Comments for Uffizi Mission Project http://www.uffizimission.org Rooms for Union, Incarnation, and Friendship Wed, 03 Dec 2008 22:12:56 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 Comment on The New Pulpit by Ruth and Jack Wilson http://www.uffizimission.org/postmodernism/the-new-pulpit/#comment-1957 Ruth and Jack Wilson Sat, 08 Nov 2008 00:13:16 +0000 http://www.uffizimission.org/postmodernism/the-new-pulpit/#comment-1957 I will love the summer of love! This will keep Jack and I young! We are enjoying our "church" wherever we are...there is never a dull minute. There are no easy answers and the process is valuable and the relationships, superb! Love, Ruth I will love the summer of love! This will keep Jack and I young! We are enjoying our “church” wherever we are…there is never a dull minute. There are no easy answers and the process is valuable and the relationships, superb!

Love, Ruth

]]> Comment on God and Facebook by Ruth and Jack Wilson http://www.uffizimission.org/postmodernism/god-and-facebook/#comment-419 Ruth and Jack Wilson Sun, 20 Jul 2008 20:03:05 +0000 http://www.uffizimission.org/postmodernism/god-and-facebook/#comment-419 Dear Jeff, You may keep me from being an old fuddy duddy. You keep me hopping to keep up with your out of the box view. I am low tech. I think facebook keeps us from being face to face. I think Jesus would be at Pershing Park. Love, Ruth Dear Jeff,

You may keep me from being an old fuddy duddy. You keep me hopping to keep up with your out of the box view. I am low tech. I think facebook keeps us from being face to face.

I think Jesus would be at Pershing Park.

Love, Ruth

]]> Comment on God and Facebook by Jeff http://www.uffizimission.org/postmodernism/god-and-facebook/#comment-371 Jeff Sat, 12 Jul 2008 14:31:04 +0000 http://www.uffizimission.org/postmodernism/god-and-facebook/#comment-371 Thanks Heather for your thoughts, very honest and open. I do hope that we can be together more often. And, by the way, I think you should write as much as you can (I know you have precious little time to write as you raise your kiddos)... because you write beautifully and honestly. Thanks Heather for your thoughts, very honest and open. I do hope that we can be together more often. And, by the way, I think you should write as much as you can (I know you have precious little time to write as you raise your kiddos)… because you write beautifully and honestly.

]]> Comment on God and Facebook by Heather http://www.uffizimission.org/postmodernism/god-and-facebook/#comment-370 Heather Sat, 12 Jul 2008 00:30:48 +0000 http://www.uffizimission.org/postmodernism/god-and-facebook/#comment-370 My random thoughts: Bet he's already on facebook! Survey...how many people have been introduced to Jesus on facebook? I bet it's happened. I'm hopelessly low-tech, so I wouldn't find Him or me there, but I bet more than one person has. (It's a miracle I found my way to a blog at all.) Yeah, the love thing. I have a hard time loving the people who aren't missing the people that I love. It's all so circular which is why we need Jesus in the middle of it because we are just not competent in the love arena on our own. Our love is so finite. Lack of love is an epidemic because lack of lack love perpetuates lack of love and so on and so on. Someone has to start loving first - and face rejection - and keep on loving in the face of rejection - for the tide to change! Love is one of the hardest things for me and I think many people. Disdain and revenge come much more easily! Rejection is dangerous in the social order for us relational beings. Next thing that could happen is joblessness, homelessness, isolation, addiction in the attempt of running and hiding from the rejection, isolation and loneliness or addiction in the attempt to fit in to a group that will accept even if it's not really in our self interest to do things against our own body. Isn't that the angst of the teenage click. Be part of the group or face the danger of the scapegoat. Ahhh, but love. And, not the kind on the radio. That's where the tide changes. I have found in a couple of relationships with people who reject christianity but not the concept that there could be a God, that what they reject is their rejection from us. I've heard stories that make me sad. Of people being told they are going to hell because they aren't christians. What a sad introduction to Christian love. I always say, "I'm sorry. I think they were supposed to tell you that Jesus loves you and wants you to know that." I could be accused of having weak theology for this apology, I think. Love requires forgiveness, but forgiveness isn't first in the Jesus order of things. I believe it goes, first love, then forgiveness, then more love, then more forgiveness. Am I wrong on that one? Do I have my theology backwards. I forgive my children because I love them. I don't forgive them first and then begin to feel love for them. I miss hanging out with so many people I used to see often - all you Shafers included. That is how I know that I am not in heaven. Sorry, if this is disjointed, I am being nagged off the computer by Webkins and three small children. My random thoughts:

Bet he’s already on facebook! Survey…how many people have been introduced to Jesus on facebook? I bet it’s happened. I’m hopelessly low-tech, so I wouldn’t find Him or me there, but I bet more than one person has. (It’s a miracle I found my way to a blog at all.)

