Someone told me about a discussion at another blog about the intentions behind my blocking of certain comments. Apparently it has something to do with comments waiting for moderation. (”It seems that only select individuals are being moderated.”)
Until someone wrote me about it, I had no idea that was even possible. I’m not intentionally moderating anyone’s comments. I don’t know how to do it. After checking with my expert, it may have something to do with comments coming in at a high-volume time or with comments that appeared to WordPress to be spam. Anyway, I don’t know how to block a comment on WordPress, and I haven’t been doing so.
(There was that one time back in blogspot days that I banned someone from my blog for repeatedly attacking a member of my family. I warned that it was a no-no and the person continued. So I pulled the trigger. Sorry, but it IS my blog. I don’t think I’ve ever deleted attacks on me or my positions. But my family is off limits for attacks. You can make your own rules for your blog.)
- - - -
We continue to face a most fundamental question of our faith: Why did Jesus come? If your answer reduces that to “he came to die for us,” then you’ll wind up in a very different place than if your answer is that “he came to live out and proclaim the reign of God.”
Long before Jesus died, he had disciples — people following him as he announced and displayed the Way of God. In his death and resurrection, he not only provided a sacrifice for sins but he also validated the Way that actually is salvation.
Has anyone else published a comment that hasn’t yet gone through? (Leland, I just found one from you that hadn’t, and I finally found a way to approve it. Sorry, brother.)
By the way, you can read the discussion at policulture.blogspot.com. It’s the April 5 entry entitled “Open Dialogue on Mike Cope’s Blog???”
He came to show us what God looks like…
Just went to the link in reference to the “blocking issue”..
mike..that dude’s icon is homer simpson…
Have a good day, mike..
Well, the icon is a bit tongue-in-cheek. His comments here are thoughtful and humorous. He represents a bit different perspective than I do on some things, and I enjoy reading that perspective from him.
Beverly, you mentioned that he came to show us what God looks like. Good answer! To go with that, we might also say that he came to show us what a human being is supposed to look like.
(By the way, I do my best responding to comments that come EARLY. After that, there usually aren’t enough breaks in the day.)
When I go to your site, a message comes on that says, “Blog waiting moderation.” A program called “Truth Detector” reads the blog so I will not be exposed to “liberalism.”
Morning. I’m just back from reading the policulture comments.
I was just thinking about your technical savvy and realized that GKB is right - it is pretty funny to think that you might be able to block comments. ;-D
All kidding aside though, I appreciate your Christlike example in responding to the accusations.
Two books that can help us think through this question of why Jesus came are THE CRUCIFORM CHURCH by Leonard Allen (which is about to be reissued after some rewriting) and UNVEILING GLORY by Fred Aquino and Jeff Childers.
Grant’s premise is correct! He taught our Sunday morning class and this idea of people focusing on a particular aspect of Jesus was a big part of the class. Grant, give a comment here, please!!!
Give it up, Boone. (Grant, that is.)
On a lighter note, this past Sunday I found out why Jesus came. I was asking my 9 and 7 year old why is this the best day in the history of the world? The monotone voice of a preacher’s kid who has been through this discussion once too often came through with “Jesus rose from the dead.” And why is that so wonderful? What happens because of it?” The excitement entered the 7 year old’s voice at that point, “NO SCHOOL!” Resurrection and eternal life can’t hold a candle to that, in a 7 yo’s opinion!
I’ve been reading this blog for a long time. When I hear people say that it isn’t tolerant, I think what they mean is: I express my opinions, but he doesn’t agree with them.
Does Mike have to agree with what everyone says in order to be tolerant of disagreement? (Or does he have to commit himself to a 10-hour-a-day job of responding to all comments?) I don’t see any border patrol happening to keep liberals or conservatives off. I’ve read about every perspective the past couple years here.
He has a perspective that comes from his following of Jesus; others have their perspective from their faith. On this blog, it doesn’t surprise me that mostly Mike’s perspective is represented. Nor does it surprise me, given his emphasis, that he has allowed anyone to comment.
