Interview with Rick Warren (Purpose Driven Life author)

[Frumanchu]

charming fruits you have there

LOL!

whassamatter - is the mod gig at CF, slow today ? .....driving a need to disrupt here ?

neither. shouldn't you be studying though, Pastor? or does your time in the FR count towards your service requirements?

[Corin Stormhands]

mmmmm....gumbo...

[neodad]

Thanks for the recommendation. My point in making the comment was that reading that book was a starting point two years ago that led to revolutionary changes in my life. Obviously, as one matures in their walk, they have more knowledge and maturity to discern for themselves the nature of God. But it opened the door for me.

[Revelation 911]

neither. shouldn't you be studying though, Pastor? or does your time in the FR count towards your service requirements?

on break from ordination studies until Jan - kind of you to inquire

There are few service requirements imposed by the denomination when youve volunteered your services (gratis), and those of your ordained spouse for the past 5 yrs.....

That said - Im not at church right now - Im at work in the family business, cleaning my desk as I will be retiring in the next month or so (at 43) to dedicate my time fully towards ministry. So, technically, Im on my own coin

Besides - freepeing at church would be a misdirection of the tithes and offerings of our congregants.......and frankly a sin.

If thats to what you were implying, drsteve might have better insight, as it was the norm

[blue-duncan]

"This book has many dangerous ideas."

You are right it has many dangerous ideas. It has caused people to reexamine their lives; trust Christ for salvation; share their faith with others; become involved in their church; become involved in small group Bible studies; begin caring for other people; go on short term missions; become involved in the ministries of their church; become involved in private and public devotions; all because they have learned that God has a purpose for their lives and that is all that they do is to bring glory to God.

Of course it is dangerous also, because it causes us to see the deficiencies in our own lives and ministries and that causes envy, jealousy, anger, self-righteousness, gossip, arrogance and a haughty attitude towards those that may not agree with our theological system.

You are right it is dangerous. It should carry a warning: "Don't pick up the book if you don't want to be challenged out of your complacency and spiritual ghetto."

[little jeremiah]

I really, REALLY like this. I'll have to read the book, obviously.

As I took my morning meditation walk today, I was thinking exactly along these lines.

A life lived for self is not a real life - not a living life.

I will ping my list later today.

[little jeremiah]

And loving them (or anyone) doesn't mean you have to LIKE what they do, say, think or believe.

Love really means respect for the fact that they each are also eternal souls that have a purpose, and wishing them well. And then, if need be, kicking butt. Figuratively or literally, as the case may be.

[xzins]

:>)

LOL!

[suzyjaruki]

Jesus said to treat others the way you would want to be treated. This is the very foundation of all that the Bible teaches. The Law of Moses and the words of the Prophets are the bedrock of all other teachings in the Bible. Coupled with the Golden Rule is the Law of Love: "Love the Lord your God," and "Love your neighbor as yourself." The crown of these teachings is, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."

We live by a higher standard. Therefore, we must treat others the way we would want to be treated, whether they treat us that way or not. To do otherwise is to cause our concept of who we are as a people to be seriously eroded in our own minds, and invites the criticism of those who are only too happy to point the accusing finger at us.

We would all do well to return to the teachings of the Bible and put it into practice in our daily lives. Our enemies may never respect us for holding to such lofty ideals. But at least we'll have the satisfaction of knowing we're doing the right thing.

The Golden Rule is never old fashioned or out of date.

A little advice from the Free Methodist website.

[Corin Stormhands]

I didn't know you were Free Methodist suzy.

[P-Marlowe]

Jesus said to treat others the way you would want to be treated. This is the very foundation of all that the Bible teaches. ... We live by a higher standard..... We would all do well to return to the teachings of the Bible and put it into practice in our daily lives.

Indeed.

BTW, was your post meant as an "atta boy" or a "critique" of Fru's post?

[7thson]

Not to quick there, my friend.

Jesus also said to his disciples to go out and preach the word. Take nothing with you but the clothes on your back. If those you preach to does not accept the word, then leave them, shaking the dust off your feet as you go. They will be judged later by the Father. In other words, have nothing to do with them.

You can still love and pray for them. But Jesus does not you or anyone else wasting time on those who refuse to believe.

[Frumanchu]

Wise words, suzy. Thank you for that.

[suzyjaruki]

Thank you for your wise advice, I will pass it along to my Free Methodist friends.

[P-Marlowe]

Jesus also said to his disciples to go out and preach the word. Take nothing with you but the clothes on your back. If those you preach to does not accept the word, then leave them, shaking the dust off your feet as you go. They will be judged later by the Father. In other words, have nothing to do with them. You can still love and pray for them. But Jesus does not you or anyone else wasting time on those who refuse to believe.

Boy, I'm sure glad that my Christian friends didn't give up on me, but kept preaching and teaching and praying for me until the day I reluctantly surrendered to Christ.

I believe the admonition to kick the dust off your feet is to strangers but not to friends or relatives or neighbors. We are to plant seeds and move on and what happens to those seeds is up to God. When you kick the dust off, you've planted the seeds and sprinkled a little dirt on top. Whether it takes or not is not to be your concern, especially while on a missionary journey.

It appears (in context) to apply only to missionary journeys and not to everyday life. The disciples were to take only the clothes on their backs (and to trust in God for their provisions on that journey).

If you wish to apply this verse to everyday life, then I'd suggest you should divest yourself of all real and personal property before you preach to your neighbor or co-workers or relatives or anyone.

If you take that verse and attempt to apply it to everyone to whom you preach, then I don't think you have the spiritual authority to kick dust off your feet at those to whom you preach unless you own no property other than the clothes on your back.

It either applies to missionary journeys only, or it is a clarion call for all who preach the gospel to take a vow of poverty.

Have you taken that vow? Have you divested yourself of all real and personal property?

[Revelation 911]

I didn't know you were Free Methodist suzy.

a grpl fm'er? - gads LOL - I guess this is supposed to be a shot across my bow - she's done it before - I giggle, knowing the grpl ping list (supersecret webring) has been activated -

I have no problem with her gettin in my grille, bro......both of them have a spirit of dissention - pray for them wont you?

[Revelation 911]

Thank you for your wise advice, I will pass it along to my Free Methodist friends.

my bet is youre less acrid in real life

[Frumanchu]

Thank you for your wise advice, I will pass it along to my Free Methodist friends.

While you're praying for Free Methodists, I know one who could really use prayer. He is struggling mightily with pride, and is prone to hypocrisy. I've attempted several times to confront him with it, but he gets hostile and makes outrageous claims. I used to be able to discuss things with him privately, but lately he doesn't seem to want to talk about it.

I can't share any further details out of respect for his privacy, but if you could lift him in prayer it would be greatly appreciated, and pray as well for me, that I might be able to help turn him from his sins.

[Revelation 911]

Im sure any free Methodist would welcome your prayer - though I'd caution James 5:16 is pertinent - Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

I'd welcome your frmail in private confession

Bless you

[Corin Stormhands]

Okay, this is weird, I referenced a verse and was going to post it to you, but it won't let me, no matter how I type it or copy it.

But this post is okay...

Matthew, Mark,_____, John

No matter how I type it I can't post the name of the gospel in between...I get a "page cannot be displayed message"

And the strongest thing I've had tonight is Breyer's low carb ice cream.

I need to check other thread possiblities, since that's also the name of my youngest, I'm wondering if something hasn't been goobered up to stop me from typing it???