Comments on: The Rose

By: Jay

Jay — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 00:35:19 +0000

I leave near Highland Village and make the 40 minute drive to ‘The Village’ on occassion. I was there when Matt originally gave this example, and yes, she did speak to him again. I’m trying to remember the specifics, but I recall she got into an accident and was in the hospital soon after this concert. When Matt went to visit her they chatted for a while, and then she eventually asked him, “Am I just a broken rose? Is that how you see me?”.

Matt said there were lots of tears and long conversations following that, which eventually cleared the air and lead to their friendship being restored.

By: Headless Unicorn Guy

Headless Unicorn Guy — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 16:01:44 +0000

I’m curious if the “friend” he swindled into going to this sermon ever spoke to him again.

If she didn’t punch his lights out.

By: Matt

Matt — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 21:10:28 +0000

I’m curious if the “friend” he swindled into going to this sermon ever spoke to him again.

By: Antigone

Antigone — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:55:45 +0000

I remember any number of those analogies in abstinence-only (arguably secular) classes. I was disgusted with them, though it took years to articulate exactly why.

I’m glad there’s a religious reason to oppose this as well.

By: Mule Chewing Briars

Mule Chewing Briars — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 20:44:38 +0000

From the original post by Mr. Chandler:

“Despite the fact that my heart had always burned for the prodigal, God sent me to the older brother.”

Ouch!

How often we forget that in this parable, the father had lost both of his sons, and how he yearned for the both of them.

By: graceshaker

graceshaker — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 18:53:31 +0000

reminds me of a song by buddy and julie miller called broken things:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NM3UqEXFcic&feature=related

By: Chris Scott

Chris Scott — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 23:52:17 +0000

Yes, I believe the church, in many cases, has lost the true message of Christ, which is a message of grace. This is a quintessential illustration of ungrace.

What’s funny is that just after salvation, people tend to be the most graceful, but their grace lessens in time.

The point is grace. That’s the whole point of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I thank Phillip Yancey, and his popular book, “What’s so Amazing About Grace?” for helping me realize that.

Love your blog by the way, I will be adding it to my blogroll.

By: Bob

Bob — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 21:40:39 +0000

The problem with this illustration is that it is far too common to hear similar sermons without the “aha” provided in the “Jesus would” statement. 1000’s of numbed Christians are subjected to weekly doses of Christless worship. Or, even worse, are given the “aha” here and are quickly puffed up by the fact that they aren’t like the jack ass that delivered the original sermon.

I agree with Mr. Brague. God help us and God forgive us.

By: Bob Brague

Bob Brague — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 20:30:20 +0000

I’m sure that minister would be horrified to read this blog. We’re all like that, though. Many times when we think we are teaching one lesson, we are really teaching another one entirely.

God help us. God forgive us.

By: Radagast

Radagast — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 19:47:48 +0000

My wife was for a time involved in a ministry called Rachel’s Vineyard which ministered to women who, in their course of their life had an abortion and were struggling to come to terms with that decision. These women who, at a weak point in their life, or confused, or following a particular outlook made a decision that affected the rest of their life, leaving them in emotional and psychological pain and not able to forgive themselves.

A number of these women struggled with keeping this secret, and this particular blog reminded me of them, many who only later understood the ramifications of that decision, but could not move past it, and could never reveal this to anyone lest they be thought of as the minister above portrayed, unlovable, untouchable, unforgivable, damaged.