tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4433770610584182438.post4907563718572461068..comments2023-08-04T12:00:47.012-07:00Comments on Does Air Exist?: Charismatic Culture ShockDoes Air Existhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11394981462884670461noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4433770610584182438.post-24822267719946973532012-07-22T14:00:05.916-07:002012-07-22T14:00:05.916-07:00Thanks, Suzi. Like you, I have struggled with thes...Thanks, Suzi. Like you, I have struggled with these issues all my life, and am eager to share what little I've gleaned. It's good to know that someone actually appreciates my input. lol<br />I think a big part of most Christians' faith is unfortunately a tendency to narrowed outlook. The gospels say that the 'way is broad but the gate is narrow', and that 'many are called and few are chosen'. So, not wanting the gate shut or to be left behind, we tend to guess that we are in the right and therefore saved, and that the rest of those poor losers are all out of luck. I mean, how ironic is it that God sends us the means by which all can be saved in spite of the human tendency to look upon one another in judgement, even to the point of leaving everyone but ourselves and an exclusive group that we approve of to the fires of eternal damnation? <br />That Christ's new commandment to us was to "love one another as yourself" seems to me to be the real key to salvation - that once we accept him as our savior, his love through us should shine through us and lead to the salvation of others that we all might be saved as one body. I truly believe that the secret is that if one of us goes, all of us go; but if one of us leaves another behind, none of us go. Kind of like a children's game of musical chairs in reverse, where no one gets to win unless everyone has their place. After all, I don't think Christ died so as to claim his bride in pieces - he paid the ransom to spare her life.<br />That he has left us in charge of other people's well-being, and by so doing has left each of us in the care of others, seems to me very important. What if we don't get to heaven until we have learned to accept each other as equal in importance to ourselves, and the whole of heaven and earth is standing by waiting for that to happen? If we could see clearly that that was the case, would we be so quick to dismiss one another as wrongful, or inferior, or lacking something we've got (and are feeling pretty smug about)? And what if our assurance that we are so right about things is what is holding up the whole process? Because that's what I think is happening...JMHO, as always. :)Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03596659859116139236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4433770610584182438.post-26644868396330307962012-07-07T20:20:38.322-07:002012-07-07T20:20:38.322-07:00Pandyce,
you always have such great responses. T...Pandyce, <br /><br />you always have such great responses. Thank you. I have learned a lot about worship, prayer, and scriptural truth by branching out into different denominations and churches. The variety has given me both a broader perspective and more discernment. There remains so far left to go on the journey.Suzanne Shumakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11932536861099105795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4433770610584182438.post-86678724663274062252012-07-07T20:16:58.563-07:002012-07-07T20:16:58.563-07:00It can go both ways though. Being a quiet - or pri...It can go both ways though. Being a quiet - or private - worshipper didn't seem to be a valid option in this experience.Suzanne Shumakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11932536861099105795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4433770610584182438.post-80609788586081215712012-07-07T20:16:05.366-07:002012-07-07T20:16:05.366-07:00I do respect the heartfelt emotions behind passion...I do respect the heartfelt emotions behind passionate worship, but I also fear that in a group where speaking in tongues is a litmus of salvation, the temptation to fake the gift - and the resulting guilt and fear - would be too great.Suzanne Shumakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11932536861099105795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4433770610584182438.post-60509067167070494182012-07-07T20:14:14.967-07:002012-07-07T20:14:14.967-07:00You're braver than I am. I felt like I was in ...You're braver than I am. I felt like I was in the spotlight by not jumping around, but would've felt even more conspicuous trying to leave.Suzanne Shumakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11932536861099105795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4433770610584182438.post-89271847012866519472012-07-07T20:13:08.800-07:002012-07-07T20:13:08.800-07:00you make an excellent point ... I do feel like a d...you make an excellent point ... I do feel like a deadbeat in worship sometimes, not being gifted with a melodic voice and having hangups about letting loose. Sometimes I get as far as lifting my hands - when my pastor asks the entire congregation to do so - just a little bit during a prayer or worship song.