>>>"It's All Just a Game."

[freeatlast]

Originally Posted by Fiyahstarter

WOW. Just WOW!

Send this link to headquarters!

Go tell it on the mountain!

They'd just call it drivel.

[DeepThinker]

NoeticKnight said: "However, I believe the "train wreck" occurs when folks get confused and attempt to standardize righteousness, holiness and truth by their own performances, when in fact, God has already become the standard...in the person of Jesus Christ."

Sweet words, well put!

[EA]

Originally Posted by crakjak

We are all more alike than we are different, we are just not all at the same place at the same time.

Good point.

Realizing this makes one a bit more tolerant, and a lot less apt to pronounce judgement too quickly.

In my youth, I was very legalistic. I wouldn't even let my infant daughter wear pants or shorts at home. I felt like that was an inconsistency I couldn't live with. In my mind, if pants were an abomination, age and geography shouldn't matter.

While I still believe consistency is important, I now have the benefit of years of hindsight. In short, I was truly ignorant.

It wasn't just that I expected my own family to live that way - I judged others, who didn't live like us - very harshly.

During that time, two ministers tried to help me see how faulty my theology and logic was. I rejected their efforts and wrote them off. I was sure they were soft on the message.

Look at me now. While I live much the same way, my view of God, and my attude, have changed dramatically.

I was a jerk to them. I was wrong. But there is nothing they could have done to help me because I was convinced of my "rightness." Only the gentle passage of time, combined with the love of a merciful and forgiving God, could change me.

I see so many young men zealously defending traditions they know nothing of, and it makes me cringe. I see myself in them, and I want to help.

But I have found that most are unwilling to receive what I have to say. They will have to learn the same way so many of us learned - through time, study and spiritual enlightenment.

[MissBrattified]

Great thoughts on this thread, EA.

[RevDWW]

Originally Posted by Edward Anglin

Good point.

Realizing this makes one a bit more tolerant, and a lot less apt to pronounce judgement too quickly.

In my youth, I was very legalistic. I wouldn't even let my infant daughter wear pants or shorts at home. I felt like that was an inconsistency I couldn't live with. In my mind, if pants were an abomination, age and geography shouldn't matter.

While I still believe consistency is important, I now have the benefit of years of hindsight. In short, I was truly ignorant.

It wasn't just that I expected my own family to live that way - I judged others, who didn't live like us - very harshly.

During that time, two ministers tried to help me see how faulty my theology and logic was. I rejected their efforts and wrote them off. I was sure they were soft on the message.

Look at me now. While I live much the same way, my view of God, and my attude, have changed dramatically.

I was a jerk to them. I was wrong. But there is nothing they could have done to help me because I was convinced of my "rightness." Only the gentle passage of time, combined with the love of a merciful and forgiving God, could change me.

I see so many young men zealously defending traditions they know nothing of, and it makes me cringe. I see myself in them, and I want to help.

But I have found that most are unwilling to receive what I have to say. They will have to learn the same way so many of us learned - through time, study and spiritual enlightenment.

Uh Oh......you used the "T" word........what next, will you be championing compassion and charity?

While living in Milwaukee County I noticed the Sheriff's Department Patrol cars had a great bumper sticker that said "Attitude is everything". I firmly believe that David in the 51st Psalm was saying the same thing when he prayed for a clean heart and right spirit. The Spirit of the law is much more merciful than the Letter of the law. When we pass judgment by the letter, we will be judged by the letter and the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

I hope my life is one that gives others all the kindness, compassion, charity, tolerance, forgiveness, long-suffering, mercy , and grace that I need.

Perhaps some folks can't give what they don't have.

[EA]

Summation of RevDWW's post:

Always weigh in on the side of mercy.

[EA]

Summation of RevDWW's post:

Always weigh in on the side of mercy.

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by Edward Anglin

Summation of RevDWW's post:

Always weigh in on the side of mercy.

That is so important! I don't know if this can really be taught--I think it has to be learned.

I can remember a few specific times when I've [rather harshly] weighed in on the side of judgment--and it came back to bite me. Turns out, we can be hard on ourselves, but when we start being hard on others, it's like God says, "Oh, no you don't, look what you're capable of!"

[EA]

And then we realize how utterly miserable our attempts at spirituality really are. Humbling.

[RevDWW]

Originally Posted by Edward Anglin

Summation of RevDWW's post:

Always weigh in on the side of mercy.

I'm humbled just to be summarized by Edward Anglin! [that's a manly brotherly hug]