Comments for listening to the wind

Comment on downward mobility by Nathan

Nathan — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:34:44 +0000

excellent question; thanks!

Comment on downward mobility by Pastor Chad

Pastor Chad — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:48:16 +0000

I agree that we can serve in both places, my argument is not about moving up the career ladder, gaining more success in the jobs that God has given us. My question is with the fact that we also buy into the myth that our success in these other spheres gives us the right or privilege to collect all the trappings associated with these positions. I am not talking about working as a VP in the Manhattan skyscrapers or working at a non-profit with the homeless. My questions is whether we work in the Manhattan skyscraper or with the homeless should the trappings of our lives be different?

Here is the main question behind the post; Is the Christian executive entitled to the big house and car because that is the world he moves it, or should he live as though he worked for a non-profit with the homeless?

Comment on downward mobility by Nathan Bierma

Nathan Bierma — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:22:08 +0000

Chad, thanks for this. In a chapter on vocation in my book on heaven (www.nathanbooks.com/heaven) I talk about Carl Dill, a Christian who rose through the ranks and became VP at Time Warner, who turned heads there for his quiet, servant leadership. I use his example to affirm that Christians should work and serve in Manhattan skyscrapers as well as anywhere else.

Then in my next chapter I talk about Henri Nouwen and downward mobility.

I talk about both men when I teach vocation to students here at Calvin. But I’ve discovered that no one wants to be Nouwen; they all want to be Carl Dill! They want the Manhattan skyscraper. Kind of discouraging.

Comment on monday thanks by Dianne

Dianne — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:47:19 +0000

Oh wow! You spoke my heart exactly and in such an eloquent way. Yes, I agree–I don’t want to run ahead–I want to savor the moment of being blessed. Welcome to the Gratitude Community, Chad. We are so glad to have you and hope that we praise God together for a long time to come. Dianne

Comment on Christians and porn: a practical theology by Luke Gilkerson

Luke Gilkerson — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:40:25 +0000

Fight Clubs is a GREAT book by Jonathan Dodson. I had a chance to interview him on my blog: http://www.covenanteyes.com/blog/2009/09/30/battling-sin-at-the-root-fight-clubs-recap/

Pornography does destroy intimacy in marriage. Sets up so many false beliefs in a man about what real intimacy is. You might like this video about one couple that experienced some real brokenness in this regard: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcpotyZ_oSM

Comment on the church on the other side: a review by Paul VanderKlay

Paul VanderKlay — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:00:19 +0000

So you’re skeptical about his certainty but trying to be sensitive to his context? pvk

Comment on learning to lament by learning to lament ps 22 « listening to the wind

learning to lament ps 22 « listening to the wind — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:27:21 +0000

[...] learning to lament (crcpastorchad.wordpress.com) [...]

Comment on eyes to see by Jill

Jill — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:18:39 +0000

yes, yes

Comment on greatness by Jill

Jill — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 18:04:05 +0000

for me the being able to love ‘everyone’ began to be possible when i realized my own value to God.
it is the most important thing to know -how much He loves me and i am special because He says so
then i realized He loves everyone else the same as He loves me
we are all just as important to Him… no matter what we live like or look like or smell like….
of course i still fight the ‘look how great i am…i want attention thing’ but i am learning…

Comment on greatness by Pastor Chad

Pastor Chad — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:17:58 +0000

thanks, Claire. I appreciate your comments, and I agree that it takes a strong belief in the forgiveness of God to accept this kind of greatness. This is greatness we do not create on our own, but is given us by others. It is no wonder that even the world recognises this kind of greatness in people (Mother Theresa, etc.) for a longer period of time than the brief celebrity status that so many of us seek after.