Comments on: Rerun

By: Frank

Frank — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 02:05:37 +0000

Hang in there, sister. It’s about God, not about your friend..or you. Your friend merely lacks faith in the powerful absolution of the cross and resurrection. ALL sin is covered, ALL sin is forgotten. ALL is made new. Pray for a revelation of this in your friend. His heart will be set afire. It is said, “The Joy of the Lord is Our Strength”. This joy comes from the revelation of our forgiven sins. Perhaps recommend to him the book, “Normal Christian Life” by Watchman Nee. It changed my life and led me to the path of Grace.

By: Patrick Lynch

Patrick Lynch — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 02:25:32 +0000

You win at life, Christiane.

By: Patrick Lynch

Patrick Lynch — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 02:21:29 +0000

There’s a difference between judging and noticing.

You don’t have to apologize to God for being aware of how things are – or at least, not in my religion, but I’m not a ‘conservative, fundamental believer’ myself.

By: Headless Unicorn Guy

Headless Unicorn Guy — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 13:34:49 +0000

There’s a much simpler term — one word long — for that kind of “speaking Truth in Love”:

BROWBEATING.

By: Headless Unicorn Guy

Headless Unicorn Guy — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 13:31:38 +0000

Well, if you’re a Catholic who’s into End Time Prophecy via “Private Revelations”, there’s this thing called “The Three Days of Darkness”…

By: Jason

Jason — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 12:58:06 +0000

In saying it’s fun to watch a bunch of cocky jerks get knocked into the mud, are you saying that from the perspective of the pharisee or the tax collector?

By: Jason

Jason — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 10:46:35 +0000

Unfortunately, even teaching God’s precepts an unrepentant heart often seems as judgment.

By: PL

PL — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:26:26 +0000

I agree, Jason. But there’s a huge difference between teaching/admonishing and judging others, especially in comparison with ourselves. I used to be hugely judgmental of others, and it was always based on outward appearances and actions. (What else could it be based on? I can’t see into someone else’s soul.) I was smug and acting the Pharisee, when in my own heart I had some very serious sin to deal with.

When I began to take the log out of my own eye and realize how very gracious and patient God was with me, it gave me a whole new attitude about others. Frankly, it’s a relief not to feel like I have to determine where I stand in some kind of religious pecking order. I can just concentrate on myself and leave the working of the Holy Spirit in another to – well – the Holy Spirit.

I can teach someone God’s precepts, which I do in various settings, but I can leave the final outcome to God. Each person has a unique background and a unique set of circumstances that God is dealing with. What I might perceive to be sin for someone else may actually be huge progress from where they were before.

So I teach others, but pray for them more. And I remind myself constantly that God loves those I disagree with and tend to feel superior to EXACTLY the same way he loves me. Whoa.

By: morgan

morgan — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 04:48:15 +0000

It may be helpful to read part or all of “Search For Significance” — much of it focused on Ephesians chap 1. Many people have experienced life changing encouragement
from that book (myself included).

By: dumb ox

dumb ox — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 03:09:33 +0000

Just an additional thought. This is from Mike Mason’s “Practicing the Presence of People”, where he quotes his pastor friend, Bob Kirk:

“I’d like to tell the church to let people be human. I’d like them to learn to enjoy humanity, with all its warts and weaknesses, without pulling away in fear and judgment – this is the one thing the church doesn’t know. Most churches, I think, are frightened of human beings.”