This message scares me?? - Page 4

jfrog · #31 08-16-2010, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Praxeas

Or he could be embellishing or exaggerating the truth for whatever reason. Come on 24 hours a day? You don't think that was a little embellishment or exaggeration? Really?

It was not an exaggeration. That is the message that is often preached. It's probably even been preached in your church before. Of course no one says pray 24/7. It's much more subtle...

Maximilian · #32 08-16-2010, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

Max--did you read the first post? He definitely mentioned the UPC in the first sentence, and he said the preacher mentioned reading the paper.

It's not a spirituality "brownie badge" to read your Bible more and encourage other people to do so. Getting into the Word is one of the BEST things new converts can do, and it's definitely something Christians should do on an ongoing basis. What on earth is wrong with wanting people to read the Bible more? It's helpful to THEM to do so! I understand that motivating them in the way mentioned on this thread won't work, but surely you don't think encouraging people to read the Bible in general is wrong?

I stand corrected on the UPC call-out (to MB and Prax). Sorry.

And yes, in many fellowships, it IS a spiritual brownie badge. People feel so spiritual about themselves.

As far as "What on earth is wrong with wanting people to read the Bible more?" You are forming a question about something I did not present. No, I encourage Bible reading, but it's encouraged. I think community discussion about the Story (the Bible) is equally helpful. I think many things are helpful. I grew up, in an evironment close to what many on this forum grew up in, where "prayer and Bible reading" were guilt-o-meters. No one was ever praying enough or reading their Bible enough. Those are rosaries. Those are gifts. Some enjoy reading the Bible more than others, I'm okay with that. It's not necessarily a measure of one's spirituality.

And the way I encourage reading the Bible is by making the Bible come alive in teaching. Talking about the Word with excitement, not just "you need to read your Bible" preaching that guilts people into a ritual.

MissBrattified · #33 08-16-2010, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfrog

So what does it mean for them to have a "special consencration"?

I think it's fine for some people to devote themselves to God above and beyond what is normal for various reasons. That doesn't mean they are "worth more" to God, but it DOES mean they have consecrated their lives above what is normal or expected.

Does acknowledging that fact upset you or something? Do you believe there are people who are more devoted to God than others? Let's not even look at "special consecrations" like I mentioned--just generally speaking.

Does the term "Nazarite vow" mean anything to you? What about in the NT when Paul said that husbands and wives could be "apart" for a certain amount of time for the sake of prayer and fasting? Is that a "special consecration" above and beyond what is the norm? I would consider it to be. I consider long fasts to be special consecrations, and I don't believe anyone is going to hell if they never fast a long fast.

mizpeh · #34 08-16-2010, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maximilian

Regarding wanting people to read their Bible more... I just shake my head at that. It's a spirituality brownie badge. Show people the real Christ and watch them fall in love. And they just MIGHT increase their Bible reading, but that's not really the point.

jfrog · #35 08-16-2010, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mizpeh

Those apostles! What do they think they are better than everyone else?

Acts 6:4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word

Do you even have a clue what we are talking about?

corvet786c · #36 08-16-2010, 12:35 PM

Charles Stanley encourages you to read your bible and do the things necessary to be a christian, but says it with love tenderness and compassion, but the message I am refering to in the original post was scary, guilty and felt controlled. I know I need to read more and always draw closer. I guess it was the way it came from the pulpit.

mizpeh · #37 08-16-2010, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maximilian

And the way I encourage reading the Bible is by making the Bible come alive in teaching. Talking about the Word with excitement, not just "you need to read your Bible" preaching that guilts people into a ritual.

MissBrattified · #38 08-16-2010, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maximilian

I stand corrected on the UPC call-out (to MB and Prax). Sorry.

And yes, in many fellowships, it IS a spiritual brownie badge. People feel so spiritual about themselves.

Perhaps it IS in some fellowships, but not in the context of my posts.

Quote:

As far as "What on earth is wrong with wanting people to read the Bible more?" You are forming a question about something I did not present. No, I encourage Bible reading, but it's encouraged.

This is what you said, and yes it does sound like you think it's unimportant, or even wrong to encourage it:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maximillion

Regarding wanting people to read their Bible more... I just shake my head at that. It's a spirituality brownie badge.

Quote:

I think community discussion about the Story (the Bible) is equally helpful. I think many things are helpful. I grew up, in an evironment close to what many on this forum grew up in, where "prayer and Bible reading" were guilt-o-meters. No one was ever praying enough or reading their Bible enough. Those are rosaries. Those are gifts. Some enjoy reading the Bible more than others, I'm okay with that. It's not necessarily a measure of one's spirituality.

My mother received the Holy Ghost at home in her bedroom while reading her Bible and praying.

I agree that how much a person reads the Bible is not necessarily a measure of one's spirituality. I also believe that reading the Bible is beneficial for everyone.

Quote:

And the way I encourage reading the Bible is by making the Bible come alive in teaching. Talking about the Word with excitement, not just "you need to read your Bible" preaching that guilts people into a ritual.

Absolutely. I agree. It's not wrong to encourage people to read the Bible. Guilting them into it isn't the right way to do that, and is usually counterproductive.

mizpeh · #39 08-16-2010, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfrog

Do you even have a clue what we are talking about?

I do. I read the opening post and the responses. I thought your comment to Miss B was a little off kilter.

Do you think the apostles had a special consecration? Does that make them better than other children of God who aren't called to that same purpose by God?

Falla39 · #40 08-16-2010, 12:43 PM

[QUOTE=jfrog;951292]I lived that way once and I'm sure it was because I had heard messages like that. I lived that way once and I felt closer to God than I would have thought possible. I lived that way once but will never do so again and will always advise anyone from going down that path.[/QUOTE]

Why! (very serious)