Well, I Did It...

Here it is--the groveling letter for better or worse. Kudos to Kara for pointing me to Philippians 4. She wanted me to look at verse 19, "And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus." However, it was an earlier verse that caught my eye. Anyway, here's my epistle...

Dear Pastor Brown:

Writing this note has been the most difficult thing I have ever done. I have written it in my head, on paper and in e mail draft probably 20 times. I have been one who has always been able to meet my needs. I know that the Church of the Resurrection has a fund for those who are struggling with unemployment. Due to extended unemployment, I find myself needing some financial help at this time. So somewhat hesitantly, I turn to ask for help from the church.

I am not in danger of being homeless. My home is paid for. However, I need assistance with utility costs--electricity, water and telephone. I can provide whatever documentation is needed, and am agreeable to whatever method would be done.

I continue to actively seek work, and I would expect that this activity will be increasing over the next couple of weeks.

When I was talking about how hard it was to write this letter with a Christian friend, she directed me to refresh my memory of Philippians 4. I thought it a bit presumptuous, but when I read this familiar but deep bit of Scripture I found my attention focused on Philippians 4:14. After Paul described how he had come to have peace with whatever situation he was in (Phil. 4:11-13), he found himself rejoicing simply when reflecting on the care that the church in Philippi had given him. I think this is something the church has sometimes neglected, this ministering to the needy within our own walls. We should rejoice every time someone can honestly say, "Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles." (NIV) Once I get back on my feet, I hope to "pay it forward" with regularity. I have come to realize that I took many things for granted and now truly treasure the blessings God has given me. I'd say that is one (of many!) spiritual lessons God has taught me over these past two years.

If there are questions that need to be answered, please feel free to contact me, either by email or by phone xxx-xxx-xxxx.

Thank you very much.

Blessings to you,

XX

So we'll see what happens. The phone is good for a while. The water company just shifted to monthly billing, so who knows there. I need to check on the electric bill's status. Hopefully, all the winter current is paid for! Need to keep going, to keep doing these hard things that cause me anxiety...

Just Wait Until You See This!

I'm going to wait for my answer to be moderated, but you should see the reply on Finnell's blog. It's amazing the assuming that was going on. This time I mean it, I am not posting there ever again, and I may never post on a Christian blog again. Theology may be too nuanced and personal for the blog format. I may think that a blogger is a liberal and a socialist nut job and they may think that I'm an ignorant member of the vast right wing conspiracy but I suspect we won't be condemning the other to Hell or for leading others to Hell. There's just something intensely personal about someone questioning your theology, especially when you would like nothing better than to help others to come to God through Jesus Christ. Politics is for the here and now. Theology is for the eternal--I think that is what makes the difference. The stakes are higher.

Here it is--and I mean it, I am DONE HERE. See a couple posts down for my post that declared my done-ness the first time. You will be able to see how much reading into my words was done...

Onesimus said...

the observer,
I fail to see any love in keeping silent when someone is on the wrong path heading in the wrong direction.

Being loving is NOT keeping silent about someone's sin or someone's false doctrine.

Love is pointing in them in the right direction.

In this case I have been encouraging people to search the scriptures for themselves so they can be sure that what they are being taught the truth.

IF the catholic churches, prostestant churches, orthodox churches, pentecostal churches, charismatic churches or any other church is teaching the truth they have absolutely nothing to worry about. They should have no concern at all about losing their followers because the church teaching will be in agreement with scripture.

The important thing is to search the scriptures for ourselves AS WRITTEN and not to read any preconceptions into it.

Ultimately WE have responsibility for our own relationship with God. It will NOT be our church or its ministers who will face judgement on our behalf.
With that in mind what could be more loving than to make sure all of us are following GOD and HIS truth instead of a church, a favoured doctrine or just the sinful and selfish ways of mankind?

June 28, 2010 7:49 PM

the observer said...

Did I say to keep silent in my comment? No I did not. You read that into the comment. The blog format is not conducive to good dialog for exactly that reason.

You've taken my remark on the lack of love in this thread and extended it out to mean that this writer would tolerate error and discourage honest humble Spirit-led examinations of the Scriptures and loving correction of both self and others.

Well, you are not correct in that extension or assumption. Perhaps my skin is too thin for this forum? In which case I say again, ciao.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16

Have a blessed day!

