|
Friday, June 16, 2000
Jeannine Sawyer | 6/16/2000 12:21:40 PM | link
Here here. Amen. Thanks be to God, the Author and Perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, scorning it's shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God...
Courtney Myers | 6/16/2000 09:53:45 AM | link
Oh dear... seems we've been the talk of the blogger town lately. In response to some of the things I've read on other people's blogs... I'm going to post something I wrote last October.
"I'm quite inspired to clear the air here about faith. About God. About believing in a savior.
It seems a lot of people are very mistaken about Christianity. The media, and even a lot of churches themselves, taint the image of a believer of Christ, distorting it into something it's not. I constantly hear people making erroneous statements about faith that have no grounds in the actuality of it.
When you get down to it, Christianity is not a "religion," or a set of rules to follow. It's a relationship with God. It's a lifestyle, a life-choice, a decision. It's basing your life on God's plan for you. It's not a church building, or old men in stuffy suits, though some misleading ones do exist. True Christianity is dependent on the Bible - nothing more, nothing less. Church is simply a place where you join up with other believers to worship. You do not have to go to church to be saved. Christianity is an internal thing, not a "show." The "side effect" of Christianity is the changed lifestyle true believers display - following the teachings of God.
Most people my age seem to have the idea that Christianity is for the weak-minded. On the contrary, if one would just examine all the facts and study it instead of making broad assumptions, one would discover that true Christianity makes more sense than anything else. It is the One True Thing.
"What?" you say. "You can't say Christianity is the only way."
Assuming you believe in God, go ahead and examine all of the world's religions closely, and tell me they all paint a similar picture of God, that they're all compatible. They're NOT. The one unifying theme in all of the world's religions (except Christianity, which as I mentioned above isn't a "religion," or set of rules to follow, anyway) is that one must do something, perform some act, or follow certain rules to earn his or her way to heaven, or nirvana, or whatever. Do you honestly think that you could ever earn your way to heaven, or perfection? Honestly. Maybe you're a good person. Maybe you're nice to people and you pray and you try to be as perfect as possible. You're still not.
Perfection is impossible to achieve. We humans are imperfect beings. We have desires, malicious thoughts, rebellious natures. We cannot make ourselves perfect. We cannot earn our way to heaven. No matter how hard we try.
Of all the faiths in the world, only one offers the way out. Only one shows us the path to God. We don't get there by being good, or saying enough "Hail Marys," or going to church every Sunday. We get it in the simplest way possble - accepting the FREE GIFT God has to offer us - salvation based on the ultimate payment for our bad deeds, our sin - Jesus' death on the cross.
Since we are all imperfect, none of us could ever make up for or "pay" for our imperfection. Therefore, Jesus, fully Man and fully God, completely perfect, had to pay the penalty in our place. It's the only way the strike against us could have been removed, and it was done. The work was complete 2000 years ago. All we have to do is believe, and accept the gift. It is so freaking simple. He paid the price so we wouldn't have to.. and He gave us a choice. We can choose whether or not to accept. Sadly... most people don't look close enough. They don't see the truth because they believe the misconceptions. Just ask Laurel...
Life is too short, and the ramifications too costly, to at least not take a closer look. Study. Examine the evidence, weigh the facts, make a decision. It's worth it. I could say a lot more... so if you have any questions... please feel free to email me. I obviously don't know everything, but I will try to answer every question."
Wednesday, June 14, 2000
Courtney Myers | 6/14/2000 02:24:58 PM | link
For anyone who missed it, here's the final paragraph of that post (linked below) Laurel was discussing:
"But let me end with this. A (Christian) who thinks homosexual activity is wrong is not 'homophobic.' Nor does she hate gays and lesbians. Nor is he intolerant. Nor is she narrow-minded and bigoted. Nor is he prejudiced against gays and lesbians. People are people. We aren’t opposed the people, we are opposed to the activity. Gays and lesbians—as human beings—should receive the same dignity and respect as any other person who is created in the image of God. Not more, not less, but the same."
I'll let Laurel tell her story about that issue, but I thought it was interesting because there is a certain stereotype/predjudice the rest of the world has against Christians, like, "if you're a Christian then you hate everyone who's not like you and who doesn't follow your 'laws,'" when in fact Christianity is about love, and forgiveness... justice must be served for turning against God, but it's not our job to administer that justice. God will take care of it. Our job is to spread the Word and be good examples through our lives, striving to be like Christ. Obviously it runs much deeper than that, but it would be an interesting topic to tackle.
If anyone has anything left to say about the gender roles thing, though, please post it! :)
laurel henke | 6/14/2000 09:57:03 AM | link
yeah, that post is pretty cool, makes me want to e-mail it to all my family. (neener neener neener kinda thang). but they didn't send the dr. laura thing to me, so i wont. anyways... i would be very interested to hear and participate in a discussion on the last topic he touches on. see all y'all at the pier tonight.
