Comments for Ragamuffin Disciple http://ragamuffindisciple.voxtropolis.com journeying toward the mountain of God on an unpaved road Sat, 10 Jan 2009 02:29:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 Comment on Why does someone want to become a Christian? by ragamuffindisciple http://ragamuffindisciple.voxtropolis.com/disciple/why-does-someone-want-to-become-a-christian/#comment-29 ragamuffindisciple Fri, 18 May 2007 15:25:14 +0000 http://ragamuffindisciple.voxtropolis.com/disciple/why-does-someone-want-to-become-a-christian/#comment-29 You are right I am kind of wrestling with God in much the way you talked about. I appreciate you speaking truth into my life in such a kind and considerate way. You've said a lot that I need to process. I didn't mean to dismiss your statement about God romancing us by calling it a metaphor. I was just pointing out how many America Christians wouldn't get it when you talk about it like that, but that isn't to say that a pre-christian wouldn't. Revelation 22 paints some amazing pictures of our future with God and a painting you want to see yourself in. You are right I am kind of wrestling with God in much the way you talked about. I appreciate you speaking truth into my life in such a kind and considerate way. You’ve said a lot that I need to process.

I didn’t mean to dismiss your statement about God romancing us by calling it a metaphor. I was just pointing out how many America Christians wouldn’t get it when you talk about it like that, but that isn’t to say that a pre-christian wouldn’t. Revelation 22 paints some amazing pictures of our future with God and a painting you want to see yourself in.

]]> Comment on Why does someone want to become a Christian? by grettajane http://ragamuffindisciple.voxtropolis.com/disciple/why-does-someone-want-to-become-a-christian/#comment-28 grettajane Fri, 18 May 2007 06:16:25 +0000 http://ragamuffindisciple.voxtropolis.com/disciple/why-does-someone-want-to-become-a-christian/#comment-28 Hey Ragamuffin, I don't know if this is at all relevant to you but I thought about it after I posted the last comment. So if it's not pertinent just forget about. But you mentioned that you are "wrestling with God" and that made me think of how sometimes God will harm us to help us. WHen Jacob wrestled with God in Exodus, Jacob refused to surrender, this translated into other areas of his life he had refused to surrender to God in as well and had tried to get by in his life via deceipt. So God harmed him to help him and he merely touched his hip and it was dislocated. God said to him "let me go for it is almost daybreak," and still Jacob would not surrender. Then God asked him what is your name. I love this part, because your name is your essence. Jacob then has to surrender and he does he says my name is Jacob (I'm jake the snake, the deceiver, one who grabs the heel of those before, one who trips others...yeah, my name is Jacob) That hurts to say. And then God blesses him and made him Isreal. He had to be hurt before he could be helped. This reminds me of "The Horse and His Boy" from the Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis and ASlan explains to Shasta all the different lions He has been, all necessary all purposeful (end of ch 11). Sorry, I don't mean to point you off in a ton of differnt directions in all the things I suggest to check out or allude to, it's just the way my crazy head works, it's like a spiderweb. Hey Ragamuffin, I don’t know if this is at all relevant to you but I thought about it after I posted the last comment. So if it’s not pertinent just forget about. But you mentioned that you are “wrestling with God” and that made me think of how sometimes God will harm us to help us. WHen Jacob wrestled with God in Exodus, Jacob refused to surrender, this translated into other areas of his life he had refused to surrender to God in as well and had tried to get by in his life via deceipt. So God harmed him to help him and he merely touched his hip and it was dislocated. God said to him “let me go for it is almost daybreak,” and still Jacob would not surrender. Then God asked him what is your name. I love this part, because your name is your essence. Jacob then has to surrender and he does he says my name is Jacob (I’m jake the snake, the deceiver, one who grabs the heel of those before, one who trips others…yeah, my name is Jacob) That hurts to say. And then God blesses him and made him Isreal. He had to be hurt before he could be helped. This reminds me of “The Horse and His Boy” from the Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis and ASlan explains to Shasta all the different lions He has been, all necessary all purposeful (end of ch 11). Sorry, I don’t mean to point you off in a ton of differnt directions in all the things I suggest to check out or allude to, it’s just the way my crazy head works, it’s like a spiderweb.

