Comments on: If It’s ACU Lectureship, Why Is the Weather So Nice? http://preachermike.com/2006/09/19/944 Sniffing out the work of God in the world... Sat, 22 Nov 2008 00:06:50 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: imparare http://preachermike.com/2006/09/19/944#comment-61356 imparare Sun, 15 Apr 2007 06:10:48 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/09/19/944#comment-61356 Interesting comments.. :D Interesting comments.. :D

]]> By: Ris http://preachermike.com/2006/09/19/944#comment-15203 Ris Thu, 21 Sep 2006 16:56:09 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/09/19/944#comment-15203 michael, i still have my ski mask, ris michael,

i still have my ski mask,

ris

]]> By: Kathy S http://preachermike.com/2006/09/19/944#comment-15127 Kathy S Wed, 20 Sep 2006 19:03:44 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/09/19/944#comment-15127 The unkind and hurtful words said about you (whom I love and admire)to your parents (who have been spiritual and personal heros of mine for many years) remind me how much we need to continue praying, "Thy kingdom come." The unkind and hurtful words said about you (whom I love and admire)to your parents (who have been spiritual and personal heros of mine for many years) remind me how much we need to continue praying, “Thy kingdom come.”

]]> By: Hilary Rushford http://preachermike.com/2006/09/19/944#comment-15119 Hilary Rushford Wed, 20 Sep 2006 05:00:19 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/09/19/944#comment-15119 I hate to have schadenfreude (German phrase for joy at the suffering of others) but in the midst of reeling not only from the statement to your parents but also to some comments on your Joe Beam post, I find myself oddly comforted at hearing you get attacked. Shocked and saddened, and certainly not happy about it, but I realize that if there are people out there who dislike Mike Cope, I should be okay with the fact that not everyone likes me all the time either. It's hard to be disliked, especially for what you believe and stand up for, and I'm not very good at accepting it. I sometimes feel like I'm the only one experiencing it. Then, to hear that one of the most gifted and genuine ministers I know can be so vehemently disliked ... and by fellow Christians, who say he is leading people to hell (!!) ... clearly no one can win them all, and those of us doing far less good for Christ than Mike can take heart when people give us a little shove. I hate to have schadenfreude (German phrase for joy at the suffering of others) but in the midst of reeling not only from the statement to your parents but also to some comments on your Joe Beam post, I find myself oddly comforted at hearing you get attacked. Shocked and saddened, and certainly not happy about it, but I realize that if there are people out there who dislike Mike Cope, I should be okay with the fact that not everyone likes me all the time either. It’s hard to be disliked, especially for what you believe and stand up for, and I’m not very good at accepting it. I sometimes feel like I’m the only one experiencing it. Then, to hear that one of the most gifted and genuine ministers I know can be so vehemently disliked … and by fellow Christians, who say he is leading people to hell (!!) … clearly no one can win them all, and those of us doing far less good for Christ than Mike can take heart when people give us a little shove.

]]> By: carolyn dycus http://preachermike.com/2006/09/19/944#comment-15112 carolyn dycus Tue, 19 Sep 2006 22:39:12 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/09/19/944#comment-15112 Mike, it's late, but had to add my 2 cents: Your parents know we love you and hold you in high esteem and it's a shame you/they can't be protected from "our own." I really appreciate the way you keep to the "high road" when you have nasty stuff dumped on you--prayers are with you and your family for good things. Your mom: I dreamt about her several nights ago--had read in your blog your folks were coming, but all I remember is a brief greeting, and loving her sweet smile. She was wearing a pink suit! I don't remember dreaming in color before...so, be sure to give her my regards if I don't see her personally during her visit, and ask if she has a pink suit. Mike, it’s late, but had to add my 2 cents: Your parents know we love you and hold you in high esteem and it’s a shame you/they can’t be protected from “our own.” I really appreciate the way you keep to the “high road” when you have nasty stuff dumped on you–prayers are with you and your family for good things. Your mom: I dreamt about her several nights ago–had read in your blog your folks were coming, but all I remember is a brief greeting, and loving her sweet smile. She was wearing a pink suit! I don’t remember dreaming in color before…so, be sure to give her my regards if I don’t see her personally during her visit, and ask if she has a pink suit.

