tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2561933118649146306.comments2023-05-14T03:39:57.440-04:00CHRIST, COMMUNITY AND CULTUREvic cucciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05146324959379126943noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2561933118649146306.post-12837269310561940542012-01-13T18:03:43.765-05:002012-01-13T18:03:43.765-05:00Wow, what an awesome gift. Blessings over the new ...Wow, what an awesome gift. Blessings over the new building and your family! ddddhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01014348773770607962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2561933118649146306.post-29008429013812692722012-01-13T18:02:29.059-05:002012-01-13T18:02:29.059-05:00Boy, you two get around. Blessings over the new bu...Boy, you two get around. Blessings over the new building and your family. ddddhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01014348773770607962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2561933118649146306.post-90396901195490117642012-01-08T01:46:33.553-05:002012-01-08T01:46:33.553-05:00Your red-Corvette-giving friend and church member ...Your red-Corvette-giving friend and church member is invited to come to Kenya and see first-hand how, in addition to his Corvette, his FAITHFULNESS has been turned into tangible, outreaching LOVE in action. Jeff Osborne, Missionary to KenyaJeff and Lucy Osbornehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10616827068043957604noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2561933118649146306.post-5394911052542326072012-01-06T14:56:15.923-05:002012-01-06T14:56:15.923-05:00And all God's people said... AMEN!And all God's people said... AMEN!Howard Tietjenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10940400023180525307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2561933118649146306.post-36152950041189333842012-01-06T14:55:12.734-05:002012-01-06T14:55:12.734-05:00And all God's people said... AMEN!And all God's people said... AMEN!Howard Tietjenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10940400023180525307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2561933118649146306.post-57229379435839893422011-12-14T21:05:46.330-05:002011-12-14T21:05:46.330-05:00Great point, and great issue to be involved in. On...Great point, and great issue to be involved in. Once a person starts to research human trafficking, their eyes are opened to how prevalent it is. And so few people are even aware of it! <br /><br />Keep informing others and fighting for the freedom of modern slaves!Jeremy Myershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01778420126998625079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2561933118649146306.post-55161780455045139262011-10-31T22:56:00.691-04:002011-10-31T22:56:00.691-04:00Trip,
Good to hear from you. Feel free to repost ...Trip, <br />Good to hear from you. Feel free to repost any or all of this post as you desire.<br /><br />God bless<br />vicvic cucciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05146324959379126943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2561933118649146306.post-86768203874323301822011-10-31T17:39:32.597-04:002011-10-31T17:39:32.597-04:00Hi Vic, we met when I was visiting with my good fr...Hi Vic, we met when I was visiting with my good friends the Martins. Great post... for me, anything focusing on intimacy with the Lord are valuable.<br />I plan to repost this if it's ok.<br />blessings,<br />TripAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15082172427170815409noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2561933118649146306.post-55181945383261289292011-04-19T13:55:40.290-04:002011-04-19T13:55:40.290-04:00Since returning from Guatemala I have been struggl...Since returning from Guatemala I have been struggling with my own thoughts and feelings regarding the outrageous blessings that God has provided me. I don't yet know where this is all leading to, but I'm thankful that God has put people like you, Brock, Dawn and many others into my life to share this journey. God's Peace!Howard Tietjenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10940400023180525307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2561933118649146306.post-55009507163441091652011-03-18T14:24:41.685-04:002011-03-18T14:24:41.685-04:00I've been going back and forth on whether to a...I've been going back and forth on whether to actually read the book, but having listened to the interviews Bell has done in promotion of the book, I have a hard time imagining it being worthwhile. As for whether this book nullifies his previous work, I find his previous work pretty useless so the criticism of Love Wins hasn't surprised me.<br /><br />While it appears semantic quibbling, I hate the phrase "live the gospel" or "be the gospel". It confuses what the gospel is, namely the proclamation of God's saving work through Jesus. It is true that Christians should live in light of the consequences of the gospel - and that this will make the gospel attractive or repellent by being consistent or not - but it is categorically impossible to live a message.