Re: [TruthTalk] Evangelism

[Terry Clifton]

[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: In a message dated 1/25/2005 6:34:22 AM Pacific Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Sounds good on the surface, John. It may even be true for some who are more dependant than independant. It certainly would not apply, however, to the shepherd boy named David who had for company only sheep, more consequencial than sheep in the life of David was Nathan nor to John the Baptist to pretend that Jesus and JB were not close is to miss the point of family ties , who lived alone in the wilderness, or to Elija had Elisha, or to Paul following his experience on the Damascus road Paul had Ananias , or to John on the isle of Patmos had his apostles pals, or to Job Job had his friends and many others. As to personal experience; I enjoy the company of people, especially small intimate groups, but I prefer being alone much of the time, and find that time alone to be when I am the most aware of the presence and majesty of my Lord. And you have not arrived at your concept of the "truth" apart from your association with others. JD ====================================================================== I have arrived at Biblical (real) truth despite the association of others "Others" taught me that deacons rule the Church.  Others taught me that I had to tithe to my local church.  Others taught me that the preacher was the one who spoke and I was to only listen.  Others taught me that the pastor (keeper of the pasture) tends the flock.  He preaches indoors.  Only evangelists preach outdoors.  Others taught me that a young enthusiastic preacher was more desirable than an old worn out one.  Others taught me that if you want a crowd on Wednesday night, you have to "Bait 'em up" (have dinner on the grounds.)  Others taught me that a preacher, who's church needs revival, can go preach a revival at another church, and the preacher from that other church that needs reviving can come and preach at the first preachers church, and they both get a love offering whether anyone gets revived or not.  Others taught me that when the Lord calls a preacher from one church to another church, it is always to a church that pays more money. others taught me that even though Jesus drank wine, the proper drink for communion was grape juice.  Others taught me that if it comes to a choice of having a benevolence fund or buying new choir robes, it is okay to not have a benevolence fund. I could go on and on with all that I have learned from others, but I am sure you get the idea. No cult here.  No desire to magnify myself.  Just a burning desire to stay as far from hypocrites as possible.  I expect lost people to act like lost people. Those who know that they are lost are easy to love. It's the pretend christians that make me gag.  Makes me want to spew them out of my mouth.