Post by Les Brewer on May 7, 2012 13:50:46 GMT
ARMCHAIR PHILOSOPHERS: A CRITIQUE
People who’ve never been outside the comfort of their ivory couches, who’ve never slept under a bridge, who’ve never walked through their own neighborhoods, who’ve never stood in a soup line, or sold their blood to have a few dollars, who’ve never rode a bus or had to walk to get to work, who’ve never been immersed in the activity of their community, who’ve never walked side by side with a poor impoverish person in an undeveloped country, but promote themselves as those whom have the answers to the ills of our societies and our dysfunctions.
These people have never went beyond themselves to carry food to the impoverished, or clothing to the homeless, who’ve never risk their life to stand up for the Lord to take the message to those whom might turn on them at any moment, people who’ve never stood in the midst of a multitude of people who need a physical healing, praying for hundreds at a time while sweating profusely, yet they set themselves up as authorities of subjects and themes they themselves never illustrate.
Love is more than words on paper or a computer screen, words will only ease spiritual and emotional pain to a degree, the whole of a person includes the substance their bodies needs, and the realness of a person who is at arms length in front of them, showing them the love of Christ by their physical presence.
I understand what love and faith are, I’ve lost an awful lot to follow Christ, I have given up the opportunity to live in luxury so that I might be available to go where God sends me to preach, teach, and demonstrate the gospel. I have been at the mercy of my Lord many times and experienced many difficulties because of the call of God upon my life.
I have been all alone in many places where many would not even go with a crowd, I’ve been surrounded by strangers in anti-America and anti-Christian places in the world. I have went by faith all by myself to preach, teach, and demonstrate the gospel, and observe and interact with people by asking relevant questions concerning the political, religious, economical, and social atmosphere of the that particular country. Why, so I could know how better to serve that people.
In retrospect; I’ve even asked ministers to go with me, and many times have been told no, after I’ve heard them say many times that they would love to go on a short term mission trip. Actions speak so much louder than words do.
Looking at life through a pigeon hole does not address the issues head on. When it comes to advice, I will take advice from those whom have been in the trenches, or on the front lines who are on the cutting edge of truths that transform because they have experienced them first hand. Calling plays from on the couch is much different than calling the shots on the field. Book knowledge is not enough; it takes engaging people where they are, in the elements of their community, country, or experience.
Myself I was a pastor in inner city Indianapolis for years, my neighbors knew me on a first name basis, because I was out in the neighborhood being part of it, our church was a refuge to many, and a place where they could find food and clothing and sometimes even a place that would pay an electric, gas, or water bill. I admire people who go out of the four walls to reach their community, it shouldn’t be a here we are; come and see only proposition. Jesus said Go Ye in the all the World and preach the gospel. Its takes going out to where the people are, caring enough to get out of the comfort zone. It makes the difference people are looking for in Christians, let alone Christian Leaders.
There are those whom are able bodied, have great health, are blessed financially, and have ample resources but have never moved away from a computer screen to proclaim the gospel to those next door, but will sit for hours pecking out instructions or mandates for others. They will never engage the lost face to face with the gospel, but will sit in front of a screen and type out messages and mandates for the rest of us.
Being like Jesus means doing like Jesus, forsaking all to do the perfect will of God. Now that I have addressed this issue let me tell you what I am not saying. I am not saying that everyone is called to the pulpit ministry and therefore I am not speaking to them. It is those whom have deemed themselves preachers and teachers, but have never held that position in the community or actually in a church, but have set themselves up as authorities we all should listen to.
Let me say this before I leave this subject, there are those whom God has blessed with great understanding and insight into the scriptures, there is no denying. What I am saying is; even though the gift is there and it is genuine, if it is wrapped in a cloth and buried, what good is it. In other words there are many in the world whom do not have a face-book, twitter, or other social media accounts, because they simply are in a place it is not available, or they are too poor to afford it. Biblical truth is truth no matter the source, but when one is speaking to subjects without life experience, the lack of wisdom which should be coupled to that truth is obviously lacking.
We are by and large settling for the virtual realm of reality instead of being out going, out spoken, messengers of the greatest news that ever came to mankind. The virtual world is a part of the world in reality, but not all are plugged into it. There is still a real world; a physical world; and a corporeal realm where people who are lost need to hear the word of God, see love in action through acts of compassion and hear the passion of the preacher in the message.
Brethren keep the faith today by pushing pass the virtual realm of electronic interaction into the real realm of face to face compassionate outreach and the faith will cause you to experience skills within yourself which have been laying dormant waiting upon the ignition and initiation of them. Souls will be saved, bodies will be healed, relationships will be salvaged, and the rewards will be out of this world.
