Comments for think, ponder, muse... http://www.pagehamilton.com …on being the church that follows Jesus Sun, 29 Aug 2010 19:28:36 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Comment on the oil and vinegar of business and relationships by Page http://www.pagehamilton.com/?p=170&cpage=1#comment-89 Page Sun, 29 Aug 2010 19:28:36 +0000 http://www.pagehamilton.com/?p=170#comment-89 Thanks for your comments, Free. My point in the words you referenced is to say that I believe earthly leadership exercising good, prudent decisions and actions for the success of an earthly business is consistent with the way God designed earthly work to happen. I see the whole idea of humans working for earthly reward as God's idea (scripture mentioned). But it was never intended that humans take his role of being in charge of his heavenly church. That's when things get all messed up, because that's heavenly "business" per se, not earthly business. And it's his business, not ours. Glad to know if my point is still not clear. Thanks for your comments, Free. My point in the words you referenced is to say that I believe earthly leadership exercising good, prudent decisions and actions for the success of an earthly business is consistent with the way God designed earthly work to happen. I see the whole idea of humans working for earthly reward as God’s idea (scripture mentioned). But it was never intended that humans take his role of being in charge of his heavenly church. That’s when things get all messed up, because that’s heavenly “business” per se, not earthly business. And it’s his business, not ours. Glad to know if my point is still not clear.

]]> Comment on the oil and vinegar of business and relationships by Free Spirit http://www.pagehamilton.com/?p=170&cpage=1#comment-88 Free Spirit Sun, 29 Aug 2010 17:20:10 +0000 http://www.pagehamilton.com/?p=170#comment-88 Hey Page, Really good insightful stuff here! And, I think you've hit on a primary reason that the business of religion will never work (i.e. never get one to know Father). You said it well here, "So there will always be times when people have grown into as much of God’s kingdom as a particular religious business can support, and to get beyond that the people will be drawn into things outside the scope of where the leadership is comfortable, or able to lead." That is the cold hard truth. There's only so much of knowing God that any religion as a business can support. Unfortunately, it's not much of (knowing) Him that can be supported there. I think to satisfy one's deep hunger for God necessarily will take them out of that setting, if only for a season. I'm not sure that I fully followed you on this point: "At the end of the day, the leadership has to do what’s right for the business or its viability will be threatened. And the kicker is, I believe that’s how God intended it. God put it in us to work (Genesis – Adam, the garden) and better our lives if we can (1Cor 7:21) and to enjoy the rewards of our labors (Eccl 5:18-20)." Maybe I just didn't understand what you were saying. Very good observations here about how a religious business necessarily must run itself. Hey Page,
Really good insightful stuff here! And, I think you’ve hit on a primary reason that the business of religion will never work (i.e. never get one to know Father).

You said it well here, “So there will always be times when people have grown into as much of God’s kingdom as a particular religious business can support, and to get beyond that the people will be drawn into things outside the scope of where the leadership is comfortable, or able to lead.”

That is the cold hard truth. There’s only so much of knowing God that any religion as a business can support. Unfortunately, it’s not much of (knowing) Him that can be supported there. I think to satisfy one’s deep hunger for God necessarily will take them out of that setting, if only for a season.

I’m not sure that I fully followed you on this point: “At the end of the day, the leadership has to do what’s right for the business or its viability will be threatened. And the kicker is, I believe that’s how God intended it. God put it in us to work (Genesis – Adam, the garden) and better our lives if we can (1Cor 7:21) and to enjoy the rewards of our labors (Eccl 5:18-20).” Maybe I just didn’t understand what you were saying.

Very good observations here about how a religious business necessarily must run itself.

]]> Comment on thoughts on Easter and similar traditions by Page http://www.pagehamilton.com/?p=148&cpage=1#comment-85 Page Sat, 01 May 2010 06:19:25 +0000 http://www.pagehamilton.com/?p=148#comment-85 Free - yes, to some degree I find myself "showing up" and kinda going through the motions a bit for the sake of others around me during these holidays. And maybe I'd retreat too much inside myself if not for that, so I benefit as well, who knows. I'm not comfortable with it all. Trying to sort it out a little further with each go'round. Thanks for sharing. Free – yes, to some degree I find myself “showing up” and kinda going through the motions a bit for the sake of others around me during these holidays. And maybe I’d retreat too much inside myself if not for that, so I benefit as well, who knows. I’m not comfortable with it all. Trying to sort it out a little further with each go’round. Thanks for sharing.

