tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3270245506969727628.post2436701211330119695..comments2024-03-27T06:51:19.327-06:00Comments on The Rains Came Down: That Which is of Most ValueSilverRainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00580230961425635077noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3270245506969727628.post-25873984398070812682016-07-17T08:09:34.021-06:002016-07-17T08:09:34.021-06:00I think you're right, that we don't differ...I think you're right, that we don't differ much.<br /><br />Two thoughts when I read what you wrote:<br /><br />First, I have never felt that sense of belonging anywhere. I'm not separated for a time. I don't have a community. I don't think it is wrong for me to wish it was otherwise. Zion is community. Fellowship is part of heaven.<br /><br />Secondly, my relationship with SilverRainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00580230961425635077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3270245506969727628.post-52050062019757183912016-07-16T12:00:20.682-06:002016-07-16T12:00:20.682-06:00Your illustration was not awkward -- it makes perf...Your illustration was not awkward -- it makes perfect sense, and I find it convincing.<br /><br />I also understand what you are saying about belonging. But I suppose my experience has led me to some slightly different conclusions.<br /><br />C. S. Lewis said (paraphrasing) that the soul of man is made to run on God's love, and whenever we substitute something for God's love as a source Jonathan A. Cavenderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04785951085433731808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3270245506969727628.post-14904443047895230342016-07-15T08:16:09.278-06:002016-07-15T08:16:09.278-06:00You have so many good points to talk about, but my...You have so many good points to talk about, but my focus is limited, so I'm going to start with the two biggest ones.<br /><br />About belonging:<br />Yes, I see your perspective and agree with it. The people who belong are the people who Christ says belong, which is all the repentant. But that isn't much practical use in the here and now when the mortal soul aches for a sense of SilverRainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00580230961425635077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3270245506969727628.post-74976358999155325112016-07-14T23:14:15.887-06:002016-07-14T23:14:15.887-06:00As for the issue of truth? Well my experience ten...As for the issue of truth? Well my experience tends to be that there is absolute Truth. While I do agree that our understanding of things is far from perfect, I don't believe truth is situational. I believe that true principles are universal, but our understanding of them are so limited as to make them appear that way. <br /><br />I've recently tried giving my five-year-old the Jonathan A. Cavenderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04785951085433731808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3270245506969727628.post-91457973577473946812016-07-14T23:14:01.910-06:002016-07-14T23:14:01.910-06:00Nope, I am stubborn enough that I haven't move...Nope, I am stubborn enough that I haven't moved on (especially since, as I mentioned, this is an area of thought and concern for me). I agree with the majority of what you wrote, barring maybe your definition of "truth" (depending on if I understand you). <br /><br />"But it is worth taking a few extra minutes to try to word things in ways that don’t put people on the Jonathan A. Cavenderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04785951085433731808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3270245506969727628.post-12693090853946007562016-07-14T15:59:58.256-06:002016-07-14T15:59:58.256-06:00For some reason, I didn’t get notifications that y...For some reason, I didn’t get notifications that you had posted these until recently. In the off-chance you haven’t completely moved on, I thought I’d try to continue the conversation.<br /><br />“And even if you were alleging that I was being Satanic in my approach, my hope would be that you would make a good argument for that position so that I could see it”<br /><br />I’m not alleging that at SilverRainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00580230961425635077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3270245506969727628.post-10010403006290430022016-06-30T21:00:09.235-06:002016-06-30T21:00:09.235-06:00"If your points are too long in a blog post t..."If your points are too long in a blog post to afford paragraphs which demonstrate charity towards your audience, maybe they should be narrowed until you have enough room."<br /><br />I don't disagree -- the reason for the doctrine is love. Again, speaking of the counterbalance I was talking about, it seems that for many paragraphs of demonstrations of love are made but there is Jonathan A. Cavenderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04785951085433731808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3270245506969727628.post-45515128893584547382016-06-30T20:59:42.060-06:002016-06-30T20:59:42.060-06:00I appreciate your response. I hope you don't ...I appreciate your response. I hope you don't mind, but since this is a topic of thought and concern for me lately, I would like to continue the conversation (long post forthcoming).<br /><br />"I hope this doesn't sound too harsh, but I submit that if you are trying to "counter" the teaching methods of Satan, you are only playing into his game."<br /><br />Not at all,Jonathan A. Cavenderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04785951085433731808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3270245506969727628.post-55106491007113146972016-06-30T08:51:13.773-06:002016-06-30T08:51:13.773-06:00I think I can see your point, Jonathan. But I woul...I think I can see your point, Jonathan. But I would counter with this: if the internet is not a good place to build the one-on-one interactions necessary for a ministerial approach, then does it have much hope of touching hearts at all?<br /><br />Rather, I submit that a one-on-one interaction, while ideal, is not necessary to inspire change. Of course the principles of the Gospel <a href="https:SilverRainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00580230961425635077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3270245506969727628.post-20947926991826045852016-06-29T23:57:31.522-06:002016-06-29T23:57:31.522-06:00I admittedly struggle with knowing how best to com...I admittedly struggle with knowing how best to communicate on Gospel subjects online. On the one hand, a true ministerial relationship is best built over time on a one-on-one basis. On the other hand, the Internet is not conducive to such development of relationships. Of course developing these relationships should still be the goal, but it is unfortunately unrealistic (at least to me -- Jonathan A. Cavenderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04785951085433731808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3270245506969727628.post-64067305527595303972016-06-29T17:51:19.458-06:002016-06-29T17:51:19.458-06:00Thanks for your reminder that above all we must ch...Thanks for your reminder that above all we must cherish the one. Beautifully said! Sandee Spencerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16277370738499626118noreply@blogger.com