Here goes..... (long)

[Chrisj CMA]

OK…….here’s the one thing.  As many of you know, I have been off the boards for a while.  It had to do with some differences I had with some posters and also of some of the board management.  To make a long story short this is where I am, and I hope you all can understand: 

Usually I could refrain from responding to those trap posts that are just there to get under the skin of those with opposing views to the one posting.  Lately I had found myself getting “sucked” in too easily and loosing patience with some posters.  Also I noticed in myself and also in many others on the board, an overall lack of tolerance to others that have a different viewpoint.

Well, as I am well aware there have always been and will always be those that I disagree with, I had to ask myself why was I having trouble passing on certain posts lately??  Bottom line I felt the biggest thing that had changed was me for some reason. 

So, I decided to take a break from the board, do some riding (I have been riding with the patriot guards) worked on a buddy’s Valk and we had some big things going on in the ministry aspect of our church and home Bible study to keep me busy. 

Last night while taking my Grandson home to his mother,  a teenage kid and his girlfriend pulled out right in front of me and I T-boned him………IN THE TRUCK, not on the Valk.  No one was hurt, but I can tell you an airbag deployed in your face doesn’t feel good!  But, incidents like this make you think about things, and I thought about some things, and this is what I came up with.

I feel refreshed overall, I think I can go back to NOT getting sucked into to nit pick fights on the board and I miss keeping up with you all.

I know some of you think I (and others that have “fasted” from the board) over reacted in some way.  That’s ok; I don’t mind you thinking that……. (If you do) I needed what I needed.  I feel much better about everything and I hope we all can show more tolerance to views that differ from our own, I KNOW I WILL……and look forward to riding with many of you in the future.

I won’t be participating in political bantering any longer, as this is the most non productive energy I have experienced on the board lately.  However, I will never be shy when it comes to an opportunity to clarify the Christian point of view when that is appropriate in a discussion on or off line. 

In all posts I pledge to focus on an issue, not the person especially when there is a difference of opinion or viewpoint and to try to be more respectful regardless of the topic or the poster. 


Chrisj

[godfire]

....Last night while taking my Grandson home to his mother,  a teenage kid and his girlfriend pulled out right in front of me and I T-boned him………IN THE TRUCK, not on the Valk.  No one was hurt, but I can tell you an airbag deployed in your face doesn’t feel good!..... 

Glad to hear no one was hurt. Welcome back!

[stormrider]

I assume your grandson is okay as well. Glad ya'll didn't get hurt.
Been laying low as well. Got whiplash from ducking from the shots.

[sandy]

An old saying: "Religion and politics should only be discussed in the home". It seems to me that debating either of these will not cause anyone to change their point of view. The discussion only frustates both parties. Another old saying: "Never teach a pig to sing; It only frustrates you and makes the pig angry".

[SANDMAN5]

Glad you're back and glad everybody's ok. We all need
to "clear our head" occasionally. 

[Chrisj CMA]

An old saying: "Religion and politics should only be discussed in the home". It seems to me that debating either of these will not cause anyone to change their point of view. The discussion only frustates both parties. Another old saying: "Never teach a pig to sing; It only frustrates you and makes the pig angry".

Sandy.  Im not out to make anyone change......I do believe that a persons point of view is a sum of their own interpretations of specific experiences, things they hear, see read or live through.  Adding information, differing ideas or challenging someones point of view is healthy, if they change its because they choose to, if not they choose that too.  Over time every little bit of input plays a role and ultimately each of us chooses a path.......There are ways to express any point of view without bashing or forcing, and if its not wanted, ok........

[mhallock]

Chrisj,

I was very happy to see your post today. I skip over many posts, (knowing the subject or the person posting will only aggravate me) I don't think there is anything wrong with that. I also think that the thoughts and opinions of others is what makes the world go 'round. Sometimes the Lord "refreshes" us in ways we would not expect. Too many great folks on this board to stay away............welcome home, brother!!