Yeah, the love thing. I have a hard time loving the people who aren’t missing the people that I love. It’s all so circular which is why we need Jesus in the middle of it because we are just not competent in the love arena on our own. Our love is so finite.

Lack of love is an epidemic because lack of lack love perpetuates lack of love and so on and so on. Someone has to start loving first - and face rejection - and keep on loving in the face of rejection - for the tide to change! Love is one of the hardest things for me and I think many people. Disdain and revenge come much more easily! Rejection is dangerous in the social order for us relational beings. Next thing that could happen is joblessness, homelessness, isolation, addiction in the attempt of running and hiding from the rejection, isolation and loneliness or addiction in the attempt to fit in to a group that will accept even if it’s not really in our self interest to do things against our own body. Isn’t that the angst of the teenage click. Be part of the group or face the danger of the scapegoat. Ahhh, but love. And, not the kind on the radio. That’s where the tide changes.

I have found in a couple of relationships with people who reject christianity but not the concept that there could be a God, that what they reject is their rejection from us. I’ve heard stories that make me sad. Of people being told they are going to hell because they aren’t christians. What a sad introduction to Christian love. I always say, “I’m sorry. I think they were supposed to tell you that Jesus loves you and wants you to know that.” I could be accused of having weak theology for this apology, I think.

Love requires forgiveness, but forgiveness isn’t first in the Jesus order of things. I believe it goes, first love, then forgiveness, then more love, then more forgiveness. Am I wrong on that one? Do I have my theology backwards. I forgive my children because I love them. I don’t forgive them first and then begin to feel love for them.

I miss hanging out with so many people I used to see often - all you Shafers included. That is how I know that I am not in heaven.

Sorry, if this is disjointed, I am being nagged off the computer by Webkins and three small children.

]]> Comment on Jeff Goes Mental by Jeff http://www.uffizimission.org/postmodernism/jeff-goes-mental/#comment-369 Jeff Fri, 11 Jul 2008 16:09:27 +0000 http://www.uffizimission.org/postmodernism/jeff-goes-mental/#comment-369 I agree with David, that we don't have to blow it all up, but seriously, Jesus didn't always do the same thing with his 3-5 minutes. And isn't that part of the problem - we don't think long term, we just think in snipets? I see most of my friends on the streets continually now. That is where we need to go as a church, not even "friendship evangelism," but friendship. Friendship is redemptive in itself. God redeemed my through re-establishing his friendship with me, which he did over a long process. I agree with David, that we don’t have to blow it all up, but seriously, Jesus didn’t always do the same thing with his 3-5 minutes. And isn’t that part of the problem - we don’t think long term, we just think in snipets? I see most of my friends on the streets continually now. That is where we need to go as a church, not even “friendship evangelism,” but friendship. Friendship is redemptive in itself. God redeemed my through re-establishing his friendship with me, which he did over a long process.

]]> Comment on Jeff Goes Mental by Jeff http://www.uffizimission.org/postmodernism/jeff-goes-mental/#comment-367 Jeff Wed, 09 Jul 2008 17:07:13 +0000 http://www.uffizimission.org/postmodernism/jeff-goes-mental/#comment-367 Thanks everyone for your comments - glad to hear that many of us share the same concerns and value authenticity. Glad to have you as friends! Thanks everyone for your comments - glad to hear that many of us share the same concerns and value authenticity. Glad to have you as friends!

