there enough sadness nowadays?

I think that if people are removed from the disaster, and their lives are personally unaffected they might be able to take a more sterner line in their beliefs, but if you live with all this agony and turmnoil in your own backyard and you're juggling funerals and memorial services for burying your neighbors, and you have to listen to their children and widows scream and wail you might feel very differently about life, religion, and what is common acceptable behavior to your fellow man reguardless of their faith.

Poojer

I don't think it's meant to be divisive at all. I've seen plenty of people on here who aren't Christian and everyone gets along just fine. I think that people expressesing their beliefs is just a simple matter of reaching out to others who feel the same way and get a little comfort from that. I doubt you'll find anyone on here who would turn someone away just because they don't believe the same things. Of course, there are exceptions to every rule...I've seen that in life many times...so don't judge the vast majority of a group for the actions of 1 or 2 goofballs. We've all been through quite a bit of pain recently...I think this particular thread is just people of a certain group reaching out to others who can relate, for some comfort, but I don't think it's meant to be exclusive in any way.

Poojer,

For at least the 100th time, this is not a "Christian based forum". It's the same DG as it always was. The only difference is, the members now know that I (the simple webmaster) am a Christian. Nothing more, nothing less.

I wish people could understand that.

We still welcome everyone (from all nationalities and religions) and, while the rules of conduct are being followed, there isn't a problem.

P.S. Poojer - I read your other posts about the attacks, and I am moved and touched by the sorrow you are personally experiencing and witnessing up there. My prayers are with you and everyone else who is so close to this tragedy.

Dave

Okay Dave, let me go back and re-read your statement and I'll get back to you....something hit me in a dischordant way, maybe I'll see why.

P

This message was edited Monday, Oct 1st 12:01 PM

This is what I read in the "about" statement:

"Important decisions of policy on Dave's Garden are made in accordance with our Christian beliefs"

Awwwhhh Dave....maybe if you had said "religious" beliefs instead it wouldn't have appeared so divisive to me, sigh. Maybe I'm just raw from all of it. My son is now talking about going to the MD because he can't sleep at night, I can't either. Life IS horrible here and I truly believe that people all across the world do hurt from this, and I say, with no disrespect inferred or intended to anyone, that the depth of the hurting is truly unfathomable to anyone who has not seen any aspect of it with their very own eyes. Personally, we are a fortunate family, my nephew's subway stop is the WTC and he could have been a casualty. Luck and brains are everything and that's what kept him safe.

You want to know what the real new "xenophobia" is? You're afraid to go out in the car to the market, you don't want to walk the dog during the day, you see the people and the memorials and the funerals and the flags of so many homes still flying at half mast. In Garden City, just on the other side of the park they lost blocks of people. BLOCKS.

As a local society we're losing our most important aspect of communication, no one wants to look another in the eyes, not right now. It's that hollow emptiness that's there that you don't want to see, you don't want to be reminded. You just don't want to know anymore.

Please, to everyone, don't just pray for the survivors in general, the adults will get by and muddle through, but please, please, concentrate your prayers for our children. There are so many now without a parent or both parents are gone for some.

There is some good news in my home this week, my son just got a 3.68 (that's an A) for the first quarter of his CNO course at Katherine Gibbs, with that and perfect attendence and he made the Dean's list.

Poojer

Roadrunner....sorry about your hubby....will pray for him. (and you)

(((Poojer))) I wish there was a magic wand that could wipe it all away. I will pray for the children. Nothing I can say here would help. :(

((((((((((((((((Poojer))))))))))))))))

You said: "Luck and brains are everything and that's what kept him safe." God, not luck and brains, is everything. He is what kept him safe.

I know we don't understand what you and those near you are experiencing. Forgive us if we seem to be taking it more lightly than it needs to be. But know this: ALL of us are hurt and devastated and changed by September 11. Especially those of us who love Christ and belong to Him. However, those of us who love Jesus have a hope that no one else has... and assurance that we will one day see Him face to face! Our savior is alive.

Christianity is not simply religion. It's a vital relationship with a real person, the one true God, Jesus Christ. He loves us, personally, He knows us personally. He cares for us, and we can cast our cares upon Him.

I will be praying for you... I know we cannot imagine what life is like for you who are close to ground zero. But my prayer for you is that someway you will find the relationship Christians have with Jesus, that compels us to stand up for Him, as His, no matter what the consequences.

I love you, in Him, and He loves you more than you could ever imagine - enough to die for you.

Love in Christ,
Janie
<{{{>><


This message was edited Wednesday, Oct 3rd 8:13 AM

Dave and Trish,
God will bless you tenfold!
I think it's grand that you are standing up for Christ in a time when so many people get their feelings hurt over the mere mention of his name, Praise Jesus!
Thank you so much for being a child of Christ!!
(((((((((HUGS&LOVE))))))))))))