DISQUS

We often forget about how many things are right about this country of ours...it isn't perfect, but "God still sheds his grace on" us.

Randy Kilgore wrote a really great piece here about the things we forget:

http://www.madetomatter.org/articles_view.asp?a...

One beautifully scripted sentence is, "In a majestic and oft-times fumbling dance, even now played out in mind-numbing and frequently frustrating two-steps-forward-one–step-back rhythm, we still fight hard to find a way to not just speak that truth, but to be that truth."

Marcus

We shouldnt restrict 'teaching' to just standing behind the lectern. Those of us who are people of the letters, are teachers. We shouldnt take this task lightly. At work, what we write, what we say and most of all, what we do, are ALL teachable moments.

People are watching. What am I saying?

David Rupert's last blog post..Wisdom

Jesus was really the first at the abbreviated use of language. Look what he packed into his delivery -- words that were short, to the point, rich with allegory and deep in meaning.

"ILUVUDUDE"

David Rupert's last blog post..When work isn’t fun anymore

Ashley is one my favs. I was just listening to "Lesson of Love" yesterday. She has the soul of Aretha , but still a belt-it-out America sound that will shake you.

You are very blessed to have her lead music. I guess the egghead guy will be good too.

David Rupert's last blog post..The get away

I had a friend who was a pastor of a church who said "I'm sick of all the crap that Satan keeps throwing at us"

He had several older members who met with him in deep anguish over his usage of the word 'crap'

Now I guess I'll actually read your post. :0

David Rupert's last blog post..Spit on my eyes – Part 1

This CNN piece actually missed the boat. It was about accomodation -- which is really at he bottom of my 'faith at work' thinking.

I blogged about it at:
http://redletterbelievers.blogspot.com/2008/03/...

I struggle with self-promotion and pride -- two things that I have been guilty of in the past.

I don't know how to separate those out.

I love to see my name in print -- and it's sad that i can be so vain. Often when I write, I want people to say "wow, you are so insightful and smart."

My tipping point should be the work of God and not because of my own vain effots.

Is that possible?

Marcus

I know you didnt attack, so no need to apologize. But I already forgave you :) !

The bigger concept of this issue is what we hold on to. That's the "stupid" here. I hold on to wrongs from years gone by, to idle remarks, to relationships gone idle. I hold on to the hurt and the pain and wounds that have long since mended.

I need to forgive -- at the beginning. And then I need to remind myself that I have already given it up. The forgiveness needs to be genuine -- good reminder Karl -- that it should not be to just 'make nice.'

Prayers for the YWAM staff who will grapple with the after affects of this for years.

I hope it will draw many more to their awesome work. Some meant it for evil, but God used it for good!

Thanks for the Red Letter Believers mention. I live just a few miles from all of this and it has shaken many in the local Christian community. Its really easy to forgive someone for a crime -- until it hits you personally.

I think it is easy to forgive an unknown assailant -- but when you put a face and a name behind the perpetrator, then the anger and vengance can begin to grow.

So -- as the YWAM director did -- we should forgive first, and ask questions later. And if it's 'stupid', I'll let God sort that out.

(By the way -- the New Life Church killer is a homeschooler -- and could be one of our own.)

David Rupert
WWW.REDLETTERBELIEVERS.BLOGSPOT.COM