Mark Doebler
19p10 comments posted · 0 followers · following 0
9 years ago @ Kapitall Blog - Infographics: how Chic... · 1 reply · +5 points
I am seriously rethinking my usage of your investment site if this is what you want to promote. The same slime you slime Dan Cathy with may come back to slime you as well. Remember that before you post your next similar graphic.
12 years ago @ Coach's Corner - Osama is Dead...Should... · 0 replies · +1 points
14 years ago @ LeadingSmart - Beer and Bible · 2 replies · +1 points
I just want to gently caution you that just because someone HONESTLY disagrees, does not mean they are trying to "rip someone apart". I, for one, have tried to be abundantly clear in my comments here that there is no "thou shalt not drink" passage I am aware of. However, that doesn't mean that we should engage in our liberties just because we can. Paul imposed self-limits on himself, and I think we need to as well.
I commend your friends for entering the "lion's den" so to speak. It seems to me, based on my own experiences in the world, that we can engage the culture without becoming the culture. I can sit at a table of those who are drinking in a bar, without participating in the drinking, and still have their respect. I believe that approach would serve the cause of Christ much better here....
Perhaps you believe that is akin to ripping your friends apart. But I would humbly submit that there is wisdom in the counsel of many..... even those with whom we disagree.
14 years ago @ LeadingSmart - Beer and Bible · 0 replies · +1 points
14 years ago @ LeadingSmart - Beer and Bible · 0 replies · +1 points
I just don't buy the notion that the only way to engage the culture is to "be" the culture. Paul self-limited himself, did he not? I don't believe Paul quite went to the "anything short of sin" mindset. Freedom is not license.
I reiterate, however, I am fully committed to the idea of getting out to engage. In fact our own church has been contemplating investing in shot glasses with our church logo & contact info that would say "Give us a shot". I'm all for engaging the culture.... I'm just feeling uneasy about the comfort level too many evangelicals seem to be feeling with looking just like the world..... except we carry a Bible... on our IPhone of course.
14 years ago @ LeadingSmart - Beer and Bible · 2 replies · +1 points
I am NOT suggesting those in the bar should not be drinking. I am suggesting that we can and should engage with them... in their culture... in their environment... while they have a beer... but let US be different. In the end, it will matter more to them if they sense genuine love and care from us than if they think we're cool because we had a few beers with them. That's why Jesus was a magnet... not because he did what they did, but because he loved like they had never been loved.
BTW - Diet Coke? Heck no!!! Gotta be a straight-up Pepsi!
I appreciate your push-back J! Blessings!
14 years ago @ LeadingSmart - Beer and Bible · 2 replies · 0 points
I don't think it's possible to erase the idea of "weaker brothers" from the discussion. Do we seriously think that it's impossible for there to be weaker brothers watching and being influenced here? I'm not in favor of submitting every choice we make to whether or not someone will be offended... we'll never get anything done... but are there genuine choices that we could make in freedom that truly might be an impediment to others? In this case I believe so.
As for "all things to all men", certainly we all would agree that there must be limits to that declaration by Paul. So where are those limits? Where do we draw the line? I am watching the intent to do whatever is necessary to reach some devolve into a very slippery slope. Each step in one direction, makes it a bit easier to take the next step.
I have seen alcohol DESTROY countless lives. Do we REALLY need to engage in the consumption of alcohol to reach people.... really? I have ZERO issues with going into a bar to reach people. I believe that is the model of Jesus. And it most certainly is full of lost people... a target rich environment. But I humbly submit that we can go there without being the same and still accomplish the mission of the gospel.
I would suggest that we all need to start looking at REDEEMING the culture instead of RESEMBLING the culture.
14 years ago @ LeadingSmart - Beer and Bible · 3 replies · +1 points
I firmly believe there has been too much isolation from the world. We MUST engage.... and that means we need to be willing to GO. But it doesn't mean we have to go and ACT LIKE THE WORLD.
I pledged a frat at University of South Carolina. I didn't drink. I did before I arrived there, but was convicted it was not a good practice. So, upon my arrival at USC, I could have looked and acted like them to fit in.... but I didn't. and I didn't have to. They accepted me for me.... not for how much I could drink. I witnessed. I reached out.... but I was different. Isn't that the call of Scripture?
Have we gotten so comfortable in our culture that we are now like it?
14 years ago @ LeadingSmart - Beer and Bible · 0 replies · +2 points
I don't like it. I fear the "missional" mindset is becoming synonymous with compromising values. I'm all for getting out of the box.... you can't get much more out of the box than having a church with three bars. But out of the box doesn't have to mean "of the world". If they are going into the environment to meet people where they are and have a Bible study, then I dig that. But if they are going into the environment to also have a "couple of beers" while doing a Bible study, then I think they are way off the mark.
Mind you... I don't believe the Bible teaches "thou shalt not drink".... however, as the previous poster mentioned, 1 Corinthians 8 is my guiding principle in these matters. I see this as a potentially dangerous road. Good intentions... bad results.... and in my opinion, does not honor the charge to be "in the world, but not of the world."
14 years ago @ Peoria Pundit - Yes, I'm trying a new ... · 0 replies · +1 points