]]> By: Sarah http://preachermike.com/2006/09/19/944#comment-15106 Sarah Tue, 19 Sep 2006 20:22:13 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/09/19/944#comment-15106 Mike, as someone "from another Abilene church" please extend my apologies to your parents for that person. At my post-lectureship lunch today, we discussed Rosie O'Donnell comparing "radical Christians" to the "radical Muslims" that terrorized our country in 2001. I said that, seeing the clip, Rosie's comments didn't surprise me -- that's about what I expect from her -- but what shocked and apalled me was the wild applause of the crowd after her comment. It disturbs me greatly that what much of the country associates with "radical Christianity" is abortion-clinic-bombing, funeral-picketing, and hate-talking people. If we, as a body, can't do better at a meeting-of-our-own than to trash-talk a man TO HIS OWN PARENTS who proclaims the name of Christ, even if we disagree on details, then we can't possibly hope to show ourselves as any different to the world. OH!! And the weather???? I cannot BELIEVE it!! LOVE it! Mike, as someone “from another Abilene church” please extend my apologies to your parents for that person. At my post-lectureship lunch today, we discussed Rosie O’Donnell comparing “radical Christians” to the “radical Muslims” that terrorized our country in 2001. I said that, seeing the clip, Rosie’s comments didn’t surprise me — that’s about what I expect from her — but what shocked and apalled me was the wild applause of the crowd after her comment.

It disturbs me greatly that what much of the country associates with “radical Christianity” is abortion-clinic-bombing, funeral-picketing, and hate-talking people. If we, as a body, can’t do better at a meeting-of-our-own than to trash-talk a man TO HIS OWN PARENTS who proclaims the name of Christ, even if we disagree on details, then we can’t possibly hope to show ourselves as any different to the world.

OH!! And the weather???? I cannot BELIEVE it!! LOVE it!

]]> By: clint http://preachermike.com/2006/09/19/944#comment-15105 clint Tue, 19 Sep 2006 19:35:43 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/09/19/944#comment-15105 sorry mike, i was referring to the Muslims and the Pope ;) sorry mike, i was referring to the Muslims and the Pope ;)

]]> By: Brad http://preachermike.com/2006/09/19/944#comment-15104 Brad Tue, 19 Sep 2006 19:10:32 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/09/19/944#comment-15104 Chris, IMHO, speaking from my experience in 16 years of preaching, the reason Mike and some others of us are relentlessly attacked is because we have placed the calling of God in our preaching over and above the esteem of men. We have been tagged by God to stand up and speak for Him and proclaim, promote and defend the kingdom of God and all that comes with it. Many times that means leading people out of comfortable sin. Many times that mean leading people out of ungodly beliefs and practices. Many times that means leading people into the great unknown, where God is. Most folks are not real excited about those things, especially when someone has the courage to stand up and suggest that maybe we haven't fully understood God's teaching on a particular matter (grace, faith, women's role, role of elders, instruments, unity of all believers, etc.). I have a great amount of admiration for a man or woman who will stand up and have the courage to challenge our ungodliness. Those who do usually are not treated all that well. Back in Bible days, they killed the prophets who did that. Things really haven't changed today, except the method by which they administer the killing. They lie about you, misrepresent you, gossip about you, draw others away from you, withhold support from you, plot against you, amass forces against you, call you the Pope, attack your family, shun their kids from yours, etc. The list could go on and on. I just think of some of the men in our fellowship who have done the most to lead us closer to the heart of God. Rubel Shelly, Mike Cope, Jeff Walling, Lynn Anderson, Marvin Phillips, Joe Beam, Max Lucado, etc. Every one of these guys has had to endure tremendous persecution and pain because they decided to put God first in their preaching. Thanks, Mike, for helping teach me that! In the words of a lowly Jewish carpenter, "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven." (sorry there Mike, I didn't mean to speak for you) :) Chris,

IMHO, speaking from my experience in 16 years of preaching, the reason Mike and some others of us are relentlessly attacked is because we have placed the calling of God in our preaching over and above the esteem of men. We have been tagged by God to stand up and speak for Him and proclaim, promote and defend the kingdom of God and all that comes with it. Many times that means leading people out of comfortable sin. Many times that mean leading people out of ungodly beliefs and practices. Many times that means leading people into the great unknown, where God is. Most folks are not real excited about those things, especially when someone has the courage to stand up and suggest that maybe we haven’t fully understood God’s teaching on a particular matter (grace, faith, women’s role, role of elders, instruments, unity of all believers, etc.).