Tuesday, June 13, 2000
Courtney Myers | 6/13/2000 08:54:13 PM | link
this is an interesting read. The guy makes some good points. It's kinda long, but read the last paragraph of his post especially - might make an interesting topic for us to discuss, eh? :)
Courtney Myers | 6/13/2000 04:08:43 PM | link
Somehow, an invitation was sent out to the wrong person: Stuyvesant Parker from ElectricBiscuit.com. I have no idea how this happened... I don't recall sending an invite to him. I don't even know the fellow. So, however that happened, I apologize for the inconvienience, Mr. Parker. I'll attribute it to a Blogger error and leave it at that. :)
Monday, June 12, 2000
Jeannine Sawyer | 6/12/2000 04:48:46 PM | link
I too agree that this is a great topic, roles of men and women in the church and in marriage relationships. Of course none of us can speak from experience (marriage-wise) but can only spout our own opinions, and share ideas, and or Bible verses to enlighten the others. But isn't that what this "forum" is all about? =)
First of all, about the "enlightened" woman of the 90's. I honestly don't know what to think about it. I know many Christians that are for women's rights and everything the world seems to support now. I don't know when women started becoming pastors, but that just rubs me the wrong way. I believe women shouldn't be the head over a whole church. In I Timothy, there is a passage instructing the believers in worship. Chapter 2, verses 8-12.
"I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing. I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God. A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent."
Many people take this to mean that a woman should not pastor a church, and others think it applies to women not properly instructed, like the women in Ephesus. Men are supposed to be the spiritual leaders, in a marriage...but I don't think that passage means that women have to agree with everything their pastor, or husband says. God has given men and women both, a sound mind, and He expects us to use it. If our husband is in the wrong, we need to call him on it, not just sit and accept it. There are many other things to draw from the Scripture quoted above that could be discussed too, like the way a woman dresses, or what have you, and I am the least knowledgable to state all. =)
Like Courtney says, there can be many parallels drawn between the relationship between man and wife and Christ and His church. We are called His bride. I love thinking about this, and reading about it. I was in a class called "Foundations for Marriage" in Pullman taught by my pastor, not just for those that were engaged or even dating, but also for singles, which I was at the time. =) He encouraged us to use Christ's example when dating. How did Christ court his bride? He gave everything up for her. He didn't want to, but knew it would please His Father, and would be for the good of the bride, His church. He continues to bless His bride, nurtures her and helps her grow. We in turn are submissive, and have a respect, a fear for our bridegroom. Unlike a man, Christ is perfect, so we could never call Him on a mistake. =) But we can let Him open doors, and accept his payment (for our sins). I love that analogy.
I can't say that I like the extreme liberal point of views, as in girls that won't let guys open doors for them or pay for things...personally, I'm an old fashioned girl. Men used to be the initiators, the "chasers" and the "leaders" in a sense. And Biblically, I think they were closer in the "Little House on the Prairie" days than we are now to the image of Godly marriages and roles of each spouse. Ephesians talks about these roles in chapter 5, verses 22-30:
"Wives, submit to your husbands as in the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church-for we are members of his body."
This is a beautiful idea, and picture of a Godly marriage. I may not get married for a long time, but whoever God brings into my life for a husband, I pray that he would be one to seek the Lord's will and best for his family, and that I would use the "Proverbs 31 woman" as an example of the most Godly wife. It's a big responsibility, raising a family, taking care of a household. But with God in the center, "I can do all things through Him who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:13)
In Him,
Jeannine
Courtney Myers | 6/12/2000 03:10:40 PM | link
I was just wondering if you all realized this forum is on an actual webpage, and it's not just what you see when you log in... hit "view web page" underneath the "post" box to see it. :)
Courtney Myers | 6/12/2000 02:26:33 PM | link
Thad said: "so we have already talked about the dating relationship; what do you all think about the roles of Men and Women in the marriage? Church?"
I think a lot of people, um.. "enlightened" women especially, tend to jump all over the (supposed) "christian" idea of women as "slaves" and "inferior beings" and all that, when in actuality, they're not realizing that in the Bible, men and women have different, yet equally important roles... "different" being the key word. Each gender has a role to fill, a very important role that, when left empty, leaves a hole in the overall balance of relationships. A woman's role is very, very important... supporting and raising a family is no easy job. That great section in Proverbs, talking about a virtuous woman, is a great example:
"Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her, so he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax, and willingly works with her hands. She is like the merchant ships, she brings her food from afar. She also rises while it is still night, and provides food for her household, and a portion for her maidservants. She considers a field and buys it; from her profits she plants a vineyard. She girds herself with strength, and strengthens her arms. She percieves that her merchandise is good, and her lamp does not go out by night. She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hand holds the spindle. She extends her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy. ... She makes tapestry for herself, her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land. ... Strength and honor are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness. She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all." Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates."
Proverbs 31:10-31 (exerpts), NKJV
I'm focusing more on the woman's role because it is the one more often misunderstood and misrepresented. Both the man and the woman, in marriage, are instructed to love and respect each other, and "let no man separate" their bond. Also, an interesting "side effect" of falling in love with someone in the Biblical sense is that you start to notice parallels between your relationship with your partner and your relationship with God, as if He's showing you what it's like to love someone so much you'd die for them... kind of an "example" to help you understand His love for you more.
I think this is a good topic for everyone to respond to... that means you, Laurel. :D
Sunday, June 11, 2000
thad smith | 6/11/2000 11:17:27 PM | link
well I am back now and wow, look at all the comments.:) Well I hope everyone is doing well. Hey court, what about doug Granthem joining in our little get-together here? his address is ddgrantham@yahoo.com. so we have already talked about the dating relationship; what do you all think about the roles of Men and Women in the marriage? Church? I hope this isn't too indepth, just a thought for a talk. I could list so many topics that I think about, but most of them can't be answered with just the little time we have here. but any way I need to go so I will check back later. bye for now. Thad
|
|
|
|
|
