It seems that the thread here is where the action is. With 662 comments, it’s taking far too long to load on many user’s PCs.
Please continue the conversation here.
The mini debate on the Chesapeake thread (Calvinism vs Arminianism) is of great interest to some, and of little interest to others.
I thought I’d create a new thread for those who have an interest.
Two requests-
1) Let love rule your heart and tongue-this is an “in house” discussion. We are family, united in Christ Jesus.
2) We all know Arminians and Calvinists who have done some very bad things. This is a doctrinal discussion which should obviously be based on what Scripture teaches. “Wesley, who was Arminian, did such and such” has nothing to do with the topic.
Be nice and have fun!
I’m the kind of girl that enjoys a healthy, friendly debate. The back and forth, exchanging thoughts and ideas that I hadn’t thought of before… I’ve even been known to change my views when presented with facts or truth that I hadn’t seen before or considered. Or “agreeing to disagree” when I haven’t been persuaded. This is a good thing, as none of us are 100% right all the time, and we don’t know all there is to know on every subject.
To hear other ideas and convictions and to think on them, to ponder them, to study Scripture and search for truth strengthens our biblical foundation… this helps us to know what we believe about God and why we believe it.
There has been much debate regarding sending letters to CJ.
I want to state right up front that I understand both sides of this discussion. Every one of us are in different situations, different circumstances, that cause us to fall on one side or the other. God has a plan for each of us, and those plans are as diverse and as unique as we are.
I have stated this over and over, but will state it again here…
No one is under any obligation to share your account with CJ.
This is not a “one size fits all” endeavor. I fully understand the myriad of reasons why some would be opposed to participating. And, frankly, I agree with many of those reasons. Jim and I have no desire to try to talk you into changing your mind.
Then there are those that want to “tell it to CJ.” I understand this line of reasoning, as well.
The bottom line here is that you either want to take part or you don’t. No pressure, no worries. There’s no right or wrong here.
I would ask that each of you prayerfully consider what God would have you do and follow His direction for you.
Something I do want to clarify is that this opportunity to “tell it to CJ” is not to be confused with calling for and expecting this to lead to reform within SGM.
I posted this on Survivors:
“I am certainly not brimming with a “rainbows and butterflies” mentality… I’m not so deluded as to believe that “if only CJ was made aware, then everything will be okay.” (Most of you already know my thoughts on THAT!)
I don’t know what CJ and SGM will do with this. But since the offer was made to us, we felt it would only be right to throw it out there and let everyone make up their own minds as to what they want to do.
I have to reiterate here… I have no expectations of this changing anything within SGM or the way they do business. I certainly have no grandiose thoughts that it will cause reform within SGM. (My opinion leans more toward this being more cathartic than anything else.)
I DO think it’s a good thing that there are many people watching, and there are some even looking over CJ’s shoulder to see how he responds. Do I think this is gonna change SGM? Cause them to do the right thing? Treat their members in a godly manner? Cause them to chuck their authoritarian views? Re-vamp their governmental structure? My views, my hopes, don’t depend on CJ or his leaders/pastors. They are mere men, not any more special than anyone else. They also have a pretty bad track record.
But I do have hope and faith in a very big God.”
I must state this again:
Our hope for change and reform in SGM rests solely and completely in God and in His hands alone. If our faith rested in the hands of men, well… there would be no hope.
I continue to pray for SGM, for the leaders and pastors that are at the helm of this organization, those that make decisions and those that enforce them. I pray that God would move on their hearts, that they would see the damage that has wreaked havoc, not only in our lives, but in their “family of churches.” They must, at some point, stand up and take notice that they have ventured off the path and are way out in the weeds…
God can, and does, lead His children back to Him, back to truth. While I don’t know what that looks like for SGM, they are our brothers and our sisters… it’s in wanting the best for my fellow Christians that keeps me on my knees and brings hope and faith that there is nothing too big for God. He can move mountains, He can calm the seas… He is the Creator of the universe!
No, there is nothing too big or too hard for God.
Not even SGM.
Someone dear to the refuge, and so much more importantly, dear to God’s Heart, recently posted a prayer request here.
I wish I would have thought of this, and I pray that she is ok with with this offer.
A man who is not particularly a friend of this blog, but is clearly a friend of God just sent me an email, asking for her address, so he could send her a small check.
I’m pretty much floored by God’s kindness right now.
No pressure at all to do anything, which is why comments are closed.
If you would like to help in a similar way, please send me an email. I’ll send you an address (not mine, nor her’s, but a mutual friend in her area a local PO Box) where you can send funds if you feel led.
Read the prayer request here
Read the story here