tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265097302551523460.comments2023-08-01T01:27:25.666-07:00Expect the UnexpectedRichardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01193953363432489217noreply@blogger.comBlogger181125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265097302551523460.post-54379883110018672842014-03-01T08:11:58.999-08:002014-03-01T08:11:58.999-08:00We do live for Him. Or we are supposed to, anyway....We do live for Him. Or we are supposed to, anyway.<br /><br />But we are sinners, and so self-obsessed so much of the time.<br /><br />But He knows this about us…and has decided to love and forgive us.<br /><br />He truly is a great and awesome God.<br /><br />Thanks, so much.Steve Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13251554325064300307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265097302551523460.post-45005577200445867102012-08-19T22:28:55.057-07:002012-08-19T22:28:55.057-07:00Perhaps God is trying to tell you to take a step b...Perhaps God is trying to tell you to take a step back from some things. <br /><br />Maybe you ARE doing to many thing. <br /><br />You gotta take care of yourself!Corwenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11449974391592370176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265097302551523460.post-73754629793934659982011-01-14T16:57:09.187-08:002011-01-14T16:57:09.187-08:00relationships are the suck. that's rough.relationships are the suck. that's rough.leannahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11735554615579156523noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265097302551523460.post-47085880593427190702011-01-14T16:55:28.152-08:002011-01-14T16:55:28.152-08:00word.word.leannahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11735554615579156523noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265097302551523460.post-60101805346208218432010-12-19T05:59:06.181-08:002010-12-19T05:59:06.181-08:00You know I'm only reading this because I am wa...You know I'm only reading this because I am waiting for someone's head to get ripped off, right?Shark Baithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03409352595912571443noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265097302551523460.post-44867156098814675982010-05-26T10:28:26.050-07:002010-05-26T10:28:26.050-07:00i loved the finale. i love this article: http://go...i loved the finale. i love this article: http://goo.gl/QgU5 i've watched lost from the beginning and i thought the end was marvelous. the kind of issues people have with the ending of lost remind me too much of the issues people have with their own faith, demanding answers, generally discontent, etc. food for thought, anyway.<br /><br />.<br /><br />and i agree about the insider trend w/christians.<br />that's why i've never been a fan of over-jesus'ing my social media or general conversation. most the things we say to each other makes no sense to people around us. it's so easy to forget that, though. too easy.leannahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11735554615579156523noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265097302551523460.post-86083456064157209682010-05-25T09:59:00.878-07:002010-05-25T09:59:00.878-07:00Great post Richie! Those are some great thoughts i...Great post Richie! Those are some great thoughts indeed. <br /><br />I am an avid LOST fan and have faithfully watched all six seasons. Though I didn't LOVE the finale, I was not upset over it. I think it ended well and am satisfied with the conclusion. I wish there were more answers, but I think ultimately its up to us to use our imagination and fill in the holes however we want.<br /><br />The great thing about LOST is the character development. Through the six seasons, we see many people who are hurting, broken, lonely, and in need of redemption and purpose. Through the crash on the island, they are taken on a journey of redemption. In the end they realize that life isn't meant to be lived alone. They need each other. My favorite quote from the finale is when Jack's dad tells him...<br /><br />"Nobody does it alone, Jack. You needed all of them and they needed you..To remember, & to let go."<br /><br />I can't wait to watch them over again from the beginning, knowing how it all ends.Jared Ulrichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15665668502018671279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265097302551523460.post-71769784097239760882010-05-22T08:25:01.172-07:002010-05-22T08:25:01.172-07:00so good! i have a new 21.5" iMac. it is love....so good! i have a new 21.5" iMac. it is love.leannahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11735554615579156523noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265097302551523460.post-18515073397740924852010-05-09T03:40:53.313-07:002010-05-09T03:40:53.313-07:00Good callGood callShark Baithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03409352595912571443noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265097302551523460.post-7807896767721754182010-03-31T22:10:56.563-07:002010-03-31T22:10:56.563-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265097302551523460.post-41462429535912379172010-03-03T23:07:47.853-08:002010-03-03T23:07:47.853-08:00Thanks for posting this Richard. I needed to hear ...Thanks for posting this Richard. I needed to hear it!Tara Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14849599655887341899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265097302551523460.post-14139394493364331772010-02-20T01:45:33.892-08:002010-02-20T01:45:33.892-08:00My nephew has been playing the strangest game on h...My nephew has been playing the strangest game on his PSP for months. All I can say is that it looks like a purple plum bouncing around in the mountains. (And it screams a lot)<br /><br />His mother asked him last week why he likes it so much, and he tells her "You'll understand one day."Shark Baithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03409352595912571443noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265097302551523460.post-24934285658971356702010-02-08T03:40:37.828-08:002010-02-08T03:40:37.828-08:00indeed, sometimes in our over-zealous attempts to ...indeed, sometimes in our over-zealous attempts to find the best or be the best, we're spread so thin that we miss the best.