tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6851027958805237742.post9213757032555415107..comments2010-06-10T07:28:09.438-07:00Comments on James: RenewalJameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18163975477138767842noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6851027958805237742.post-57247391878847773542009-04-07T11:08:00.000-07:002009-04-07T11:08:00.000-07:00I’m glad you got a good night’s sleep. Nobody has ...I’m glad you got a good night’s sleep. Nobody has been sleeping well at our house lately. I’m not sure why – maybe I’ll blame it on the weather.<BR/><BR/>Since I’m one of the few people who read your blog so far and I’m the one who recommended this book, I’m assuming that you want a response from me. Of course, I could be wrong, because yes, I do know what they say about assuming. But just in case, here ya go…<BR/><BR/>About the book – I recommended it simply because it is one person’s theory on how a church can be structured to most effectively serve God and people. It’s been a few years since I read it, and as I’m sure you would guess, I sped through it and probably didn’t comprehend or retain as much as Mark did then or as much as you are now. The book did really speak to my heart, but my intention in suggesting it to you was solely based on your current interest in church organization.<BR/><BR/>About Iowa and gay marriage – I realize this one may not have been directed at me, but to the blogosphere in general. Still, I just wanted to say that the actions of some Christians make me sick, too. Watching so-called Christians protest and spew hatred – no matter what the issue of the day – makes me mad, sad and disappointed all at the same time. Mad that they would dare judge people in the name of God, sad that they are missing the point of the beliefs they claim to hold, and disappointed that people continue to give Christians a bad name by judging and hating others, especially in such a public forum.<BR/><BR/>I actually just saw something last week that is similar. Apparently, there was a big Christian concert that some people protested (because rock and roll is the devil’s music, you know). One of the musicians put together a heartbreaking video of the main protester while playing “They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love.” And of course his point was no, no they won’t. Not when they see and hear things like that. The link is http://brodyharper.com/2009/04/02/by-our-love/ if you want to check it out.<BR/><BR/>About other religions – Jesus says in John 14:6: “No one comes to the Father except through me.” What that means to me – and to most Christians, if you believe their church doctrine – is that the only way to get into heaven is to believe in Jesus Christ, the son of God. This is backed up by several passages in the Bible, including Romans 10:9 (If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.) and Romans 10:13 (Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.). <BR/><BR/>I’m not an expert on other religions by any means, but I have done some studying. And I’m pretty sure that Muslims don’t believe that Jesus is Lord. I don’t know enough about Mormons. What I have learned has only left me more confused, so on that one, I’m just glad it’s not my place to make that call. I would never say that I think Mormons are going to hell. Because again, it’s not my call and I just don’t know.<BR/><BR/>Oh, also, you talked about questioning your faith. I absolutely believe that you should question what you believe. If you don’t know why you believe what you believe, then you’ll never stand firm in those beliefs. Although at least for me, I’ve found that the more I question and study and learn and pray and reflect, the more questions I have. But at the same time – no matter how contradictory this sounds – it’s also left me with a stronger faith than before.<BR/><BR/>I figure God is big enough to handle my questions.<BR/><BR/>About your comment about being saved – The thing is, if you don’t believe in being saved, you’re disagreeing with Jesus. He says in Mark 16:15-16, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” And in John 10:9, he says, “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.” And of course there’s the whole Pentecost episode described in Acts, where thousands were saved.<BR/><BR/>Like it or not, the Bible is clear that there is a heaven and a hell. Because like it or not (and I personally have a hard time remembering this and when I remember it, dealing with it), God is both merciful and just. And that justice means that only those who are forgiven can live forever in heaven with Him.<BR/><BR/>And last, as for toiling until we hit rock bottom, I’m not sure where that came from. But of course God doesn’t want us to work ourselves to death. And as I mentioned before, Anne Jackson’s book is a great one to read on that very topic.<BR/><BR/>I’m sure that even if you were hoping or expecting for a response from me, you probably didn’t want this much. But the fact is, you said a lot of things that warranted a response. So there you have it.Mary @ Giving Up On Perfecthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12879039457971511498noreply@blogger.com