Post details: Surprise, surprise, surprise!

02/01/06

Permalink 03:34:55 pm, Categories: By Trent
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Surprise, surprise, surprise!

Godscrum #13 by Zeke consisted mainly of an interview with Sandy Johns of In Jesus Name which I have called "Kindness In Jesus" in 1, 2 previous posts.

I thought that I would discuss some of my thoughts and impressions of their interview, in preparation for my interview with Sandy coming up this Saturday. Maybe blogging will help focus my thoughts.

I'd first like to blog about the under-stated by often repeated refrain during Godscrum#13: "Surprise."

[More:]

It might have been easy to over-look, but it came up over and over in Sandy and Zeke's discussion ... the recipients were universally surprised that someone would show kindness in the name of Jesus. The implications of their surprise is simply that the commonly held perceptions of those that proclaim the name of Jesus is one of a person that doesn't look for opportunities to simply be kind to their fellow man.

Think

about

that.

Zeke:[Was that the first outreach (to the homeless) that you guys did?]

Sandy:[... it is so meaningful to us, personally, to give these gifts away and to see the reaction on people's faces ... they are surprised across the board. ... people are surprised when you do something for them and don't ask for anything in return. Because in American culture you don't just get something for nothing, and neither do you in the church.]

Why shouldn't they be surprised. The norm is for Christians to disdain and run-down people that they think have unacceptable behavior.

I would be surprised if I were them ...
In short, Christians are (in general) a living slander upon the Lord and His unconditional love!



Comments:

Comment from: joyinexpressible [Visitor]
I don't think anyone will be able to stand before God on judgement day and say, "I rejected you because Christians in 'general' aren't nice people." Christians are just people, some are apealing and some aren't and I'm thankful that my salvation was not dependent upon their behavior. I'm also exceedingly grateful that my behavior can't impede anyone from accepting Jesus as their Savior. In fact, Christian behavior has nothing to do with drawing us to Christ, that is the office of the Holy Spirit.

Permalink 02/03/06 @ 19:12
Comment from: Len Hummel [Visitor]
Wise insights, Pam. I agree with your
thoughts on this completely.
Ultimately, 'the chosen of GOD' are
those whom He sees and KNOWS as His own.
- and not ONE of them will be lost from
the infinite grasp of His Loving and
crucified Hand.
blessings and Shalom.
Len
Permalink 02/06/06 @ 04:02

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