tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20439415.comments2023-05-11T07:10:10.211-04:00anakephalaiosasthaiSteve Swayzehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04804726525753797672noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20439415.post-69842042355667166882017-04-13T14:13:39.856-04:002017-04-13T14:13:39.856-04:00Thanks for the reminder, Steve.Thanks for the reminder, Steve.Deanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11017631993860515118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20439415.post-49061618586862321532017-03-25T15:01:42.000-04:002017-03-25T15:01:42.000-04:00Thank you, Steve. Great observation. In Texas we...Thank you, Steve. Great observation. In Texas we had live, scrub and post oaks that had very divergent foliage from the typical "oak". I was reminded of this distinction this week when I wanted to have others behave as I would. I wanted to SEE their loyalty. Fruit is primarily a matter of the heart, then actions may flow from the internal state. Their journey may not involve the proof I desire to see - can't assume. Let God be God. MaryAnn Curlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20439415.post-48118508193470865432013-05-21T10:54:17.843-04:002013-05-21T10:54:17.843-04:00Thanks for a thoughtful example of how to use a cu...Thanks for a thoughtful example of how to use a cultural buzz word to turn the hearts of your readers and hearers to solid theology that promises to really re-set our lives in the right direction.<br />Steve Stairsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20439415.post-12504683966813738842013-04-18T07:00:11.282-04:002013-04-18T07:00:11.282-04:00This made me think of I Corinthians 5:17, which I ...This made me think of I Corinthians 5:17, which I think J N Darby gets right when he translates it, "So, if any one be in Christ, THERE IS a new creation; the old things have passed away; behold all things have become new: and all things are of God..." In my words, the believer's eyes are opened to a whole new world that is permeated, saturated by God! -jkAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20439415.post-9697355572138207642012-10-21T09:39:35.280-04:002012-10-21T09:39:35.280-04:00This article provide many tips. Very useful to me....This article provide many tips. Very useful to me. Thanks a lot ?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20439415.post-10996994589336821742012-06-26T18:47:00.921-04:002012-06-26T18:47:00.921-04:00Funny - my answers to those questions are almost e...Funny - my answers to those questions are almost exactly the same as yours! (I end up angry usually because my pride is hurt...but recently at perceived injustice as well).Bennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20439415.post-89650350270134485672011-10-29T06:37:06.411-04:002011-10-29T06:37:06.411-04:00thanks for clarifying that, that's actually re...thanks for clarifying that, that's actually really encouraging now that I have a better understanding of that versebradnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20439415.post-43517107874674551772011-05-23T21:03:40.600-04:002011-05-23T21:03:40.600-04:00Hey - I am really delighted to discover this. grea...Hey - I am really delighted to discover this. great job!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20439415.post-51925605687747072452010-11-30T23:30:27.642-05:002010-11-30T23:30:27.642-05:00Thank you for this! This is definitely a good rem...Thank you for this! This is definitely a good reminder. So many times I get caught up and forget to include God in the picture when thinking about things, even good things. Including him changes all of the parameters and certainly influences the possible outcomes. <br />The other day we were thinking of just the depravity of many things in the world - it seemed hopeless - and it is, without him. But, when Christ was included, the focus ceased to be on the depravity, but on the reconciliation that is possible through Him.Bennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20439415.post-16155088557559939582010-05-12T07:01:33.934-04:002010-05-12T07:01:33.934-04:00So I'll become your only commenter again - I d...So I'll become your only commenter again - I do not have anything original to add to this, but I wanted to say thank you! I have not really thought of our roles as priests much, and it was really refreshing to read your thoughts on what you have learned through your studies. I lost the link to your blog and just found it again today - I see I have a lot of reading/catching up to do! You've posted more in the last 3 months than perhaps the entire previous year! :-)Bennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20439415.post-66835469680964983402009-11-14T21:03:38.685-05:002009-11-14T21:03:38.685-05:00It has been a long time since I've been able t...It has been a long time since I've been able to read blogspot, but I'm glad I did. Thank you for writing this thoughtful and thought-provoking post. I know a big problem for myself is that I know we (the church) are acting like we have many bodies, but I convince myself that my part of the "body" is the only true one. how arrogant...but I convince myself again and again. Now, I'm certainly not becoming a pluralist, I'm talking the body within the Church, as you also were, just to be clear :-)Bennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20439415.post-53026672766778038562009-06-14T08:37:17.340-04:002009-06-14T08:37:17.340-04:00Good points, pastor!Good points, pastor!Lindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11594634729802221040noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20439415.post-42057457824884166452009-02-14T17:22:00.000-05:002009-02-14T17:22:00.000-05:00very interesting take one the energy angle i reall...very interesting take one the energy angle i really never thought about that i always thought about being light and having no shadows with the shadows being our hinderance to the shining light but energy picture is good cause it shows that we cannot live the life christ wants us to live it is impossible no matter how much lower energy we expend it is when we allow him to live thru us that it happens when we allow the "energy" of the holy spirit to control us then there is no end to the joy and peace and happiness thanks for the new angle jimAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04829374036123702146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20439415.post-55582662211804958442009-01-06T15:14:00.000-05:002009-01-06T15:14:00.000-05:00dont you also think that we as "christians" have g...dont you also think that we as "christians" have given up on the notion of changing and becoming more like christ so that the the transformation from sanctification to glorification is a small step in stead of a great change it seems to me that most of us are satisfied with the status quo enjoying the blessings so richly bestowed upon us by our creator and not really following in fully surrendered obedience. paul said i press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of god. i am not so sure we "press" towards anything but existance. this sould be the prayer of all of us for a renewed compassion for obedienceAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04829374036123702146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20439415.post-65910696491662153892009-01-05T14:59:00.000-05:002009-01-05T14:59:00.000-05:00Hello,I serve with Dan Green on the Deacon Board a...Hello,<BR/>I serve with Dan Green on the Deacon Board at Heritage...my college roomate is also a pastor...here is a recent blog entry on the same topic...I thought you would enjoy it.<BR/><BR/>The McKinney Diner<BR/>Saturday, January 03, 2009<BR/>Emphasis<BR/><BR/>I've brought this up before: The current emphasis in Christian publishing on the "mess." You know, books are written (that I happen to like and often recommend, by the way) where jazz is blue and doesn't resolve; the you need mercy on the road while you travel; that spirituality is messy. Again, don't get me wrong...I've enjoyed the books and the way they focus on intropsection can be a good thing.<BR/><BR/>Unfortunately, thus far, the introspection turns into navel-gazing. None of the books really focus on the beauty of transformation in the spiritual life. It reminds me of how the fitness industry is focusing on the abdominals--getting those washboard abs. Without the diet and well-rounded fitness programs that are needed, you're just going to have washboard abs covered by 3 inches of flab. The Christian navel-gazing is just going to result in discovery of the cobwebs and skeletons in our closets.<BR/><BR/>The beauty of the walk with Christ is found in TRANSFORMATION. What I once was I no longer am. The exchanged life with Christ, lived as a responce to and exhibition of GRACE.<BR/><BR/>Again, maybe all of those authors will focus on that reality in their next books. That'd be a good thing, too. They're gifted and provocative writers and I've read their other books as well. I'll pick up the others they write. Let's be clear: I'm not saying those books they've already written are bad or shouldn't be read. They've helped plenty of folks be more transparent with themselves and others. This is generally a good thing.<BR/><BR/>But, the first book I'm reading this year is titled, Why We're Not Emergent (By Two Guys Who Should Be). I can't imagine that needs any comment or explanation. The two guys are Kevin DeYoung and Ted Kluck. They touched on what I've been thinking thusly, after quoting a musician he knows who said, "In the music scene it's cool to search for God. It's not very cool to find Him.":<BR/>"The destination matters little. The journey is the thing...Because the journey is an experience more than a destination, the Christian life requires less doctrinal reflection and more personal introspection. The postmodern infatuation with journey feeds on and into a preoccupation with our own stories. If my grandparents' generation could be a little stoic and not terribly reflective, my generation is introspective at a level somewhere between self-absorption and narcissism. We are so in-tuned with our dysfunctions, hurts, and idiosyncrasies that it often prevents us from growing up because maturity it tantamount to hypocrisy in a world that prizes brokenness more than health."Hollywoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04463301818434814629noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20439415.post-84141018467791836292008-12-31T15:51:00.000-05:002008-12-31T15:51:00.000-05:00i think that ultimately the goal of every believer...i think that ultimately the goal of every believer should be to be a friend of god but i think that sometimes even the most well meaning of us fall