June 28, 2010 8:49 PM

Step Study Homework for June 30

Principle 1: Realize I'm not God. I admit that I am powerless to control my tendency to do the wrong thing and that my life is unmanageable.

"Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor." Matthew 5:3

Step 1: We admitted we were powerless over our addictions and compulsive behaviours, that our lives had become unmanageable.

"I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out." Romans 7:18

I'm going to try and at least post the questions here in the blog, even without answers, just to have sort of a different forum to work things out. After the years of therapy and groups and other yada yada I've done, I would have thought these were pretty simple, but first glance does not give me ready answers especially for the first two. I might try to rough something out real quick--then I need to compose the groveling email.

So, we have...Bible stuff, which I can't do, because the Well didn't have any more of the CR Bibles, and...

Study Guide questions:

1. What areas of your life do you have power (control) over? Be specific.

• What I do daily--I set the agenda or try to.

2. What areas of your life are out of control, unmanageable? Be specific.

• I can't control fear and anxiety very well. It definitely hinders me from doing the things I need to do.
• Relationships are a struggle--due to the rejection I fear.

3. How do you think taking this first step will help you?

• Oh, I know I'm not god. I figured that out a while ago. Just going back and admitting that my own effort and power is not sufficient to over come sin is a good thing.
• Make sure that there is not something I am overlooking.
• Enlist an Ally in the struggle against negative thoughts and the Evil One.

4. As a child, what coping skills did you use to get attention or to protect yourself?

• I tried to protect myself by being perfect.
• I tried to please people--peers and family.

5. In your family of origin, what was the "family secret" that everyone was trying to protect?

• Oh, Lord, which one?

Hmmm, this might be too personal for blogging...might need to edit here, a little, and let it all hang out elsewhere. We'll touch base occasionally here however.

Revelation Song

All those posts on theology--that's enough. Time for some worship in song!

Another gem discovered from 5 p.m. worship...

Most Christian Blogs Suck (or at Least Aren't Very Much Fun)

I'll have further evidence in a bit, when a blog comment is moderated, but doesn't it seem as if most Christian blogs, if they spend any time at all discussing theology and doctrine, quickly become very nasty and unloving? Seriously. It may be the blog format, as people are making short statements in writing, to anonymous or unknown audiences, that makes it unavoidable. There is this air on many Christian blogs of having a corner on the truth, and anyone who believes otherwise, is not a Christian. I just have trouble with people voting others out of the Kingdom. We are so HUMAN and FINITE and LIMITED that I just don't see anyone having the bona fides to condemn another who professes to be a Christ follower that they are not somehow a true Christian. It seems totally contrary to what Jesus taught about love and judgment.

I'm not talking about people who don't even pretend to believe, or searchers, or those who are in plain error. One must speak the truth in love to such, as guided by His loving Holy Spirit. Let the Holy Spirit do His convicting, teaching and guiding job. That's what He's here for.

Back in seminary days, there was the Cathedral Door--remember? That empty bulletin board in the basement. People could post stuff and others would/could respond. Most times it was a respectful exchange, and I do believe that AT moderated it (i.e. physically removed offensive posts), but sometimes it did get heated. But, by and large though a stop at the Cathedral Door was a fun thing, giving you something to think about. People also posted cartoons and other funny stuff. My favorite: The little Calvin character, appearing sometime in the last 4 weeks of one semester, with the saying, "They say that we are given a certain amount of things to accomplish during our lives. Right now I am so far behind I will never die!"

Right understanding of our faith is important, there is no doubt. There's stuff out there that is not Christian, that tries to get in to the Church. There are certain things upon which there can be no compromise. Our stand must be firm on those things. Those things also are the basis for the hope that is within us.

Here is my post, the response, and me, giving up.

the observer said...

You all are giving me a headache, as you must also give God a heartache. Such divisions among us, it's heart breaking and a terrible testimony to the world about the Christian faith.

"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. "Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. "Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them."

June 25, 2010 8:17 PM

Onesimus said...

Divisions among US?

Firstly you have to define how people are considered part of "US".

Do we include mormons & JWs"? Do we include everyone and anyone who professes some belief in Jesus, no matter what that belief entails?

Do we sit back and agree to disagree on everything merely to maintain "unity" and prevent "division"?

Or do we become familiar with the truth and promote the truth?

Do we follow the example of Jesus and the apostles who warned people against the many errors being promoted in God' name or do we ignore it all and let others be led astray?

