tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1735040292604331611.comments2023-10-17T10:25:57.853-04:00learning my lines. . .Walt Muellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16502588185280592205noreply@blogger.comBlogger2662125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1735040292604331611.post-72731801122224922142014-05-01T12:44:10.143-04:002014-05-01T12:44:10.143-04:00This is absolutely perfect timing, my wife and I w...This is absolutely perfect timing, my wife and I were just talking last night about how we need to set better examples for our kids (6 & 3) about media-use. We're going to do this... I'll let you know how it's going on May 10th! Mike McGarryhttp://www.livingtheologically.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1735040292604331611.post-86676732602100688682014-04-18T14:38:05.501-04:002014-04-18T14:38:05.501-04:00Great podcast! Maybe one of the culprits in all th...Great podcast! Maybe one of the culprits in all this mess is our own evangelistic efforts. Could it be that the typical North American 21st-century presentation of God's plan of salvation for mankind (incorrectly called, because of its incompleteness, "the Gospel") is feeding the narcissistic spirit of the age? Doesn't it serve to elevate self if the great story of God is reduced to being just about getting me to heaven when I die and addressing the things I care a lot about, such as my marriage, my children, my career, my self-improvement, etc.? What about God's interests? Doesn't He get anything out of all this? Because I'm so puny, the magnificent Gospel of God becomes puny when it's understood to be just about me! So maybe we shouldn't be surprised when people who've been trained to think and behave like narcissists, are actually thinking and behaving narcissistically. May God help us to turn our eyes from our own reflections and unto His Majesty.Shoobaccanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1735040292604331611.post-52166209603428438102014-04-12T10:49:23.793-04:002014-04-12T10:49:23.793-04:00Bravo Walt. Just wrote a similar piece on my blog ...Bravo Walt. Just wrote a similar piece on my blog last week. If you haven't seen the article on Tolerance and Intolerance from FOX News this week, you must read.<br /><br />Thanks for your work. I use your writings every semester in my courses. <br /><br />Jeff Grenell<br />www.jeffgrenell.blogspot.com<br />jeff grenellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01992997399201547322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1735040292604331611.post-42541825924403873512014-04-11T11:27:28.270-04:002014-04-11T11:27:28.270-04:00For two thousand years faithful Christians have be...For two thousand years faithful Christians have been rather adept at penetrating and impacting a myriad of cultures globally - learning how to transcend language, custom and social mores values; while at the same time keeping their foundational biblical and theological moorings. <br /><br />Clearly, there have been some bumps, bruise and tragic abuses... but overall, the Church experienced tremendous success in advancing the Kingdom of God with it's primary emphasis on the Centrality of Christ on the Cross, and then secondarily being Christ's love to others, in their need, while in this world. <br /><br />I am quite sure that Christians endured tremendous pressure throughout history to conform, in order to be relevant. It was certainly true for the believers in Galatia, when it came to the Judaizers. It was true in Colossae with the pressure that came from those "Belivers" who worshipped Angels and participated in mystery religions (See Hebrews on this as well). To say nothing of how Jesus was expected to conform to the Tradition of the Elders (Later known as the Mishnah), over, and even against the Mosaic Law... which is why He was ultimately killed by them, on the charge of blaspheme. But He would not surrender, nor should we... <br /><br />The pressure by the world, and even fellow believers, for traditionally "conservative" Christians to conform falls under the adage: "There is nothing new under the sun." <br /><br />Today, many in the church have traded a "missiological approach" for appears to be a "relevant position." <br /><br />"Missiological Christianity" means taking the core Truths of the Christian faith, and faithfully learn how "in Christ" to make them living and accessible to the surrounding culture, through orthodox teaching and benevolent living. These people tend to stand UNDER the scriptures. <br /><br />"Relevant Christianity" is asking the surrounding culture their advice and permission, apologizing on behalf of Christ, about what Truth's they will accept about the faith, and the best way that it can made available without the danger of offending anyone... These people tend to stand OVER, or at best BESIDE the scriptures... <br /><br />I get both... To some degree I participated in both... Higher Education can do that to you... But upon reflection and more life experience... I'll take the missiological approach...<br /><br />Good post Walt! Keep 'em coming! Ricky... https://www.blogger.com/profile/06034571820861160284noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1735040292604331611.post-36942463154283871992014-04-09T11:11:56.090-04:002014-04-09T11:11:56.090-04:00Excellent and compassionate thoughts, Walt. Thanks...Excellent and compassionate thoughts, Walt. Thanks!Shawnhttp://six11.