]]> Comment on Why does someone want to become a Christian? by grettajane http://ragamuffindisciple.voxtropolis.com/disciple/why-does-someone-want-to-become-a-christian/#comment-27 grettajane Fri, 18 May 2007 05:26:57 +0000 http://ragamuffindisciple.voxtropolis.com/disciple/why-does-someone-want-to-become-a-christian/#comment-27 I wasn't actually being metaphorical. I meant it literally, just perhaps with a different perspective on the words. That's what the whole book of Song of Solomon is about romance both between Solomon and his wife and Jesus and the church. I particuarly find Rev 22 enchanting because John talks about the fullfillment of all things--the end times. It's so full of hope "v2-5 the tree of life bears a different crop of fruit each month. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God will be in the city (God will dwell with us!! Wow!) [His servants] will see His face...there will be no more night." If you think about it in the context of Jesus as the bridegroom and the church as the bride how much does one long to see the face of the one that you love, and when you finally do you feel sheer excitement. Several times throughtout the Bible people see the "face of God" and say something to the extent of "woe is me for I have seen God and now I'm gonna die" because God is holy and sin can not be in the midst of holiness and thus must perish, but in the end times His servants will be able to see his face and live! V17 "The spirit and the bride say COME! And let him who hears say COME! Whoever is thirsty, let him COME! let him and whoever wishes take the free gift of the water of life." I love this part as come is an invitation that requires action. It's God persistently pursuing us yet allowing us the space to respond, he will keep saying come and reminding us of the free gift of life but he's not going to drag us there. THis reminds me of the movie Hitch and the idea of the man leaning in 80% of the way for the kiss and then waiting "as long as it takes" for the woman to lean in the 20%. At IHOP KC, and IHOPs all over actually, they are focusing on worshiping and ministering to God and learning about the promises and hope of revelations. It's people in a true heart of worship allowing their hearts to be romanced by the beauty of God and his word. If you go to www.ihop.org and click on the "beliefs and controversies" tab, check out the "bridal paradigm" and the iterpretation of the book of Solomon. I wasn’t actually being metaphorical. I meant it literally, just perhaps with a different perspective on the words. That’s what the whole book of Song of Solomon is about romance both between Solomon and his wife and Jesus and the church. I particuarly find Rev 22 enchanting because John talks about the fullfillment of all things–the end times. It’s so full of hope “v2-5 the tree of life bears a different crop of fruit each month. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God will be in the city (God will dwell with us!! Wow!) [His servants] will see His face…there will be no more night.” If you think about it in the context of Jesus as the bridegroom and the church as the bride how much does one long to see the face of the one that you love, and when you finally do you feel sheer excitement. Several times throughtout the Bible people see the “face of God” and say something to the extent of “woe is me for I have seen God and now I’m gonna die” because God is holy and sin can not be in the midst of holiness and thus must perish, but in the end times His servants will be able to see his face and live! V17 “The spirit and the bride say COME! And let him who hears say COME! Whoever is thirsty, let him COME! let him and whoever wishes take the free gift of the water of life.” I love this part as come is an invitation that requires action. It’s God persistently pursuing us yet allowing us the space to respond, he will keep saying come and reminding us of the free gift of life but he’s not going to drag us there. THis reminds me of the movie Hitch and the idea of the man leaning in 80% of the way for the kiss and then waiting “as long as it takes” for the woman to lean in the 20%.
At IHOP KC, and IHOPs all over actually, they are focusing on worshiping and ministering to God and learning about the promises and hope of revelations. It’s people in a true heart of worship allowing their hearts to be romanced by the beauty of God and his word. If you go to http://www.ihop.org and click on the “beliefs and controversies” tab, check out the “bridal paradigm” and the iterpretation of the book of Solomon.

]]> Comment on Why does someone want to become a Christian? by ragamuffindisciple http://ragamuffindisciple.voxtropolis.com/disciple/why-does-someone-want-to-become-a-christian/#comment-26 ragamuffindisciple Thu, 10 May 2007 19:39:19 +0000 http://ragamuffindisciple.voxtropolis.com/disciple/why-does-someone-want-to-become-a-christian/#comment-26 Ah Romance. You've just used a metaphor the American Christian has no clue about. Great point and an interesting topic to talk about when having a conversation with someone wrestling with God. Explain a little about the romance you see in Revelation 22. I'd to get your take on it. What's up at IHOP KC? Ah Romance. You’ve just used a metaphor the American Christian has no clue about. Great point and an interesting topic to talk about when having a conversation with someone wrestling with God. Explain a little about the romance you see in Revelation 22. I’d to get your take on it.

What’s up at IHOP KC?

