gdp's Comments

Grace Is For Sinners : he never gives up

Sat, 26 Oct 2013 16:24:01 +0000

Good words, Serena. Ones we need to hear often. Always appreciate your writing. You wrote: “This thing is so much bigger than you. It’s about Jesus and what He’s done for you.” And that is the heart of everything! Thank you. Rich My recent post Review: Embracing Shared Ministry

Grace Is For Sinners : sin no more

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 18:27:39 +0000

Serena wrote: “Go and sin no more. Sinners see it as a prescription for behavior. Saints see it as a proclamation over them.” Those sentences are powerful and need to be reinforced for every Christian. We tend to forget what Paul writes in Galatians, “Having begun in the Spirit, are we now maturing under the Law?” By now means!! Excellent post, Serena. Rich

Grace Is For Sinners : your justification

Tue, 31 Jul 2012 16:46:23 +0000

Serena wrote: “Without the reminder of the truth, humans tend to gravitate to a gospel of behavior.” Indeed, and that is why the Law needs to be spoken in its severity to show sin, not to relieve bad feelings. The “gospel of behavior” (love that phrase!) is really sugar coated Law that pretends to be Gospel, when it is not. In Paul’s letter to the Galatians he helps them see this when they try this “gospel of behavior” and where it leads. “You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth?” (Gal. 5:7). In other words, those who emphasize “gospel of behavior” (Law) actually prevent “obeying the truth.” Only the Gospel sets us free to do that. Serena, your words are so important, so on-target. Thank you! My recent post “Sacred” texts Pt 1: Challenge of Translating

Grace Is For Sinners : the line

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 21:51:59 +0000

Have we walked in the same paths? Amazing how much our stories and paths are the same. My recent post Why do we exist (as a church)?

Grace Is For Sinners : the line

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 21:31:58 +0000

Yes, indeed. Look at points 1 and 4 in the following article: http://pastordavidkim.com/2012/06/seven-signs-you... I’m glad you mentioned trust. Without restoration, trust can be a tool for manipulation and control. My recent post Ephesians 1:3-14 rearranged

Grace Is For Sinners : the line

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 19:22:03 +0000

The Church has been lax in the restoration of sinners. Yet, Jesus addressed it head-on because it is critical to the Church and its survival as Church. Matthew 18:15-20... the goal is to restore the fellowship. Serena, God has blessed you with insight and wisdom to address the unmentionables in public. Restoration isn’t people bound or church bound, but rather hinges on confession and absolution. And absolution is just that, taking away all sin and its effects. We pray that the Church comes to grips with restoration. Without that the church is only a clanging cymbal. As I helped start a mission church (from a distance) 2+ years ago, the issue of restoration came up. I told the leaders that this very issue will make or break you as a church. If you forgive and restore, you have set the pattern for how you will live for Christ in the future. I am pleased that they chose the restoration path. What a blessing that has been! Thanks again, Serena, for your words. Rich My recent post Ephesians 1:3-14 rearranged

Grace Is For Sinners : stop the cycle

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 15:29:10 +0000

I find that such situations scream at me to “justify” myself, to them, to the world, maybe even to God, and most of all to myself. But when I realize that God’s justice has been served for me, by Jesus enduring the insults and mocking for me (1 Peter 2:21-25), and now in justice God declares me just/righteous. It is humbling to live in grace, that free declaration. Why do I fight it so hard at times? That battle of the flesh still rages (Romans 7:13-25).Your reminder is excellent: “Do you believe that you’re forgiven and loved in spite of their opinions?“ I am also reminded of Galatians 6:1 “Brothers and sisters, if a person gets trapped by wrongdoing, those of you who are spiritual should help that person turn away from doing wrong. Do it in a gentle way. At the same time watch yourself so that you also are not tempted.” (GW) Very important words you have written, Serena. The Church in its broadest terms needs to hear this. Thank you. Rich My recent post General Observations of Four Translations

Grace Is For Sinners : when it hurts to go to church

Tue, 3 Jul 2012 16:43:17 +0000

Serena wrote: “However, people make mistakes with each other and focus more on His demands for right living and less on His command to love and offer restorative grace.” This is critical. Thanks for stating it so well. That may be why in Galatians 5:7 Paul writes: “You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth?” In other words, the ones wanting to impose the Law again on the Galatian Christians were actually preventing them from obeying the truth. Much for serious thought there. I think of Galatians 6:1 (“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.”). By nature we like the Law and are deluded when we think we can live it as God intended, rather than living in the grace of God. But God’s grace is sufficient... Thanks for your posts, Serena. Always a blessing and thought-provoking. Rich

