Comment Highlights for week of January 16, 2011
Okay… try to follow this.
A few days ago, Dan at “The Ekklesia in Southern Maine” highlighting my blog as one of his top 10 favorites. (See his post “Top 10 of 2010: The Assembling of the Church“.)
While commenting on Dan’s post, Ed from “In a Mirror Dimly” told of another blogger who assembled a list of her favorite comments from 2010.
I thought this was a great way to highlight the awesome comments that are often left on this blog. But, instead of highlighting the best of the year, I thought I would highlight the best of the week. So, this is my first “Comment Highlight” post.
Here are the comments (or excerpts from comments) that I want to highlight from this past week:
Mark from “Called Out in Kansas” left the following comment on my post “A modern widow’s mite?” (which was written in response to another blog post):
The Lord has been gently leading me in this regard recently, as my wife and I work through some difficult financial times. We are learning to walk in our faith in regards to our material supply, and although it is part of my general makeup to give to others, sometimes things want to change when a squeeze is applied! I have lately slacked off on a monthly gift I was giving, because my own supply was so tight, and last month felt maybe I needed to not slack off. The Lord spoke to me then through either a scripture or blog post, I forget now which, and He spoke to me again through this post, so thank you! I am continually amazed how gentle and patient He is with us as we learn to walk in Him.
(Also, don’t miss Mark’s follow-up comment here.)
Art from “Church Task Force” left this comment excerpt (the comment should be a blog post of its own!) in response to my post “Implications of the Headship of Christ“:
…In the world, leadership is responsible for the actions and failures of their followers. This is a noble enough approach among men, and can have some humbling effects if approached in a humble way (the “how have I failed them and what must I fix in me†vs “how have they failed me and how shall I force them to do better?â€). It can also create dictatorial monsters in large and small organizations, who will stop at nothing to produce conformity to their way. Failures reflect badly on their person. Failures set back their agenda for glory. The responsible-powerful leader concept demonstrates our proclivity to pride and self-competence, to having power over others, a power unique to those who esteem themselves both greater and better than others.
But look at our Head, our King. His followers fail in so many ways they are uncountable. Could He enforce conformity? Yes. But instead, He seeks transformation. We fail utterly, horribly, willfully, and he meets us on the beach, invites us to breakfast (serving us), and encourages us again to feed (serve) others. He washes our feet, and invites us to do the same for others. He who alone has the authority to be Master and Lord becomes servant…
(Make sure to read the entire comment, if you haven’t already.)
Finally, Leighton from “GraceWorks.ca” left this comment excerpt on my post “Breaking it down“:
If we attempted to arrive a more New Testament understanding of church we more likely be talking about the nature of a specific group, its values, purpose and function. It would be more like describing a family. A family isn’t defined by how large it is or where it meets but by the nature of the relationships inside the group and how people relate to each other. The question shifts from what is a family to what is a dysfunction/functional or healthy/unhealthy family.
(Again, make sure you read the entire comment, if you haven’t.)
I’m looking forward to more great comments and interaction next week!