Pastor's Corner - Comments

Dan: 1 Corinthians 15b

nospam@example.com (Dan) — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 13:17:08 -0400

And not only does our labor for God not go unnoticed by Him, it also does not go unused by Him. Thanks for your input, Lindsay!

Lindsay: 1 Corinthians 15b

nospam@example.com (Lindsay) — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 13:13:05 -0400

Good encouragement! I tend to get frustrated and have the feeling that I want to give up when it seems like the harder I try, the more behind I get... but I keep in prayer and keep serving him. He has a plan for us all and I am learning to trust that plan. It is good encouragement to know that our hard work here on earth doesnt go unnoticed by Him.

Dan: 1 Corinthians 13a

nospam@example.com (Dan) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 12:16:42 -0400

Love is simple in theory, but very difficult in application. And that's because love is other-centered, and we tend to be entirely self-centered.

Lindsay: 1 Corinthians 13a

nospam@example.com (Lindsay) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 11:13:12 -0400

This is one of my favorite Bible passages, in fact, we had this in our wedding! I love it because it seems so simple: In all things have Love. Yet we struggle with it so much. I like how this relates to the manner in which we give our spiritual gifts as well. Thanks for this message!

Dan: 1 Corinthians 12b

nospam@example.com (Dan) — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 14:19:20 -0400

Thank you, Jill, for making the point that "too often when people ask, 'How are you?" we quickly answer 'Fine,' and hide our hurts, failures, and concerns." In order for us to hurt together, we need to be aware of one another's hurts!

Jill: 1 Corinthians 12b

nospam@example.com (Jill) — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 14:06:42 -0400

I think this is something we all need to be reminded of - to bear the burdens and share the joys of our brothers and sisters.
The flip side of this is important, too. I think too often when people ask "How are you?", we quickly answer "Fine," and hide our hurts, failures, and concerns.
Whether it's because we don't want to burden others with our troubles, or because we feel our needs are unimportant or trivial, we need to remember that our desire for fellowship and support was God's design. He created us to work together as a body.

Brian Schreder: 1 Corinthians 12a

nospam@example.com (Brian Schreder) — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 09:01:28 -0400

I am glad for the focus on the main point...the reason God gives these spiritual gifts, rather than studying the specific gifts themselves. It's too easy to get caught up in the details and forget the main point. God gifts us for HIS glory. If I study specifically how God has gifted ME, or what I am achieving, then it's too easy to take the focus off of HIM. I like to apply the classic quote from John the Baptist (John 3:30 "He must increase, but I must decrease").

lindsay: 1 Corinthians 12a

nospam@example.com (lindsay) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 15:03:16 -0400

oops- this was a duplicate message- I am having computer problems today! Sorry : )

Lindsay: 1 Corinthians 12a

nospam@example.com (Lindsay) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 15:01:44 -0400

I like the reminder that our spiritual gifts are not something to build us up or for us to brag about, but rather, they are for the good of the church. I struggle with knowing what I can give to my church and having enough courage to give it. So this was a good message to hear- thanks!

Danielle: 1 Corinthians 12a

nospam@example.com (Danielle) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 12:07:38 -0400

This helps me remember that God is absolutely in control of everything. He sees our needs, and places us all together so that we can minister one to another. He does not want for us to be isolated--he brought us together for a reason. If we are not all together, we WILL be lacking, as God did not put everything needed into any one person. Praise God! I love how beautifully different he made us from each other, so that none needs to bear the weight of doing it all (or being what everyone needs), and none should feel insignificant! None of the giftings that He has given to us are "bigger" or "better"... or on the other hand, none are "smaller" or "less necessary"-- all are important!

Lindsay: 1 Corinthians 12a

nospam@example.com (Lindsay) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 10:41:47 -0400

I like the reminder that we are not to use our spiritual gifts to build ourselves up or to brag about, but rather for the good of the church. I struggle with knowing what I can give to the church and having enough courage to share that gift. So this was a good message for me- thanks!

Dan: 1 Corinthians 11b

nospam@example.com (Dan) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 09:08:49 -0400

Good thoughts, Brian. Thank you for sharing your "two cents."

Brian Schreder: 1 Corinthians 11b

nospam@example.com (Brian Schreder) — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 20:38:00 -0400

When I read this passage today, as Paul describes the actions of the Corinthian church, I visualize a bunch of gluttons, pigging out. All selfishly trying to get what they can at the meal. And then Paul contrasts it with the picture of the gentle, self-sacrificing Jesus, giving himself up for his people. And I never noticed the contrast there before. It is such a complete 180. It inspires me to be more like the picture of Christ, giving myself for my brothers. Not worrying about what I can GET out of it, but what I can CONTRIBUTE. I think this goes not only for the communion or when we share a meal, but all that we do when we come together to worship. It is for me a model of selflessness, of being able to think of and help meet others' needs. (Philippians 2:3-4: "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.") I think people often go to church expecting to get something out of it. (And we usually are blessed greatly by it). But our purpose as a body is to worship our Creator and Redeemer, and to build each other up. Just my 2 cents...

Danielle: 1 Corinthians 11a

nospam@example.com (Danielle) — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 16:48:02 -0400

I think that this passage (along with all others that mention differences in men and women) has caused a lot of pain for many people... But that's because so many people think that men being leaders=men being superior in some way, and like you said, that's not what this passage says. God also created us (women) for very specific purposes that are amazing and not less significant than those that men are created for.

Sometimes I come across passages that I don't necessarily understand, or that are difficult for me to be obedient to. But God is God, and we are not (THANKFULLY!), and submitting to God, even in the difficult areas, will always result in life being more full than if we try to do what we THINK is best...

Lindsay: 1 Corinthians 9a

nospam@example.com (Lindsay) — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 09:36:56 -0400

What a unique way of looking at sharing the Gospel with others! It makes sense that people will be more receptive to hearing about the gospel if they can identify with the person sharing it. Very interesting!