Grace Is For Sinners : the girl in tangles

Tue, 22 May 2012 14:47:03 +0000

Thank you, Serena, for the sensitive glimpse into a world that few of us want to see. As Christians we can only weep when we read. But not only weep...then we can love, even if the person feels unlovable. And grace is for sinners, and grace is sufficient. Rich

Grace Is For Sinners : saving the rich

Tue, 15 May 2012 16:01:02 +0000

Spot on, Serena. I find it interesting that after David’s multiple sins (lust, adultery, murder), in his confession of Psalm 51, he writes this: “Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners will be converted to You” (Psa. 51:13). In other words, because of our sins, and God’s forgiving and restoring grace, we become his instruments of grace to others. You are doing that. Do give up, don’t be discouraged. You have an important voice for all to hear! Rich

Grace Is For Sinners : it's not rocket surgery

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 16:36:12 +0000

Serena wrote: “Does Jesus ‘fit’ into “God’s Plan of Salvation”, or is He the Plan of Salvation?” You have narrowed the spotlight on a critical problem. Is Jesus the center of everything or a mere adornment? Thank you for showing how easily the church can obscure the Gospel, that which Jesus has done for us. Blessings as you speak the truth so clearly. Rich My recent post Review: The Names of God Bible (GW)

Grace Is For Sinners : to the betrayed

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 14:52:50 +0000

Powerful post about the reality of sin, but even more the reality and power of forgiveness. Thank you for this! My recent post Review: The Names of God Bible (GW)

Grace Is For Sinners : i won't give up

Thu, 5 Apr 2012 21:47:29 +0000

I’m late to the party, but I have to say, Serena: What powerful words of redemption in the video! Wow. And Wow again. Thank you!!! Everyone in church needs to hear and reflect on these words. My recent post Searching for the church — Part 2

Grace Is For Sinners : grace sufficient

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 17:31:23 +0000

Serena wrote: Stories of grace are confusing to those who have not grown in grace. They are confusing because they’re messy and the only bridge between right and wrong, between sin and grace, is Jesus. So well stated, Serena. Thank you for emphasizing what is central to Jesus’s life, ministry, and heart—and His Father’s heart. We can never grow weary of hearing this. My recent post 15 reasons why I came back to the Church

Grace Is For Sinners : weeds

Thu, 8 Mar 2012 00:13:51 +0000

Yep, I have been there for 14 years. That is why I focus on equipping people to minister on the fringe... been there, done that. My recent post My Love-Hate relationship with the Internet — Part 1

Grace Is For Sinners : weeds

Wed, 7 Mar 2012 18:29:33 +0000

Excellent, Serena. I have written and spoken about “people on the fringe.” What you write about is exactly that. How easily we dismiss others, and worst, how easily we dismiss ourselves. Your words are words of comfort, hope, and restoration. This will get passed on, for sure! Thank you for expressing this so well. God’s blessings My recent post My Love-Hate relationship with the Internet — Part 1

Grace Is For Sinners : removed

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 02:00:18 +0000

Thanks, Serena. You catch in words what many only experience—with no words. God’s blessings in your “re-plantedness” — God works in and through broken vessels for His greater work. Thank God that he does! from one is broken and re-planted... My recent post Suffering: Plan A or Plan B?

Grace Is For Sinners : twice as blind

Wed, 4 Jan 2012 17:53:49 +0000

Powerful words... wisdom for all of us. Thank you! Serena wrote: “People will cling to pastors, pastors wives, or other recognized leaders and suck the life out of them...” As a pastor I have “been there, done that, and show the scars.” Most pastors have a need to be “liked” and will over-extend themselves to help people. This becomes a vicious cycle. Thanks for addressing this. I will be copying and keeping this post for myself and to share with the seminarians I teach. Thanks again, Rich My recent post The Post(s) I Couldn’t Write

Grace Is For Sinners : perfected in love

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 01:00:17 +0000

Serena wrote: “The weight is the law and you can’t earn your way. Trying is proof that you have not learned your lesson.” So true. Good words, Serena. I find it significant that Paul addresses those who want to be perfect trying to go back under the Law. And then he writes: “You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?” By trying to reinstitute Law keeping, they were prevented from obeying the truth. The Gospel is the only thing that can free us to be his children. Thanks, Serena. Blessings in Christ, Rich My recent post Mark 1:4 and the NLTse —really?

Grace Is For Sinners : taking names

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 18:04:55 +0000

Very powerful, Serena. As a pastor I like to emphasize that when we are baptized we have the name of Christ. Sadly we forget that. And as you so well stated, that new name for eternity awaits us as well. When John writes “forgives us our sins and cleanses us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9), maybe that includes cleansing our name.Thus titles like “slut” “adulterer” “liar” “thief” give way to the cleansed name. Thank you, Serena, for some much need thought and reflection. Blessings in Christ. Rich