Those who feel that there is no toleration here need to get over their persecution syndrome. It isn’t becoming of you. But that’s a strategy of extremists to the right and the left: sound like people are whipping you — as a way of trying to gain attention for your cause.
Interestingly enough, your friend on the other site IS moderating his comments and mine has not yet been approved. Interesting, interesting.
On a sweeter note, I fully amen! your comments about Christ’s mission. We tend to make Christ’s gospel and mission too much of us and our needs/desires, not enough of His glory & purpose.
Mike,
Several of my comments have had that same message. Of course I thought that you had a skilled team of highly trained moderators going through each comment.
Regarding why Jesus came, Paul seemed to indicate that it was about “reconciliation.” I remember Jim Woodruff’s messages on this, which are in his book, “The Aroma of Christ.” Because of what God did through Christ, we havebeen given this “ministry of reconciliation.”
David - My crack team (translation: GREG) will look into that. I just found out where to find “comments waiting for moderation,” but this morning there was only one showing. Maybe we need to change a spam filter. I know at blogspot that all you needed to do to stop spam was to require the word verification.
Traci - Great story. Reminds me of the picture a child drew in Sunday school — mentioned by Anne Lamott in Plan B. The child drew a picture of the Easter Bunny outside the tomb. Lamott says, “Everlasting life and a basket of chocolate. Now you’re talking!”
Wow - yesterday I was going to call you MPM - for Marathoning Preaching Mike. This morning I guess that stands for Moderating Preacher Mike - ;-). I somehow stumbled across that “moderated” blog post the day it happened - still not sure how or why, but… I came back and read “said” post that had supposedly been moderated and determined there was no way it had been edited/moderated.
On the latter and more important issue — if we simply took those words to heart, every church out there would have either a parking problem, pew problem (lack of space) or both. Thanks Mike.
A note was attached to one of my first comments to your new web site saying my comments were being moderated, but they still showed up in the comments list. I assumed I was being filtered because my origins are the state of Alabama and my blood runs Crimson Red.
I like these statements from Jesus about his mission:
Luke 4:17-21
The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
Matt. 5:17
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”
Matt. 10:34-35
“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn “‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—
Matt. 20:28
“. . . just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Mark 1:38
Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.”
Mark 8:31
He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again.
Luke 12:49
“I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!
Luke 19:10
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.”
John 6:38
“For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.”
John 9:39
Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.”
John 10:10
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
John 12:46
“I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.”
Heb. 10:5-10
Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll— I have come to do your will, O God.’” First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them” (although the law required them to be made). Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second. And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Peace.
I believe that Jesus came not merely to show what God was like but to show the world what true humanity looks like. We are slighting God when we make excuses for mistakes by saying “I’m just human.” Jesus is the epitome of what being human can look like. That is why we strive to emulate him.
Thanks, Steve. If you get a chance, talk about how THOSE passages and your understanding of why Jesus came have impacted what you’re planning to do in Boston.
Chris - Exactly right, my young friend.
As I said on my Blog, I didn’t know why my comments were being moderated that day. It was frustrating to see dozens of comments going through while mine were stuck in limbo.
Thanks for the explanation, and thanks for the nice words about my comments. I also enjoy reading your perspective, though it sometimes differs from mine.
–
Thanks Mike. By the way, I don’t think that “Steve” is the Steve (Holt) that is going to Boston this summer.
I’ve thought about this for a couple of years but have only recently begun to write some of it out. The idea is that Christ-followers tend to gravitate toward one of these 3: Jesus’ life/teachings, His death, or His Resurrection. Not that anyone ignores the other two; rather one resonates more than the other two and drives that person’s theology and practice.
Life/Teachings People
Big Idea: God loved/loves the world by mobilizing it toward social justice and sacrificial service through the example of Christ
Guiding Text: sermon on the mount
Favorite Ministry: soup kitchen
Favorite Hymn: anything by U2
Most Likely To Be Found At: Starbucks
Examples: Jim Wallis, Larry James, this blog host
Death People
Big Idea: The only thing that matters is what happened on the cross
Guiding Text: John 3:16
Favorite Ministry: Tie - Gospel meetings, door knocking
Favorite Hymn: O Why Not Tonight?
