Comments on: inequity

By: Skip Newby

Skip Newby — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 21:48:46 +0000

Ellen,
again, you hit the nail on the head. I too am glad that people are being served by “mega-churches” or individuals for that matter. The problem lies as you said with transformation.

As Paul said in the beginning of 1Cor.13, we can DO radical things, but they mean nothing if they’re not done with love.

Jesus Himself painted a picture of those who would claim relationship with Him based on there deeds, even miraculous ones, and yet he said, “Step aside, I never knew you.”

It seems that if we aren’t being transformed
into His likeness as a result of a love relationship with Him, the deeds that flow from our lives aren’t in fact His.

If we are going to live “In His name,” we must re-present Him in every relationship, including serving the other.

Peace, Skip.

By: ellenharoutunian

ellenharoutunian — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 15:30:48 +0000

That is a gift of a large church to be sure It has the resources (both literal hands and money) to share. I am talking about the actual Church – people, not the institution. I am dreaming that the Church may eventually realize that she is called to take down the walls and administrative structures that we have constructed around us and God, and to enter into what is already sacred space everywhere, repenting of our separate kingdoms and strongholds, taking only what we need and giving everything else away. Within the institution we do our good works (nothing wrong with that) but I do think we can avoid true transformation. Perhaps the mega-churches could lead the way. It sure would get noticed!

By: Ronda

Ronda — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 05:46:22 +0000

Ellen:
Part of the mystery of the Christian life is the Holy Spirit’s choice of those who minister in His name, and how He weaves a “ministers” life with those he/she is best suited to minister to. We can all be grateful on this earth, and in heaven, for the Southern mother you ministered to. And we can all be grateful on this earth, and in heaven for that mega-churches sponsorship of more than twenty local mission churches (via money, love, hands-on labor and involvement), the largest homeless shelter in the metropolitan area (via donations, hands-on labor and volunteerism), and other Spirit-work done by the body of believers at the mega-church. Most of us are still being His active hands, feet and heart in this southern town. It is our home. We do not have the detached perspective of time and space.

By: ellenharoutunian

ellenharoutunian — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 05:05:25 +0000

You know, I really believe this is who we are meant to be and can be now, in this life. This life, this world matters to God. I just don’t think it can be imposed; it truly must be a work of God in us, if we will allow it.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 02:23:36 +0000

I long for the day when more of us think *this* way than the way we presently do… oh, wait – isn’t that Heaven?

By: Skip Newby

Skip Newby — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 17:59:11 +0000

Ellen,
again I’m glad to read your take on things.

Justice, I think, is things being how they’re meant to be, as our Father intends them to be.

I think in the minds of this society,including the church, perhaps especially the church, justice has more to do with punishment for wrong-doing, for “getting what you have coming to you,” than it does making things Right.

Until hearts are broken by the Love of God, there will be no True Justice. Justice is the End, not the Means. Until that time, those who have will see themselves (ourselves?) as deservedly blessed, and will see those who have not, as deservedly cursed.

May the Spirit continue to break the hardness of our hearts.

Peace, Skip.