Date: 4/21/2003
Time: 12:10:37 PM
How about those sins we decide to overlook in ourselves?
Is that not a form of doubting? If we dont' believe it, it's OK to sin - if we truly believed, we'd make every effort NOT to sin. We wouldn't get defensive and angry when confronted with our sin.
Sally in gA
Date: 4/22/2003
Time: 6:46:04 AM
Anybody seen the latest press release for the book, "Shacking Up: The Guide to Living in Sin without Getting Burned?"
GC in IL
Date: 4/22/2003
Time: 2:55:35 PM
I like this passage. When I think of the most effective way to share faith, it would be by sharing personal experiences; what I have seen and heard myself. Somehow, it would be more meaningful, than sharing a mere idea, or a doctrine. So, if we share what we have heard and seen, if we confess our sin when we commit it, and live our lives as if we actually do believe in grace and forgiveness, I believe the end result would be living a faith life of integrity. We are not hypocrites, we aren't self righteous, and we share what we know from our own experience, with gratitude and joy. It would be interesting to see how that would change our evangelism methods! We wouldn't need to advertise, because people would bang the doors down to see what God was doing at church XYZ!!
Susan in Wa.
Date: 4/24/2003
Time: 5:53:37 PM
Susan in Wa. I believe that "advertising" is an expression of faith. But the price is high, we as the church, the body ask for commitment of the worst kind, the heart and soul, we are non-disposable, we are a bit like a nagging headache, we constantly talk about living out the promise. Just a few of them off the top of my head. And for many the reward comes slowly. OF course we are the best protection from WMD... Nancy-Wi wi
Date: 4/25/2003
Time: 8:32:40 AM
I found Susan's comments to be right on target. It certainly changed my emphasis for Sunday's sermon. Now, I will speak on "Living Like it Matters." Good insight, Susan. -Dale in Chattanooga
Date: 4/25/2003
Time: 2:32:43 PM
Susan I thought your posting insightful, for me all of what we live and do is the "advertising". What is printed helps some connect what we do with God. Nancy-wi
Date: 4/25/2003
Time: 10:38:24 PM
To Dale in Chattanooga, and Nancy in Wi,
Thanks for your comments. I am glad it helped in your directions for preaching this week. I have been blessed so often on this site. It's great to have the different questions and insights aired, so we can all look at the passage from different angles.
Susan In Wa
Date: 4/26/2003
Time: 9:24:30 AM
Combining this text with Doubting Thomas is interesting. The implication we always seem to take from the story of Thomas is that we shouldn't doubt. As our family has struggled with understanding why our 15 year old daughter struggles with cancer, I have often heard people say "you can't question God. Just believe". I find that to be garbage. God Gave us a mind and a will. He rejoices when we use it as we express our faith. It is in asking questions that we understand and in understanding that, like this text says, "We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life--". In a society focused on personal gain at any cost, it is important for us to question. But in that questioning we must trust God will answer. And when he does answer, we must expect to be sent to share!.... Just some thoughts...Tammy Texas