Most Likely To Be Found At: Sunday NIGHT services
Examples: churches of Christ
Resurrection People
Big Idea: Jesus’ triumph over death means we’re victorious, and the celebration has already begun
Guiding Text: John 10:10 (”I have come that they may have life and have it abundantly.”)
Favorite Ministry: Easter pageants
Favorite Hymn: I’ll Fly Away
Most Likely To Be Found At: a Gaither Homecoming concert
Examples: anyone on TBN
GB
(MC, if this is too long, feel free to delete, and I could post it at my blog.)
Ooops, you’re right. That’s my buddy, Steve Puckett. I should have slowed down and read the part about being Crimson Red. That would have given it away. (Especially if there had been any mention of Z. Z. Top.)
Grant - fascinating. Your mind is full of unexplored universes. So keep fleshing it out (I won’t be able to check back until later today), amigo: what would it look like for us to faithfully live in the awareness of all three? Will we be at Starbucks watching TBN while wearing our John 3:16 t-shirts? In what ways does your concern for “the poor” reflect your convictions about why Jesus came?
We should make t-shirts:
“I’m a life and teacher” or
“I’m a death guy” or
“He lives! He lives!” (written in shrill, piercing letters)
Two of our grandchildren are staying with us this week and have changed, so easily, the settings on my PC. I feel I really know nothing of the machine.
Christ came as a branch of the vine for us. Resetting my thoughts that way enabled me to more fully put the Old and the New Testament together.
Jesus came so that we could have a full life. A real life, true life, abundant life. Media says, “It doesn’t get any better than this.” Jesus says, “Let me show what eternal life is all about.” Our eternal life has already started. Bring on what the world may give us, but Jesus shows us and gives us a life.
Maybe he came to be the Lamb, to redeem his creation. “Once because I made you, twice because I bought you.”
And please tell me what is wrong with being a “death people”?
My grandparents are and you can’t find more loving, salt of the earth people. They are genuine, soft spoken, caring, and “behind the scenes.” How many times are we told in the bible to do things in secret, pray alone, etc. Trust me not everyone falls in the other categories or really cares to.
in Him
Lee
While there is clearly a much broader discussion in view, the first thing that came to my mind when I read today’s query:
Why did my Savior come to earth,
And to the humble go?
Why did He choose a lowly birth?
BECAUSE HE LOVED ME SO!
Then I thought of this verse:
No one has ever seen God, not so much as a glimpse. This one-of-a-kind God-Expression, who exists at the very heart of the Father, has made him plain as day. –John 1:18, The Message, Eugene H. Peterson
[With respect to the "Moderated Comments" question: Although I've not commented often, I'm not aware of ever being moderated. I just hope you continue to shepherd this blog in the same manner you have done heretofore. There is always a refreshing breeze flowing from Abilene. Keep up the good work!]
Maybe that’s why that verse of the now-popular worship song “That’s Why We Praise Him” grates on me so. You know, the one that goes “He came to die…”
I’m currently reading through John Howard Yoder’s “Politics of Jesus” and he starts out by presenting the view of many ethicists: that Jesus is irrelevant to the field because he was a farmer, or because he expected the end to come soon, etc.
Sadly I think too many in our churches see Jesus as that sacrificial Lamb/Savior, and see him as that ONLY, and not as our role model, rabbi, the older and more experienced ox to which we are yoked, etc. I believe in the quote you posted a few weeks ago: becoming like Jesus IS our salvation.
Mike -
Steve Holt Jr. here. I think you got the above commenter confused with me. Just wanted to set the record straight.
Blessings,
Steve
i have been moderated.
and mike were did you get the idea that this is your blog. i think we out voted you on that one.
i’m just glad he came.
I’ve had no problems getting my comments posted on your site — not even once. So finding out that you’re NOT moderating comments means that I must drop my delusion of being a “favored commenter.”
*heavy sigh*
I think I’ll just go to Starbucks now and think about this for a while.