<br /><br />i can attest to that as a single mom. it's so easy to get so busy giving zebediah the best, i forget the best part - just <i>being</i> with him.leannahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11735554615579156523noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265097302551523460.post-58833470290506120892010-01-30T14:16:53.504-08:002010-01-30T14:16:53.504-08:00it's strange how that revelation that we'r...it's strange how that revelation that we're average is somehow still so empowering.leannahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11735554615579156523noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265097302551523460.post-1871420614848547412010-01-30T06:03:48.543-08:002010-01-30T06:03:48.543-08:00Who's idea was it for us to become responsible...Who's idea was it for us to become responsible adults anyway?Shark Baithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03409352595912571443noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265097302551523460.post-87425257542874425132010-01-30T05:32:12.391-08:002010-01-30T05:32:12.391-08:00Becoming an "adult" is a strange transit...Becoming an "adult" is a strange transition after years of school, and singleness. Congrats on becoming "average!" I hope life is still fruitful and fulfilling in the years to come.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265097302551523460.post-5078415283124349262010-01-24T06:37:21.386-08:002010-01-24T06:37:21.386-08:00beautiful. & perfectly fitting.
i was just a...beautiful. & perfectly fitting.<br /><br /><br />i was just about to blog about being pulled in all these different directions & how it's exhausting, but beautiful. oh, irony. i love reading your blogs.leannahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11735554615579156523noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265097302551523460.post-89383021127603933432010-01-04T16:27:19.689-08:002010-01-04T16:27:19.689-08:00We're going to miss you broseph! Hope the new...We're going to miss you broseph! Hope the new gig is working out well.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06366224649580875551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265097302551523460.post-50284630186757734822009-12-20T11:44:02.080-08:002009-12-20T11:44:02.080-08:00happy birthday!
and you're so right. friends...happy birthday!<br /><br /><br />and you're so right. friendships are even more defined when you get pregnant 'out of wedlock.'<br /><br />sad, but at the same time, refreshing to deepen the friendships with those who've stuck around.leannahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11735554615579156523noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265097302551523460.post-324381090532246422009-12-19T06:36:02.362-08:002009-12-19T06:36:02.362-08:00I made that same discovery. I expected I'd be...I made that same discovery. I expected I'd be able to maintain my high school friendships, then my college friendships. The fact is that the few friendships I wanted to maintain, the other person put in very little effort. I suppose it's just the way people are, but you don't realize how important friends are really until you're an adult.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265097302551523460.post-78900427944633495932009-12-11T13:34:38.271-08:002009-12-11T13:34:38.271-08:00I would just like Catherine Rohr to be honest abou...I would just like Catherine Rohr to be honest about how many other PEP Graduates who were under her care and authority this has happened with. I Know of 2 PEP Graduates and she used PEP funds to fund their relationship and also encouraged them to exaggerate their testimonies (lie) in order to gain more sympathy from donators. When one of these grads refused to go along with it anymore, she rejected him and told her PEP employees to do the same. I know of a another PEP graduate this happened with to. So 2 more that she has NOT admitted to and also the 4 that she has admitted to. She said this happened during her divorce, but this happened before, during and after...Come out and be honest and then the captives will be set free and forgiveness and healing can begin. <br /><br />I pray that her marriage is reconciled. I pray for healing in her and her ex- husband hearts and minds and all that this has and will effect. I am reminded of Hosea 2 and the prostitute he was called to go buy back and marry. She is forgiven by me. God teaches us the most when we are broken, exposed and on our knees... but we will never know full healing until we are fully honest. I say this to myself too. My sin is no greater. God protect our marriages from this!1 sinner 2 anotherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11364980157902565101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265097302551523460.post-60323769442989834292009-12-02T20:08:23.529-08:002009-12-02T20:08:23.529-08:00Thinking Theologian,