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1735040292604331611.post-38359336102318419872014-03-31T15:01:16.507-04:002014-03-31T15:01:16.507-04:00Walt, I just met you this weekend at Impact and wa...Walt, I just met you this weekend at Impact and want to thank you for your transparency and honesty in this discussion. We could all learn alot from your teaching and your example in how to listen and understand long before we endeavor to speak. Your thoughts on this topic are well considered and wise. There will not be an easy solution to this dilemma for the church at large. It will require each of us to come to grips with the details of our faith and our understanding of scriptural authority. As you modeled with your actions, until we have wrestled with these for ourselves we should each listen, read, learn, and pray first and then if led by the Spirit, speak. We can only make this discussion more contentious and heated by making our emotional, knee jerk reactions, public. We should all be striving to point people to Christ not chase them away. Remembering that the job of changing the sinner's heart belongs to the Spirit, not to us. That's how He worked in me and every other person He called to Himself. Let him do his thing.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17725047084377305505noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1735040292604331611.post-79371917082030410982014-03-29T12:14:39.449-04:002014-03-29T12:14:39.449-04:00Sorry. I wasn't listening to what you were say...Sorry. I wasn't listening to what you were saying in the front of Room 215 of the Ocean City Convention Center. I was reading this blog post instead.Shoobaccanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1735040292604331611.post-53637076528744256662014-03-29T11:29:05.730-04:002014-03-29T11:29:05.730-04:00Thank you.
This has very much been my thinking....Thank you. <br /><br />This has very much been my thinking. <br /><br />I have been concerned with the throwing down of the gauntlet without consulting the scriptures and those who have studied longer...deeper...than we have.<br /><br />Thank you...Kathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09341478847769765450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1735040292604331611.post-39866756906726520652014-03-29T10:33:19.813-04:002014-03-29T10:33:19.813-04:00When situations like this rise up in Christendom, ...When situations like this rise up in Christendom, at some point I think, "I wonder what Walt has to say about this." Depending on the the timing of that thought in correlation to the breaking news, I know there is a chance I'll have to wait to read those thoughts. That may be what I appreciate most... you refuse the knee-jerk immediate reaction approach, but instead take time to research, process and pray through your thoughts.<br /><br />Once again, you have put words to much of the hodge-podge of thoughts I've been mjul on this situation. I have been in multiple conversations where we have landed on the question "What is the main issue at hand here?" I completely agree that Authority lays at the base of this all.<br /><br />Thanks for your humble and healthy perspective.<br />derryprenkerthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08750620757895329620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1735040292604331611.post-86110225281588050832014-03-29T08:40:28.576-04:002014-03-29T08:40:28.576-04:00Thank you Walt for the humility of your thoughts, ...Thank you Walt for the humility of your thoughts, this is a difficult one. I do agree that at the heart of this and similar issues lies the question of authority. Jay Brennannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1735040292604331611.post-38809494683971666602014-03-29T07:36:49.235-04:002014-03-29T07:36:49.235-04:00Thank you for a wise and thoughtful response.Thank you for a wise and thoughtful response.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03331038258704458572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1735040292604331611.post-46354587374499726162014-03-29T07:29:16.428-04:002014-03-29T07:29:16.428-04:00you put my thoughts into words, thanks for the hea...you put my thoughts into words, thanks for the heartfelt and gentle wisdom, blessings!Tim Van Arsdalehttp://www.cupscafe.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1735040292604331611.post-5743783584967112172014-03-20T12:25:44.825-04:002014-03-20T12:25:44.825-04:00I learned the hard way that seminary boards are ju...I learned the hard way that seminary boards are just as guilt of denial. This was after I reported a seminary professor who attempted to sexually assault me in his office. I finally came forward after 16 years and had proof of what he did. The seminary was anything but bibilcal in its responseAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1735040292604331611.post-1761837297971497392014-03-19T12:24:38.694-04:002014-03-19T12:24:38.694-04:00Praise the Lord! What a wonderful and beautiful po...Praise the Lord! What a wonderful and beautiful post! I hope the little ones are doing well. May God bless you and your family. Marla Kellmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00254157413138675519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1735040292604331611.post-28191727664023473412014-03-12T14:55:25.489-04:002014-03-12T14:55:25.489-04:00Echos Of Eden by Jerramm Barrs is another book tha...Echos Of Eden by Jerramm Barrs is another book that helps to see how culture, art and Christianity can be winsome. lenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00544988323117530807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1735040292604331611.post-89683237699923160942014-03-11T02:54:52.274-04:002014-03-11T02:54:52.274-04:00I would recommend The Perks of Being a Wallflower....I would recommend The Perks of Being a Wallflower. It is a current movie, telling the story of early 90s high schoolers, but the characters are timeless. It is very well done and digs painfully deep into the hurt teens may be facing. Just as a disclaimer, there are several sexual issues covered in the movie.