short of what god would have us do i think especially of the area of disciplship and pouring our lives into others for the cause of christ or showing compassion to those that are "different" from us so i really believe in reality it is in those times that we would be referred to as one of the unconditional relationships such as servant, child, chosen/adopted<BR/>but until we humble ourselves in obedience completely i am not sure we are qualified for friendship<BR/>thanks again for an opportunity to share i really appreciate it <BR/> jimAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04829374036123702146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20439415.post-49072124627613619292008-12-30T08:41:00.000-05:002008-12-30T08:41:00.000-05:00I understand the concerns about seek-sensitive and...I understand the concerns about seek-sensitive and emergent mindsets. I suppose the real danger in both cases is to isogetically superimpose one's experience over God's Truth. However, perhaps the Bible does make a good case for the validity of persuing a qualitatively good experience with God, one that is experienced as good and not merely called good because of intentional reference to God and his Truth in the abstract. Though I haven't yet read the book, I believe John Piper makes that case in "Desiring God."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20439415.post-65658656856757788222008-12-04T20:04:00.000-05:002008-12-04T20:04:00.000-05:00Wow, I got out of the habit of checking your blog ...Wow, I got out of the habit of checking your blog regularly, and you go and post several entries in one month! :-)<BR/>It is interesting in how so many of your recent posts center (whether intentionally or not) on self-centeredness. We've been weekly listening to a series of messages by Tim Keller on Practical Graces - and this is also the thrust of many of those messages, leading to a similarity in what it seems we both have been thinking about. So many ways, I see how I am self-centered in my thoughts, attitudes, and actions. Keller is a little harsher on this though, calling it for what it is - idolatry. Anything that we place at the center of our lives other than Christ is an idol to us. Wow, talk about convicting...but at the same time, there is the idea that God is not "on our back" as you said, but rather on our shoulder - guiding and leading us as a perfect Father should be. <BR/>Anyways - just wanted to say that I've appreciated these last few entries as they have stirred me on to more thinking. <BR/>On another note, I'd love to discuss with you some time the book i'm (still) reading - OT ethics and the people of God by C. Wright. <BR/>Blessings<BR/>BenAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20439415.post-39550621204202501382008-12-03T21:35:00.000-05:002008-12-03T21:35:00.000-05:00I thought that this post was right on. Reading in...I thought that this post was right on. Reading in the beginning how you said that your point was not to critique the book or the emergent movement, but rather yourself, I realized how often I do the former rather than the latter. It is so much easier for me to find fault with someone else's ideas rather than examining my own and see what I can learn from something new. I know that wasn't the point of your post, but it was what struck my heart the most. <BR/>As for the meat of your post - right on. Those truths are universal, but yet so often easy to forget. Those are the basics of our faith that we so often lose sight of.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20439415.post-72351033381820530812008-10-31T00:03:00.000-04:002008-10-31T00:03:00.000-04:00Craig, Yes, the self-critiques are broad, and thus...Craig, <BR/><BR/>Yes, the self-critiques are broad, and thus may be unfair at some points or in some corners. Praise the Lord that there are exceptions. But.. regarding "rational," let me try to clarify, and defend my point.<BR/><BR/>I am certainly not against the use of the mind in our faith. The kind of "rational" that I had in mind was a "right answer" kind of rationalism that does not engage the heart or the affections. I am certainly not advocating a coerced emotionalism, and I understand that emotional responses can be deep in the heart, yet scarcely expressed physically or verbally. But that still does not get to the problem I see. <BR/><BR/>We talk about our great doctrines, but then we are often scarcely moved by them. We recite our definitions of, say, justification by faith, but we are not overwhelmed. Also, we read Scriptures of people, for instance, falling on their faces, and we identify ourselves with those people, but when have we literally been face-down before the Lord? Do we think that young Christians will not notice the gap between the emotional expression found in the Scriptures and the lack of anything similar in our lives? And one more step, we do the same things in our songs. "I Could Sing of Your Love Forever," but boy am I ticked if the church service goes over. Is it just poetic license, and is it OK if we don't really mean it, or live it?