I have a great amount of admiration for a man or woman who will stand up and have the courage to challenge our ungodliness. Those who do usually are not treated all that well. Back in Bible days, they killed the prophets who did that. Things really haven’t changed today, except the method by which they administer the killing. They lie about you, misrepresent you, gossip about you, draw others away from you, withhold support from you, plot against you, amass forces against you, call you the Pope, attack your family, shun their kids from yours, etc. The list could go on and on.

I just think of some of the men in our fellowship who have done the most to lead us closer to the heart of God. Rubel Shelly, Mike Cope, Jeff Walling, Lynn Anderson, Marvin Phillips, Joe Beam, Max Lucado, etc. Every one of these guys has had to endure tremendous persecution and pain because they decided to put God first in their preaching. Thanks, Mike, for helping teach me that!

In the words of a lowly Jewish carpenter, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven.”

(sorry there Mike, I didn’t mean to speak for you) :)

]]> By: preacherman http://preachermike.com/2006/09/19/944#comment-15102 preacherman Tue, 19 Sep 2006 18:33:24 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/09/19/944#comment-15102 Those in the church can be so cruel. As a minister I have been at some pretty sorry churches where Christians treat each other without love. Saying hateful things about the ministers, without regaurd for family. I got burned out and turned my back on God. I said and had the attitude of "If Christians are going to treat each other like this and especially ministers then forget this...If elderships act like they know more than the minister forget this...If this is what Christianity and church and ministry is like I'm done!" I stopped completely going to church. I started doing habits that was against God and his church. I was had forgotten that I had been called by God...I had become like Jonah running from God and eventually I was swollowed by the great fish and spit out on to dry ground. I met with God once again and said, "God if I am going to get back in you've got to put me in a better place and show me that all Christians aren't like this or I will give up completly.." Well I'm back in full time ministry. The church I am at now has been a great blessing. God new what I needed. I have come to realize over the years that wolf is in the church. Those christians who think they know God but don't are busy doing the devils work. I understand how you feel brother. When it comes to family that is something you don't mess with...So I want to encourage you to stay strong, remeber your calling, the difference you are making for the kingdom of God and keep fighting the good fight. Finish the race. God bless you Mike! Those in the church can be so cruel. As a minister I have been at some pretty sorry churches where Christians treat each other without love. Saying hateful things about the ministers, without regaurd for family. I got burned out and turned my back on God. I said and had the attitude of “If Christians are going to treat each other like this and especially ministers then forget this…If elderships act like they know more than the minister forget this…If this is what Christianity and church and ministry is like I’m done!” I stopped completely going to church. I started doing habits that was against God and his church. I was had forgotten that I had been called by God…I had become like Jonah running from God and eventually I was swollowed by the great fish and spit out on to dry ground. I met with God once again and said, “God if I am going to get back in you’ve got to put me in a better place and show me that all Christians aren’t like this or I will give up completly..” Well I’m back in full time ministry. The church I am at now has been a great blessing. God new what I needed. I have come to realize over the years that wolf is in the church. Those christians who think they know God but don’t are busy doing the devils work.

I understand how you feel brother. When it comes to family that is something you don’t mess with…So I want to encourage you to stay strong, remeber your calling, the difference you are making for the kingdom of God and keep fighting the good fight. Finish the race. God bless you Mike!

]]> By: Leland http://preachermike.com/2006/09/19/944#comment-15100 Leland Tue, 19 Sep 2006 18:29:05 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/09/19/944#comment-15100 "Low point of lectureship yesterday: someone from another Abilene church, upon meeting my parents at a luncheon, expressed his disgust for me. (Please: bring it to me, not to my parents or my kids!)" Now that's just chicken shit. Good thing your not Toby Keith or you could show them the American Way. “Low point of lectureship yesterday: someone from another Abilene church, upon meeting my parents at a luncheon, expressed his disgust for me. (Please: bring it to me, not to my parents or my kids!)”