Lee,
Who said there’s anything wrong with any of them?
GB
One of the reasons Jesus came to earth was to show us the Father. Until Jesus came no one had seen the Father except through the prophets who were human. To have Jesus…100% human and 100% divine…show the Father to the world was different from when Moses, Elijah, Samuel, Joshua, and others shared God’s will with the world. He was sinless, without blemish…and because of that He could be our sin offering. While the resurrection is key to the truth of the gospels, we must still remember there would have been no resurrection without His sinless life and then His death…a cruel death with much suffering. It’s not either/or…they blend together to give us life with hope here on earth and life in heaven after our death. His life on earth is amazing. His death is sobering and heartbreaking. His resurrection is a triumph over the grave, death, and life here on earth!
This is a most wonderful conversation. What better subject could we want to talk about?
At the end of the day I plan to print it off, sit down and savor it. Maybe send it to some friends and to use it to fuel more good discussion. Maybe work it into a panoramic “sermon” for three or more speakers. Good songs come to mind. “Why Did My Savior Come to Earth?” He loved “me” so, “us” so, “the world” so…
This is rich and I am awestruck by it all. Thanks, Mike, and everyone.
Michael
Mike - I believe you have every right to ban anyone from your blog, and I too do not want people to attack my family members.
However, I went and looked at Jeff’s post about this topic, and it addresses two issues: 1) moderating of comments, and 2) a situation where a blogger (NOT the one who attacked your family member) opines “open dialogue” has not been his experience on your website.
So my question is, do you want “open dialogue” on your blog site and, if so, what does that look like to you? Does it include dissent, outright disagreement, only nuanced differences, etc? Do you have any stipulations other than just “no attacking family members”?
Thanks.
Just funny how you bold NIGHT. Are they the only ones who attend sunday evenings? Just curious as why you would bold that. Your impliction was the “death people” were old folks stuck in the rut, knocking doors, gospel meetings, Sunday NIGHT services, singing out of the gold book. We better be careful when we start categorizing.
BTW- I attend Sunday night and I sure don’t fit into any one of these molds. I would say I’m a combination of all three.
Interesting thoughts….
Remember that “implication” is from the giver and “inference” is from the receiver. I think your “inference” is that Death People are “old folks stuck in the rut.” That wasn’t my implication.
If you’ve known me for more than 30 seconds, you’re fully aware that humor imbues nearly everything I do, so I did intend to caricature the three groups while still trying to accurately portray each. Perhaps your love for your grandparents prompted your reaction to the caricature of the Death People and not the other two. There’s nothing inherently negative about Sunday night services or O Why Not Tonight? or Gospel meetings. Nor is there anything innately positive about Starbucks.
I think each of the three categories is flawed when ignorant of the other two. I like that God wired us up differently; the bigger question for me is, Can we rise above our wiring and preference, if necessary, for the sake of unity?
GB
(Lee, there is something inherently flawed with one-dimensional communication such as this. It doesn’t allow for inflection, tone, or in this case italics - which is why I wrote NIGHT in bold lettering. Even worse, it puts people like you and me - who don’t know each other - into conversation before we have a chance to share a meal or get to know each other. I have a feeling we’d get along very well. Anyone who loves his grandparents an ohm as much as I have loved mine would surely be my friend. Have a good day.)
…except the White Chocolate Mocha.
Jesus came to lead the way in all things. For me that has meant different things at different times of life. But I find that whatever the situation, problem, circumstance, or even blog comment, He is always the answer .
As for moderating comments, I do it on my blog too. Why? I believe that the only way to really be heard, believed and useful in a discussion form is to be adult in your method. From time to time, people aren’t “adult” and/ or respectful with their comments and therefore I don’t allow them to be published on the blog. When people resort to nasty, hateful, vile name calling of me or other bloggers, I automatically “moderate” them. It’s important in any forum, blog or otherwise, to be a grown up. If someone’s blog is simply to be fun and fluff with no real issues being discussed then I guess it’s ok to let “whatever” be published. But if your goal with a blog is to promote healthy, grown up discussions on real issues that affect many people (and occassional fluff) then some sort of control has to be used.
