Comments for MINISTRY FROM TWO POLES

Comment on Litany for Mothers’ Day by Catherine Wright

Catherine Wright — Wed, 16 May 2012 18:36:01 +0000

I used this Sunday at St. Andrew’s in Elyria, Ohio. Thank you . Wonderful comments back from the congregation.

Comment on Scapegoating & Spiritual Abuse in Churches (Part 1) by David,Doe

David,Doe — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 16:08:58 +0000

we suffer from a very imature,controlling Pastor, he is a womanizer, he has recently had an affair with a girl 25 years younger than him. Our church has not grown in 5years. We are very inorganized and have no evangelical efforts. No ministries, Just the pastor preaching twice a week to the same 10 people, he has a fowl mouth, and is in control of everything, We dont rehearse worship and I I am tired of traveling 50miles for this church which seems dead,

Comment on An Ethical Analysis of Date Rape by sheylla var

sheylla var — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 18:29:40 +0000

I am taking a Phylosiphy and Gender class and Date Rape by Pineau is one of the readings I had to do. I been googling to see if I could find an easier summary of this reading to understand and I came accross your post. I found it a lot easier to understand than the original reading, and I really liked how you compared both points of view about date rape, and I can say I agree with you 100% when you said that: “A woman, acting indiscreetly or flirtingly, has not committed any act that would justify or mitigate date rape. She may have, however, acted foolishly and without regard to her own safety. In this and only this aspect she may have been unethical.” Great analysis really enjoy it!

Comment on The Theology Behind Church Financial Practices by http://bestnaturalhealthsupplements.com

http://bestnaturalhealthsupplements.com — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 03:40:09 +0000

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Comment on IS THERE A DISTINCTIVE REFORMED THEOLOGY? by richard

richard — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 16:18:15 +0000

I agree we are losing the distinctives of TULIP, but worry that we are getting careless in which voices we listen to. I left my denomination after generations of my family have been in it over their rejection of Biblical authority. It may put us at odds with our times and culture but I reject any challenge to Biblical authority in all matters of faith, doctrine, and practice. I also worry again we are using external tests to determine one’s status before G-d. I remember that many of G-d’s Elect did not become social reformers, wealthy, but ended up in prison and death.
I am working to reach many like myself ousted from our Reformed denominations. I enjopyed tha article although I am a bit unclear as to your take on the so-called modernizations in dogma and doctrine in the denomiations traditionally deemed calvinist.

Comment on Oooh! You’re Bipolar? by Hannah

Hannah — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 03:55:40 +0000

I have just recently been diagnosed with Bipolar II and I’m now looking back over the last 5-10 years of my life wondering if my feelings, emotions and thoughts were “real” or if they were manifested in some way because of this new diagnosis.

I too am Christian, have been for as long as I can remember. I have always had those moments when I feel very close to God, either while praying, listening to Christian music or a random thought popping into my head. I have felt the need to share the joy of Christ with others, to teach those seeking truth and to help people in need. I love children, as does my 13 year old daughter. I have wanted to participate in missions to work in orphanages but just haven’t had the chance to yet. I pray and feel God directing me, inspiring me, and moving me to do His work and will.

In reading/researching about bipolar II I have noticed many people state that they have periods of time thinking or feeling that they are called to do God’s work or have a special purpose in life and that this is a sign or result of bipolar II. I am really struggling with believing that people who feel that God has called them to do His work are only feeling this way because of having bipolar II. Would this mean everyone in the Bible who heard the voice of God instructing them, really didn’t hear him they just imagined it because they were bipolar?

How do you determine if it’s God speaking to you, directing you, answering your prayers, showing you a beautiful creation to touch your heart and put a smile on your face, asking you to help someone in need, giving you the desire to speak to someone and tell them God loves them, or if its your own bipolar mind working against you?

And my second question would be, if it is my own mind, is that really a bad thing? Having a “mental illness” that makes me happy, gives me the desire to help others and teach others of Christ. Doesn’t sound bad at all! Honestly, I couldn’t imagine not living a life like this. I love that I have those Wow God moments where I feel Him moving and working in my life.

I try to picture how Jesus lived. He walked the earth in his last few years caring not for Himself but only for others. Teaching, feeding, healing, comforting. I can only hope that some day these are words that might describe me.

My best friend’s mother was always in and out of mental health hospitals when we were growing up. A few years ago she went off all of her medications saying that God had healed her. She’s an amazing artist, paints, creates, plays a few different instruments. She is whimsical and childlike. A complete joy to be around. She doesn’t work, lives on a very small ss disability benefit. She stocks her cabinets with food and then takes baskets to anyone in need. Holds weekly church services in her living room. Some how became an ordained minister although we really don’t know if it’s for real or if she just printed a name badge and gave herself a title. She does volunteer hospice services for those who are ill and passing. She holds weekly services for women in the local jail, teaching them about God and Christ. She truly believes she is here to do the work of God. She was never like this when she was on her medication. She is a completely different person but is out there doing amazing things. So is she bipolar? Or is she truly called by God to do His work like we read about in the Bible? Did God only call people to do His work all those years ago and now if someone hears God or feels him directing them to drop everything, follow His word and do His work, they are bipolar?

Any thoughts or ideas on this would be greatly appreciated! When I told my therapist I, at times, feel like I want to sell off my belongings and move to South America to do mission work in orphanages she looked at me kind of oddly. But there are people running those orphanages. They are amazing people. Dedicating their lives to helping those children. I guess i just don’t see or understand why wanting to do something great and help others in need is looked upon as being part of an illness. While this wasn’t said to me directly, I almost feel like it’s being thought, “Oh you don’t want to go hold those motherless children and love them when no one else will; that’s just your bipolar talking.”

Comment on Reflection on Being Like a Child – Matthew 18:1-6 by Being Like a Child « yogacarechallenge

Being Like a Child « yogacarechallenge — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 19:43:41 +0000

[...] I like to research a little for my daily writings and today I can across a beautiful Christian website. I do not follow any one religion – I love them all (unless they preach hate). I remembered from my own childhood a bible verse about being like a child. This is another word press site: Reflection on Being Like a Child [...]

Comment on Wisdom Distilled from the Daily by Mable

Mable — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 01:24:39 +0000

i would like a participant’s guide and teacher’s guide to this book also

Comment on Scapegoating & Spiritual Abuse in Churches (Part 1) by Art Scott

Art Scott — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 05:58:52 +0000

Rev. Andy – I love your site – just found it tonight.

My name is Art Scott.

I am a church musician, 35+ experience and was recently bullied out of a job I loved because of a Senior female ministers in the Methodist denomination.

I contacted my friend Mel White and encouraged him to write a book on this subject. He felt it was too negative and would not ‘sell’

Disagree.

May I send you a document telling of my experience.

Would you consider writing a book on this subject – Spiritual Abuse by Senior Pastors?

All the best, Art Scott

Comment on Matthew’s Talents vs. Luke’s Minas by Charles Norman

Charles Norman — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 17:56:56 +0000

This is a brilliant analysis that illuminates the Jesus Christ I believe in.