]]> Comment on Jeff Goes Mental by David Goss http://www.uffizimission.org/postmodernism/jeff-goes-mental/#comment-366 David Goss Tue, 08 Jul 2008 01:33:45 +0000 http://www.uffizimission.org/postmodernism/jeff-goes-mental/#comment-366 Jeff, Good words. I respect them and I respect your efforts at incarnating our Lord and Savior. Let me try to re-portray my take on such things as the status of the church in California...which leads into my theology of mission. I don't believe we need to blow up the church and start all over. There it is. Just like my friend, Pastor Bob Henley reminded me today, the church has ALWAYS had its issues and struggles. It is a thoroughly imperfect organism, and the moment we think we would be better off without _____ and their compromise/heresy/opposition/etc. we become the very agents of division we pray against. This is not to say that we accept everything carte blanche (that leads to universalism, relativism, and all that stuff). We must struggle for the Bride of Christ, simply because Jesus loves her THAT MUCH. Last of all, here is the reason I believe the gospel message ALWAYS comes first...if given only five minutes with a person without Christ, would we A) knit a sweater B) bake some bread (the five minute kind) or C) share the message of salvation? Of course you know how I would answer. That being said, does that disqualify me from wanting to feed and clothe that very same person? No. You can do both. Jesus did and his church did and still does. It is not one way or another (sorry, Chrissie Hynde(sp?)) And in California, I see this happening in countless places. The church isn't as sick as you think. Jeff,
Good words. I respect them and I respect your efforts at incarnating our Lord and Savior. Let me try to re-portray my take on such things as the status of the church in California…which leads into my theology of mission.
I don’t believe we need to blow up the church and start all over. There it is. Just like my friend, Pastor Bob Henley reminded me today, the church has ALWAYS had its issues and struggles. It is a thoroughly imperfect organism, and the moment we think we would be better off without _____ and their compromise/heresy/opposition/etc. we become the very agents of division we pray against. This is not to say that we accept everything carte blanche (that leads to universalism, relativism, and all that stuff). We must struggle for the Bride of Christ, simply because Jesus loves her THAT MUCH.
Last of all, here is the reason I believe the gospel message ALWAYS comes first…if given only five minutes with a person without Christ, would we A) knit a sweater B) bake some bread (the five minute kind) or C) share the message of salvation? Of course you know how I would answer. That being said, does that disqualify me from wanting to feed and clothe that very same person? No. You can do both. Jesus did and his church did and still does. It is not one way or another (sorry, Chrissie Hynde(sp?)) And in California, I see this happening in countless places. The church isn’t as sick as you think.

]]> Comment on Jeff Goes Mental by Kenny http://www.uffizimission.org/postmodernism/jeff-goes-mental/#comment-365 Kenny Mon, 07 Jul 2008 16:06:35 +0000 http://www.uffizimission.org/postmodernism/jeff-goes-mental/#comment-365 Good One! Good One!

]]> Comment on Jeff Goes Mental by Bunny http://www.uffizimission.org/postmodernism/jeff-goes-mental/#comment-364 Bunny Sun, 06 Jul 2008 18:54:35 +0000 http://www.uffizimission.org/postmodernism/jeff-goes-mental/#comment-364 Jeff...I find your rantings refreshing....in perspective in an "out of control" social and religious system....keep ranting, God totally not only 'gets it' but is positively IN IT!!! prayerfully, bk Jeff…I find your rantings refreshing….in perspective in an “out of control” social and religious system….keep ranting, God totally not only ‘gets it’ but is positively IN IT!!!

prayerfully,
bk

]]> Comment on Jeff Goes Mental by Becca http://www.uffizimission.org/postmodernism/jeff-goes-mental/#comment-363 Becca Sun, 06 Jul 2008 15:13:05 +0000 http://www.uffizimission.org/postmodernism/jeff-goes-mental/#comment-363 Hi, Jeff. I am a friend of Chris & Sarah B.'s from Bozeman, and have been reading your blog for awhile. I find myself identifying with what you're experiencing here. It seems that there should be a third way. And perhaps there is a third way emerging...not with the emergent church, I'm not sure what to think about these labels yet. But then, perhaps it will be with the emergent church, I don't know. I find myself increasingly frustrated with what comes out of our polar opposite sides in this country... theologically, politically, socially, etc, across the board. I want to say "yes and no" all the time, but find that to be a less appealing answer than I would like it to be. And I'm frankly not sure where to go from here. Honestly, it's refreshing to hear so many of us struggling with these things. It reminds me that I'm not alone, and that there is a third way somewhere, and that we will find it somehow. Thanks for your honesty. It's always appreciated. Peace in Christ, Becca Hi, Jeff. I am a friend of Chris & Sarah B.’s from Bozeman, and have been reading your blog for awhile. I find myself identifying with what you’re experiencing here. It seems that there should be a third way. And perhaps there is a third way emerging…not with the emergent church, I’m not sure what to think about these labels yet. But then, perhaps it will be with the emergent church, I don’t know.

I find myself increasingly frustrated with what comes out of our polar opposite sides in this country… theologically, politically, socially, etc, across the board. I want to say “yes and no” all the time, but find that to be a less appealing answer than I would like it to be. And I’m frankly not sure where to go from here.

Honestly, it’s refreshing to hear so many of us struggling with these things. It reminds me that I’m not alone, and that there is a third way somewhere, and that we will find it somehow.

Thanks for your honesty. It’s always appreciated.

Peace in Christ,
Becca

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