Now that’s just chicken shit. Good thing your not Toby Keith or you could show them the American Way.

]]> By: Nancy http://preachermike.com/2006/09/19/944#comment-15098 Nancy Tue, 19 Sep 2006 17:47:33 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/09/19/944#comment-15098 Mike - I hate to hear that happened yesterday - I think you are a wonderful person! I have great respect for you as a preacher, brother, etc.!! P.S. Tell mom & dad hi for me!! I'm looking forward to seeing you in Nashville!! Mike - I hate to hear that happened yesterday - I think you are a wonderful person! I have great respect for you as a preacher, brother, etc.!!

P.S. Tell mom & dad hi for me!! I’m looking forward to seeing you in Nashville!!

]]> By: JM http://preachermike.com/2006/09/19/944#comment-15096 JM Tue, 19 Sep 2006 17:18:51 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/09/19/944#comment-15096 You said, "Thankfully, <i>many</i> moderates of their faith are pointing out the tiny inconsistency in their objections." I'm not sure about that word "many." I have looked high and low and cannot find <i>any</i> moderates of the Islamic faith condemning the violence by their brethren. I'm sure there are some. Perhaps a few. But "many"? You said, “Thankfully, many moderates of their faith are pointing out the tiny inconsistency in their objections.” I’m not sure about that word “many.”

I have looked high and low and cannot find any moderates of the Islamic faith condemning the violence by their brethren. I’m sure there are some. Perhaps a few. But “many”?

]]> By: Amy http://preachermike.com/2006/09/19/944#comment-15095 Amy Tue, 19 Sep 2006 16:51:32 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/09/19/944#comment-15095 Yeah, what Arlene said! Yeah, what Arlene said!

]]> By: Serena voss http://preachermike.com/2006/09/19/944#comment-15090 Serena voss Tue, 19 Sep 2006 15:39:46 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/09/19/944#comment-15090 So maybe we need a blog that addresses: 1001 Elegant/Gracious/Smart/Smart Aleck Things to Say/Not to Say/You Wish You Could Say to the Person Who Disses Your Son/Daughter. So maybe we need a blog that addresses: 1001 Elegant/Gracious/Smart/Smart Aleck Things to Say/Not to Say/You Wish You Could Say to the Person Who Disses Your Son/Daughter.

]]> By: Arlene Kasselman http://preachermike.com/2006/09/19/944#comment-15089 Arlene Kasselman Tue, 19 Sep 2006 15:34:52 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/09/19/944#comment-15089 Mike I know the point of this post is not about someone being ugly about you to your parents, that was just one comment among several reflections, but obviously we can not let it go - so indulge us a little. Dear Mr. and Mrs. Cope Life has certainly brought many tough things your way over the years. We know that a few words from a source that you do not hold in esteem is not the worst you will ever deal with. However, there is an age old adage that reminds us how many positives it takes to outweight a negative. This blog community can accomplish that in minutes, but more than all that, we are sorry. Sorry that you had to deal with ugly words about Mike yesterday. Because Mike is not a showy guy and because he hates being placed on a pedestal (and that is why we like you, Mike) I will not begin a top 100 reasons we "wanna be like Mike" list. But the bottom line is that you have raised a son who has impacted the world for Jesus. He helps us "sniff out the work of God" and God has certainly "poured through him the gift of preaching." You guys must be something. Thank you! Mike
I know the point of this post is not about someone being ugly about you to your parents, that was just one comment among several reflections, but obviously we can not let it go - so indulge us a little.

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Cope
Life has certainly brought many tough things your way over the years. We know that a few words from a source that you do not hold in esteem is not the worst you will ever deal with. However, there is an age old adage that reminds us how many positives it takes to outweight a negative. This blog community can accomplish that in minutes, but more than all that, we are sorry. Sorry that you had to deal with ugly words about Mike yesterday. Because Mike is not a showy guy and because he hates being placed on a pedestal (and that is why we like you, Mike) I will not begin a top 100 reasons we “wanna be like Mike” list. But the bottom line is that you have raised a son who has impacted the world for Jesus. He helps us “sniff out the work of God” and God has certainly “poured through him the gift of preaching.” You guys must be something. Thank you!

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