Comments on: The Giant Killer http://gregengland.com/2010/07/21/the-giant-killer/ Slices of my life in the Southern California Desert Mon, 26 Dec 2011 19:08:17 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 By: Joe http://gregengland.com/2010/07/21/the-giant-killer/comment-page-1/#comment-11278 Joe Fri, 23 Jul 2010 11:55:45 +0000 http://gregengland.com/?p=3784#comment-11278 I'll try to make time to read the article later. Just a quick comment - I heard a guy once say that we spend more time reading books (and going to seminars, etc.) about the Bible than we do reading the Bible. Since then, I've realized there are few books that really add anything to the Scripture. There are three, however, that I have on my shelf that I think have helped me tremendously, and are worth keeping. (Every Man's Battle, Living God's Love, and Crazy Love). And I'm realizing now that one reason I find them so powerful is that they speak nothing of how we "do church" - but about how to build relationship with God. Oh, and I'm not a numbers guy, but I am a "safety geek" and I certainly get it that we're all wired differently - I've convinced very few people to understand my safety ways :-) I’ll try to make time to read the article later. Just a quick comment – I heard a guy once say that we spend more time reading books (and going to seminars, etc.) about the Bible than we do reading the Bible. Since then, I’ve realized there are few books that really add anything to the Scripture. There are three, however, that I have on my shelf that I think have helped me tremendously, and are worth keeping. (Every Man’s Battle, Living God’s Love, and Crazy Love). And I’m realizing now that one reason I find them so powerful is that they speak nothing of how we “do church” – but about how to build relationship with God.

Oh, and I’m not a numbers guy, but I am a “safety geek” and I certainly get it that we’re all wired differently – I’ve convinced very few people to understand my safety ways :-)

]]> By: Meowmix http://gregengland.com/2010/07/21/the-giant-killer/comment-page-1/#comment-11277 Meowmix Thu, 22 Jul 2010 18:15:04 +0000 http://gregengland.com/?p=3784#comment-11277 In "doing church," I'm always reminded of the explosion of bus ministries............and then the explosion of busses for sale by churches. However, one very good friend and preacher, whose initials are John Roberts, if I remember correctly, came to know the Lord because of a bus ministry. So it was worth it. :) <strong>[John's a good guy ... regardless of how he "got in"!]</strong> In “doing church,” I’m always reminded of the explosion of bus ministries…………and then the explosion of busses for sale by churches. However, one very good friend and preacher, whose initials are John Roberts, if I remember correctly, came to know the Lord because of a bus ministry. So it was worth it. :)

[John's a good guy ... regardless of how he "got in"!]

]]> By: Donna http://gregengland.com/2010/07/21/the-giant-killer/comment-page-1/#comment-11276 Donna Thu, 22 Jul 2010 15:40:55 +0000 http://gregengland.com/?p=3784#comment-11276 Great story! I love it when using numbers makes a difference in the world. I love it even more when loving God makes a difference in lives. <strong>[I'll forever remained confused about the numbers, but I love seeing people's faith shine!]</strong> Great story! I love it when using numbers makes a difference in the world. I love it even more when loving God makes a difference in lives.

[I'll forever remained confused about the numbers, but I love seeing people's faith shine!]

]]> By: harleyrider http://gregengland.com/2010/07/21/the-giant-killer/comment-page-1/#comment-11275 harleyrider Thu, 22 Jul 2010 13:37:36 +0000 http://gregengland.com/?p=3784#comment-11275 I am reading some books by Frank Viola (Reimaging Church, Pagen Christianity, Organic Church, From Eternity to Here & his latest, Jesus Manifesto) that have me re-thinking a lot of things I grew up believing. God is really working on me right now, I hope I am listening..... <strong>[Are you suggesting that preacher at Woodlawn didn't have it all just right? I'm a year or so behind, but I finally ordered three of Viola's books. Looking forward to reading them.]</strong> I am reading some books by Frank Viola (Reimaging Church, Pagen Christianity, Organic Church, From Eternity to Here & his latest, Jesus Manifesto) that have me re-thinking a lot of things I grew up believing. God is really working on me right now, I hope I am listening…..

[Are you suggesting that preacher at Woodlawn didn't have it all just right? I'm a year or so behind, but I finally ordered three of Viola's books. Looking forward to reading them.]

]]> By: Connie Lard http://gregengland.com/2010/07/21/the-giant-killer/comment-page-1/#comment-11274 Connie Lard Thu, 22 Jul 2010 11:16:17 +0000 http://gregengland.com/?p=3784#comment-11274 Loved the article! Nothing better than a true-life story like that to motivate you at the start of the day! Greg, I share your disillusionment with "church" as it's done most places. Especially the following words: "It all just seemed to complicate something that was never meant to be all that complicated. Imagine where we’d be if Jesus had listened to the religious experts of his day?" What I have puzzled over, growing up in a CoC, with a mom and dad who truly believed in the call to go back to NT Christianity, "WHY DIDN"T WE ACTUALLY DO THAT?" Why did the original people in the movement (Alexander Campbell and Barton W. Stone and all the rest) leave the clergy system intact and why have they continued to saddle themselves with "church buildings"?! Paying for the church building and paying the staff at most churches eats up most of the budget. Is that really what it's all about?! Oh, well. Great article! You are blessed to have him as your friend! <strong>[I'm also blessed by YOUR friendship! Why didn't we do that? For the same reason we're still not doing it, I suppose. My opinion is we have a history of studying our history and a commitment to "us" rather than truly being committed to Jesus.]</strong> Loved the article! Nothing better than a true-life story like that to motivate you at the start of the day!

