Comments on: We’re All Letting the Guy Keep His Shoes, Let’s Be Loving About Everything Else

By: Mrs. Parunak

Mrs. Parunak — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 18:55:46 +0000

Alyssa,

Thank you very much for your encouraging words! I will check out the article you link to. To be honest, it’s been years since I’ve done much research into the music question, so I feel a bit nervous saying too much just “off the cuff.” I want to make sure that everything I publish here is borne out of careful research and genuine conviction. I will remember your interest, though, and I will think seriously about it. You may see a post about it down the road.

By: Alyssa

Alyssa — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 18:12:14 +0000

I absolutely LOVE your articles. I was wondering if you were planning on writing about the topic of music, both inside and outside of the corporate worship service. I’ve read a few articles lately about how music on the 2nd and 4th beat have an association with voodoo, and the lives of musicians in jazz and rock ‘n roll are very dark, with many of them dying young. We as Christians don’t want to add any rules to the scriptures, but we also want to be set apart from the world. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this issue, specifically regarding music OUTSIDE of the worship service (what about when I need upbeat music to clean or work out?!). I really, really liked this article:

http://www.wolfhawke.com/musing/majesty/majesty-musicismoral.html

By: Kathi Armstrong

Kathi Armstrong — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 13:42:39 +0000

Lots of thoughts popped up when I read this post. First of all, when Uncle Alan and I were in school in Detroit, one of the professors was murdered in our parking lot. They caught the kid and asked him why he did it. He said, “Because he had a nice pair of shoes and a watch I wanted.” So, your example is real. Some people will kill for a pair of shoes.

Second thought. My background has been a little like yours: everything from growing up in an anti-religious home with an atheistic father to attending one of the most conservative Christian schools in the country, to worshiping in a tiny assembly where piano music wasn’t allowed for keeping us on key to being part of a worship team with…yes…drums. I had hair down to my knees and wouldn’t be caught dead in pants or wearing makeup or jewelry until my husband told me to shape up and start looking like all the beautiful women he worked with. Hmmm. How do you please your husband and the Lord at the same time? I’ve concluded that submitting to your husband “as unto the Lord” in disputable matters is the correct approach, at least for me. Others may dispute that…but anyway…
Last Sunday night we had a missionary family speaking from Turkey. A new family came to visit, the girls in neat dresses and head coverings. My first impulse was, “Oh, oh! They’re going to disapprove of me.” There’s where the feeling of being judged is used by Satan to trip us up! I had to say, “What would love do?” Love would reach out in faith and welcome them, express interest in them, and help them to feel loved and wanted. We had a lovely time together.
I can’t tell you why we have such different convictions, but I can tell you that Jesus LONGS for us to be joined together as one in His spirit, totally loving and nourishing one another up in the faith despite our differences so that the world will be drawn to our warmth like cold pilgrims to a comforting fire!

By: Organizing Mommy

Organizing Mommy — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 04:21:49 +0000

Hi Sweetie,
You are well beyond your years in wisdom and discernment. We all would like to be more loving, discerning and humble. Thanks for reminding us. I like it when people HAVE convictions, even if they are different than mine. It’s great to see people in motion–going forward with what they believe (I’m talking about genuine Christians) than to see the general apathy that sweeps across so many. Don’t ever feel alone. The Lord said to Elijah, “I have 7,000 in this city who have not bowed the knee to Baal” when he was completely convinced he was the only one left!
Jena (the O.M.)

By: LisaM

LisaM — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 18:01:13 +0000

Wow – this is a wonderful illustration and explanation of Romans 14. Glad you posted this “out loud”.

By: Linda T

Linda T — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 13:51:52 +0000

Amen, sister! I love Jesus’ comment to Peter at the end of the gospel of John (21:22) when Peter, after receiving particular and intense directions from Christ to “feed my sheep”, looked around and asked about one of the other disciples. Jesus’ reply – “What is that to you? You follow Me” is an appropriate admoniton to us all when we are convicted that God has called us to a particular expression of love and obedience.
In walking this out practically, I’ve noted two things in my life:
1. My own tendency to be judgemental leads me to assume (and worry) that others are judging me (as you pointed out in your post.)
2. Looking for particular points to encourage in a sister who may be walking differently can be an expression of love and grace and open the door to a God-honoring relationship. For example, she may not be homeschooling her children, but I can encourage her in unique expressions of love she shows to her children or qualities her children show. “Your children are always the first the speak to me on Sunday – they really bless me.” – We should be actively looking to build one another up with whatever is true, lovely, or of good report. (Phil 4:8) God’s name is honored when we live in grace toward one another.