On Tiny congregation seeks God in a bar

Posted on October 7 at 1:03 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

I heard it said once...and I can agree with it myself...the written word is not inerrant... but ...the inerrant word of God is inherent in the scriptures and able to be revealed by the Holy Spirit..

full of contradictions? seemingly yes...used by many for evil purposes to justify their behavior? yes....but a vehicle in which the Holy Spirit uses to show himself ... yes....in my opinion

On Tiny congregation seeks God in a bar

Posted on October 6 at 9:58 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

:) that made me smile joe, thanks

On Tiny congregation seeks God in a bar

Posted on October 6 at 4:53 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

I know its not always wise to defend yourself to your accusers, but I think I need to clarify just a few things.

As far as why I am at Willowdale, the story speaks for itself. I think my intention is clear to those who have eyes to see.

As far as drinking, I never intended to endorse alcoholism or glorify the destruction it could do in a person's life. I am very aware of this. However, there are many people who think that their life is separated from God because they may drink or smoke or involved with things that church people tell them God wants no part of. I guess, when it comes down to it, I want to reach the guy who has a six pack in his fridge and who doesn't go to church because he doesn't think he's good enough.

As far as doctrine, I believe it is a personal thing. Not everybody who goes to the Red Door believes the same thing - that is a good thing I think.

All I can say is that when I was a little girl, there were questions I had that kept me awake at night. Growing up as an evangelical, I worried about the tribal man in Africa who never knew about Jesus. As I got older, I worried about the person who rejected God because someone lied to him about who God was. It never made sense to me that God would ask me to forgive my enemies and bless those that persecute me, but that he would allow his to be tortured for eternity. For the last 15 years, I have studied the Doctrine of Reconciliation. Yes, it has a few holes and there are some things in scripture that seem to contradict it, but I would venture to say that this is true of most doctrines. However, I must say, it makes me smile when I see scriptures like "God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself"..."while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us"..."and by one man's sin, death came to all, but by one man, Christ Jesus, life came to all"...last but not least the scripture talks about all of God's creation being reconciled back to him in the end. I know I am paraphrasing but to me, this would be consistent with the God of Love and a God who is victorious over sin and death. If Jesus did not accomplish on the cross more than what Adam accomplished in the Garden, then would that mean that Adam was more powerful than Jesus?

I understand it is a beautiful thing to believe and understand the love of God and apply it to my life, but when people are compelled to come to God using fear and manipulation, it only creates hostility and frankly we then deserve the mockery and and are no longer persecuted for righteousness sake but for self righteousness sake.

My goal in being at the Red Door is simple - I don't condemn, I don't convert. It is my job to love and to share the hope, joy, and peace I have found in Jesus Christ. He loves me for who I am not for who I should be. To me, that is good news. Thank you for reading...kathy

On McPoland loses his battle with cancer

Posted on October 5 at 1:31 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

John became my friend recently...I took him out at the poker table and he took me out to dinner. We had a wonderful time and his attitude about his end of life issues was amazing and inspiring. He was ready to go...'Good to go, kathy' is what he said. I am grateful, though it was a short time I got know this wonderful human being, I will see him again...I am sure he is smiling at all these posts....