Greg, I share your disillusionment with “church” as it’s done most places. Especially the following words: “It all just seemed to complicate something that was never meant to be all that complicated. Imagine where we’d be if Jesus had listened to the religious experts of his day?”

What I have puzzled over, growing up in a CoC, with a mom and dad who truly believed in the call to go back to NT Christianity, “WHY DIDN”T WE ACTUALLY DO THAT?” Why did the original people in the movement (Alexander Campbell and Barton W. Stone and all the rest) leave the clergy system intact and why have they continued to saddle themselves with “church buildings”?! Paying for the church building and paying the staff at most churches eats up most of the budget. Is that really what it’s all about?!

Oh, well. Great article! You are blessed to have him as your friend!

[I'm also blessed by YOUR friendship! Why didn't we do that? For the same reason we're still not doing it, I suppose. My opinion is we have a history of studying our history and a commitment to "us" rather than truly being committed to Jesus.]

]]> By: Janice Garrison http://gregengland.com/2010/07/21/the-giant-killer/comment-page-1/#comment-11273 Janice Garrison Thu, 22 Jul 2010 03:58:04 +0000 http://gregengland.com/?p=3784#comment-11273 What a great article and what an amazing man to be so focused on finding the problem and dealing with his own health issues at the same time. I would say he had some answered prayers. I have to agree with Mike and Dee, we are the church, rough spots and all. Thanks for sharing this good stuff! :D <strong>[Thanks for reading it.]</strong> What a great article and what an amazing man to be so focused on finding the problem and dealing with his own health issues at the same time. I would say he had some answered prayers.

I have to agree with Mike and Dee, we are the church, rough spots and all.

Thanks for sharing this good stuff! :D

[Thanks for reading it.]

]]> By: wallysdad http://gregengland.com/2010/07/21/the-giant-killer/comment-page-1/#comment-11272 wallysdad Thu, 22 Jul 2010 03:26:05 +0000 http://gregengland.com/?p=3784#comment-11272 I suspect that, in fact, there is no (and never has been) getting it "right"in terms of the church as an institution. However, there have always been (and I believe always will be) people who are Jesus to the world in any particular time and place. Rather than focusing on how the church can grow as an entity in and of itself, I think we might be better served to preach and share Jesus to our respective spheres of influence and let the Spirit add to the body. Just my two cents. <strong>[Your two cents is (are??) always worth reading, my dear friend.]</strong> I suspect that, in fact, there is no (and never has been) getting it “right”in terms of the church as an institution. However, there have always been (and I believe always will be) people who are Jesus to the world in any particular time and place. Rather than focusing on how the church can grow as an entity in and of itself, I think we might be better served to preach and share Jesus to our respective spheres of influence and let the Spirit add to the body. Just my two cents.

[Your two cents is (are??) always worth reading, my dear friend.]

]]> By: Dee Andrews http://gregengland.com/2010/07/21/the-giant-killer/comment-page-1/#comment-11271 Dee Andrews Wed, 21 Jul 2010 16:27:56 +0000 http://gregengland.com/?p=3784#comment-11271 What an incredible story! I love it and just wish David could have come out with his findings a bit sooner before the passing for the health care fiasco bill. My grandson, Keegan (my daughter's younger son), made a perfect score in math on the SAT and has just started college. He wants to be an actuary, he thinks, so I sent the link to the article to Rebecca to show Keegan. Keegan is pretty much a loner type and I can see him getting caught up in numbers and working like - apparently - your friend and elder does. I agree with you and Mike (the eyeguy) that we ARE the church wherever we go and whatever we're doing. Thanks for the reminder. Dee <strong>[I find it fascinating that anyone would want a career in numbers, but God has wired some people that way. I hope this article will inspire Keegan.]</strong> What an incredible story! I love it and just wish David could have come out with his findings a bit sooner before the passing for the health care fiasco bill.

My grandson, Keegan (my daughter’s younger son), made a perfect score in math on the SAT and has just started college. He wants to be an actuary, he thinks, so I sent the link to the article to Rebecca to show Keegan. Keegan is pretty much a loner type and I can see him getting caught up in numbers and working like – apparently – your friend and elder does.

I agree with you and Mike (the eyeguy) that we ARE the church wherever we go and whatever we’re doing. Thanks for the reminder.

Dee

[I find it fascinating that anyone would want a career in numbers, but God has wired some people that way. I hope this article will inspire Keegan.]

]]> By: Mike the Eyeguy http://gregengland.com/2010/07/21/the-giant-killer/comment-page-1/#comment-11270 Mike the Eyeguy Wed, 21 Jul 2010 13:29:28 +0000 http://gregengland.com/?p=3784#comment-11270 "Truth is, as hard as we try, we’ve never been able to “get it right” as to how to “do church” because we were never meant to “do church.” It was always God’s idea that we BE the church, regardless of what we happened to be “doing” at a given moment." Amen, and amen. “Truth is, as hard as we try, we’ve never been able to “get it right” as to how to “do church” because we were never meant to “do church.” It was always God’s idea that we BE the church, regardless of what we happened to be “doing” at a given moment.”

Amen, and amen.

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