Let me tell you a story.
This past Sunday was communion at my local church - Parker Hill Community Church. Parker Hill is not a normal church - you can wear jeans, church is offered on Saturday night, we use video screens for multi-campus preaching ministry, and the music is, well - let's just say loud and definitely contemporary. Now, I always wear a hat to Saturday night church - which is quite a shocker to most people, I know... but for Parker Hill - that is quite normal. My generation has no problem with that.
As I went up to take communion (we get out of our seats for communion), an elderly gentleman approached me and very firmly wispered, "Take your hat off." I immediately felt terrible that I had offended him and removed my hat. I was really, really surprised, though - I mean - people usually have to get past the rock music, the non-expository preaching style, and people lighting up cigarettes in the parking lot before hats are an issue. However - out of respect and and an understanding of Romans 14 that when an issue is addressed, we need to lovingly lay aside our liberties for the sake of unity within the body.
I want to do the same thing with Credo In Deum.
Over the past two weeks, I've been lovingly confronted on a couple issues that I thought I'd address. The first are crass/offensive terms that I use like heck, crap, and freaking. The second is the music I put at the bottom of the blog. In Romans 14 it says, "...decide never to put a stumbling block or hinderance in the way of a brother." So - I just thought I'd write and let my readers know that I will make the effort on Credo In Deum to never be a hinderance to anyone who reads my blog. Also - I wanna say thanks to people in my life who are willing to confront me. So, thank you! :)
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
6 comments:
What a fantastic, Biblical response -- both in the situation with the elderly gentleman, and with your blog. It would have been easy for you to just get mad, or at least indignant... but you took the time to think it through. Regardless of right or wrong, your response is an encouragement to me. ~Nikki C.
i just want to say that this is really huge of you and i really really respect you a lot more for that ... i think that this is something that i have a hard time with ... thinking that when someone comes up to me saying that it bothers them that i am doing such and such ... i tend to get upset with them and think that what i do is not their problem ... but rather ... it is ... if it is causing them to stumble ...
Hey Dan,
I'm thankful to the sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. You probably know this but it is a cultural thing as well as a biblical thing in a show of respect and submission to God for men to have their heads uncovered in the "sancutary." Women, on the other hand, some believe should have their heads covered as a sign of submission (biblical too). Where does the mix between N.T. times and current culture stop and end? Good question.
Also, I was a little concerned about U2 being on your favorites. They were extremely popular when I was in college. Not all their words are God honoring.
No need to post this unless you feel you should, more for just and me and you.
You are growing by leaps and bounds. Praise the Lord! Isn't it great that it is a gradual, loving, gentle process that God brings us through?!
Mrs. M.
Thanks, Dan...freedom is a crazy thing. Your response is so admirable. As a Christ follower I no longer have the right to "express myself" however I want, but only to "express" Christ in me. Not a burden,a but a joy!
Annette
Well done, little brothah ;-) I agree with the comment that says, "As a Christ follower I no longer have the right to "express myself" however I want, but only to "express" Christ in me." And it is HARD TO DO, you know I'm speakin' truth!! Isn't it awesome to see how God works in us? And yes - continue praising the Lord for the good friends/family in your life who love you enough to point you to a higher level. One never has too many of them. I'm missing a couple of them RIGHT NOW ;-)
Dan, I like your site, and especially this post. One of the other comments said it best: the issue isn't what we can or can't do, it's how can we best show Christ's love to others.
Post a Comment