Disqus - Latest Comments for fairlyspiritual

Re: When Internet Authority Trumps Church Authority

fairlyspiritual — Sat, 10 Jan 2015 13:18:23 -0000

Thanks for reading. Some great points. Not saying rise of internet experts is causing church decline. Just pointing out the shift in authority that is rising up with new religious trends. Also, comment sections do create some community but there is a divide with leaders. Some internet leaders don't allow comments, don't interact with comment section or ban people they disagree with. They don't even respond to email. It's not all or nothing, but there are some changing dynamics. Regardless, thanks for your thoughts and acute observations.

Re: When Internet Authority Trumps Church Authority

fairlyspiritual — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 12:57:16 -0000

I was more pointing out the roll of relationship. If you are my neighbor and you give me bad advice or incomplete advice, I can go over and talk with you. There is a give and take. Not so much in the non relational internet world. But thanks for reading and I completely agree with you that each person is responsible and capable to make their own decisions. I personally like to walk in community with people while doing this.

Re: Let’s Talk Women in Ministry – Live from Seattle

fairlyspiritual — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 12:17:12 -0000

Thanks for the incredibly kind words and post! Peace.

Re: If You Pronounce GIF with a Hard G, You Must Be New to the Internet

fairlyspiritual — Tue, 22 Oct 2013 11:43:15 -0000

Your post is a lovely jift for those of us who say it wrong.

Re: AJ Swoboda | Blog | Taking Off Masks: God’s Grace to Deconstruct Social Pornography

fairlyspiritual — Sun, 13 Oct 2013 16:43:23 -0000

AJ, great stuff. I was thinking about how I've been irrationally jealous of you in the past. It's not been a huge thing, but there have been times when I was unable or unwilling to fully celebrate something you said or did because of my own insecurities. Which is so crazy, as I love what you say and do! Anyway, just wanted to confess my weakness and my thanks for you as an amazing man of faith and power. I appreciate you!!

Re: New Post at CNN + Top 5 ‘Millennial’ Responses + What the heck just happened?

fairlyspiritual — Sat, 03 Aug 2013 12:46:17 -0000

Well, it says you have a voice that matters. Your words have a greater weight to them than you might realize or even want. God has given your voice a prophetic authority and responsibility.

Re: Why men have stopped singing in church

fairlyspiritual — Wed, 22 May 2013 15:27:56 -0000

If your church has a culture that encourages singing, people will sing. They will sing old songs, new songs, hymns, dirges, whatever brings glory to God. Usually they will need some understanding that God is in our midst and in our song. Men have a habit of avoiding corporate expressions because they tend towards isolating behaviors. Thankfully if we are in Christ, the Holy Spirit brings us into group expressions that express the fullness of God. So.....we sing because we are the Body of Christ. People who use style as an excuse not to sing, usually have other issues or a limited view of how God can reveal himself to and through His creation.

Re: Thou Shall Mostly Tell The Truth

fairlyspiritual — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:15:54 -0000

What I think is cool is normally when you see 19 comments under a blog you'll find a couple people tearing each other apart. Not so in this discussion. . . . Great comments gang! The discussion about truth and our perception of the truth is fascinating. One way I've learned to frustrate my bias is to get to know people I disagree with on key issues. Before I know someone, it is easy for me to demonize them or assume they are clearly manipulating the argument for political gain. However, when I get to know someone I often find that they genuinely believe a form of the truth that I find just baffling.

Unfortunately, at the organization level I have found less sincerity of conviction. As a radio host I daily get email press releases with extreme headlines like, "Obama destroying America" or "Obama's anti-Christian initiative." Usually the emails are less concerned with complexity and nuance as they are with stirring the base. This is certainly an effective political tactic. . . . but as a Christian it makes me pause. Anyway, thanks for not tearing me apart in the forum.

Re: Thou Shall Mostly Tell The Truth

fairlyspiritual — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:45:23 -0000

Totally understand. Your comment actually helped me understand the importance of giving context when at all possible. Thanks for the dialogue.

