tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217199.post4774445402655573180..comments2024-03-24T11:30:08.199-07:00Comments on Can you believe?: "A gentle answer turns away wrath,Johan Maurerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13771067774042071617noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217199.post-39232223461937991702010-09-12T21:20:34.529-07:002010-09-12T21:20:34.529-07:00Johan, sorry for the belated answer, but YES!! I ...Johan, sorry for the belated answer, but YES!! I loved the cat pictures!! I also liked how you stacked them vertically on the right hand side of the window!<br /><br />Love,<br />Anonymous. :DAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217199.post-27915360142436582662010-09-08T06:05:57.293-07:002010-09-08T06:05:57.293-07:00Ben--exactly how would "calling out bullshit&...Ben--exactly how would "calling out bullshit" make us effectual? I'm very skeptical that it does anything more than solidify lines of division, to nobody's enduring advantage.<br /><br />If that's your calling, call away. But "...the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets"--not just to our individual righteousness.Johan Maurerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13771067774042071617noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217199.post-41913698443202940702010-09-07T23:39:18.781-07:002010-09-07T23:39:18.781-07:00Hard to read someone so self-doubting, why can'...Hard to read someone so self-doubting, why can't you call out bullshit when you see it. Is that in bad taste or something. No wonder we're so ineffectual.bennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217199.post-90337975028086188642010-09-07T07:24:49.465-07:002010-09-07T07:24:49.465-07:00As a Christian who believes that Jesus Christ can ...As a Christian who believes that Jesus Christ can and does communicate with me, I’m interested in what he says. I’ve not heard him say he’s for any kind of taxation. The way of the Kingdom of God is self-giving service. Jesus said that no one takes his life from him he willingly lays it down.<br /><br />Lording it over people even to promote the general welfare is still the way of worldly governments and not the government of God. The only way I know of to unfailingly confront ungodly ways is to live in response to the voice of God within and the only way to know what God is saying in any situation is through expectant listening, individually and corporately.<br /><br />My desire is to partner with God in nurturing ears that hear.Dianehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04011100656498675753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217199.post-26812119513363091632010-09-06T10:08:31.002-07:002010-09-06T10:08:31.002-07:00Thank you, Johan. Thank you very much. I am tryi...Thank you, Johan. Thank you very much. I am trying to learn to sit prayerfully with people on different sides of political polarities and no just yell at them both to stop being so simplistic...some days this goes better than others.<br /><br />I have a friend whom I've known since we were both kids. He's an enthusiastic Tea party fan; we disagree on war, economics, taxation, immigration, and pretty much everything else in the public domain. But we have some respect and trust for each other. And we do share the sense that our political and economic system has become unjust, ungodly and inhumane. And usually I can find something in his statements to agree with, before going on to "But these are the people I know, the situations I know, that have prompted me to reach a different conclusion.."<br /><br />It's a whole lot harder for me, at least, to picture how to engage in public discourse from this place. But I think it still may help to acknowledge our shared dismay, as you have done eloquently. And for me it matters to own the wounds that add vehemence to my opinions. And to actually change my life in accordance with whatever position I wish to espouse, and do that publicly, and at the same time to own to the ways in which I'm still being unfaithful. And then to say boldly what I see and believe.Joanna Hoythttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13447960126998692419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217199.post-17773464853717110162010-09-06T06:57:19.500-07:002010-09-06T06:57:19.500-07:00Personally, I can't stand the polarization any...Personally, I can't stand the polarization anymore. I'm ready to withdraw ...from it all!<br /><br />It's gotten so that you don't have to read any further than the byline. You know exactly what the writer is going to say, because you know if he/she is democrat or republican. <br /><br />And (forgive the nostalgia) I really long for the days when to know a person's religion did not automatically mean you knew their politics.<br /><br />I REALLY try to see "that of God" in everyone. even if it means being labeled one of the "useful idiots." But I'm about ready to unsubscribe from cyberspace altogether...liberatahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217199.post-83644164004618201742010-09-04T12:53:00.860-07:002010-09-04T12:53:00.860-07:00Hi, Anonymous, Thanks for kind words and good remi...Hi, Anonymous, Thanks for kind words and good reminder. By the way, did you like the cat pics?Johan Maurerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13771067774042071617noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217199.post-61136109422627256432010-09-04T10:35:12.218-07:002010-09-04T10:35:12.218-07:00There is nobody better to stir the pot than you, J...There is nobody better to stir the pot than you, Johan. You've been given the twins gifts of clear thinking and eloquent speaking. <br /><br />I think our gifts are meant to be squandered.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com