Peter used the same sort of argument when he said not to wear jewelry but to do.....
It doesn't mean never read a newspaper, sheeeesh come on guys. Use your brains
That's what I'm screaming! The people saying these nutty things need to use their brains.
You've heard this sermon before:
"Some of these churches want to watch movies and television. My God! Why waste such time when you could be reading the Bible and memorizing the 12 disciples! Who can tell me their names?" It's an illogical method of attacking something they don't like.
If the message is "remember to keep God first," or to encourage people to "redeem their time" then go for it. But the former argument could apply to anything, and seems to suggest memorizing scripture is the goal, when really, keeping Jesus as our center of worship is the goal. I suspect getting the congregation to agree that watching movies/television is the goal when this is often said though.
Who here would count it as a good thing if someone told you they prayed and read the bible nearly 24/7? Make no mistake. Such behavior is encouraged and if you answer yes to my question then you are one of the ones encouraging it.
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Who here would count it as a good thing if someone told you they prayed and read the bible nearly 24/7? Make no mistake. Such behavior is encouraged and if you answer yes to my question then you are one of the ones encouraging it.
If someone had chosen to devote their life to prayer and the Word, there would be absolutely NOTHING wrong with that, as long as they were single and didn't have familial obligations. It isn't for everybody, and I would consider that to be a special consecration not meant for all Christians.
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"God, send me anywhere, only go with me. Lay any burden on me, only sustain me. And sever any tie in my heart except the tie that binds my heart to Yours."
--David Livingstone
"To see no being, not God’s or any, but you also go thither,
To see no possession but you may possess it—enjoying all without labor or purchase—
abstracting the feast, yet not abstracting one particle of it;…."
--Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Song of the Open Road
I thought that he was stating that we could not enjoy life. Example. I bought a corvette. I like cars fast cars. Did I sin for buying it? I dont worship it but know where it came from. What about other who like hunting and fishing etc. You should be reading your bible and goin to church every service or praying instead of doin those things.
I can't wait until I can sin with a 68 camaro. I won't worship it, but I sure will enjoy driving it... and working on an engine where I recognize the parts...
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Last edited by John Atkinson; 08-16-2010 at 12:18 PM.
I doubt the preacher disapproves of people reading the newspaper. It's an old tactic used to try to motivate people to lay aside unnecessary things in exchange for more "important" things, but it doesn't really work.
I don't believe that preachers who say things like this have bad intentions. They're just trying to get people to pray and read their Bibles more. I can understand that. It doesn't work, but I can understand the effort.
I've never heard it with the context of reading newspapers. I've always heard it in the context of listening to "worldy music," watching television, watching sports, etc... usually things the minister disapproves.
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.
BTW, I don't think they have "bad intentions" either. I think they have errored intentions.
I can't wait until I can sin with a 68 camaro. I won't worship it, but I sure will enjoy driving it.
I'll sure enjoy driving my blue mini cooper with cream leather interior and white racing stripes.
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"God, send me anywhere, only go with me. Lay any burden on me, only sustain me. And sever any tie in my heart except the tie that binds my heart to Yours."
--David Livingstone
"To see no being, not God’s or any, but you also go thither,
To see no possession but you may possess it—enjoying all without labor or purchase—
abstracting the feast, yet not abstracting one particle of it;…."
--Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Song of the Open Road
If someone had chosen to devote their life to prayer and the Word, there would be absolutely NOTHING wrong with that, as long as they were single and didn't have familial obligations. It isn't for everybody, and I would consider that to be a special consecration not meant for all Christians.
Not sure how you could do that and still live out Mt 28:19.
Hard to disciple others when you're shut-in the "temple" with your readings of the Word.
Some may have a special calling to study, but always in balance of how our lives should be lived. We are not called to isolation, We are called to GO.
I thought that he was stating that we could not enjoy life. Example. I bought a corvette. I like cars fast cars. Did I sin for buying it? I dont worship it but know where it came from. What about other who like hunting and fishing etc. You should be reading your bible and goin to church every service or praying instead of doin those things.
I think you are exaggerating or you just didn't understand what the preacher was saying :-)
__________________ Let it be understood that Apostolic Friends Forum is an Apostolic Forum.
Apostolic is defined on AFF as:
There is One God. This one God reveals Himself distinctly as Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
The Son is God himself in a human form or "God manifested in the flesh" (1Tim 3:16)
Every sinner must repent of their sins.
That Jesus name baptism is the only biblical mode of water baptism.
That the Holy Ghost is for today and is received by faith with the initial evidence of speaking in tongues.
The saint will go on to strive to live a holy life, pleasing to God.
If someone had chosen to devote their life to prayer and the Word, there would be absolutely NOTHING wrong with that, as long as they were single and didn't have familial obligations. It isn't for everybody, and I would consider that to be a special consecration not meant for all Christians.
Yep, it's not for everybody but those that do it are better than the rest.................. SERIOUSLY??
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