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-------- Original Message --------
| From: |
Jonathan E. Smith |
| Organization: |
Management Studies, UWI Mona |
| To: |
Mollie Steenson, Walt Thompson |
| CC: |
Pastor John Lomacang |
| Subject: |
Re: 3abn and Lawsuits - Tell it not in Gath |
| Date: |
Thu, 12 Jul 2007 21:44:19 -0500 |
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Dear Dr. Thompson,
Your decision is yours and anyone else involved; I cannot
decide for you. Somehow I get the feeling that you believe that
a lawsuit may not be the ideal thing but you are going along
with it anyway. Note that once you agree to it, you are held
responsible for any consequences that may result, both now and
hereafter along with the other decision makers.
It is very sad that I sense a certain amount of retribution
being sought by this lawsuit, even though Jesus said we should
forgive 70 times 7, and that vengeance is His, He will repay.
...
God's words are "My grace is sufficient for thee." ... That can keep you. If you choose not to operate within
the grace of God, then you go it alone. I am not saying you
are right or wrong with your complaints - that is to be determined
when all the evidence is examined. What I am saying is that
your methodology is ungodly, unacceptable to God.
Comparison to Job should not enter the picture any at all,
since it defeats your thesis. Though his friends accused him
falsely, he did not retaliate. If you are like Job you would
lay yourself in the arms of God and say "Though he slay me, yet
will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before
him." Job 13:15.
What are the ways that Job would maintain? How was Job described?
"... that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God,
and eschewed evil." Job 1:1.
In light of 1 Corinthians 6 and the quotes from EGW, I think
a lawsuit is evil. If you were like Job you would behave like
Job ... this current attitude makes me fear for the souls of the
leaders of 3ABN. Do not be railroaded into a decision you may
regret. What personal benefit is there in a lawsuit? Can you
win? Even if you silence Joy and Pickle, even if you bankrupt
them, what prevents people from sending stories all over the
place using phantom names and addresses? What prevents stories
like what is found in "The Televangelist" (some of which are
obviously false, some remain to be proved or disproved) from
spreading like wildfire? What prevents 3ABN from spending a
lot of time and resources fighting these fires the rest of its
time?
A court ruling in your favour is not a victory. It proves
nothing - a lot of the outcome is dependent on high-priced lawyers
and suspect tactics; it exposes dirty allegations which will
bring this sordid mess into the land of the Philistines. There
will be great rejoicing in Gath and Ashkelon. God has never
approved of a lawsuit between brethren and never will. You have
received bad advice – bad, bad counsel.
This may very well be my last letter to you on this matter;
I will still pray for the success of 3ABN but certainly I will
not pray for this matter in the way it is handled. My prayer
is that God will spare the organization for the good of souls
worldwide and for the souls of its staff and friends.
When David got rich and relaxed, he lusted after Bathsheba
– he should have been at war. When Solomon got rich and at ease,
he bowed to the gods of his wives. When 3ABN starts operating
in forbidden waters, a hellish delight will resound in the satanic
world as God's resources are diverted from their true cause.
Can you truly say then that we are standing on holy ground?
I pray and I beg you to cease and desist before it is too
late.
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Jonathan E. Smith
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