How about that last post?
A visitor who calls himself "Poretz" has jumped in out of nowhere and really stirred things up and taken "life together" to a whole new level of dialogue in the comments section of the "How about that 4th of July Picnic?" post. He's dropping some thought-provoking bombs and others are responding. Fun stuff . . . don't miss it.
No need for me to post anymore, I guess, now that the ball is rolling. Good thing, since I'm just slammed right now trying to get ready to go on vacation the middle of next week.
This Sunday, look for new pew Bibles and roll out of the 3 Service Vision. Crazinness. So much for the SLO life. . . .
4 comments:
Pastor Tim, I think I must concur with Andy Gibson that it certainly is thought-provoking, but perhaps not the right forum in which to do so.
I do agree that critical thinking on the part of the Body is essential, but that's just it: Critical thinking by the Body requires a common framework and understanding of what the Body is. Without that understanding, Andy is probably right in saying that he doesn't "necessarily think it is fun."
Andy, you might be in the minority, but that makes two of us.
Brian & Andy,
Why is "life together" not the right forum? I love it that Poretz stumbled on to the blog. I love it that some of the faithful readers are engaging him. I think that's fun. Let's think critically with one another, but also with others outside the body who enter in. I am just watching to see where it goes. No harm done. I still drive the dialogue and our main audience is the folks of Grace, but one of the my purposes of putting "life together" on the internet, is so stuff like this might happen.
Let's think and love. Those who want to enjoy some spirited dialogue are free to do so. If you're not comfortable with the dialogue than you can skip the comments section for a while.
Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverernce. --1 Peter 3:15
Brothers, I appreciate your investment in "life together." That fires me up! -- Pastor Tim
In response to Andy's last post:
I have been attending Grace off and on for about 2 years now, and have never read Tim's blog before. I heard someone discussing this bit of debate, and it piqued my curiosity enough to not only view the controversy, but it also provoked me to actually sit and formulate thoughts on the matter. I am not an "avid forum surfer", only someone with a bit of an interest with life at Grace, and personally, I find it refreshing.
I think it is a great thing that someone, especially an anonymous someone can come into this forum, and while not belittling the accomplishments of the church as it moves forward in faith, can remind us not to sit back and rest on our laurels, that there are other points of view out there to struggle and grapple with. I find too often at Grace that individuals are not willing to address the things that aren't beautiful, pleasant, and easily packaged. If nothing else, the original posts by Portez got individuals to break out their bibles, and figure out what they feel is appropriate and why. It seems no one doubts the truth of the points Portez brings up, they only object to the reminder. Life together is growing together, and growing together doesn't necessarily mean having the same views on every situation, it means challenging each other to stand firm, and be sharpened tools for Christ. I think it is admirable that Portez, even in his anonymous form cares enough about the people of this church to want to see them grow in love and Christ, to widen their perspective and encourage sensitivity to others in matters we may have never considered before. That my friend is Christ-like attitude.
I'l put my name to this post, if it helps give credibility to it for you Andy, but the fact of the matter is, you don't know me, and I do have a personal agenda. My agenda is to help you see that respecting and loving every anonymous stranger that "stirs your pot" is more important than what you feel appropriate forum posting rules are. We are a family, not everyone will agree on everything, but everyone has the opportunity to voice their opinions so long as it is done lovingly and with proper intent in the spirit of growth....but in an attempt to keep to topic, picnics are great, but I usually feel rather out of place at the Grace Picnics too....probaby because I speak a little to candidly, and am not smart enough to do it anonymously.
My wife and I were considering attending Grace and stumbled into this blog during our reaserch online. We both found the 4th of July discussion fascinating and were quite impressed with everyone's candor.
As someone new to Grace (we have yet to attend), I found it extremely refreshing that not only would such issues be raised in a public forum such as a blog, but that members of the congregation, as well as "random" visitors to the site, would participate in such an open, honest and respectful manner.
I think Andy's point that the blog may not be the correct "forum" for such discussions is a valid one, based on all of the noted points, and respect that he/she (I don't want to presume anything!) was willing to say so. However, I personally found it refreshing. I'll admit that I am coming from a completely different perspective, as I have yet to attend Grace, but from my perspective as a Christian, I don't think there is any forum, time, place, occasion, etc. where such discussions are innapropriate. They may not be comfortable, timely or tactful, but I feel that they are always appropriate. (To be clear, when I refer to "such discussions", I mean any discussion where people get their minds moving about and toward God -- I think I'm doing a lousy job of explaining myself here, so I hope I don't sound incredibly insensitive or unintelligent.)
One thing I often struggle with is the general numbing of our society in that it seems like each passing day reveals further-muddled societal principles and values. I often look back five or ten years and become nostalgic over the "innocence" of the time. Perhaps it's how fast technology is moving, or my own personal maturity or previous naivite (have I really lost that yet?), but I continually find myself shocked on a daily basis on what I see happening around me. ...and it's not that bombs are going off in my neighborhood, it's that oftentimes people don't seem to care about anything, have any values, ethics, principles or souls.
But maybe this has been happening all along and I am only now able to see it. Either way, I feel that the 4th of July discussion is a step in the right direction. Anything that brings me, the guy standing in front of me in line, the lady driving down the street, the commodities broker making a killing on gold, and humanity at large, closer to God, is a good thing.
So kudos to Pastor Tim for starting the conversation, everyone for chiming in (including Poretz), and Andy for speaking his/her mind. I'll continue to read the blog, and my wife and I look forward to attending on Sunday.
God Bless,
Peter Begley
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