www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall AN APOLOGY AND A FAREWELL

God bless you all.

I had written a lengthy apology letter earlier, but due to technical difficulties I could not post it here. So, I will do the next best thing. I will write it again on-line first.

For the past few years, I have taken it upon myself to demonstrate a very negative tone to my posts; often to the dismay and anger of a few fellow posters/readers.

I want to announce that after much prayer, a Grand Awakening, and a heartful discussion with my pastor, which included my wife, I and my wife have decided to forgive those inside the church who have wronged me over the past few years.

I have forgiven that person (and he knows who he is; I will withhold his name) in my heart and have decided not to pursue the justice and/or remedy to the ill-treatment. I have forgiven, but not forgotten. I cannot forget because the treatment led to much anguish and discontent in my life and in my family. Too much time and money was spent wondering why I was chosen to receive such wrongs and never receiving an answer.

My wife and I have opted to become happy and remain happy in the Church, especially our beloved Ruthenian Church. My (our) antagonist will be the one to face the awesome Judgment Seat of Christ and make an account for the past deeds. This makes my decision to forgive him easy; though not to his face, at least to God and His people.

I want him to know that I love him and will pray for him.

I want to come clean. We've learned not to deal with such people in the future. Our faith and life are too big and beautiful to ruin.

But this is about my apology.

Because of such treatment, I became very negative and bitter towards anything related to church. I now realize where I went for all these years. It was not fun. It was not a time of joy. I almost stopped praying.

I apologize to the Administrator for contributing negativity where we needed positive words. He runs a fine website.

I apologize to the Moderators for putting them at unease. They are only doing their job. They are all fine people.

I apologize to the posters and/or readers of the forums. You deserve encouraging words, not ill will or mud-slinging. This is not the political arena.

I apologize to the bishops. They have a tough job overseeing churches that have seen and been through a lot. We need prayers and hard work. I only hope and pray to return to those tasks. I apologize especially to my own bishop.

Finally, I wish to apologize to any particular person whoh I might have offended knowingly or unknowingly. I will pray for you.

Thank you all for the opportunity to allow me to articulate my thoughts however crude they might have shown themselves.

I am now a happy Christian man. A monkey has been thrown off my back. A sinner, but still very happy for knowing I can no longer take for granted my faith or my church, and especially my family.

I will be returning to prayer (which is much needed) and my studies of the Scriptures (still my love).

Please pray for me. I am open to any suggestions the Holy Spirit has for me. I only want to do his will.

THIS IS MY FINAL POST. GOODBYE.

God bless,
Cantor Joe Thur

PS: God grant many years to Mr. Administrator.

Joe--I wish you all the best and will continue to pray for you.

John K

Dear Cantor Joseph,

I am SO happy I can call you "Cantor" once more!

I too apologise to you for giving you grief over the years.

Thank you for coming to realize what I have always really meant to you - a punishment from God (KIDDING!! ).

I hope you don't leave here - I just hate it when people say they are going off the forum and then come back later. It just rubs me the wrong way . . .

And there is so much to learn from you - especially your insights into the Scriptures, allegories et alia.

As for people in the Church that hurt us, Matthew 13:24-30 provides the best answer that I know of.

In addition, I've found that whenever we want to make a difference in the Church, to do something above and beyond the "Sunday Mass obligation" thing, the devil himself gets annoyed with us and tries to trip us up.

And a prophet is never recognized in his own home, or I've heard . . .

The most important thing is for the Servant of God, Joe Thur, to be at ease and spiritually content in loving and serving the Lord!

I don't believe you'll leave here, and I hope you won't - I hope you'll come back as our Scriptural Commentator and bring that vast store of knowledge to bear on paraliturgical peasants like me!

I bow to you, Sir, and pray that God grant you peace that surpasses all understanding in Christ Jesus our Lord!

Your servant,

Alex

Joe,

Wishing all the prayers and blessings for your future and that God may shine His love upon you and your family.

In IC XC,
Father Anthony+

It makes me sad when someone leaves a needed discussion forum...without a variety of thoughts we tend to get lost or complacent...

I wish you and your family peace.

james

Joe

We will miss you - your posts always provoked a response

I will also miss your posts on things Biblical - you taught me a lot - some things have stuck and others have escaped . However you made me think and that is good.

I hope all goes well for you.

Yes I know you have said you are going - but this place does not let go easily.

Come back and see us - PLEASE

Anhelyna

Good-bye, Joe. Come back soon.

My prayers for you and yours.

Mary Jo

Dear Joe,

First of all, I like your new avatar much better than your old one...this one reflects your new found serenity.

To be honest, I had noticed a bit of an 'edge' in your postings at times, but I assure you that I was never offended.

I bow to you in respect for the humility your post displays. I wish you and your family every good thing from above, and every blessing too...

I do hope, that after a break, that you will join us once again. You are family here!

With love in our Lord, Jesus Christ,
Alice

"Bye now and God love you"--Fulton Sheen

Go with God Joe

Peace, health and happiness to you.

Michael

Cantor Joe,

May God continue to protect you from harm and guide you to all light and goodness!

With love in Christ,
Cantor Andrew

"I cried out to the Lord and he answered me."

Cantor Joe, For what it is worth you have never offended me and I have always found your posts thought provoking, whether I agreed with you or not. Be well, and I hope you are not gone long...
-Daniel

Joe, neither have you offended me, and I always appreciate someone who calls it like it is. You remain in our prayers, and may God grant you many years. Mnohaja i blahaja lita.
FDD

Dear Joe:

It has been a pleasure knowing you!

If we welcomed Alex back so many times, how much more you?

Amado

Joe,

Juust take a break and then feel free to come on back when it is time. Know that you are in our prayers.

-- John