Comments on: Shortcuts to Maturity http://nakedpastor.com/archives/1991 david hayward is an artist trapped inside an pastor's body Wed, 20 Aug 2008 09:21:17 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 by: Cathryn http://nakedpastor.com/archives/1991#comment-40409 Tue, 06 May 2008 15:33:16 +0000 http://nakedpastor.com/archives/1991#comment-40409 Way to go on that post...! Yeah.... it's been a big issue in relationships / community/ fellowship------- Had a discussion about it the other night.... and seeing where we can call people up higher in that area. (by living it and expecting it as well) blessings. Way to go on that post…! Yeah…. it’s been a big issue in relationships / community/ fellowship——- Had a discussion about it the other night…. and seeing where we can call people up higher in that area. (by living it and expecting it as well)
blessings.

]]> by: Fat Radical http://nakedpastor.com/archives/1991#comment-40315 Mon, 05 May 2008 11:13:56 +0000 http://nakedpastor.com/archives/1991#comment-40315 yes there is...................its called obedience. How mature a person is can be defined by the time it takes from hearing the word of God to obeying it, so even the youngest Christian can be a mature one. Some of the oldest believers are not necessarily the most mature, especially those who spend more time debating rather than doing and using their time at meetings to validate their inactivity. The deception that Jim talks about, the notion of reaching a spiritual level, and the need to surrender ourselves, an act of true worship, is so ongoing a struggle in each of our lives because the devil always wants us to become settlers, people who think they have arrived, whereas Paul in contrast said "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me." For me, a professional procrastinator by nature, that is one of the most inspirational verses in the NT. yes there is……………….its called obedience. How mature a person is can be defined by the time it takes from hearing the word of God to obeying it, so even the youngest Christian can be a mature one. Some of the oldest believers are not necessarily the most mature, especially those who spend more time debating rather than doing and using their time at meetings to validate their inactivity. The deception that Jim talks about, the notion of reaching a spiritual level, and the need to surrender ourselves, an act of true worship, is so ongoing a struggle in each of our lives because the devil always wants us to become settlers, people who think they have arrived, whereas Paul in contrast said “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” For me, a professional procrastinator by nature, that is one of the most inspirational verses in the NT.

]]> by: jim http://nakedpastor.com/archives/1991#comment-40233 Sat, 03 May 2008 21:43:45 +0000 http://nakedpastor.com/archives/1991#comment-40233 Thirty-six years in Pentecost has taught me the truth of what is said here. It is not so much that the "gifts are not real" and cannot be trusted. It's that people remain people, even after conversion, and the Bible, itself, teaches us that what comes forth from people must be "proven". Often that takes time. The real problem that I see in this area is when we think ourself or allow others to think of us as having reached some spiritual "level". There are no levels in this; merely those moments when we surrender ourselves unto the Spirit and He comes forth.... My present theology for whatever it's worth... Thirty-six years in Pentecost has taught me the truth of what is said here. It is not so much that the “gifts are not real” and cannot be trusted. It’s that people remain people, even after conversion, and the Bible, itself, teaches us that what comes forth from people must be “proven”. Often that takes time. The real problem that I see in this area is when we think ourself or allow others to think of us as having reached some spiritual “level”. There are no levels in this; merely those moments when we surrender ourselves unto the Spirit and He comes forth….

My present theology for whatever it’s worth…

]]> by: Fred http://nakedpastor.com/archives/1991#comment-40216 Sat, 03 May 2008 17:21:44 +0000 http://nakedpastor.com/archives/1991#comment-40216 Agree with the op and the resposne by steve martin. I have always had a problem with events for youth that seem to require a lot of people and a charismatic speaker to encourage and elicit "growth and maturity." Take the mass away, take the speaker away--is maturity really what's left? I've even seen it abused to the point that large conventions and retreats for youth unwittingly imitate cultic practices of brainwashing (poor nutrition, sleep deprivation, loud music, and dynamic speaker). Then we wonder why these kids fall apart two weeks later after coming back to the "real world"... Agree with the op and the resposne by steve martin.

I have always had a problem with events for youth that seem to require a lot of people and a charismatic speaker to encourage and elicit “growth and maturity.” Take the mass away, take the speaker away–is maturity really what’s left?

I’ve even seen it abused to the point that large conventions and retreats for youth unwittingly imitate cultic practices of brainwashing (poor nutrition, sleep deprivation, loud music, and dynamic speaker). Then we wonder why these kids fall apart two weeks later after coming back to the “real world”…

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