Comments on: Psychics, Fortune Cookies And Bibles

By: Kelly

Kelly — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 21:26:42 +0000

Brody, thank you and thanks to God for using you to set me free from a bondage/burden for I was actually crying when I wrote my prior post, but between then and now, He led me to prayer…I am confirmed free in Him and I know He will never abandon me or anyone one of His children come what may.

2 Timothy 1
[6] Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
[7] For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Amen for such precious promises!!!!!

By: Kelly

Kelly — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 19:24:37 +0000

Thanks for those points Brody. It is not easy. How about when we choose to do the “right” thing but left discouraged because the person you told you “have decided to follow Jesus” through your actions as able through His strength tell you just don’t understand and works really hard to discourage you when they know better. Thank God for Him because it is so very easy to give up in that instance…[takes a deep breath], walking with Jesus may not be easy but at least it is rewarding and has an eternal perspective.

I need God at all times and realize that my satisfaction could only come from Him alone. I may not be perfect, but I want to please Him with my every breath. Sometimes, I do not know what to do and I just want to hide in Him and not think about relationships and past/present hurts…It hurts because the more I know Him, the more I know that I do not belong to this world and want to be in His presence NOW. Yet, I must be patience because He has a reason for all I go through and where I will end up. I pray to fix my eyes on Him and put my faith in Him as I go wherever He pleases and do all that He desires even though I get beaten down for my decisions–at least I know He is faithful and will never leave nor forsake me even when it feels as if I am all alone for I am never abandoned by my Abba Father.

By: The Responsibility of Knowledge «

The Responsibility of Knowledge « — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 16:35:08 +0000

[...] 15, 2008 · No Comments Read a blog by Brody Harper this week and watched a video noted by Steve Fee. Both thoughts (and questions) [...]

By: MMMoore

MMMoore — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 12:11:15 +0000

I am a very spiritual person, do not attend church at this point in my life. Instead of worrying about why they market the sayings, just enjoy the feeling of a positive moment.

By: Nathan J. Emmans

Nathan J. Emmans — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 06:52:43 +0000

I resonate with this particular blog particularly. It’s a somewhat human tendancy to pick a topic and then find biblical “proof” to support it. (i.e. A 3 point sermon entitled Why God Wants Us To Cry Alot: 1)Jesus Wept 2)Jesus’ feet were cleaned by tears 3)Jesus cried in the garden)

Actually, that really doesn’t have much to do with the blog, it just struck me as slightly funny. I think Colette Ashley said it best. -Peace, hope and love-

By: Michael Buckingham : Holy Cow

Michael Buckingham : Holy Cow — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 04:29:01 +0000

Good thoughts, and needed.

I just spoke at NRB and part of what I told them was that it’s not about them, it’s not about the technology, it’s not about the marketing, it’s not about the church, it’s not even about the altar call.

It’s about the change on God can bring. To often we are quick to get people to act but slow to make sure they follow through.

By: Brody

Brody — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 20:29:27 +0000

I hear what you are saying Rich, and I do realize that anything I blog is a form of marketing myself. I completely agree with you about the racist or homophobic or republican comments and that being a poor representation of Christianity. I would like to point out though, that I never mentioned anything about the differences between “big churches” and their marketing and small or “deep” churches.

I just think there is a trap that we as believers have the potential of falling into and taking these verses out of context and applying them to our lives where we want them. That is what I am saying. I feel like at times these verses are just thrown around and we can apply them where we want.

That is what I find dangerous.

By: Rich Barrett

Rich Barrett — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 19:45:01 +0000

I’d be careful with too quickly bashing all “church marketers.”

When you blog, you are marketing Brody. When you help others blog, you are marketing them.

Good marketing is just good communication. Period. Christians shouldn’t be so glib about bashing marketing. Instead, they should realize that when they make a racist or homophobic or republican comment to a neighbor they are “marketing”—and doing a poor job of it.

We could all benefit from more careful treatment of scripture—but somehow your post makes it seem like big churches (that do “marketing”) or radio stations are more likely to be guilty of poor exegesis. In fact, small, “deep” churches are just as awful at it.

By: P.D. Ross

P.D. Ross — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 17:52:44 +0000

Hey brother,
I hear what you are saying and I think I know where you are coming from. People tend to forget that the call of Christ is about a revolution and not some sort of religion.
It is so dangerous when people start pulling little tiny pieces of scripture out of the Bible and try to mold them into something they are not meant to be. Context is the key. the problem with context is that it takes a lot of work to get to the heart of what is written. Which to me brings up another point. Do we really know what the call to be a true disciple of Christ involves? And are we really willing to out into being a disciple what is truly asked. It even goes beyond the study of scripture, but that seems to be where we are focussing right now.
I believe A LOT of american christians are just plain lazy. In every sense of the word. They snack on crumbs that they did not have to work for instead of really diving into the meat of things. For example. I love Rob Bell. I believe he is one of the finest teachers of scripture I have ever heard, but if I took his words as the whole “gospel” and did not study, pray, and meditate over what he saying, and also continue to go into the direction that he is pushing me, then that’s just lazy. And it’s dangerous.
If anyone quoting scripture, a pastor or friend or homeless dude or anyone, does not encourage you to dive deeper then they are dangerous to the revolution. (My opinion only). And I believe it can go both ways. people hijack scripture to make others feel good, “The Lord will bless you with money” as well as to feel bad. “God hates Gays, Your going to hell if you have an abortion” etc.
Maybe i am rambling here, who knows. But I also have to question any scripture that is thrown my way. In fact i am veru cautious when i quote scripture, actually, now that I think about it, I very rarely quote scripture.
Shalom.

By: Hannah

Hannah — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 16:47:22 +0000

Brody,
I agree that ten second Bible verses on the radio can mislead people, esepcailly if that is all they have. But a real Christian no matter how weak, strong, old, new, has a real relationship with Jesus, the Father, and the Holy Spirit and that is far greater than any Bible verse or fortunate cookie message. In the past two years, I’ve graduated a private Christian college (loads of debt!), had two close relatives pass away (1 very unexpected and a really painful sad situation), and am trying to do what God has called me to do in the music business (making basically minimum wage), gone through 6 months of joblessness, and dealt with being a witness to an ugly, ugly ethical issue around an individual at the radio station I worked at, I’m not complaining at all. Jesus has been there every single step up with the way and that is the difference. Even when I didn’t feel like it, even when I wasn’t praying or reading the Bible even when I was really, really hurting Jesus was with me. That I wouldn’t trade for anything in the world. That is what is bringing me through. At the same time, God has used some small stuff to really encourage me and draw me closer to Him, like MercyMe’s song God With Us I’ve been listening to it a ton lately because it is a good reminder God is with me even when I don’t deserve Him. I hope this is helpful and relates.