I find that most folks who are opposed to being moderated are generally more interested in talking than being listened too. I hope that makes sense.
Grant..i fluxuate between all three, depending on where i am in my life..and what i am going through.
Don’t you just feel ever so comfortable and at home sharing thoughts with other brothers and sisters on the focus of our life, Jesus! We do not get to do that as much as we would like to because of other worldly matters that take our time up each day. We all take lessons He taught and imprint them on us. That is what a view of heaven is like to me. Only He will be there to round it all out for us.
GB-
Thanks for the English lesson! ha Great ideas, and you are probably right about my grandparents. Again, I’m a combination of all three. I absolutely love singing “I’ll fly away”……………
Thanks for the insight.
Lee
Jane - Good question. I think all are welcome here. Some have confused disagreement and rebuttal with being unwelcome. Let the discussions continue. . . .
Grant , i agree anyone who has seen you knows you are funny;)
For me, the issues that Mike (and Grant) are exploring become more important every time I come back to them. If you take a serious look at these issues, digging no more a few inches below the surface, you will find an atomic bomb, slowly ticking away.
There is *much* at stake here:
- Without pitting Paul against Jesus, should certain Pauline texts inform the way we read the gospels, as Grant’s “death” people tend to argue? Or do we have it backwards - should Paul’s epistles be read in light of the gospels, as the “life and teachings” perspetive might argue?
- The social and political ramifications of the each perspective are immense and (for me) they continue to be unsettling. I think they tend to elevate the emotional level of the debate on both sides, making it difficult for people to hear each other.
- The issue has tremendous bearing on the question of how disciples of Jesus go about engaging the postmodern/post-Christian culture. Do we emphasize atonement for sins? Or the character and teachings of Jesus as something that is worthy of imitation? Is there a way to reconcile both into a fresh, powerful message that will resonate in the emerging culture?
I could go on and on. I think we’ve reached an important turning point - a fork in the road - and where we go from here will largely depend on the outcome of this conversation.
Lee - I will also vouch for Grant. There isn’t a mean-spirited bone in his body. He’s a great, funny, insightful guy. I don’t know of anyone who thinks of him as being judgmental or cruel.
Jesus came for lots of reasons, one of which was to set us an example. Everything he did, said, thought, and prayed was a demonstration of perfection. Being human, we can’t achieve perfection, but in the striving to be like him and do like he did, we are made far better people.
There appears to be many understandings about why Jesus came from the Bible. Perhaps all of those different writers had different understandings themselves. For example, Matthew and Paul seem to actually disagree about whether or not Jesus came to abolish the law or not–Matt. says no: Paul says yes. Dare I say that there may not be a consistent view throughout the NT? (The Nag Hammadi library and all of the newly discovered gospels seems to show that there was an even greater diversity than those mentioned in the NT.)
My wife and I attended an Easter service (actually it was more like a production) with her parents on Sunday in which the “story of Jesus” was communicated using song, video, scripture, etc. I was amazed at how limited the “story of Jesus” was. It started at his birth and ended at his resurrection.
What about the Jesus that was with God “before the foundations of the earth”? Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection are only important in so much as they coincide with the overall “missio dei” and reign of God throughout history. God has been at work redeeming the cosmos to himself, and he became human as one part of his mission. Wow! I think we are truncating the gospel when we fail to see Jesus in the context of the master narrative, the work of God from before time until today.
As an aside, my wife astutely observed that someone with no church background probably would have been thoroughly confused at Sunday’s production. Video clips from the Jesus Movie and Passion of the Christ of various “Jesus moments” from his life, assumed to stand on their own as self-evident. Discussion of “eating flesh and drinking blood” — eeewww. Violent, bloody images of Jesus’ flogging. All these things are alright for us insiders (though I am increasingly turned off by such a focus on Jesus’ torture and pain at the cross…wasn’t it about “shame”, not pain?). We cannot, however, assume that “Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins” will stand alone as a self-evident statement in our society anymore. Many people know that statement, but they do not understand the full meaning of its importance within the context of “missio dei” when we limit ourselves to cliche “Jesusisms.”