<br /><br />At home - alone - listening to gospel music is where I truly worship.Suzanne Shumakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11932536861099105795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4433770610584182438.post-15899471770598077232012-07-05T14:26:04.489-07:002012-07-05T14:26:04.489-07:00I personally know of a couple who belonged to the ...I personally know of a couple who belonged to the same church as I did, and often they didn't attend services because they routinely visited other churches. It's always interesting to talk to them, because they tell tales of what is done in this church or that one, or in this part of the US or that one, and often they cite the history of various worship practices - where it began, what its original purpose was, why it died out as a common practice, etc. This couple are both seminary scholars, but I've often thought that if an ordinary person such as myself had the time and the inclination (and these days, the gas money), that might be a great way to learn more about modern Christianity as a whole, and very interesting besides.<br /><br />I'm going to stick my neck out and state my opinion that there is no right or wrong way to worship so long as it's sincere. I don't think speaking in tongues is going to get anyone into heaven, but I don't think it's going to keep anyone out, either.<br /><br />As for those who handle snakes ceremonially, all I can say is that it might get them to wherever they are going a heck of a lot faster...lol<br /><br />What's really important is whether you are comfortable with a church's doctrine and worship style, and whether or not you feel you can accept and be accepted by the congregation. These are the criteria that must be met in order to settle into a "home church" and a "church family". This is what fellowship with Christians is all about, after all. <br /><br />The old saying goes that "you can pick your friends, and you can pick your enemies, but you can't pick your family". Well, a church family you CAN pick, and if you find a really good fit, they'll pick you, too. Some are lucky in that way, and take to one church like a duck to water and never return to shore, so to speak. Others never find it, like Paul, who was taken up by the work of his apostleship until his death, but had occasion to learn and teach at each church he visited, and his epistles still edify all Christians. Most of us fall somewhere in between the two extremes, partially due to growth on the part of church and/or individual. As our attitudes change, so do our needs.<br /><br />PandyceUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03596659859116139236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4433770610584182438.post-39169273520918743712012-07-05T13:35:25.559-07:002012-07-05T13:35:25.559-07:00I have to agree with child of God. I'm fascina...I have to agree with child of God. I'm fascinated by how others choose to worship and I try to be respectful of our differences. Fitting into the same peg hole is boring--love those that can loosen up a bit.Kelly Stone Gamblehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05580080443113053144noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4433770610584182438.post-68597244801700807472012-07-05T13:04:35.772-07:002012-07-05T13:04:35.772-07:00You have to respect and even admire people who are...You have to respect and even admire people who are passionate about their God and are not afraid of what other people might think. We are too stifled in our expressions for the most part....always have to walk the straight and narrow and fit into the same peg hole. It is kind of a shame.child of Godhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02702948990401990469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4433770610584182438.post-39985453939503521372012-07-04T10:25:07.162-07:002012-07-04T10:25:07.162-07:00That would be scary! I actually walked out of a ch...That would be scary! I actually walked out of a church one time, the lady that I had to get by who had sat next to me, she said "oh your not leaving are you?" I said yes I sure am, she replied "no you aren't!" at that point I almost just said get out of my way but tried to be as polite as possible eventually she let me through, but warned me that I would be sorry, these people for the most part just scared me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4433770610584182438.post-1123818885344250132012-07-04T10:14:04.276-07:002012-07-04T10:14:04.276-07:00I cringe at your description of the so-called char...I cringe at your description of the so-called charismatics, having had some experiences in such places too. How wrongheaded and unbiblical their talk of ‘tongues = salvation’ is cannot be overstated. And I get how outsiders cannot relate to their emotions expressed in worship too.<br /><br />While I would never defend the imbalances and bad doctrine of most charismatic/pentecostal fellowships, it is funny how people (like yourself and many who will read this) feel alienated around passionate worship. I’m sure you aren’t emotionless in matters that excite your soul. Otherwise stoic folks still show some passion when dancing with a mate, rooting for their favorite sports team, celebrating someone’s wedding, etc. Yet when it comes to worshipping the most exciting and satisfying Person in the universe it is somehow ridiculous? That’s just bizarre when you really think about it. <br /><br />Saints in heaven do not behave in worship like the deadbeats we are now. If only we better knew the source and object of their worship!fools4christhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10385586314176721601noreply@blogger.com