AN OPEN LETTER OF APOLOGY TO THE WORLD [as a Christian]

BILL SOMERS' WHAT'S NEW website http://www.etpv.org/whatsnew.html ^ | 30 OCT 2006 | DOUG PERRY

[Quix]

imho, There's MORE than sufficient truth in this article to leave most every Christian sobered if not very uncomfortable.

[Quix]

END TIMSE/DREAMS/VISIONS/PROPHECY

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Blessings,

[Jeff Head]

The truth is that this nation and its Christian roots, in spite of whatever failings, has been more compassionate, more giving, the source of more blessings and prosperity, and the spreader of the Christian principles that underly all of that than any other nation in the history of the world. That's the truth and I am not ashamed of it...nor will I ever be...irrespective of whatever failings along the way.

"No country upon earth ever had it more in its power to attain blessings. Much to be regretted indeed would it be, were we to depart from the road which Providence has pointed us to, so plainly; I cannot believe it will ever come to pass. The Great Governor of the Universe has led us too long and too far to forsake us in the midst of it. We may, now and then, get bewildered; but I hope and trust that there is good sense and virtue enough left to recover the right path. " - George Washington

[donmeaker]

I am not a christian. Still, the article seems silly. Why apologize for the size of your building?

Compare that to the islamic nutballs, who don't apologize for murdering people, because after all, Mahomet murdered an entire tribe with whom he had negotiated a peace agreement in a time of weakness. After his time of weakness was over, he had all the men in the tribe murdered, and the women and children enslaved. Why? Because he could.

Still feeling bad about your expensive coffee?

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

So he's hoping that good works, suffering and giving to the poor will make him a better Christian?

The tsunami wasn't a bad thing. 9/11 was a bad thing. Sin is a bad thing. Acts of nature are never bad things, though they cause sad results.

Sin is the disease. Not AIDS. Not poverty. Not pollution.

[Marysecretary]

I can understand this writer's feelings. We've built large buildings with empty seats or seats filled with empty people. We've put our building programs and our coffee hours before righteousness, holiness, obedience. Jesus is taken off the shelf when we need Him for something, and put back up when things are going well. He wants intimacy with us. We need to get back to basics. A nice church building is helpful but not always needed. We need HIM, not all the trimmings.

[af_vet_rr]

Please don’t think all Christians are just posers. Some of them really mean it when they say they belong to Christ. The problem is mostly in the West where we’re all comfy and complacent and seem to like it that way. The Christians in China and other places are deadly serious. There’s no room for anything but Jesus when you’re on the run from the government. They are dying every day for their faith and doing crazy hard things because they’re absolutely committed to Christ. These are martyrs. People willing to crucify little pieces of themselves every day to be more like Christ. People willing to set aside everything they want, to do what Christ wants. People willing to rot in prison or take a beating or die if that’s what it’s going to take. People that act in pure love and never back down. I’m not worthy to tie their shoes. And there are some like that here, too, and I hope we can get a lot more people to start living that way. It’s way overdue.

Wonderful article. This paragraph really jumped out at me. I drive by several megachurches every day and it's depressing that all of the millions they are spending on their churches and perks could be better spent helping the Christians being murdered day in and day out in Africa, China, and elsewhere.

It doesn't make me ashamed to be a Christian - I'll never be ashamed of that. It does make me ashamed to think that some of these people are my neighbors.

When the day comes, they aren't going to be given a free ride simply because they outspent the other megachurches down the street on who could have the bigger church or sound or video system or covered parking.

[I'm ALL Right!]

People are imperfect. God knew that. That's why Jesus came--because people fail, and people get misled, and people are all hypocrites in one way or another. If not on the outside, then in their thought lives. (There is no one righteous, NO NOT ONE.) Even athiests are hypocrites. You watch--if one of their children is gravely ill, they suddenly pray and make deals with God...or they do so on their death bed.

The evangelists on television do not represent the vast majority of Christians. I do not weep openly and pound my neighbors for money for the "Cause of Christ" and then send them a little statue to thank them. No, the vast majority of Christians just try to live our lives, and try to seek holiness. We fail too often, but we continue to try. That's the journey. We hope we learn from mistakes and grow in our faith and understanding. That's the journey. I can't help the fact that the media makes every failure of a Christian leader Headline News. I guess they don't get the fact that Christians are not and do not claim to be perfect, just forgiven. (BTW, where are the stories about the hypocrisy of the "Religion of Peace"?)

[af_vet_rr]

Why apologize for the size of your building?

A church near where I lived was spending millions on a covered parking garage. Somebody across the street put up a sign that basically said:

"Five million will build you a nice garage so you don't get wet in the rain or have to walk five or ten blocks to church.

Five million would also buy a million bibles that could be used to spread the word of the Lord, or help feed and clothe and shelter Christians in Africa and elsewhere.

What would Jesus do?"

[Jaded]

Amen to that.

[Claud]

Five million would also buy a million bibles that could be used to spread the word of the Lord, or help feed and clothe and shelter Christians in Africa and elsewhere. What would Jesus do?"

John 12

1 Jesus therefore, six days before the pasch, came to Bethania, where Lazarus had been dead, whom Jesus raised to life. 2 And they made him a supper there: and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that were at table with him. 3 Mary therefore took a pound of ointment of right spikenard, of great price, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. 4 Then one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, he that was about to betray him, said: 5 Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?

6 Now he said this, not because he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and having the purse, carried the things that were put therein. 7 Jesus therefore said: Let her alone, that she may keep it against the day of my burial. 8 For the poor you have always with you; but me you have not always.

[ichabod1]

leningelical twaddle.

[Quix]

I strongly agree with that.

We have blessed far more than ever in history--perhaps than all the others combined in all the centuries.

Alas . . . wayward rebellion against His priorities still has a reaping to deal with.

[Quix]

We have an incredibly high standard we are called to.

Excuses just don't cut it at some point.

[Quix]

Yes. Sin is the disease.

And, those in love with it reap consequences. All of us do.

And many times, the more innocent reap because of those around them.

And, throughout Scripture, natural disasters were part of God's allowed reaping of sin sown.

[Quix]

We've built large buildings with empty seats or seats filled with empty people
= = =

Well put. I agree, Mary.

Thx.

[Quix]

I don't really begrudge a Crystal Cathedral, per se.

IN IT'S PLACE IF

All the other higher priorities are also getting due addressing.

I think often, they don't.

I think Joel O is probably on exception. There are probably others.

But the Vineyard habit of warehouses . . . has a certain appeal.

[Quix]

People are imperfect. God knew that. That's why Jesus came--because people fail, and people get misled, and people are all hypocrites in one way or another. If not on the outside, then in their thought lives. (There is no one righteous, NO NOT ONE.)
= = =

Good points. Agreed.

[Quix]

Love it.

Christ was often 'in our face.'

[Quix]

Thanks for bothering to comment . . . I think.