<BR/><BR/>So I am not talking about some need to manufacture emotions. I am talking about a casual Christianity which just doesn't fit with Biblical Christianity - things like being borne along by joy, overwhelmed by a sense of His love, crushed by repeated sins, angry at stubbornness and injustice, a reigning peace when rudely wronged. No, these things are not completely absent. We both know of wonderful examples in our own local church experience. But are they the exception, or the rule?Steve Swayzehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04804726525753797672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20439415.post-28271093174386594412008-10-30T21:33:00.000-04:002008-10-30T21:33:00.000-04:00Steve,I think that you are raising some valid poin...Steve,<BR/><BR/>I think that you are raising some valid points. We do need to analyze our own hearts and deficiencies in our ministry approaches. However, I wonder if a couple of your points of self-criticism are developed deeper than they need to be. For instance, take the point about being too rational and not sufficiently engaged emotionally. The charismatic movement overall would be a contrast to this “behavior”, yet the emergent-type group probably doesn’t accept their regard to the literal propositions of scripture. While there certainly is deep emotion in the Bible, as you stated, is it giving us a false sense of guilt when we don’t display this more openly yet may still strongly appreciate God’s great work of grace? Is this really a valid reason that many are rejecting traditional church, or is it more the novelty and politically correct aspects of this new movement that are a direct contrast to the straight-forward propositions of God’s Word? Is it more of a case of “having itching ears accumulating teachers to suit their own passions”? <BR/>Just some thoughts…Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20439415.post-36992683805136314752008-10-22T20:35:00.000-04:002008-10-22T20:35:00.000-04:00This is a very thorough and helpful summary and ex...This is a very thorough and helpful summary and explanation of this term. I found the explanation of Ephesians 2:10 to be different from how it is normally interpreted.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20439415.post-55970732022685061422008-07-21T18:33:00.000-04:002008-07-21T18:33:00.000-04:00thank you very much! just when i thought i had a "...thank you very much! just when i thought i had a "good thing " going now you have to go and say that i have to work hard even on the small things there goes that perfectly good waste of time i was planning on (haha) <BR/>love the work keep up the great posts jimjimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12328484321472716380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20439415.post-7324409446606807532008-06-27T22:26:00.000-04:002008-06-27T22:26:00.000-04:00Ben - not to be too cute, but part of the reason I...Ben - not to be too cute, but part of the reason I didn't say more about the role of the Spirit was because, in this passage, from which I was trying to build my outline, Paul didn't. However, he says quite a bit about the Spirit later.<BR/>Also, I've been reading John Owen's Mortification of Sin this week, and he says a lot about the role of the Spirit. That we cannot mortify sin ourselves - and I think there are some parallels with what you said. Further, you allude to some cultural blindness due to our rational approach, and I think this especially afflicts our prayers. It says, "pray in the Spirit," and I don't know who in the world knows what that means. Thanks for your comment.Steve Swayzehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04804726525753797672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20439415.post-63373419432824839642008-06-27T21:42:00.000-04:002008-06-27T21:42:00.000-04:00I Cor. 2:10-13 These things God has revealed to us...<I>I Cor. 2:10-13 These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. </I><BR/>First, let me say that I'm happy that you are posting regularly again, and happy that I can actually read your posts :-)<BR/>This is actually something that we've been thinking a lot about the past few weeks. We've got a friend who loves reading the Bible, and sees the words of Jesus as being very good and very wise. But, those things are then put on the same level as other wise teachings. Good things to follow, good advice - possibly life-altering advice, but not eternally altering. That is because this friend is trying to understand God's word without the indwelling of the Spirit of God. In your post, the Spirit was only mentioned once. I certainly know that you believe that the Spirit is essential, but it was only mentioned in passing. I feel like that is a result of culture - a culture rooted in wanting to be able to feel and expound on truth, and that truth is easy to grasp if it is written down. But the Spirit is more messy than that. The Spirit is hard to nail down, and the interpretation and understanding through the Spirit is often downplayed because it is difficult to explain (with our worldview). But this very Spirit is essential, just as essential as the Word of God. Without the Spirit of God, we would not be able to understand the written word of God, because only the Spirit can know our minds and the mind of God. <BR/>Now, I am certainly not saying that the Spirit is more important than the word of God, or that we could do without the word of God. But I am saying that the Spirit is essential to understand the word of God, and without the Spirit, those words are just words. <BR/>Looking forward to talking with you in a few weeks.<BR/><BR/>BenAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com