tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792425768941347809.post7367723503020044198..comments2023-12-28T07:49:14.464-05:00Comments on weak on sanctification: my "suburbs" rantMichael Mercerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02936525547740110077noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792425768941347809.post-23566511656123838312009-12-10T16:34:46.540-05:002009-12-10T16:34:46.540-05:00"in a world that i will into being, there'..."in a world that i will into being, there's not much room for mystery, for the sacred, for that which is outside my control. everything happens for a reason, right? if i want a better marriage, i attend the church's small group on marriage. if i want more knowledge of church history, i take a class at the local christian college. if i want to protect my kids from bad music, i play in the minivan the christian radio station that brands itself, "safe for the whole family." if halloween scares me, my kids and i can attend a fall festival, an alternative halloween event at a large church in our area...i live in a neighborhood so safe that the only way christians "stand up for christ" is by not serving alcohol at the block party. (it's a family neighborhood, after all!) even the construction workers working on the $1 million home next door listen only to nice Christian radio. how nice for our kids!"<br /><br />Wow... That IS the Godly Perfect World of the story-within-a-story of <i>A Pagan's Nightmare</i> by Ray Blackston. (And it's Godly and Perfect only on the surface.) Check out the book sometime; it's hilarious!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792425768941347809.post-59585125839206545352009-10-23T13:42:53.886-04:002009-10-23T13:42:53.886-04:00Hmmmm....this provokes a lot of thinkin'....th...Hmmmm....this provokes a lot of thinkin'....thanks!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792425768941347809.post-11204770815173215402009-10-23T11:41:23.321-04:002009-10-23T11:41:23.321-04:00You're right, Justin. Goetz's book is a go...You're right, Justin. Goetz's book is a good first step. He is very transparent about the specifics of his own life, and the disciplines he suggests may prove helpful to those who read the book or study it in small groups. <br /><br />But, IMHO, after challenging individuals to a "thicker" walk with God as Goetz does, this is where the church has to start taking some stands. Pastors and churches must stop catering to the suburban ethos and start organizing themselves around truly following Jesus and not around providing nice programs for families who want to make sure they have the religious part of their life in order.Michael Mercerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02936525547740110077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792425768941347809.post-78674649305548490572009-10-23T10:10:36.336-04:002009-10-23T10:10:36.336-04:00I guess Billie Joe Armstrong was right. My only qu...I guess Billie Joe Armstrong was right. My only question is where do the generalizations and stereotypes break down and we have to deal with and meet people where they are?Justinhttp://delinquentminer.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792425768941347809.post-62970380428892242262009-10-23T07:59:52.242-04:002009-10-23T07:59:52.242-04:00Wow, this sounds good. On the great minds think a...Wow, this sounds good. On the great minds think alike principle, there is an excellent post on the same topic at the blog, "Glory to God for All Things." (Sorry, I can't do links.) I think it's called "Finding Christ in Abundance," and it also is an important wake-up call. Thanks, Mike.Damarisnoreply@blogger.com