]]> Comment on Why does someone want to become a Christian? by grettajane http://ragamuffindisciple.voxtropolis.com/disciple/why-does-someone-want-to-become-a-christian/#comment-25 grettajane Thu, 10 May 2007 19:25:06 +0000 http://ragamuffindisciple.voxtropolis.com/disciple/why-does-someone-want-to-become-a-christian/#comment-25 To be Romanced! Perhaps this is the girl in me, but God is a great Lover! I think sometimes living in America and not being challened on a daily basis in obvious ways we get challened subvertedly and slip into lukewarmness. The challenge here as spoiled Americans is to seek God and allow yourself to be romanced by His word, check out Rev 22! One would want to become a Christian not for behavior modification but because God is God and when you discover even a little tiny bit of his character you can't help but worship Him. Check out IHOP Kansas City. To be Romanced! Perhaps this is the girl in me, but God is a great Lover! I think sometimes living in America and not being challened on a daily basis in obvious ways we get challened subvertedly and slip into lukewarmness. The challenge here as spoiled Americans is to seek God and allow yourself to be romanced by His word, check out Rev 22! One would want to become a Christian not for behavior modification but because God is God and when you discover even a little tiny bit of his character you can’t help but worship Him. Check out IHOP Kansas City.

]]> Comment on jealous God by jewlianne http://ragamuffindisciple.voxtropolis.com/questions/jealous-god/#comment-24 jewlianne Fri, 27 Apr 2007 21:21:24 +0000 http://ragamuffindisciple.voxtropolis.com/questions/jealous-god/#comment-24 I think you have to look at the verses around it as well, as is often true, to get a full perspective. The verse just before the one you quoted states "You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God". To me he's saying that God is jealous and wants us to seek him only and not to "cheat" on him with the world. But thank goodness for the next verse, "6But he gives us more grace." I'd be interested to know what "spirit" the author is referring to as well. Even the footnote in the NIV is confusing, " that God jealously longs for the spirit that he made to live in us; or that the Spirit he caused to live in us longs jealously". I think you have to look at the verses around it as well, as is often true, to get a full perspective. The verse just before the one you quoted states “You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God”. To me he’s saying that God is jealous and wants us to seek him only and not to “cheat” on him with the world. But thank goodness for the next verse, “6But he gives us more grace.”

I’d be interested to know what “spirit” the author is referring to as well. Even the footnote in the NIV is confusing, ” that God jealously longs for the spirit that he made to live in us; or that the Spirit he caused to live in us longs jealously”.

]]> Comment on jealous God by parke http://ragamuffindisciple.voxtropolis.com/questions/jealous-god/#comment-23 parke Thu, 26 Apr 2007 19:50:25 +0000 http://ragamuffindisciple.voxtropolis.com/questions/jealous-god/#comment-23 My limited understanding in light of the previous verses is that God desires our full attention and energy. God is jealous and wants all of us. Why the world "spirit" is used and whether it is spirit in the sense of our essence or the Holy Spirit is a topic I'd need to study more. My limited understanding in light of the previous verses is that God desires our full attention and energy. God is jealous and wants all of us. Why the world “spirit” is used and whether it is spirit in the sense of our essence or the Holy Spirit is a topic I’d need to study more.

]]> Comment on How brave are you? by garrett http://ragamuffindisciple.voxtropolis.com/apologetics/how-brave-are-you/#comment-22 garrett Wed, 25 Apr 2007 12:38:21 +0000 http://ragamuffindisciple.voxtropolis.com/apologetics/how-brave-are-you/#comment-22 I'm downloading them from youtube tonight. I read a few brief words about him and it does sound challenging. I'll let you know after I watch them... I’m downloading them from youtube tonight. I read a few brief words about him and it does sound challenging. I’ll let you know after I watch them…

]]> Comment on How Long? by ragamuffindisciple http://ragamuffindisciple.voxtropolis.com/realizing/how-long/#comment-21 ragamuffindisciple Mon, 16 Apr 2007 18:58:20 +0000 http://ragamuffindisciple.voxtropolis.com/realizing/how-long/#comment-21 Great Point! Maybe that is where we have gone wrong. Instead of talking about a person or challenging a person to be a Christian or act more Christ-like we should challenge to produce fruit and be know for what you do and not just the name. Great Point! Maybe that is where we have gone wrong. Instead of talking about a person or challenging a person to be a Christian or act more Christ-like we should challenge to produce fruit and be know for what you do and not just the name.

]]> Comment on How Long? by parke http://ragamuffindisciple.voxtropolis.com/realizing/how-long/#comment-20 parke Mon, 16 Apr 2007 18:51:03 +0000 http://ragamuffindisciple.voxtropolis.com/realizing/how-long/#comment-20 I'd like to think so, but the phrase has been used in many situations where that's not true. Lately, I find it's almost better to speak directly to the change the needs to happen than even words like I've used above. It's usually more inspiring and more challenging. I’d like to think so, but the phrase has been used in many situations where that’s not true. Lately, I find it’s almost better to speak directly to the change the needs to happen than even words like I’ve used above. It’s usually more inspiring and more challenging.

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