Comments on: “I Am of Christ” http://preachermike.com/2006/10/30/i-am-of-christ Sniffing out the work of God in the world... Tue, 07 Oct 2008 12:16:21 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Charles Barton http://preachermike.com/2006/10/30/i-am-of-christ#comment-41231 Charles Barton Tue, 16 Jan 2007 11:09:54 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/10/30/i-am-of-christ#comment-41231 Google is the best search engine Google is the best search engine

]]> By: Belinda http://preachermike.com/2006/10/30/i-am-of-christ#comment-22530 Belinda Mon, 06 Nov 2006 22:34:02 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/10/30/i-am-of-christ#comment-22530 IF we all believe in the same thing, why are there so many different churches? Why do we go to "foreign mission fields" and preach? There is already Christianity in most countries, just not our "brand." It seems here - on Main Street U.S.A. - we believe that we all have the same goal. But when it comes to exotic locations, we need to preach to the lost. One example: the idea of preaching the gospel in Russia. I'm not talking about the Ukraine or Georgia. I'm talking about Moscow, St. Petersburg, etc. Most people there are members of the Russian Orthodox church, or as they refer to, "the true church." When my husband relocated to the U.S., he chose to worship at a church of Christ because it was most like the Orthodox Church. IF we all believe in the same thing, why are there so many different churches? Why do we go to “foreign mission fields” and preach? There is already Christianity in most countries, just not our “brand.” It seems here - on Main Street U.S.A. - we believe that we all have the same goal. But when it comes to exotic locations, we need to preach to the lost.

One example: the idea of preaching the gospel in Russia. I’m not talking about the Ukraine or Georgia. I’m talking about Moscow, St. Petersburg, etc. Most people there are members of the Russian Orthodox church, or as they refer to, “the true church.” When my husband relocated to the U.S., he chose to worship at a church of Christ because it was most like the Orthodox Church.

]]> By: Matt http://preachermike.com/2006/10/30/i-am-of-christ#comment-20889 Matt Wed, 01 Nov 2006 16:49:33 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/10/30/i-am-of-christ#comment-20889 Instead of "read his posts" I meant to say "see his blog." This string of comments has probably hit a hot button issue for him. Instead of “read his posts” I meant to say “see his blog.” This string of comments has probably hit a hot button issue for him.

]]> By: Matt http://preachermike.com/2006/10/30/i-am-of-christ#comment-20703 Matt Tue, 31 Oct 2006 21:09:20 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/10/30/i-am-of-christ#comment-20703 Preacherman is an excellent thinker. If you don't believe me, read his posts. Find someone who agrees with you on 100% of the issues and I will say you just didn't ask them about enough issues. We will all disagree on some things. Preacherman is an excellent thinker. If you don’t believe me, read his posts. Find someone who agrees with you on 100% of the issues and I will say you just didn’t ask them about enough issues. We will all disagree on some things.

]]> By: Amy http://preachermike.com/2006/10/30/i-am-of-christ#comment-20699 Amy Tue, 31 Oct 2006 20:59:31 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/10/30/i-am-of-christ#comment-20699 Not deism, pluralism. Knew it was an -ism. And sorry if my comment was a tangent! Not deism, pluralism. Knew it was an -ism.

And sorry if my comment was a tangent!

]]> By: Amy http://preachermike.com/2006/10/30/i-am-of-christ#comment-20680 Amy Tue, 31 Oct 2006 19:24:34 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/10/30/i-am-of-christ#comment-20680 I'm a day late on this one, but was compelled to post a comment anyway. I think one way pride sneaks in is to make us lazy about our faith. We're in, we figured everything out in the 50's, so what's left to ponder? I am in a group where one of my friends is Hindu and the rest would probably claim they are of Christ. Ironically, this Hindu friend of mine seems much more devout in her faith than many of those who are "of Christ". I spend a lot of one on one time with this friend as well as some time with another lady who was raised in the "right church". To be honest, if I were a seeker of faith my Hindu friend's attitude and lifestyle would be more attractive than the one who is "of Christ". I'm not trying to suggest (what's that word?) deism. Actually I am praying about how to share Jesus with my friend because I believe he is the only way to the Father. I'm merely suggesting we take following Christ seriously. We don't have the market cornered on faith, unfortunately there are many faiths out there. I’m a day late on this one, but was compelled to post a comment anyway. I think one way pride sneaks in is to make us lazy about our faith. We’re in, we figured everything out in the 50’s, so what’s left to ponder?

