Any thoughts on Al Maxey's article? I know many on this board have had their share of battle's in the church. Where do you draw the line? The funny thing or not so funny thing, is that when I'm around a grumbler I find myself being drawn to grumbling about the grumbler ::prayinghard::
I love to think of Moses when God sent him to Egypt. Lord, send someone else?! Ya know those life and death decisions. I can't help wondering if I wouldn't have just let God strike me down rather than deal with his people.
Imagine Rahab having to deal with women like Miriam. Miriam a godly woman but one who wound up with leprosy. Hmm, wonder what kind of grumbling went on in the camp about Rahab? Wouldn't it be cool to be a mouse listening in on the whispers in camp? Than I think what's worse, the one who started it, the one who wants to finish it, or the one who sit's in the cheap seat and does nothing?
That is a wonderful article!
Once again Al has summed up this in ways that everyone should find food within it's contents.
There are many parts that spoke to me, but I like this part, as right now it spoke to my heart.
"Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God. ... If your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Rom. 12:19-21).
This is good advice spoken from the Word, and can be really applied to everyone also. Especially those having to deal with visitors down at ACU soon.
Wonderful, wonderful advice.
Memmy ::nodding::
Maxey's article is basically a review of Haugk's book. The book is not about the simple whiner/grumbler. It addresses the very serious issue of antagonists - those who delight in disrupting a fellowship, who feel elevated when others are hurt by their meanness.
I strongly recommend every Christ-follower, esp. those in leadership, read this book. Then, come back and discuss the article. It will be worth your time.
Phoebe,
I can't help wondering if your not right. My grandmother told me, " It's not how much they love you, but how much are you willing to love them." I think she spoke truth. She was diagnosed with MS a disease which attacks the muscles. She would fall down and people murmured about her because they thought she was drinking.
They refused to speak at my grandfather's funeral because he didn't profess his faith to them. They actually, denied me the right to see him and supported an action that kept me from ever seeing my grandfather alive.
But often I wonder who "They are?" Since becoming a christian I've learned alot. Many times it is through names people call me......ostentatious............
a name attributed to Max Lucado. Instead of looking at them, I looked at me! Who am I? I wound up learning alot about Lucado and myself. I praised God for the opportunity.
I guess in the church I get called more names than in the world. However, I also revel in the cross. I'm not ashamed of My Lord being naked and dying for me. I was called to be a soldier! I happen to love the smell of blood in the air. To me this world is nothing more than a womb. When you have that understanding you do what you can and more! A certain loyalty developes that I guess I am just learning. I never used to be proud of being a christian. Of course than I read CLEMENT!
: simple minded Sat Mar 18, 2006 - 23:39:45
Phoebe,
I can't help wondering if your not right. My grandmother told me, " It's not how much they love you, but how much are you willing to love them." I think she spoke truth. She was diagnosed with MS a disease which attacks the muscles. She would fall down and people murmured about her because they thought she was drinking.
They refused to speak at my grandfather's funeral because he didn't profess his faith to them. They actually, denied me the right to see him and supported an action that kept me from ever seeing my grandfather alive.
But often I wonder who "They are?" Since becoming a christian I've learned alot. Many times it is through names people call me......ostentatious............
a name attributed to Max Lucado. Instead of looking at them, I looked at me! Who am I? I wound up learning alot about Lucado and myself. I praised God for the opportunity.
I guess in the church I get called more names than in the world. However, I also revel in the cross. I'm not ashamed of My Lord being naked and dying for me. I was called to be a soldier! I happen to love the smell of blood in the air. To me this world is nothing more than a womb. When you have that understanding you do what you can and more! A certain loyalty developes that I guess I am just learning. I never used to be proud of being a christian. Of course than I read CLEMENT!
I usually enjoy being around the folks at the local diner three doors down more than around a lot of the folks at church. It seems at the diner the only thing that ever gets pounced on is the grub.
Yeah. Some churches could use a good dose of Cheers.