here's why i didn't

I read your post and really wanted to say something about this, especially since no one had yet, but it seemed as though you were talking about one of us (our "community" - CBF?), and since I don't know the whole story, I didn't want to say one thing and then have this other person jump in and criticize me for saying things without knowing the whole story. I have been paranoid these last few months for some reason which has made me (or should have made me) very cautious regarding some things I post here. When I was a young Christian, I had very high expectations of other Christians, and I soon became let down bigtime. Youth pastors were involved with youth girls, married associate-pastors were involved with other married women (at two different churches), I've seen so-called "men of integrity" act and talk very differently outside of church, and the examples go on and on from there. I almost lost my faith completely because I was looking to other Christians as examples. But then I learned that only Jesus can be my example, the One to Whom I look up to. Since losing my faith in Christians, I've tried to stay strong in the Word and in prayer. If other Christians fall, appear lukewarm, or even appear to not be Christian at all, I pray to God about it and know that these people cannot be at peace -- God must be working with them. It's not my work to do. Yes, God may work through me to this person at times, but God does not NEED me to be the one to bring this person back around. God does not want me to be burned out or distracted by a Christian who chooses to go wrong. All I can suggest is that you (as a Christian) make it known that you're available to this person, and then let him be, keeping him in prayer. Have faith that God will work with this person, manifest Himself, soften his heart, and draw him back through the conviction and love of the Holy Spirit. I hope this answer is better than no answer. I don't know the whole story, but I've found the above to be true in most cases. Sorry for not posting this earlier. Peace, Fleetwood.