I am in a group where one of my friends is Hindu and the rest would probably claim they are of Christ. Ironically, this Hindu friend of mine seems much more devout in her faith than many of those who are “of Christ”.

I spend a lot of one on one time with this friend as well as some time with another lady who was raised in the “right church”. To be honest, if I were a seeker of faith my Hindu friend’s attitude and lifestyle would be more attractive than the one who is “of Christ”.

I’m not trying to suggest (what’s that word?) deism. Actually I am praying about how to share Jesus with my friend because I believe he is the only way to the Father. I’m merely suggesting we take following Christ seriously. We don’t have the market cornered on faith, unfortunately there are many faiths out there.

]]> By: Ray http://preachermike.com/2006/10/30/i-am-of-christ#comment-20629 Ray Tue, 31 Oct 2006 15:49:15 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/10/30/i-am-of-christ#comment-20629 Jesus does have high expectations for His church. He does expect us to live a holy and righteous life. We cannot allow the world around us to lower the high and holy standard of moral behavior and the relentless pursuit of studying the great doctrines of scripture and to mainatain a commitment to doctrinal purity. " Dear children , do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous , just as he is righteous. " I John 3 : 7 " But just as He who called you is holy , so be holy in all you do : for it is written : " Be holy , beause I am holy . " I Peter I : 15 and 16. " What you have heard from me , keep as the pattern of sound teaching , with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you - guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. " 2 Timothy 1 : 13 and 14 Jesus does have high expectations for His church. He does expect us to live a holy and righteous life. We cannot allow the world around us to lower the high and holy standard of moral behavior and the relentless pursuit of studying the great doctrines of scripture and to mainatain a commitment to doctrinal purity.
” Dear children , do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous , just as he is righteous. ” I John 3 : 7
” But just as He who called you is holy , so be holy in all you do : for it is written : ” Be holy , beause I am holy . ” I Peter I : 15 and 16.
” What you have heard from me , keep as the pattern of sound teaching , with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you - guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. ” 2 Timothy 1 : 13 and 14

]]> By: Steve Jr. http://preachermike.com/2006/10/30/i-am-of-christ#comment-20624 Steve Jr. Tue, 31 Oct 2006 15:18:18 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/10/30/i-am-of-christ#comment-20624 Wow, G'ampa C -- amazing comment. Thank you for that. Wow, G’ampa C — amazing comment. Thank you for that.

]]> By: G'ampa C http://preachermike.com/2006/10/30/i-am-of-christ#comment-20622 G'ampa C Tue, 31 Oct 2006 15:07:53 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/10/30/i-am-of-christ#comment-20622 Lots of interesting thoughts here, Mike. I'm wondering about all the discussion over right and wrong, scriptural or not scriptural, and correct interpretation. I guess I have come to a point in my walk where I have accepted a fact: I am living in a constant state of being mistaken about scripture. What I thought was clearly black and white when I was 18 is not so sharp a distinction now. Many scriptures I interpret so much differently now than even 5 years ago. If I could get the whole intent of the Bible right in the first reading, I wouldn't need to study it over and over, right? Isn't that an admission of error, so to speak? So, as I study, the Spirit takes me deeper into my walk, and with faith I am walking toward Jesus and not away from him. The whole right and wrong issue in scriptural interpretation is more of a journey than an arrival... so I am in a constant state of being wrong about some issues, issues upon which the Spirit is waiting to enlighten me, when I am able to receive it. It is humbling to know I have been wrong about so many things in the past, and had the pride to stomp on someone else who was struggling. I just don't have a corner on the market of "correct" interpretation. Lots of interesting thoughts here, Mike.
I’m wondering about all the discussion over right and wrong, scriptural or not scriptural, and correct interpretation.
I guess I have come to a point in my walk where I have accepted a fact:
I am living in a constant state of being mistaken about scripture. What I thought was clearly black and white when I was 18 is not so sharp a distinction now. Many scriptures I interpret so much differently now than even 5 years ago. If I could get the whole intent of the Bible right in the first reading, I wouldn’t need to study it over and over, right? Isn’t that an admission of error, so to speak?
So, as I study, the Spirit takes me deeper into my walk, and with faith I am walking toward Jesus and not away from him. The whole right and wrong issue in scriptural interpretation is more of a journey than an arrival… so I am in a constant state of being wrong about some issues, issues upon which the Spirit is waiting to enlighten me, when I am able to receive it. It is humbling to know I have been wrong about so many things in the past, and had the pride to stomp on someone else who was struggling. I just don’t have a corner on the market of “correct” interpretation.