Re: Thou Shall Mostly Tell The Truth

fairlyspiritual — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:42:24 -0000

I was even thinking about the subtle stuff. How we (and I include myself) can forward stuff that might not completely check out. I've preached an illustration or two that later I found out was wrong. I didn't take the time to fully investigate the material. Not trying to be legalistic but I really been cut to the heart by the implication of "false witness." Like saying the right thing for the wrong reason. Or only telling half the truth, or simply omitting the truth we don't like.

Re: Thou Shall Mostly Tell The Truth

fairlyspiritual — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:05:04 -0000

I'm a Christian. I pastor a Christian church and host a daily radio show on a Christian radio station. So not implying only Christians lie. I just like to talk about our own faults, instead of the faults of others. As a pastor I get all kinds of unsubstantiated, reactionary forwards. My fellow friends in ministry relate with this issue, so I thought I'd share my thoughts. Sorry if my post seemed scurrilous.

Re: This Just In!

fairlyspiritual — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 14:49:27 -0000

Hey this is TMV not low budget NBC. Where is my 30 million buy out?

Re: McCain ‘Deeply Disappointed’ by Gates and Mullen DADT Comments

fairlyspiritual — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 01:33:40 -0000

Really good post!

Re: The Fruitcake Chronicles: A Visit with Santa (Part 6 of 6 installments)

fairlyspiritual — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 14:26:57 -0000

Merry Xmas to you and yours as well!

Re: The Fruitcake Chronicles: An Unfortunate Headline (Part 5 of 6 installments)

fairlyspiritual — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 21:18:47 -0000

Stay with me dduck12. . . just one more installment to go.

Re: How to Spot a Moderate Voice

fairlyspiritual — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 14:30:36 -0000

Might be true. Man do I want to viciously attack what you just wrote. Moderates probably just viciously attack everyone. Or is that just what humans do. Thanks for the comments. I appreciate your interactions.

Re: How to Spot a Moderate Voice

fairlyspiritual — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:15:09 -0000

I'm going to use this line on my wife the next time we get in a fight over how right I am.

Re: How to Spot a Moderate Voice

fairlyspiritual — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:09:43 -0000

I completely agree with you. This was meant to be a humorous post, or at least moderately funny.

Re: How to Spot a Moderate Voice

fairlyspiritual — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 13:24:34 -0000

JSpencer. . . You brought up another one. Moderates are good at pointing out their flaws in other people!

Re: Fairly Spiritual: Children at play provide insight into the nature of joy - Auburn Reporter

fairlyspiritual — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:41:24 -0000

Thank you for the very encouraging words! They are needed as I'm trying my best to contend for a better dialogue.

Re: Contending for Joy

fairlyspiritual — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:37:52 -0000

Thanks for the encouraging comments and links!

Re: Now the Bible Is Too Darn Liberal

fairlyspiritual — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 12:52:56 -0000

Don't worry. Like most Bibles, people still won't read it.

Re: The Problem with Being Right All the Time

fairlyspiritual — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 12:38:17 -0000

No Santa! Hey let's keep these comments civil. Open mindedness is a wonderful philosophical paradox. Reminds me of my sociology teacher who started the class with these words, "There is no such thing as absolute truth!" In one sentence he both argued for and against his proposition.

Re: Fairly Spiritual: What would Jesus heckle? - Auburn Reporter

fairlyspiritual — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 11:50:19 -0000

Having a difficult time commenting individually, so I'll just thank each of you who addressed the column. I think there are many of us frustrated with the Spirit of the dialogue. It's just hard to speak when there is so much mud being thrown. I don't always feel like getting muddy!

Re: Fairly Spiritual: What would Jesus heckle? - Auburn Reporter

fairlyspiritual — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 11:45:49 -0000

Thanks! I think others are concerned, but sometimes the dialogue is so toxic you're afraid to even step into the discussion. Fear of getting dragged into the mud.