Mark

[HayHauler]

I try to stay positive.  Like mom used to say "if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all".  Wisdom we all can live by.  I have noticed that there are those on internet forums that simply post negative things all the time.  I choose not to read their posts.  Once I see that they are posting their normal negativity, I switch threads....

Glad to have you back Chris,

Hay  

[fast black]

Ya know a lot of times we get worked up over stuff that really doesn't mean all that much.  I am a Christian, enough said, and I'm not here to force my beliefs on anyone else. My salvation is assured.
Last year on this weekend my son, my only child, turned up missing in Waterloo, Iowa.  On July 3rd of last year his body was removed from the Cedar River in Waterloo, Iowa.  It almost killed me to lose my son.  His name was Doug Eldridge and he left a wife and two sons that still live in Waterloo.  When I start to get irate over some fool at work or in traffic or whatever I think of what really matters  and to me it is my family. 
I am not the first person to lose a child and I sure won't be the last, but it sure has made me more aware of how fragile life is and how important it is for me to be with family.  I don't get worked up  over stuff  like I used to.  It just isn't  that important.
adios
fast black

[Brad]

An old saying: "Religion and politics should only be discussed in the home". It seems to me that debating either of these will not cause anyone to change their point of view. The discussion only frustates both parties. Another old saying: "Never teach a pig to sing; It only frustrates you and makes the pig angry".

I thought that it was religion, politics and sex.   

[Tundra]

Welcome home ChrisJ, I for one miss your posts.

[Michael K (Az.)]

Ya know a lot of times we get worked up over stuff that really doesn't mean all that much.  I am a Christian, enough said, and I'm not here to force my beliefs on anyone else. My salvation is assured.
Last year on this weekend my son, my only child, turned up missing in Waterloo, Iowa.  On July 3rd of last year his body was removed from the Cedar River in Waterloo, Iowa.  It almost killed me to lose my son.  His name was Doug Eldridge and he left a wife and two sons that still live in Waterloo.  When I start to get irate over some fool at work or in traffic or whatever I think of what really matters  and to me it is my family. 
I am not the first person to lose a child and I sure won't be the last, but it sure has made me more aware of how fragile life is and how important it is for me to be with family.  I don't get worked up  over stuff  like I used to.  It just isn't  that important.
adios
fast black

Very sorry for your loss,fast black.
I hope your post will be well received. Gaining new perspectives and priorities are, many times, a breath of fresh air but no one should have to go through what you did to achieve them. I speak from small experience.

[Chrisj CMA]

Thanks guys, and sorry about your son Fast Black...I cant even imagine.   I think every situation we experience or endure has the potential to strengthen and enrich our lives in some way if we get to the point where we can see it.  When I lost my first wife it took a couple years to see how God could in any way use that pain to help me, but he did.

I am happy to hear others recognizing that the core of this club (the brotherhood) is the love for the wind and the road.  All the other conversations vary in importance but arent why we are here.


Thanks again

[..]

I thought that it was religion, politics and sex.  

You can get too much religion and politics ......................................  

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

  Glad to see you back. Don't let anybody run you off.

[solo1]

Glad to have you back Chris.
 

[bogator]

I did'nt even know you were gone.LOL welcome back!!!!! your brother in christ,and CMA member......Bogator

[PharmBoy]

I'm glad to see you back ChrisJ.  As of late, I have made myself ignore and not respond to the "trouble makers" here who just want to start an argument on almost any subject.  There are two such persons who I will never respond to again.  They are "officially ostracized" as far as I am concerned.  I may read their posts from time to time, but I will not respond again...JTL

[alph]

Chris,

I use to be a Christian, did the whole church thing, bible groups and everything.  Don’t really believe in anything anymore, pretty much an atheist, to me it makes more sense.  I’m not going to argue politics or religion anymore, my wife could tell whenever I was on a post the dealt with the subjects.  I’ve learned that the best way to solve an argument is to put yourself in the other persons shoes and try to see things from their perspective.  Often times when you drive the same road everyday you tend to forget what you're looking at, when you're a passenger on the same road you'll see things that you never knew existed.  It’s good to let others drive once in a while; you'll get a different view of life that way.

Al.