C.J.Mahaney made my list of five favorite living preachers. Thus my commentator was onto a sure bet recommending one of his talks. The message was on Eph. 4:29 entitled "Together, Part IV: Encourage". It is available online and seems to be part of an interesting series.

We could do well to ask ourselves, especially as theobloggers whether in our urge for truth overcomes our love of others we disagree theologically with. C.J. asks us to consider whether our speech has the effect on others of spreading grace around. Are we winsome also in our blogging? Does my blogging spread grace, or does it spread arguments?

C.J. is well known as a man of grace. He said in another talk at the Brighton leaders conference this year, that whenever he is asked "How are you doing?" he tries to answer "Better than I deserve".

Perhaps the next time I feel I have been misunderstood, misrepresented, or abused online I should remember that whatever happened it was better than I deserved.