"They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie ..."

June 27, 2010 6:26 PM

the observer said...

Nice job...

I'll not be commenting again, now having been properly slapped.

Read what has been written in this comment section and tell me that is something that Jesus would have approved of. Seriously. Intellectually, you may have scored. As far as having the kind of love that attracts the sin-ridden and hurting, the separated from God, the actively questioning, maybe not so much.

A few may be argued and logic'ed into the Kingdom, but most will be loved into the Kingdom.

The love comes from God, the God of the Bible, the redemption of the Cross, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit. Sharing of God's Truth in and with love. The one feeds the other. They come together in a wonderful circle that builds on itself.

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 1 Peter 3:15.

With that, I'll bid you adeau, although I'll be lurking.

June 28, 2010 4:08 PM

Adam Hamilton Sticks His Neck Right Out

Pastor Hamilton, having annoyed before the women can't teach in church crowd, now annoys the 6,000 year old/literal creation crowd when he took on Genesis 1-3 today. No doubt his email box will be filled with "loving" notes from Christians disagreeing with him.

I'm amazed he hasn't been run out on a rail; there must be enough people at that church who recognize that Methodist does not equal Fundamentalist (that's with a big F, people). If your hermeneutic leans towards the literal you are not going to be happy in a Wesleyan/Armenian church. You should go find a nice Fundamentalist church where the interpretation of the Bible is done in a way that you are more comfortable with--we'll see you in Heaven--we'll leave the light on for ya!

Whatever lens you use to interpret the Bible, remember our finite and sin tainted nature. Remember that we are to be imitators of Christ in our lives. Remember that love counts for more than skillful biblical interpretation. Remember that we were created in the image of God to love God, and be stewards of His creation. We were made to worship God.

Figuring Out Theological Things

Blogger Finnell asked the question, "Where to go for answers to theological issues?" His basic premise is that the Bible is the only place where answers for the Christian can be found. I agree that the first source of answer is the Bible, and that is the first place a Christian ought to go.

However, to throw out all commentary because it is written by humans is a disservice to the Body of Christ. Most significantly, it negates the role of the Holy Spirit. Who says the Holy Spirit cannot inspire men and women to find the Truth of a passage of Scripture and move them to record that finding? If I am reading a passage, and I have applied hermeneutic principles to the passage, and I am not clear on the reading, even after prayerful consideration, why can I not consult with a scholar (via a book) who has studied the passage more, can work in the original language, and has presented himself and his gifts to the church body for recognition? Also, why reinvent the wheel over and over again? The Holy Spirit--the same Holy Spirit that works today in believers' lives--is the very same Holy Spirit that inspired John Wesley and warmed his heart (for example).

The trouble comes up because all interpretation of Scripture, even with the work of the Holy Spirit is done by humans who are finite in intelligence, and limited in vision. Which means, wait now, hold your breath--we could be at least partial--here it comes now--wrong or only partially right or just not quite getting it or a little confused. This means that there is potential for disagreement. And when there is potential for disagreement, in difficult passages, there is potential for sinful behavior as we decide that those who interpreted differently are not proper Christians. (Well, in your last post, you ruled the Mormons out of the Christian church, whose to say their take on Christ is wrong? We are not talking here about basics that are easy to figure out, like who Jesus is in the Holy Bible. We may struggle to understand His nature as very God and very Man, but it is crystal clear that is His nature. Also, Mormons add writings that are not recognized as inspired by the Church, so the error is multiplied. Yeah, yeah that opens up another issue--establishing the canon. We are already saying that Holy Spirit filled believers yesterday and today can make theological decisions--including what writings are truly "God breathed".)

So in the end, we need to remember our limits. The Bible is our first source, and sometimes Scripture is plain in its meaning, and sometimes it is not so plain. We use the brains God gave us and the Spirit He filled us with to guide us as we work on our interpretation of more difficult passages and points. We are not afraid to consult church fathers to help us in our work. We are free to disagree with them, or to find them helpful in our work. Always guided by the Holy Spirit and the knowledge that all will not be crystal clear now. Remembering that in the end, to be loving like Jesus is our goal, and God is more interested in the state of our hearts than our "rightness". Paul promised, after his discussion of the importance and primacy of love in 1 Corinthians 13, that we would see "face to face."

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part,but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith,hope and love, But the greatest of these is love. (NIV)