Shalom & Agape,
Apostle Ray ( Emissary of the Faith )
People who’ve never been outside the comfort of their ivory couches, who’ve never slept under a bridge, who’ve never walked through their own neighborhoods, who’ve never stood in a soup line, or sold their blood to have a few dollars, who’ve never rode a bus or had to walk to get to work, who’ve never been immersed in the activity of their community, who’ve never walked side by side with a poor impoverish person in an undeveloped country, but promote themselves as those whom have the answers to the ills of our societies and our dysfunctions.
These people have never went beyond themselves to carry food to the impoverished, or clothing to the homeless, who’ve never risk their life to stand up for the Lord to take the message to those whom might turn on them at any moment, people who’ve never stood in the midst of a multitude of people who need a physical healing, praying for hundreds at a time while sweating profusely, yet they set themselves up as authorities of subjects and themes they themselves never illustrate.
Love is more than words on paper or a computer screen, words will only ease spiritual and emotional pain to a degree, the whole of a person includes the substance their bodies needs, and the realness of a person who is at arms length in front of them, showing them the love of Christ by their physical presence.
I understand what love and faith are, I’ve lost an awful lot to follow Christ, I have given up the opportunity to live in luxury so that I might be available to go where God sends me to preach, teach, and demonstrate the gospel. I have been at the mercy of my Lord many times and experienced many difficulties because of the call of God upon my life.
I have been all alone in many places where many would not even go with a crowd, I’ve been surrounded by strangers in anti-America and anti-Christian places in the world. I have went by faith all by myself to preach, teach, and demonstrate the gospel, and observe and interact with people by asking relevant questions concerning the political, religious, economical, and social atmosphere of the that particular country. Why, so I could know how better to serve that people.
In retrospect; I’ve even asked ministers to go with me, and many times have been told no, after I’ve heard them say many times that they would love to go on a short term mission trip. Actions speak so much louder than words do.
Looking at life through a pigeon hole does not address the issues head on. When it comes to advice, I will take advice from those whom have been in the trenches, or on the front lines who are on the cutting edge of truths that transform because they have experienced them first hand. Calling plays from on the couch is much different than calling the shots on the field. Book knowledge is not enough; it takes engaging people where they are, in the elements of their community, country, or experience.
Myself I was a pastor in inner city Indianapolis for years, my neighbors knew me on a first name basis, because I was out in the neighborhood being part of it, our church was a refuge to many, and a place where they could find food and clothing and sometimes even a place that would pay an electric, gas, or water bill. I admire people who go out of the four walls to reach their community, it shouldn’t be a here we are; come and see only proposition. Jesus said Go Ye in the all the World and preach the gospel. Its takes going out to where the people are, caring enough to get out of the comfort zone. It makes the difference people are looking for in Christians, let alone Christian Leaders.
There are those whom are able bodied, have great health, are blessed financially, and have ample resources but have never moved away from a computer screen to proclaim the gospel to those next door, but will sit for hours pecking out instructions or mandates for others. They will never engage the lost face to face with the gospel, but will sit in front of a screen and type out messages and mandates for the rest of us.
Being like Jesus means doing like Jesus, forsaking all to do the perfect will of God. Now that I have addressed this issue let me tell you what I am not saying. I am not saying that everyone is called to the pulpit ministry and therefore I am not speaking to them. It is those whom have deemed themselves preachers and teachers, but have never held that position in the community or actually in a church, but have set themselves up as authorities we all should listen to.
Let me say this before I leave this subject, there are those whom God has blessed with great understanding and insight into the scriptures, there is no denying. What I am saying is; even though the gift is there and it is genuine, if it is wrapped in a cloth and buried, what good is it. In other words there are many in the world whom do not have a face-book, twitter, or other social media accounts, because they simply are in a place it is not available, or they are too poor to afford it. Biblical truth is truth no matter the source, but when one is speaking to subjects without life experience, the lack of wisdom which should be coupled to that truth is obviously lacking.
We are by and large settling for the virtual realm of reality instead of being out going, out spoken, messengers of the greatest news that ever came to mankind. The virtual world is a part of the world in reality, but not all are plugged into it. There is still a real world; a physical world; and a corporeal realm where people who are lost need to hear the word of God, see love in action through acts of compassion and hear the passion of the preacher in the message.
Brethren keep the faith today by pushing pass the virtual realm of electronic interaction into the real realm of face to face compassionate outreach and the faith will cause you to experience skills within yourself which have been laying dormant waiting upon the ignition and initiation of them. Souls will be saved, bodies will be healed, relationships will be salvaged, and the rewards will be out of this world.
Shalom & Agape,
Apostle Ray ( Emissary of the Faith )
