tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982662593354859176.post13082025603231655..comments2023-06-18T02:22:39.269-06:00Comments on Just Another Clay Pot: How to Almost Empty Your PewsBetsy Markmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13600148899348868100noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982662593354859176.post-48290448437503702542009-04-23T22:35:00.000-06:002009-04-23T22:35:00.000-06:00Amen to the post and all the comments!
Truthfully...Amen to the post and all the comments!<br /><br />Truthfully, sometimes I wish the music would just shut off in the background when the pastor is giving an invitation to follow Christ... I just want us to be real. Raw. Really praying. Really singing to our God. Really desiring Him. Or not. But not just go to church every Sunday and go through the motions and carry on as usual.<br /><br />So He brings it down to me. He draws me to pray and sing and enjoy Him and be willing to hurt in this world for His name's sake.<br /><br />Thanks Betsy for sharing this. I wish I had more time to stop and read your posts!<br /><br />SheilaSheilahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06781114872547579867noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982662593354859176.post-16525163049532458292009-04-21T15:36:00.000-06:002009-04-21T15:36:00.000-06:00It's impossible for us to put ourselves in the sho...It's impossible for us to put ourselves in the shoes of a martyr because God gives us the grace to face each situation as we need it, not before. Still, just how far we would be willing to go for Christ's sake is certainly an excellent thing to ponder! The picture is chilling, and yet if I am taking up my cross daily, why should I fear looking death in the eye? Great post!Sharlyn Guthriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01879828989850465268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982662593354859176.post-33487981677766211482009-04-21T15:13:00.000-06:002009-04-21T15:13:00.000-06:00This is a great and thought provoking post, Betsy!...This is a great and thought provoking post, Betsy! I enjoy the meaningful things that you write.Connie Arnoldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06264510809220669622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982662593354859176.post-86339519253386790432009-04-20T17:30:00.000-06:002009-04-20T17:30:00.000-06:00I love this ad! Not many of us would willingly ch...I love this ad! Not many of us would willingly choose the surrender; I wonder if I would. Greater yet, I wonder how I would feel about my children making that sacrifice.<br /><br />As always, you've made me think, Betsy. Thanks.<br /><br />blessings and peace to you in this week~elaineelaine @ peace for the journeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09675745465728814736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982662593354859176.post-41275907966356151482009-04-19T21:39:00.000-06:002009-04-19T21:39:00.000-06:00Betsy, this is deep and powerful! That picture alo...Betsy, this is deep and powerful! That picture alone is so gripping! All of us have no idea how we may yet have to suffer for our faith. Yes, in this world we will have fear - even fear of being persecuted, but I trust the words written down in Mark 13:11 - "Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit."<br /><br />Thanks for much to think on and pass on to others! Bless you!Karinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12953073381987950597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982662593354859176.post-60479106290857937312009-04-19T18:38:00.000-06:002009-04-19T18:38:00.000-06:00Talk all you want, Esthermay and everybody! I lov...Talk all you want, Esthermay and everybody! I love your comments, long or short!Betsy Markmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13600148899348868100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982662593354859176.post-73819628164411937872009-04-19T18:33:00.000-06:002009-04-19T18:33:00.000-06:00“Your Best Life Now.”
HA!If churches suddenly remo...“Your Best Life Now.”<br /><B>HA!</B>If churches suddenly removed their sound systems, their drums and electric guitars, most of its members would also suddenly realize they didn’t really love Jesus after all – just the music.<br /><br /><I>“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths."</I> - II Timothy 4:3-4<br /><br />. . . Many believers don't grasp the full import of these words of The Apostle Paul. Some "ear ticklers" out there are clearly proclaiming false doctrine and are preaching/teaching things that are clearly in defiance to the teachings given to the New Testament Church. Other "ear ticklers" are very well disguised – they twist Scripture and call CCM “Worship” when worship has NOTHING to do with music. They twist Scripture to equate worldly success with Heavenly sanctuary. They don’t necessarily “proclaim”-- as in “teach” or “preach” -- as much as they encourage a belief system and allow “entertainment” from the world to acclimate into the church. Sorta’ like the frog being boiled to death in the pot of hot water. We don’t know what’s hit us!!!<br />- - - - <br />There’s a rather recent song late 80’s-early 90’s (Ray Boltz, I believe): “Little is Much When God is In It.” The lyrics fill me right now . . . <br /><br />Throughout Scripture, God has used the lowly, the humble, the ugly, this unsuspecting. Why should 2009 be any different. I think we’ll be quite surprised on judgment day who receives the crowns. . . . <br /><br />I LOVE your posts, because I know I’ll find TRUTH – and I know I won’t commence a comment war if I speak my mind. Truth is truth and I’m so glad to have been exposed to it throughout my life. And I praise God for bloggers who aren't afraid to stand for Truth. <br /><br />I can be nothing until I realize my nothing’ness and allow Christ to be all. When he is EVERYTHING and I am nothing, only then will His Truth be evident to me and in me. I pray this everyday. <br /><br />"Make me nothing, Lord, so you are EVERYTHING”<br /><br />SO sorry. . . . I forget. This is YOUR blog.<br />Preach on!Esthermay Bentley-Goossenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17353385912611151311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982662593354859176.post-1654493694283369152009-04-19T18:21:00.000-06:002009-04-19T18:21:00.000-06:00We, in America, don't really know the meaning of "...We, in America, don't really know the meaning of "giving our all." There are many places in the world, where calling yourself a Christian may mean your life.<br /><br />Yes, God has a plan for our life. It may not be what we would choose, but it is what is best. <br /><br />Thank you for this, Betsy.Yvonne Blakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08710596077769759997noreply@blogger.com