<br /><br />Jesus when talking of the kingdom of God repeatedly included in His message the idea of exclusion and weeping and gnashing of teeth. I imagine that the crux of Love Wins is how to understand these ideas, but nonetheless, Jesus uses positive language to describe His kingdom, as well as frank and scary language to describe exclusion from it. So Jesus never uses fear as a primary motivation, but it is an essential part of His description of His work. <br /><br />Lastly, let us never forget that self-righteousness (religion) is not exclusive to fundamentalists - or even those in an organized religion at all - and Jesus's harsh words about religion apply to them as well.A D Raineshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17380686516520068364noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2561933118649146306.post-23390096032654607062011-03-17T17:28:10.460-04:002011-03-17T17:28:10.460-04:00I think that's a fair summary of the book and ...I think that's a fair summary of the book and Rob Bell. I think their are some good points that were made in the book and others that were not so strongly supported. The discerning Christian can decide what to leave and what to take.<br /><br />I do agree with his strategy of living the gospel of love as to attract others. In some circles, maybe preaching at someone works when you throw in some hell teaching, but that doesn't work on everyone. I don't see Jesus EVER calling someone to believe in Him so they could avoid a place of eternal torment. The draw to Jesus was that he had eternal life! He never used fear. That was always reserved for the religious people. Just my 2 cents.Mikushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03953004139831800852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2561933118649146306.post-11518954178919744432010-12-14T12:32:41.871-05:002010-12-14T12:32:41.871-05:00Vic
Another right on time message. We have share ...Vic<br />Another right on time message. We have share this with several people that have given up on "Church".<br /><br />Much Love<br />Janet & Danieljannodannohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04045121711163383066noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2561933118649146306.post-85311514312049160432010-11-23T16:06:25.710-05:002010-11-23T16:06:25.710-05:00Blue Like Jazz is a great book. I particularly li...Blue Like Jazz is a great book. I particularly like to share that one with people who are unchurched but have an interest in spiritual things.vic cucciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05146324959379126943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2561933118649146306.post-37023514503807508072010-11-22T16:58:41.172-05:002010-11-22T16:58:41.172-05:00Donald Miller is one of my favorites... Have you r...Donald Miller is one of my favorites... Have you read Blue Like Jazz?Howard Tietjenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10940400023180525307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2561933118649146306.post-47957001449570118982010-07-13T08:49:53.330-04:002010-07-13T08:49:53.330-04:00Smalley and Trent define love as "honor put i...Smalley and Trent define love as "honor put into action regardless of personal cost." Very true in my lifeMezriDaxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05574174533108354254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2561933118649146306.post-56738811184619348342010-05-23T19:53:50.567-04:002010-05-23T19:53:50.567-04:00I do just need to say I have never met a pastor th...I do just need to say I have never met a pastor that breaks down aspects of todays life and places them with things that have happened in the bible quite like you have the ability to. <br /><br /><br />I can completly relate to this blog on signifigance. <br /><br /><br />You have a very brillant mind!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15192599993333681631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2561933118649146306.post-16759927881440559632010-05-23T19:49:18.194-04:002010-05-23T19:49:18.194-04:00If only people all loved those around them like th...If only people all loved those around them like the bible says this world would be a much nicer place to live in. Its a shame some peoples hearts are so full of hate and discontent with others in the world.<br /><br />The lord is the biggest picture but I definatly beleive Love is the ultimate answer to so many problems were having and going through in this world. <br /><br />its amazing the power of love.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15192599993333681631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2561933118649146306.post-47304003096912931702010-03-27T21:52:19.850-04:002010-03-27T21:52:19.850-04:00Michelle, I am so sorry to hear about your experie...Michelle, I am so sorry to hear about your experience. These kind of things break my heart and I am certain they break God's as well. It is ironic that I received your comment at the very moment that I was typing the following<br /><br />"If there is one thing that is missing to a large degree in the church in America it is authenticity. People are longing for real relationships with others and ultimately with God, whether they realize it or not. The problem is that it has become harder and harder to find authentic expressions of community and faith. Many have given up on looking to the church, citing it as cold, judgmental, fake and the list goes on. <br /><br />Personally I think it is time that we owned some of this. Not only that, I also think it is time to ask some of the hard questions that have been left unsaid for too long. As a pastor, I find it a bit troubling that I have been in agreement at times with people from other religions, agnostics and even atheists, regarding their opinions of the Christian church in America. Needless to say, something is very wrong..."