Am I in the ballpark with the following? Sermon on Mount (Teaching Of Jesus) shows what God desires me to be; cross bridges gap between what He desires and what I am; resurrection/Holy Spirit enables me to now become. Worded differently–If I follow the teaching of Jesus, I will die but that’s okay cuz resurrection wins. I am attracted to His life/teaching; humbled by his cross; empowered by his resurrection. (If this needs to be moderated, that’s okay.)
Mike,
Can you email me. I wanted to speak to you about Highland’s Worship Minitsry. Thanks-
Why did Jesus come to earth? Many reasons.
As Max Lucado wrote “With the crunch of that first bite [of the fruit] Jesus set His foot on the path to the cross.” - IOW for our Reconcilliation and Salvation.
According to Hebrews, to be our High Priest, all the while being the perfect sacrifice - He fulfilled the sacrificial demands of God, for us, instead of us.
His life was one of perfection, giving us a glimpse of what God designed us to be, but knowing we couldn’t do it alone, Jesus lived it for us - Sanctification.
He was the master Teacher. He asked us to sit at His feet like little children to learn of Him and of Heaven awaiting us - Promise and hope.
He went to His death having asked the Father that it not have to be so - Questions for God are okay - He just isn’t required to answer our way, but in His will.
His death seemed like a sword in the heart of His ministry and His Kingdom to come - but the wonder of Resurrection breathed everlasting life into our lives.
Why did He come? Because He loves us and showed that love in everything He did and said - a love like no other seen before nor since. All He asks of us is to love Him, proclaim Him, live in intimacy with Him, make Him the center and reason for our lives, all the while sharing that great love message with others.
Oh my! How far I still have to travel to come to how He would have me to be, but His love will carry me home to Him one of these days.
PTL!!
Mike,
Who is that guy who spoke on Sunday? The recording about Sunday coming? Is that the same guy who says all the names of Jesus? I think you guys have played it before. I would like to get a recording of that.
As a new person to the “blogging world,” I have these observations.
None of my comments have been “moderated.” I have seen just about every side of every topic displayed — everything from the ones that get me excited and pumping my fist, and the ones that I read a little of and just have to skip the rest of it. I think Mike has made a great forum here for discussion.
But . . . annonimity (sp?) can bring out the best and worst in us. As Grant said earlier, it is very hard to effectively communicate on the printed page. No raised eyebrows, slight of tongue, wry smile . . . all of which convey much more than our words. Could some of the things I pumped my fist in agreement with possibly have been sarcasm. I’m not sure how to deal with this — and I do struggle with how to write things that I am sure will be understood as I intended. Many times I do not write because I simply can’t do it.
My third observation is HOW (capitalized because I want to emphasize — it is said with a slight smile) do all of you do this all day long? Do you do anything else? I find it very difficult to keep up with all of you!!
Just my observations as a new blogger.
I believe Jesus came to show us who God is. He did that by the way he treated other people. He did that by showing us how the kingdom should look on this earth (thy kingdom come — they will be done on earth as it is in heaven — the way God does things). He died to show us that God is a giving and forgiving God. Jesus gave himself to show us that we are to give ourselves to others. I really can’t see how any of this can be separated.
I got moderated the other day in my first post. I made the comment that the gay community might be hurting its own cause by calling anyone who biblically and lovingly disagrees with the act of homosexuality a “homophobe.” Not everyone who disagrees with the act of homosexuality is homophobic and many people (myself included) disagree with the practice, but support equal rights for gay people. My point was the gay community should be careful not to alienate would-be supporters in the quest for justice.
Anyway, my post was temporarily tagged for moderation. Seemed a little odd to me, especially since I began my comment by calling Mike’s article the best I had ever read on this subject. I thought that perhaps it was because it was my first post or maybe I had not communicated my point very clearly. Or perhaps someone in the justice department just didn’t like what I said . However, the next day I noticed that the post was included once again, so no worries.