I apologize for my quick ass...Thinking Theologian,<br /><br />I apologize for my quick assumption. I'd like to hear what caused you to become so against Hillsong after being a member for so long. <br /><br />Richard, thanks for your great response. Very well thought out. And Richard made a good point.. it seems you put a load of energy into "exposing" Hillsong... but this only feeds negativity into your life, as well as, others. I'd like to see you write about something you're passionate about in a positive way. Why waste all your time focusing on this? In the end, it really is a waste of time and energy. Christians have become so well known about what we're against rather than what we're for. ... I'd like to see more of us living for what Jesus called to... that is, looking after the widows and orphans... loving the least of these.Tara Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14849599655887341899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265097302551523460.post-87089953331297735842009-12-02T18:10:11.740-08:002009-12-02T18:10:11.740-08:00I'm sorry Tara, but I've got to say this.....I'm sorry Tara, but I've got to say this...<br /><br />The only thing that either of you have proven by your time at Hillsong is the strength of the effect of personal experience on our perceptions. <br /><br />Thinking dude, you say you were on staff for five years, and your post posits a ridiculous amount of speculation as to the purposes of Hillsong, which leads me to believe that you have some sort of personal pain associated with them. While I am not saying that pain is invalid, I do believe that it polarizes your view drastically. <br /><br />You talk about politics, so you surely know that the most promising potential extremists are the broken, the hurting, the ones who feel as if they've been abandoned or targeted. This can be used for the good or the bad, and you certainly seem to be intent on tearing down rather than building up, which I believe indicates which of those two you more closely resemble.<br /><br />Tara, you had a wonderful experience there, and you have seen the amazing things that can happen at a "multi-site megachurch" for most of your life, and that is amazing. The connections you made and friends you loved at Hillsong still resonate in your life today. However, all of that also polarizes your view, to the intensely positive rather than Thinking's intense negativity.<br /><br />However, you make a good point when you say that we will find things wrong in every man-run organization, and I don't think that the Theologian has quite the same grasp on the possibility of his inaccuracy. It is a sad fact that pain is a more intense influence than pleasure and happiness.<br /><br />As for the "false gospel", did you even read the verses I used, Thinker? They are biblical, singing out a call to live the exact words Jesus spoke. You've got to stop being blinded to the fact that you're polarized, and that your subjectivity has been compromised.<br /><br />And now I will come back to my original point... I don't care which one of you is right or wrong! I have seen these songs being sung in a church where the lives of my friends were being visibly transformed, and in a church that recently saw 4000 people give the shoes off of their feet to the homeless, and thousands more join a 3 day fast to become more in tune with the plight of "the least of these".<br /><br />I've also seen these songs sung at churches where a pastor creates his own personal kingdom, rather than the Kingdom of God. I've heard them sung by people who would later get pregnant out of wedlock, or denounce Christ entirely.<br /><br />The songs, in and of themselves, are nothing without the actions around them. I don't care where Hillsong puts churches, or what kind of car Brian Houston drives. All I care about is that Christ is glorified among those I lead, and if these songs inspire and teach the kind of life Jesus would have us live, then I will use them happily.<br /><br />And one final note... Theologian, your blog seems to have one singular focus. It seems you have devoted a lot of energy to "exposing" Hillsong church. Why all this energy to tear down? If people are reached or inspired, who are you to say by whom it is done? Shouldn't the most successful churches be allowed to propagate throughout the world in order to reach more people?<br /><br />Why are you so angry?Richardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01193953363432489217noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265097302551523460.post-61840084910352757892009-12-02T17:30:59.638-08:002009-12-02T17:30:59.638-08:00P.S. Please have a look at 2 Corinthians, particul...P.S. Please have a look at 2 Corinthians, particularly chapter 11, where Paul talks about a different gospel, and a different Jesus.<br /><br />We need to be aware that there are things out there masquerading as the real thing, but at their heart they are false and therefore harmful.The Thinking Theologianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16165444692005878194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265097302551523460.post-23390751579859199582009-12-02T17:26:51.042-08:002009-12-02T17:26:51.042-08:00Tara,
I was a member of Hillsong for 7 years, and...Tara,<br /><br />I was a member of Hillsong for 7 years, and was on full-time staff there for 5.<br /><br />http://thethinkingtheologian.blogspot.comThe Thinking Theologianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16165444692005878194noreply@blogger.com