]]> Comment on peace for the bride by Page http://www.pagehamilton.com/?p=150&cpage=1#comment-84 Page Sat, 01 May 2010 05:21:14 +0000 http://www.pagehamilton.com/?p=150#comment-84 Free, "unchallenged reverence" with "attached fear" - nicely put. I bet they often go together, one supporting the other. It does seem that open, candid dialogue on this topic is long overdue. Meanwhile, the Holy Spirit is our guide nonetheless. Free, “unchallenged reverence” with “attached fear” – nicely put. I bet they often go together, one supporting the other. It does seem that open, candid dialogue on this topic is long overdue. Meanwhile, the Holy Spirit is our guide nonetheless.

]]> Comment on thoughts on Easter and similar traditions by Free Spirit http://www.pagehamilton.com/?p=148&cpage=1#comment-83 Free Spirit Fri, 30 Apr 2010 18:31:36 +0000 http://www.pagehamilton.com/?p=148#comment-83 I'm so with you in this disdain for man-made traditions such as Easter and Christmas. Although I find myself having to somewhat tip toe around these issues, as my dear hubby already thinks I've gone off the deep end with so much of what's now in my heart, in my understanding of Papa. I long for the day that he and I see eye to eye on such matters. There's that and the constant battle I deal with concerning the expectations of extended family when it comes to celebrating these "grand" occasions together. What to do, when you're the only one who doesn't buy into it anymore? Hard as it is, I know He's got my back, here too! I appreciate your heart, brother. I’m so with you in this disdain for man-made traditions such as Easter and Christmas. Although I find myself having to somewhat tip toe around these issues, as my dear hubby already thinks I’ve gone off the deep end with so much of what’s now in my heart, in my understanding of Papa. I long for the day that he and I see eye to eye on such matters.

There’s that and the constant battle I deal with concerning the expectations of extended family when it comes to celebrating these “grand” occasions together. What to do, when you’re the only one who doesn’t buy into it anymore?

Hard as it is, I know He’s got my back, here too!

I appreciate your heart, brother.

]]> Comment on peace for the bride by Free Spirit http://www.pagehamilton.com/?p=150&cpage=1#comment-82 Free Spirit Fri, 30 Apr 2010 16:32:33 +0000 http://www.pagehamilton.com/?p=150#comment-82 Thanks, Page, for a very thought-provoking post. I haven't had the time to even consider such deeper issues, but can say that it has always bothered my spirit when I hear religion, in today's time, giving such seemingly unchallenged reverence for the nation of Israel, and then attaching fear to all who would challenge their "biblical" reasoning. What you have said here certainly seems to jive more with my spirit! Thanks, Page, for a very thought-provoking post.

I haven’t had the time to even consider such deeper issues, but can say that it has always bothered my spirit when I hear religion, in today’s time, giving such seemingly unchallenged reverence for the nation of Israel, and then attaching fear to all who would challenge their “biblical” reasoning.

What you have said here certainly seems to jive more with my spirit!

]]> Comment on relationships, boundaries, and skating lessons by Page http://www.pagehamilton.com/?p=98&cpage=1#comment-81 Page Fri, 30 Apr 2010 07:07:27 +0000 http://pagehamilton.wordpress.com/?p=98#comment-81 Thanks for sharing, Chuck. I especially like your treatment of the accountability topic. It makes me want to ponder over that more... Thanks for sharing, Chuck. I especially like your treatment of the accountability topic. It makes me want to ponder over that more…

]]> Comment on when God doesn't agree with our hearts by Page http://www.pagehamilton.com/?p=103&cpage=1#comment-80 Page Fri, 30 Apr 2010 06:12:30 +0000 http://pagehamilton.wordpress.com/?p=103#comment-80 Thanks, Chuck. I'm in complete agreement with your comments. Thanks, Chuck. I’m in complete agreement with your comments.

]]> Comment on living with the last chapter in mind by Page http://www.pagehamilton.com/?p=120&cpage=1#comment-78 Page Tue, 27 Apr 2010 04:56:15 +0000 http://pagehamilton.wordpress.com/?p=120#comment-78 Nice catch, Chuck. I love your worship of our Heavenly, Awesome, Mighty, King Jesus. Already, I deeply appreciate the work he is doing, and has done, in you. For me, I think it was a lazy use of common colloquialism, without appropriate attention to whether it was communicating the right message. I'll happily work on a better way make my point, and post inline above. Nice catch, Chuck. I love your worship of our Heavenly, Awesome, Mighty, King Jesus. Already, I deeply appreciate the work he is doing, and has done, in you. For me, I think it was a lazy use of common colloquialism, without appropriate attention to whether it was communicating the right message. I’ll happily work on a better way make my point, and post inline above.

]]> Comment on you can't count the wind by Page http://www.pagehamilton.com/?p=129&cpage=1#comment-77 Page Tue, 27 Apr 2010 04:47:28 +0000 http://pagehamilton.wordpress.com/?p=129#comment-77 Appreciate your encouragement, Chuck! Appreciate your encouragement, Chuck!

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