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Dave Armstrong
Network Apologist
| Joined: | Fri Nov 2nd, 2007 |
| Location: | Melvindale, Michigan USA |
| Posts: | 1227 |
| First Name: | Dave | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Nominal Methodist / evangelical non-denom / "Bapticostal" / Catholic |
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Posted: Wed Jan 16th, 2008 07:47 pm |
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This is me at my most . . . well, gentle! It may come as a shock to those who view me as strictly the "hard-nosed apologist". 
[written in 1996]
Gentleness is a very godly trait (Gal 5:22).
Jesus was "meek and lowly of heart" and gentle with the woman at the well, and the woman caught in adultery (cf. 2 Cor 10:1).
A gentle (or "soft") answer turns away wrath (Prov 15:1).
Gentleness is mercy: the kind treatment of the penitent or even the still-sinning sinner.
Gentleness is understanding and forbearance: a listening ear, a hand on the shoulder, the empathetic smile, a shoulder to cry on, compassionate, sympathetic tears, a bear hug for the hurting......
Gentleness is a mother's touch, concern, and patience with the folly of children.
Gentleness is the macho he-man's caressing and cuddling of a frightened young infant in the middle of the night.
Gentleness is timing, sensitivity, perceptiveness of another's mood, fragility, or vulnerability.
Gentleness is kindness and the befriending of a person considered by society as of "lower status."
Gentleness is humility and meekness, the silent, selfless accepting of indignities and injustice, knowing from Whom we derive our self-worth.
Gentleness is refraining from lecturing, rebuking, or talking down to the hurting confidant........
Gentleness is a soft word of assurance or hope to a fearful child, friend, or other loved one.
Gentleness is (for men) always cherishing and treating women with respect; chivalry, and with a delicate, soft, tender touch (figuratively and literally).
Gentleness is (for women) being slow to criticize, tear down, or nag us so-flawed men.
Gentleness is moderation in response to extremity, meekness in response to condescension, humility in response to compliments, calmness in response to anger.
Gentleness is a nurse or mother caring for sick children (1 Thess 2:7).
Gentleness is the opposite of quarrelsome (2 Tim 2:24, Titus 3:2).
Gentleness is the opposite of harsh (1 Pet 2:18).
Gentleness is to be the characteristic of our defense of Christianity and our own hope (1 Pet 3:15-16).
Gentleness comes from the heart of God, and must be in our hearts if we are to follow and imitate Him.
Gentleness is patience and longsuffering with our stumbling fellow human beings, so much like us.
Gentleness is, in a word, LOVE!
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I'm happy to offer whatever theological & personal assistance I can. My blog, Biblical Evidence for Catholicism, contains 1900+ papers & web pages (absolutely free) & 16 apologetic books (for sale):
http://www.biblicalcatholic.com/
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Ali
Member
| Joined: | Sat Jan 6th, 2007 |
| Location: | Ohio USA |
| Posts: | 623 |
| First Name: | Ali | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | JW, finally fully Catholic |
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Posted: Thu Jan 17th, 2008 01:47 pm |
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WARNING: Tasteless joke ahead. Read only if you get sarcasm and think inappropriate jokes are funny.
Dave Armstrong wrote: This is me at my most . . . well, gentle! It may come as a shock to those who view me as strictly the "hard-nosed . . . .
. . . . . child beater
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Sorry! ROFLOL, it's the first thing that popped into my head. I know it's not true, I'm sure you aren't a child beater (well, excpet for when you are  ) but it made me laugh.
OK, feel free to delete. Cause I think this qualifies as going off topic. I just had to share my twisted sense of humor with the my closest internt friends.
Ali
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Ali
Member
| Joined: | Sat Jan 6th, 2007 |
| Location: | Ohio USA |
| Posts: | 623 |
| First Name: | Ali | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | JW, finally fully Catholic |
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Posted: Thu Jan 17th, 2008 01:51 pm |
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And more on topic . . . .
I liked this post, Dave. My favorite scripture is the "Love" ones in Corinthians, and that's what your list reminded me of.
Ali
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Dave Armstrong
Network Apologist
| Joined: | Fri Nov 2nd, 2007 |
| Location: | Melvindale, Michigan USA |
| Posts: | 1227 |
| First Name: | Dave | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Nominal Methodist / evangelical non-denom / "Bapticostal" / Catholic |
| Status: |
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Posted: Thu Jan 17th, 2008 07:58 pm |
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Hi Ali 
"The moderator understands the witness . . . "
To paraphrase an old Three Stooges short where Curly is in the court room taking that oath and being ridiculous . . .
I have no problem with goofy, zany humor, being a practitioner of it myself. I've done quite a bit of satire and parody on my blog (and it's true: a good amount of folks neither understand it nor appreciate it so it must be used with caution). The anti-Catholic James White has had his artist do two caricatures of me. Another guy constructed an entire blog pretending to be me. But those were done with malicious intent.
Thanks for sharing! It would indeed require a certain level of trust to crack a joke like that!  So I'm honored that you trust me and your friends here, to do it.
It would, no doubt be good to point out the background and context for those reading this thing (in the year 2013 or sumpin') with no prior knowledge of what had happened:
Ali and I recently debated the propriety of spanking children: I was (as you can see) the pro-spanking advocate.
That said, I have no problem with the "twisted" humor. I could understand how a person possibly might, though . . .
____________________
I'm happy to offer whatever theological & personal assistance I can. My blog, Biblical Evidence for Catholicism, contains 1900+ papers & web pages (absolutely free) & 16 apologetic books (for sale):
http://www.biblicalcatholic.com/
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