Posted by giveawayboy on April 13, 2002 at 15:26:23:
In Reply to: The delinquent down the street posted by Pastor Steven on April 13, 2002 at 11:25:09:
: : But this is only in my head and on this board. I don't take it beyond here. If it really bothers people I'll quit.
: Don't quit. I have no problem with the exploration of these things, as you know.
: Your post to which I responded referred to the "magical environment" we have "constructed" and seemed to devalue to a great degree the increased potential for honesty and understanding in this new gathering. To this I responded, as the father of a newborn might respond if he heard someone criticizing his baby's potential as being no better than the juvenile delinquent growing up down the street. "Then go down the street and criticize the delinquent, if you must," I would say, "and let me nurture my baby in peace." ;-)
Chris and I were talking about this baby! It would be bad if we were nurturing some kind of new cult or something. But, I think that recently what I have been able to be a part of has been very good. I'm sure John would agree too. I think anything can generate, but it can also grow and flourish. I think that we need to find ways to help that growth process. As for me, I like the 'honesty' thing. As long as it's not only a substitute for the confessional. On the other hand there are times when being vulnerable and sharing even the baddies is a goodie. If honesty is nothing but a list of failures and struggles then it is only partial. It needs to also have insight into things. For instance, things that touch us deeply, that we can access (Steve talks about this) that perhaps we can help share w others who maybe just can't see it that way. We can be honest about what we are going through, or be vulnerable, but also be honest about ways of seeing the world, ways of seeing things of God, etc. Who knows! I'm glad that a bunch of us are talking about the way to walk in this otherworld.
Bill