12 comments

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  amy

  10 months ago

  My parents and I were just talking the other day about being religious/ Judgmental. My parents came to know the Lord through the Church of God doctrine and they have said a thousand times over that this kinda of attitude just robs God from showing His forever love. Thank God they have been redeemed for 30+ years from that. I can say that I'm so ever great full for being taught the true principles of Christianity growing up, which are wrapped up into one, unconditional love.
  
  nice glasses!
  Don't you love old pictures. I look at pictures of me when I was younger and ask, mom why on earth did you let me where that? You have to love the embarrassing pics. :)
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  Randy

  10 months ago

  @amy - Unconditional love is a good way to go and I am happy for your upbringing along those lines.
  
  I actually loved those glasses. I am not embarrassed by that particular photo. There are plenty of others to be embarrassed about :)
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  Greg P.

  10 months ago

  Great testimony! God honored your mustard seed faith! I have experienced the same "asinine" attitudes from the more hard-line traditional churches of my denomination. I John 4:8: But anyone who does not love does not know God--for God is love.
  I John 4:16: We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in him. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.
  And I will add, it never cost anyone to have a little class.
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  Randy

  10 months ago

  @Greg P. -
  Well, I guess He did. I honestly hadn't thought of it that way. I totally agree with you on that scripture but when it comes to brother Paul, I really hope that he was more than the six months I knew him and more than the brief bad encounters we had with the church. I truly hope he "knew" God and God truly "knows" Him. I meant it when I said that someday in heaven He, Nikki Six and I can laugh about how great it is that the Lord doesn't damn people because of their hair-do. Thank goodness for His great Mercy :).
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  Greg P

  10 months ago

  There's an old hymn that says : "...they will know we are Christians by our love, by our love, they will know we are Christians by our love". Erika and I are in a transition. The Freedom Conference in Ridgecrest confirmed many things I "felt" the LORD was wanting to lead us out of and in to. One is leaving our local church, which is a part of a very traditional mainline Pentecostal denomination. We spent several hours talking to the Pastor of a new fellowship (within my denomination), that we've been visiting. We discussed in depth some of the ridged, legalistic dogma that seems to superceed relationship with Jesus and others and a life of power, joy and love. I was very impressed by this young pastors candor and vision. He grew up in my denomination, the offspring of generations of preachers. He expressed his inability to understand the misguided, sometimes hateful attitudes of some preachers and Christians. There is something terribly wrong when "Christians" only engage in praise and worship, use sermon and altar times in church for "spiritual medication" or to get their "fix" so they can make it to the following Sunday. Abundant life is not living with God in a brown paper box!
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  Randy

  10 months ago

  Thanks for sharing that. Things are changing for the better. I think people are finding that the Advil approach to God doesn't work. Meaning, God does heal us, hear *all* of our prayers but He is wanting a relationship ... not just a quick fix by an objective foreign substance.
  
  I like pentecostal churches and don't believe that all of them or everyone is rigid and legalistic with a consumer mindset. But I understand what you are saying and the whole church needs to always be watchful of legalistic trends.
  
  It's also, in my mind, kind of like people who lose weight with those crazy drugs and herbs. They might look good but it isn't the same as having a proper diet and exercise. <-- That literal lesson I seem to keep coming back too :). (doing real good lately though :).
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  Greg P.

  10 months ago

  Did you mean to say: "anvil approach to God..."? : ) Yes I concur, there is a right way that isn't the easiest but lasts then there's the quick and easy that will fail in the long run. If you have time check out this blog post, I'm curious as to your thoughts: http://jonathanmartin.wordpress.com/2008/08/14/...
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  Randy

  10 months ago

  No, I meant advil but I could see how a symbolic anvil could be appropriate in some cases :). I said advil because many western Christians take simplistic approach to their faith as something to consume to make them feel better. When it doesn't meet their perceived need OR starts calling on their deeper heart concerns, legalism creeps in.
  
  ... and either you "pray" right or do spiritual looking works "properly" OR your faith is futile. It's a simplistic but deadly legalism.
  
  I skimmed the post you linked too and honestly don't want to get into that topic right now. Have you blogged your thoughts on the matter?
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  silversurferswave

  10 months ago

  My little 15w light bulb lit up right after I posted my question! I got it... and a great comment. : )
  
  I personally spoke to Jonathan Martin about the subject at church last week. I did however respond to a quote that was made.
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  Randy

  10 months ago

  cool but I think you are a little brighter than 15w :).
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  Oceanskater

  10 months ago

  And some of us drink the freakiest looking things :)
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  Randy

  10 months ago

  Yes, you do :)
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