tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10217302.post309160516977087080..comments2024-03-21T03:45:48.679-05:00Comments on Enter the Rainbow: An Appeal to the Church for Our Troubled TimesAndy B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05944614269873479581noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10217302.post-22426853786950230622009-09-14T09:14:38.508-05:002009-09-14T09:14:38.508-05:00This hatefulness and spitefulness did not come abo...This hatefulness and spitefulness did not come about only during this last election and not exclusively as a result of health care reform. I witnessed a 12-year-old in one of my congregations virtually scream, "Bush is an idiot" during that president's challenge of a national debate on Social Security. What does a 12-year-old know of such things except what adults teach?<br /><br />It always is that "sides" come about and ask for civility when their guy is the one getting clobbered, and it is exacerbated with subtle, yet direct, references to 'glenbeckishness' or other such nonsense as contributory to the divisiveness without acknowledging one's part. <br /><br />Your're right, Andy, of course, but the challenge is going to have to go much further, and I am enough of a cynic that I just don't see it happening.Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06046469207005773680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10217302.post-24688800925045915942009-09-13T20:27:09.701-05:002009-09-13T20:27:09.701-05:00Steve - Your words make me want to cry. For you a...Steve - Your words make me want to cry. For you are doing the judging that only God can do. And when a person takes on the judgment role, that person is setting him or herself up above those that are being judged. We have all sinned and fallen short of God's will. If we have to give up our sinful ways to inherit the Kingdom, we are all lost.<br /><br />In the church, it is possible to deal with divisive issues in civil and respectful manner. But when the final decision has to be made, how does the "losing side" manage to work and support an institution whose rules are so diametrically opposed to what they feel is God's will? Talk about compromising! 'Tis a puzzlement.<br /><br />Caryl B - not clergy, not a theologian, just a concerned, confused lay personCaryl Bryannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10217302.post-91651713649290291612009-09-13T07:28:11.140-05:002009-09-13T07:28:11.140-05:00Right on target, Andy. We can relate to people wi...Right on target, Andy. We can relate to people without agreeing with them. In fact, I believe the only way for most to hear what we have to say, is for us to give them the opportunity to tell us what they believe. We cannot shout and yell until people agree with us. Louder is not more correct. A conversation like Paul on Mars hill that is held within the context of our current culture is one that may be heard by people. Love your neighbor. Be ready to give an acoount of what Christ has been in your life.Kyle Bridgmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794403792411961360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10217302.post-56729138751676166032009-09-12T13:33:18.706-05:002009-09-12T13:33:18.706-05:00I agree that a young person shouldn't hear suc...I agree that a young person shouldn't hear such words from either a Congressman or from the President. He did say it first in his speech, "Cable TV and their anchors AND 'Prominant Politicians'". We have young ears and they are hearing the same thing about both sides.<br />Only God can bring us together. Not President Obama. He is not God.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10217302.post-83264765286354150522009-09-11T12:49:06.005-05:002009-09-11T12:49:06.005-05:00If a rich man can inherit the Kingdom, then why no...If a rich man can inherit the Kingdom, then why not a gay man?<br /><br />To the topic at hand, though, I am one who finds it very difficult to be in communion with many of my fellow Methodists because of their opposition to health care for all citizens. <br /><br />It seems to me to be in direct, and conscious, opposition to scripture and to be based on nothing but greed. <br /><br />And I'm sorry, but I cannot get past it. It is a national sin of the highest degree.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10217302.post-41485837038504766292009-09-10T16:11:48.254-05:002009-09-10T16:11:48.254-05:00Amen, [Bishop] ;-) Bryan. Great post. Hope S'f...Amen, [Bishop] ;-) Bryan. Great post. Hope S'field is treatin' y'all well. You coming up for the 50th? We'll be there - hope to see you!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10217302.post-54185101486288598372009-09-10T11:09:47.847-05:002009-09-10T11:09:47.847-05:00"That's what the church is supposed to be..."That's what the church is supposed to be - left/right, women/men, old/young, gay/straight, rich/poor, Royals/Cardinals, short/tall, UMC/AG, this race/that race, this nation/that nation, citizen/immigrant, this/that, blah blah/yadda yadda - and on and on and on. God loves us all;"<br /><br />God does love us all.. But I would like you to elaborate on one particular group listed. "Gay/Straight" Are you saying that "You" believe that that a gay man or woman can inherit the Kingdom of God? I once had a young man come to me and ask if he had to be sober to become a Christian? My response was NO! But once you follow Christ with all your heart He will guide you from the life you once lived, and you will no longer be a slave to your sins.. The acceptance of a sinner is a must for the Church, but this does not mean the Church must accept the sin! The Church has become a place of compromise for the better of "Society" Lets not hurt anyones feelings....Things are looked over, swept under the rug, The blood covers it all. God is a God of love, but He is also a Judge. I believe not only will He judge those who live a life of sin, but also those who misrepresent His Word and teachings. See Corinthians 6:9-11 The key word in this passage is "WERE" God BlessSteve Greennoreply@blogger.com