Still like Mike and the blog! God bless.
[begin lighthearted sarcasm]
VTC3PO-
According to GRANT (clearning throat), I hang out in Starbucks all day listening to U2 albums on my iPod and reading Jim Wallis. Obviously, with little else to do, its not difficult to monitor the comments on a blog or two.
[end sarcasm]
Looks like I just got moderated again. What up with that?
Much clearer, Matt!
One more thing — is there some list somewhere with all these abbreviations? Sometimes I can get it — and sometimes I just have no clue.
vtc3po….I am a college student that spends alot of time at my desk reading, writing and studying. So…every once in a while I pop in and blurt something out, then check back later..
I hear ya on the abbreviations..I just kind of look at the content around the acronym and try to figure it out. I did learn that IMHO is ” In My Honest Opinion” I kept reading that as im a ho …..then someone set me straight..
beverly, being a collage student, did you go to the beach for spring break?
WONDERFUL!! Thanks so much Beverly!! IMHO was the MAIN one I couldn’t figure out. It was driving me crazy!
Clint-
You’re just glad He came. Me, too. All the above commentary can be boiled down, for me at least, in the single question: Why am I glad?
(Mike’s original query, with a twist)
Without the Divine perspective of the past, even before time began, and with unclear (in a glass, darkly) perspective of the present, and very limited perspective of the future, how can I answer that question?
I’m saved, loved, redeemed, churched, befriended, blessed…….
Sometimes, on my better days, my answer is “Because He really, truly wants my heart.”
Hi Mike,
My comment wasn’t published til recently…I think? I commented for the first time on the homosexuality thread. I followed the links from a couple of my friends’ (who are ACU alumni) blogs. So…I’m not sure if it was b/c I’m a newbie or what. For what it’s worth, I could see my comment was “waiting for moderation” from my home pc…however from another pc, this weekend, it looked gone forever.
No worries…
Another thot regarding why Jesus came–When I hold my daughter I am filled with dreams of what I want her to become but at the most basic point I hold her because I love her and want her to feel loved. Jesus came to let me know my Father has dreams/plans for me but at the most basic point He came because He loves me and wants me to feel loved FORVER.
I am more inspired by a Jesus who was not resurrected. What if he died doing the right thing with no hope of resurrection? Now that’s selfless sacrifice. I think he calls me to do the right thing without regard to myself. If I do the right thing merely because I get a “get out of death free” card then that really doesn’t say a whole lot about me.
Maybe Jesus was just trying to get us to love our neighbor and showed us how to do it. Maybe he was more concerned about my neighbor suffering and me doing nothing to help than me believing all the right things about his death after he died.
Leland-
Maybe when Jesus chose to die for us he did not know he would be resurrected. I think Jesus’ choice to die was an example of his ultimate trust in God. Our lack of trust in God is what got us in trouble in the first place, right? So maybe part of Jesus’ mission and example of humanity was to reveal to us how he put all his trust in God and to inspire us to do the same.
Clint,
Well put.
I’ve had comments pending moderation before… I was convinced it was because a few weeks before I brought up a certain up and coming birthday.(wink) But after reading that Amy Grant’s (not the singer) comments were pending moderation too, I just decided it was a techno glitch. Mike is many, many things, but a commuter savy techo wizzard he is not! I can’t see him taking the time to moderate each comment (family attacks aside). Now if this were Matt Elliott’s blog, it would be a whole different story!:)
I think I am a combo life teachings/ressurection person, but I am not admitting to any fondness for the Gaithers! Grant, you crack me up even when you are serious.
Mishun ukomplisht, SG. (Luv yur blogg.)
Sad thing is, I read that with no problem GB!
By the way Mike there was a discussion about your moderation of comments on another blog recently too… but we came up with very different conclusions in comments! Look here http://fivehearts.blogspot.com/2006/04/its-officially-busy-season-for-young.html
Hope you don’y mind that Amy!
“Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.” Hebrews 2:14-15
Hey there. I hope that you had a good Easter! See you at/on…Thanksgiving? 13 days left of school for me!!! Love you, give out hugs for me!
Aquino & Childer’s book, “Unveiling Glory” is such a good study on Jesus. I’m glad Mike recommended it in an earlier comment.
I hope to meet Grant Boone sometime. His humor appeals to me, and the implications of his inferences are astute!
vtc3po wrote: My third observation is HOW (capitalized because I want to emphasize — it is said with a slight smile) do all of you do this all day long? Do you do anything else? I find it very difficult to keep up with all of you!!
I’m afraid I’ll have to admit to being addicted to reading the comments. I’m probably the reason Mike has so many hits on his site. It’s just me reloading throughout the day to see what folks have to say!
(I’m home all day. I need a break from the never-ending list of things to keep a home running, plus trying to convince the kids that they want to do their school work.)
John 4:34 - My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.
John 6:29 - Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
John 17:4 - I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.
All this was before the cross.
I’m late again today!! So sorry, Mike if my little corner of blogworld stirred up anything. I was just joking around and figured you had a moderate comment feature enabled.
That’s what I get for starting rumors, huh! (The previous post I wrote about having to take a drug test for a new job. The same day Mike had blogged about his steroid shot, so I took a pot shot at our blog church senior pastor therefore putting me on the “black list” of commenters). I have an unusual sense of humor.
Great scripture references, Craig.
I have been called many things before but never “usual”.
Goodnight Nurse! 78 comments? oh my goodness!!
78 *unmoderated* comments…
What did Jesus of Nazareth’s followers do (especially the male ones) after 3 years with the healing, teaching Jesus? Cut and run.
Three days later, after realizing his divinity and receiving the Holy Spirit, those same people were transformed into ‘Pillars’. Only one died naturally.
3 years or 3 days…
This comment has be monitored and removed for the sanctity of all civilization.
Seriously, I tried to comment here earlier today and I got this screen that said “Easy cowboy, only one comment at a time.”
I have a large question on banning people from a blog (I did it on mine as well). You sated that certain things (your family) were off limits so the person was banned. How does that small verbal offence relate back to 9/11 and a great offence of more than 300 people killed. Our nation turned the other cheek in 1993 when the WTC was attacked and several other times in the 90’s when our interests around the world were attacked and our citizens killed. Where is the need of a people to defend their most vulnerable in the face of viscious attacks ok? As a Soldier in the US Army, that’s what I and most of my comrades see our job as, standing between you, your family, and my family, and other families,and people that want us all dead. Just a question I’ve pondered all day.
Ed,
Maybe a huge question here is why do those people want “us all dead”? I’m those people aren’t just stupid or evil, in fact, they may have very good reasons for not particulary liking us. Maybe some of “our interests” around the world should be changed.
mIKE
jESUS CAME SO THAT WHEN i LOOK AT A SOCCER FIELD IN ZAMBIA, AND SEE 3000 PEOPLE CUED UP{BRITISH SPEAK} FOR MEDICAL CARE I AM NOT TOTALLY OVERWHELMED. BECAUSE DESPITE THEIR POVERTY,CHRONIC POOR HEALTH AND NO REAL HOPE OF ANSWERS TO THESE THINGS, I CAN SPEAK JESUS, AND KNOW hE IS THE ONLY ANSWER.ZAMBIANS TEACH ME HOPE COMES IN THE JOY OF LIFE HERE IN HIM AND THERE IN HIM AND ALWAYS IN HIM .
Laura..wow..that is powerful..I love your amazing daughter, by the way!
Jesus came down so we could go up.
Martin,
I completely agree that we need to understand why “they” dislike us to such an extent that they want you and me dead and to the best of our ability, not do those things. At some point though, the actions that have killed over 5000 citizens must be considered evil in my opinion. The President of Iran hates Israel and has promised to destroy them when he gets nukes. That is evil, whether you understand his motivation or not. At what point are we (or Israel) to act. BTW, I’m not advocating military action, I’m in the military and I don’t want to go. At some point though, somebody has to.
Blessings!