<br /><br />You are in my prayers and I hope to meet you sometime. If you visit Journey, please don't leave without introducing yourself.<br /><br />For His Kingdom,<br />vicvic cucciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05146324959379126943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2561933118649146306.post-17198994744135053232010-03-27T21:30:17.983-04:002010-03-27T21:30:17.983-04:00Your message was so true. I have been hurt by chur...Your message was so true. I have been hurt by church family and it is not pretty. The sad thing is some don't realize how much they are hurting someone. I haven't been to church since I moved on the southside 6 years ago. I have church at home by watching it on tv. I miss the fellowship. God has been good to me and I will never stop loving him because of what people do. I was a sunday school teacher of ages 5-11 and I was also over the youth outreach group. I loved all the kids so much and it hurt me to leave that churh. I couldn't take how they were treating people especially young people that were coming to our church. It broke my heart. It was a strict church and it was ok for some people to do things and not others. I don't like Hypocrites. God sees us all the same. Ever since leaving there I feel like I really see the love of God and how he really is. He loves us all. Just one example: This teen started coming to our church and he had long hair. At an outing one saturday I heard a couple of older men tell him he needs to get his hair cut if he was going to come to the fellowhip outings. That young man never came back and he was so upset. I am sorry but that is not love that is control. I say get the people saved and if God feels they need to change something let him deal with his heart. Some things are better left to God. Ok I am done but just wanted to say thanks. I was looking for a church to visit and your church jumped out at me. So I am sure I will be visiting soon. Thanks for that message. God bless.<br />MichelleMichellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17781338857801025293noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2561933118649146306.post-25524638199135510412009-08-10T00:52:25.090-04:002009-08-10T00:52:25.090-04:00well i live in guatemala and i do believe god is m...well i live in guatemala and i do believe god is more present here than in jax. <br /><br />haha. that was a joke. nice blog my friend...you nailed it head on. <br /><br />so... turn off your computer, tv, phone, and go serve somebody!!!brockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02452005436254813190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2561933118649146306.post-22329620954168535272009-07-19T19:51:10.842-04:002009-07-19T19:51:10.842-04:00Well said pastor!Well said pastor!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16702705737222427066noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2561933118649146306.post-91529209620670313682009-07-17T07:44:47.733-04:002009-07-17T07:44:47.733-04:00I think its important to explore these ideas in a ...I think its important to explore these ideas in a supportive environment. Knowing whether God chooses us or we choose God is fundamental to one's overall view of God. As you said, thought, these topics are hotbeds for arguments and often do divded the church, and that's sad. Everyone should just read John 13 and stop getting all in a tissy about it.Lukehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13537922866244934401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2561933118649146306.post-79286661059372249652009-07-15T12:07:57.547-04:002009-07-15T12:07:57.547-04:00I was actually reading that bit by Tozer this morn...I was actually reading that bit by Tozer this morning. I'm SO grateful that I don't have to know the subtle and unfathomable intricacies of God and His infinite ability to know and trust Him as much as I can.jayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09580478833840927387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2561933118649146306.post-71473299887995053182009-05-29T05:43:07.679-04:002009-05-29T05:43:07.679-04:00Wow Vic! What a testimony. Glory to the Father. ...Wow Vic! What a testimony. Glory to the Father. He is so proud of His daughter!<br /><br />In HIS Strength,<br /><br />Harry Lewis, JrHarry Lewis, Jrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11996385204616573991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2561933118649146306.post-15666244877356287812009-01-08T22:20:00.000-05:002009-01-08T22:20:00.000-05:00AmenAmenPete Dymondhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03594709253840374630noreply@blogger.com