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1735040292604331611.post-89073513763057178512014-03-11T02:52:39.073-04:002014-03-11T02:52:39.073-04:00I would recommend The Perks of Being a Wallflower....I would recommend The Perks of Being a Wallflower. It is a current movie, telling the story of early 90s high schoolers, but the characters are timeless. It is very well done and digs painfully deep into the hurt teens may be facing. Just as a disclaimer, there are several sexual issues covered in the movie.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1735040292604331611.post-66429788574793420592014-03-05T11:21:02.666-05:002014-03-05T11:21:02.666-05:00I cannot recommend enough that you watch "Taa...I cannot recommend enough that you watch "Taare Zameen Par", or in English "Like Stars On Earth." It's a Bollywood film about a troubled boy with a learning disability (unknown to his family) and his downward spiral as he faces pressure from school, family, and friends to "try harder" and "do better." He is seemingly a lost cause until one teacher comes into his life and tries a different approach - compassion, love, and understanding. As a summer camp director (Black Rock Retreat), I show it to my summer staff just about every year and it makes a huge impact on them because it's a great reminder that poor behavior is always a symptom of a greater root cause, and it's our job as youth workers to dig deep and look at the deeper issues of the heart. This film is powerful - it both heartbreaking and redemptive. Of course, it's little known because it's Bollywood and we tend to be movie snobs in America, but it is so good that Disney bought the rights to distribute it! <br /><br />Check out the reviews:<br />http://www.amazon.com/Taare-Zameen-Par-AAMIR-KHAN/dp/B0014K2JTUAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14311036136916840536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1735040292604331611.post-31807241078131281672014-02-26T10:54:07.692-05:002014-02-26T10:54:07.692-05:00Walt, as one of the most interesting friends you h...Walt, as one of the most interesting friends you have, let me just say how much I enjoyed your post. Thanks. Joelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08702802720633913271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1735040292604331611.post-25925211445739621782014-02-26T10:52:53.052-05:002014-02-26T10:52:53.052-05:00Walt, as one of the most interesting friends that ...Walt, as one of the most interesting friends that you have, let me say how much I enjoyed your post. Thanks.Joelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08702802720633913271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1735040292604331611.post-24334145707709597862014-02-22T13:03:17.022-05:002014-02-22T13:03:17.022-05:00Thanks for these thoughts! This is a helpful warn...Thanks for these thoughts! This is a helpful warning to us all. Ben Birdsonghttp://www.benbirdsong.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1735040292604331611.post-81176281005830197212014-02-10T11:31:44.444-05:002014-02-10T11:31:44.444-05:00Hey Walt, thanks for reminding us of this issue th...Hey Walt, thanks for reminding us of this issue that tends to be ignored. I myself was a youth leader for over 10 years and I appreciate your words on this. How can we do more to encourage youth leaders and encourage lead Pastors to mentor their staff? Lets be honest, this isn't confined to only student ministry.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01848538833578379371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1735040292604331611.post-58144070309706095712014-02-04T16:46:39.708-05:002014-02-04T16:46:39.708-05:00So true Ty. We all need to consistently remind our...So true Ty. We all need to consistently remind ourselves of our own proclivity to do the wrong thing.<br />Walt Muellerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16502588185280592205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1735040292604331611.post-6467060915611488922014-02-04T16:21:36.329-05:002014-02-04T16:21:36.329-05:00Thanks for continuing to keep this in front of us ...Thanks for continuing to keep this in front of us and top of mind. First small steps towards risky behaviors grow to extremes without the benefits and truth of true accountability. Ty Hoguenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1735040292604331611.post-15629047618643022582014-01-28T17:51:46.884-05:002014-01-28T17:51:46.884-05:00This is a complex issue that I have been working t...This is a complex issue that I have been working through this year. How will the church deal with this topic with grace and truth? Three books have been the most valuable for me:<br /><br />1. Rosaria Butterfield's "Secret thoughts of an unlikely convert."<br />2. "Is God anti-gay?" by Sam Allberry <br />3. "Love into Light" by Peter Hubbard<br /><br />Butterfield is a married woman who lived a homosexual lifestyle, Sam Allberry is single and still struggles with SSA, and Hubbard is a pastor who has been counseling homosexuals for years.Oneighty Youthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02069615269299675114noreply@blogger.com