]]> By: Steve Jr. http://preachermike.com/2006/10/30/i-am-of-christ#comment-20611 Steve Jr. Tue, 31 Oct 2006 14:33:14 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/10/30/i-am-of-christ#comment-20611 Kent - I'm working on getting you Dr. Faulkner's e-mail address. I'll e-mail you with the information when I get it. Kent - I’m working on getting you Dr. Faulkner’s e-mail address. I’ll e-mail you with the information when I get it.

]]> By: KentF http://preachermike.com/2006/10/30/i-am-of-christ#comment-20600 KentF Tue, 31 Oct 2006 14:09:08 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/10/30/i-am-of-christ#comment-20600 Lee - regarding divorce. Paul Faulkner has some of the most enlightening and well thought out dialogue on divorce/remarriage within the church that I have heard. I wish I could tell you how to speak to Paul or obtain this information from him, but I didn't find much help in my research. Sorry, maybe someone else knows how to contact Dr. Faulkner. Lee - regarding divorce. Paul Faulkner has some of the most enlightening and well thought out dialogue on divorce/remarriage within the church that I have heard. I wish I could tell you how to speak to Paul or obtain this information from him, but I didn’t find much help in my research. Sorry, maybe someone else knows how to contact Dr. Faulkner.

]]> By: Terry http://preachermike.com/2006/10/30/i-am-of-christ#comment-20594 Terry Tue, 31 Oct 2006 13:56:34 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/10/30/i-am-of-christ#comment-20594 Blogs are a good tool to keep the mind moving. I don't feel good about embracing the divorce issue as accepting so easily in our churches either. I know of many that could of been saved, some rather easy. I see many children that are so hurt. The issue is just very sad. I do remember upon hearing about Mother Teresa's death, it was said in a prayer by someone at church, Thank you for her life. Some older woman took offense and loudly proclaimed that woman is only going to burn in hell. I just shuttered. Unity became a turning point for me that morning. I feel so blessed to be able to read and study and be able to express my thoughts--and be a woman. Blogs are a good tool to keep the mind moving. I don’t feel good about embracing the divorce issue as accepting so easily in our churches either. I know of many that could of been saved, some rather easy. I see many children that are so hurt. The issue is just very sad.
I do remember upon hearing about Mother Teresa’s death, it was said in a prayer by someone at church, Thank you for her life. Some older woman took offense and loudly proclaimed that woman is only going to burn in hell. I just shuttered. Unity became a turning point for me that morning.
I feel so blessed to be able to read and study and be able to express my thoughts–and be a woman.

]]> By: Serena Voss http://preachermike.com/2006/10/30/i-am-of-christ#comment-20548 Serena Voss Tue, 31 Oct 2006 12:09:32 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/10/30/i-am-of-christ#comment-20548 Preacherman, I did visit your blog and was quite impressed with your attitude and facilitation. Preacherman,

I did visit your blog and was quite impressed with your attitude and facilitation.

]]> By: Serena Voss http://preachermike.com/2006/10/30/i-am-of-christ#comment-20544 Serena Voss Tue, 31 Oct 2006 12:07:51 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/10/30/i-am-of-christ#comment-20544 Lee, I really don't wish to put my comments about divorce on this blog, but I would take the time to discuss this with you via email. If you would be interested, please post your email. I realize that I am not Mike and that you don't know me from Adam, but I am here. Lee, I really don’t wish to put my comments about divorce on this blog, but I would take the time to discuss this with you via email. If you would be interested, please post your email.

I realize that I am not Mike and that you don’t know me from Adam, but I am here.

]]> By: julie http://preachermike.com/2006/10/30/i-am-of-christ#comment-20432 julie Tue, 31 Oct 2006 04:47:46 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/10/30/i-am-of-christ#comment-20432 Reading through these comments has brought much emotion. I love that real discussion is happening. I love that family can converse and not always agree but still keep conversing. I love that. But I mostly love that all of you talking are seeking Jesus and his righteousness. Reading through these comments has brought much emotion. I love that real discussion is happening. I love that family can converse and not always agree but still keep conversing. I love that. But I mostly love that all of you talking are seeking Jesus and his righteousness.

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