"Thank you Gary. Fun to revisit this dusty site! I am still committed to the SOIL manifesto. So much water under the bridge this past year and a half."
Jesus followers committed to living holistically
unity and values
I've been thinking about unity and how in order to have unity we have to compromise stuff but how far do we go?
It seems like when we compromise we forsake some of what we think is best or what we think God wants, which could be construed as purity or accuracy. God obviously values unity and particularly unity in the body and in retrospect I realise that woodies and co in bristol were uniquely good at bringing this about.
How do you find the balance between unity and holding values? or where do you place unity in a list of priorities? Or am I looking at this totally wrong?
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Permalink Reply by John Becker on
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Good thoughts and questions. I like the quote: "In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity." Grace and love are opperating principles in dealing with differences - especially in the body of Christ. It is not unity at all costs, that kind of reasoning will leave us weak and bankrupt of a solid foundation. In seeking unity we start by realizing that none of us have it completely sorted theologically. Experientially there is much breadth in how we meet with God and worship. We need each other and we need to learn from each other.
I don't think unity should be an excuse to compromise values but it might be an opportunity to stretch our convictions. Don't confuse values with convictions.
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I have been journeying with John in his engagement in fulfilling the SOIL commitment. This led me to look back at the site and notice that it has been inactive for quite some time. I assume we have all been engaged in the current calling God has placed before each one of us. For the past four years Linda and I have been engaged in starting a shelter for runaway/homeless youth in crisis: https://www.yeshelter.org/with a couple of forays to Kenya and…See More
"Craig. Thanks for this incredible song. What truth and challenge I found in it. I will not be at Street Church tonight so please say hello to our new friends. Thanks again for this post. John"
Song: End of my journey
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwSzJcBogkU&feature=youtube_gdata_playerLoved this song, gives the example of what the cross and message of Christs life. Total surrender to ego, to be resurected to live in and from spirit. Following and surrendering to Christ.To be who we are and what we have come at this time in life to do on the earth. Only through the holy spirit can that be revealed.See More
"Hi John, thank you for the encouraging verse's. They were very powerful and very enlightening! I read that from a book called " A course in miracles". Thank you again for all the spiritual lifting you have brought to my…"
"Hi John, had great time seeing you last night! Again thank for the invite to SOIL, hope I can share some positive energy with the site!"
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Your brother, John"
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