Comments on: Tommy Dorsey…5/30/08 http://www.ugumc.com/blog/index.php/2008/05/30/tommy-dorsey53008/ An Ongoing Conversation with the Pastor (Please click on "Comments" to leave yours) Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:10:50 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 By: Berry http://www.ugumc.com/blog/index.php/2008/05/30/tommy-dorsey53008/comment-page-1/#comment-2330 Berry Sun, 01 Jun 2008 20:14:54 +0000 http://www.ugumc.com/blog/?p=142#comment-2330 It's always terrified me, the people who most vehemently defend the Bible for it's words are the ones who don't grasp the meaning of those words. Those who say, "Jesus, save me," and mean it in a very literal way, as though the physical Christ will arrive to rescue them from their current strife, would help crucify a modern Christ if he presented himself at their church on Sunday. Those who worship a book, even one called the Bible, will lose their religion when it's language is lost, or the book is burned. Those who learn the *ideas* communicated in the bible, feel the power of the *examples* provided by the Gospels, will find a faith that cannot be destroyed, even by death. That's what Jesus was saying, and the example he gave. Why do so many want to dwell on the words? Bj It’s always terrified me, the people who most vehemently defend the Bible for it’s words are the ones who don’t grasp the meaning of those words. Those who say, “Jesus, save me,” and mean it in a very literal way, as though the physical Christ will arrive to rescue them from their current strife, would help crucify a modern Christ if he presented himself at their church on Sunday. Those who worship a book, even one called the Bible, will lose their religion when it’s language is lost, or the book is burned. Those who learn the *ideas* communicated in the bible, feel the power of the *examples* provided by the Gospels, will find a faith that cannot be destroyed, even by death. That’s what Jesus was saying, and the example he gave. Why do so many want to dwell on the words?

Bj

]]> By: Steve http://www.ugumc.com/blog/index.php/2008/05/30/tommy-dorsey53008/comment-page-1/#comment-2329 Steve Sun, 01 Jun 2008 01:57:21 +0000 http://www.ugumc.com/blog/?p=142#comment-2329 Right on, Berry! I love what you said about what Jesus DIDN'T say. As with us, his actions spoke much louder than words, but somehow many of us neither see nor hear. Right on, Berry! I love what you said about what Jesus DIDN’T say. As with us, his actions spoke much louder than words, but somehow many of us neither see nor hear.

]]> By: Berry http://www.ugumc.com/blog/index.php/2008/05/30/tommy-dorsey53008/comment-page-1/#comment-2328 Berry Sat, 31 May 2008 02:23:05 +0000 http://www.ugumc.com/blog/?p=142#comment-2328 Human existence is, indeed, a lesson in pain and suffering. From the physical anguish of pain, to the debilitating mental crush of loss, there seem to be infinite lessons in human suffering, all to often caused by human hands. Never, in the entire history of humanity, is there a period void of it, a time when mankind could breathe a sigh of relief and smile upon itself. Yet no one, in their gravest suffering, has glimpsed hell, so long as they could call God's name, or feel the Spirit's presence. This is what Jesus taught; to know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that God was with us always, and no amount of suffering, or even death, could separate us from God. It is only our own actions, when we cast God from us, refuse God a place in our lives, that we are truly alone. This is hell, this is the place without hope, the landscape of despair. A desolate loneliness, devoid of even God's presence, God's love. Jesus didn't say, "I am the savior, worship me...", he demonstrated, first-hand, the power of God's love to transcend all - the Romans, the Pharisees, even death. "... forgive them, for they know not what they do." Words spoken while physically broken, denied by friends, alone on a cross, mocked by those present, dying a brutal death. If this example does on teach us, what will? Bj Human existence is, indeed, a lesson in pain and suffering. From the physical anguish of pain, to the debilitating mental crush of loss, there seem to be infinite lessons in human suffering, all to often caused by human hands. Never, in the entire history of humanity, is there a period void of it, a time when mankind could breathe a sigh of relief and smile upon itself. Yet no one, in their gravest suffering, has glimpsed hell, so long as they could call God’s name, or feel the Spirit’s presence. This is what Jesus taught; to know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that God was with us always, and no amount of suffering, or even death, could separate us from God. It is only our own actions, when we cast God from us, refuse God a place in our lives, that we are truly alone. This is hell, this is the place without hope, the landscape of despair. A desolate loneliness, devoid of even God’s presence, God’s love. Jesus didn’t say, “I am the savior, worship me…”, he demonstrated, first-hand, the power of God’s love to transcend all – the Romans, the Pharisees, even death. “… forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Words spoken while physically broken, denied by friends, alone on a cross, mocked by those present, dying a brutal death. If this example does on teach us, what will?

Bj

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