tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107887.post171863868357699487..comments2024-03-27T08:37:26.489-04:00Comments on Not Another Episcopal Church Blog: It Is Not That We Grow More Conservative...Undergroundpewsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10182191422663119484noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107887.post-48289192105274780732010-12-08T15:30:14.859-05:002010-12-08T15:30:14.859-05:00Underground,
Fear represents itself in the percept...Underground,<br />Fear represents itself in the perception we are an island. Now, the people of the Solomon Islands have real trouble on their hands, and decisions to be made, if it can be proven the islands are inevitably "sinking."<br />But for the Body of Christ, I don't see the Church (local or otherwise) as an island. Even though fear tells us otherwise (and the Enemy enjoys instilling such fear), and so we may feel that way, the Faithful never just sink into the sea, obliterated from existence. <br />With boldness, then, it is not about evacuation to me, but about The Mission and the place of that Mission. Wherever you are, that's where it starts, or continues. Ultimately, we don't want just the island; we want the whole world.<br />Blessings on your Mission where God has placed you, and standing firm in the Faith.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107887.post-78266362150140676962010-12-08T14:34:46.753-05:002010-12-08T14:34:46.753-05:00UP,
My son, who reads your blog with the same int...UP,<br /><br />My son, who reads your blog with the same interest I do, was horrified at my comment. He pointed out that this is a forum for discussing ideas, not making personal observations about the "head blogger." On re-reading what I wrote I think he is correct, and that I overstept my bounds. Please accept my apologies. And I am sure you are indeed happy. Apparently, unlike so many of the Scriptural heroes, I am not growing wiser as I age. From now on if I comment, I will stick to the topic and not "pschoanalyze" you. Again, my apologies.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107887.post-72507857774001046472010-12-08T12:46:05.769-05:002010-12-08T12:46:05.769-05:00The Holy Spirit touches Man and convicts him of hi...The Holy Spirit touches Man and convicts him of his condition. The Holy Spirit doesn't exist in the mere words or thoughts of men, but in the Word itself. Straying from the Word is the fastest way to emasculate one's effectiveness.<br /><br />Cheers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107887.post-34765554272627849872010-12-08T12:08:03.898-05:002010-12-08T12:08:03.898-05:00Chuck,
Good job, keep studying that O.T. (2 Samu...Chuck, <br /><br />Good job, keep studying that O.T. (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Samuel%2024:1&version=YLT" rel="nofollow">2 Samuel 24:1</a>)! <br /><br />and <br /><br /><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy%201:10-11&version=KJV" rel="nofollow">Deuteronomy 1:10-11</a>Undergroundpewsterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10182191422663119484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107887.post-24542687723435968932010-12-08T11:45:11.714-05:002010-12-08T11:45:11.714-05:00Our AM mission has grown from 12 to 40 members in ...Our AM mission has grown from 12 to 40 members in the past year. Small potatoes, but a big percentage (Lord, I know I am wrong to number Your people).Chuck Hickshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01929470338280066656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107887.post-56416780253400019272010-12-08T09:41:48.470-05:002010-12-08T09:41:48.470-05:00Rob+,
Thanks for the comment. The "will"...Rob+,<br /><br />Thanks for the comment. The "will" to be faithful just might be what produces a spirit of determination, passion, and perseverance that some might mistake as "anger" or "conservatism." <br /><br />So should we defend the island or evacuate? The Rev. Wood's example seems to say that our defense is sure.Undergroundpewsterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10182191422663119484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107887.post-54525552881922817692010-12-08T09:37:12.992-05:002010-12-08T09:37:12.992-05:00Anon,
You will be pleased to know that in a rand...Anon, <br /><br />You will be pleased to know that in a random sample of 10 adults prior to my first cup of coffee this morning, all agreed that I was insanely happy and not at all angry. And one of those sampled was a psychotherapist!Undergroundpewsterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10182191422663119484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107887.post-5035422939946039062010-12-08T04:01:34.732-05:002010-12-08T04:01:34.732-05:00I'm with you, Underground. As well, though, i...I'm with you, Underground. As well, though, in the specific case of Mr Wood, we need to take into consideration the results of ministry may be directly related to the particular spiritual gifts he was given by the Holy Spirit, such as a mix of leadership, administration, even apostleship.<br />That kind of spiritual gifts mix should not be a cause of pessimism or even futilism among other clergy not gifted so. Rather, simple awareness and acceptance of their own gifts and what fruit they should be expecting in their own context. <br />Which brings us back to your point, the ground which must be held and the surrender which must not be made. And that is not a matter of spiritual gifting, but the will to be faithful.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107887.post-86032328529765983202010-12-08T01:31:48.282-05:002010-12-08T01:31:48.282-05:00UP, I am writing this with the utmost respect beca...UP, I am writing this with the utmost respect because I, as a conservative Episcopalian, agree with so much of what you have to say. But I have become more and more distressed that at this, the season of Advent, when so many of us are waiting with reverent joy for the birth of Christ, that you seem so angry and so unhappy. If all that the Episcopal Church represents causes you so much pain, have you ever seriously considered leaving for a church that would answer your needs? I can't believe that God meant someone like you who is clearly so devoted to Him and to the Scripture to miss all of the comfort and light that He offers...there is some joy that church stumbling and politicking should never be able to take from you. Again, I only bring this up with the with the greatest respect---I think the EC would be poorer without your company, and of course I know nothing about you except what you publish here. But as someone who cares about you as a Brother in Christ, I would like for you to be happier than I think you are.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com