Comments for Thoughts of a Servant http://blog.jonathanreyes.com Thu, 29 Jul 2010 08:51:19 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 Comment on The Beauty of Questions by Brad http://blog.jonathanreyes.com/2010/07/25/the-beauty-of-questions/comment-page-1/#comment-30 Brad Thu, 29 Jul 2010 08:51:19 +0000 http://blog.jonathanreyes.com/?p=463#comment-30 Well, you've definitely put that whole, " what we don't know won't hurt us" belief in check, and I can only agree. Now I want to include that not all questions stem from fear, there is very well an unknowing of something, but it can also root just from curiosity, simply wondering why something is the way that it is. Now we can look for all the fear we want in a question, and it can all be there, but only if you really look for it. Now why would we look for fear in a question one might ask? Well, that fear could serve as a means of motivation to know the answer. The Bible is chalk full of answers, and hopefully we are full of questions, at least I am. Hope you are too bro! Because that fear and curiosity serve as our motive to find those answers, because they're not always easy to find! At least for me they aren't easy haha. But with faith in God that We have, we are strong and bound to find our answers, and each one of them, being the word of God, shall be reassuring. So in short, kudos bro to pointing something out that really gets my gears in my noggin rollin haha Well, you’ve definitely put that whole, ” what we don’t know won’t hurt us” belief in check, and I can only agree. Now I want to include that not all questions stem from fear, there is very well an unknowing of something, but it can also root just from curiosity, simply wondering why something is the way that it is. Now we can look for all the fear we want in a question, and it can all be there, but only if you really look for it. Now why would we look for fear in a question one might ask? Well, that fear could serve as a means of motivation to know the answer. The Bible is chalk full of answers, and hopefully we are full of questions, at least I am. Hope you are too bro! Because that fear and curiosity serve as our motive to find those answers, because they’re not always easy to find! At least for me they aren’t easy haha. But with faith in God that We have, we are strong and bound to find our answers, and each one of them, being the word of God, shall be reassuring. So in short, kudos bro to pointing something out that really gets my gears in my noggin rollin haha

]]> Comment on My Stupid Faith by Jonathan Reyes http://blog.jonathanreyes.com/2010/07/25/my-stupid-faith/comment-page-1/#comment-29 Jonathan Reyes Sun, 25 Jul 2010 23:50:11 +0000 http://blog.jonathanreyes.com/?p=536#comment-29 Thanks for the chat bro. I would have to agree with you to a certain extent brosef. There is a lot that has changed in me and a lot of information that is missing from the puzzle that brings me to my conclusion of my last post. While I believe that school, debt, and mindsets are beneficial to our living, I also believe that it is within scope of prayer to ask God to change priorities. Often those things become our central focus, when our focus should be on God. In terms of talking about the unlearning everything, it is not necessarily taking away the knowledge that I have learned about the Bible-- it is moreso like the renewed learning of similar passages. I am going to do a post on this, but consider a shepherd in a flock of sheep-- This is in Psalm 24 I believe, where it says that the Lord is my Shepherd. The sheep are stupid, ignorant, and have the ability to kill themselves by eating too much. The shepherd keeps them in line, but when a single sheep keeps leaving the path they are on, the shepherd will break the leg of that sheep-- and while the sheep is mending (completely unable to walk), the shepherd will continually carry the sheep, walk with the sheep as it heals (at its own pace), and lay it down when it gets tired. And often I think this can apply to our concept of God. We learn about god, we know his word, scripture, etc. But there is a point where God has to break our legs and make us realize that we are starting to structure the bible around a concept (and essentially going off the track like sheep), when, in reality, the Bible is living word that strengthens and talks to us throughout our events in our life. So in essence, I don't want to be at a point where I <em>know </em>God's word-- I would rather dwell in how amazing it is, and let it to speak to me. :D Might I say something though. It is utterly refreshing to have a brother challenge me. I strive to be challenged, I strive to be tested, but no one does it-- People get fearful to challenge others, but its in the challenge that we grow. So I thank you bro, and I look forward to having more conversations with you. Maybe even starting that online bible study we were talking about a while back. :D Thanks for the chat bro. I would have to agree with you to a certain extent brosef. There is a lot that has changed in me and a lot of information that is missing from the puzzle that brings me to my conclusion of my last post. While I believe that school, debt, and mindsets are beneficial to our living, I also believe that it is within scope of prayer to ask God to change priorities. Often those things become our central focus, when our focus should be on God.

In terms of talking about the unlearning everything, it is not necessarily taking away the knowledge that I have learned about the Bible– it is moreso like the renewed learning of similar passages. I am going to do a post on this, but consider a shepherd in a flock of sheep– This is in Psalm 24 I believe, where it says that the Lord is my Shepherd. The sheep are stupid, ignorant, and have the ability to kill themselves by eating too much. The shepherd keeps them in line, but when a single sheep keeps leaving the path they are on, the shepherd will break the leg of that sheep– and while the sheep is mending (completely unable to walk), the shepherd will continually carry the sheep, walk with the sheep as it heals (at its own pace), and lay it down when it gets tired. And often I think this can apply to our concept of God. We learn about god, we know his word, scripture, etc. But there is a point where God has to break our legs and make us realize that we are starting to structure the bible around a concept (and essentially going off the track like sheep), when, in reality, the Bible is living word that strengthens and talks to us throughout our events in our life.

So in essence, I don’t want to be at a point where I know God’s word– I would rather dwell in how amazing it is, and let it to speak to me. :D

Might I say something though. It is utterly refreshing to have a brother challenge me. I strive to be challenged, I strive to be tested, but no one does it– People get fearful to challenge others, but its in the challenge that we grow. So I thank you bro, and I look forward to having more conversations with you. Maybe even starting that online bible study we were talking about a while back. :D

]]> Comment on My Stupid Faith by Brad http://blog.jonathanreyes.com/2010/07/25/my-stupid-faith/comment-page-1/#comment-28 Brad Sun, 25 Jul 2010 20:18:06 +0000 http://blog.jonathanreyes.com/?p=536#comment-28 I believe that the challenge we face is having all of those dependencies on school, debt, and so forth, yet still being followers and preaching the gospel in our own way. You say that you want to be removed from what you think you know of the Bible, but isn't it all right there? The Bible is the word of God, the more you make yourself aware of what the Bible contains, the more you learn about God and the closer you can learn to be with him, why would you want to remove yourself from that? I'm not disagreeing with what your saying, I'm simply, as a follower and believer of God, challenging you. I realize you probably have enough challenge on your hands, but I figured I'd thrown this is to boggle the mind a little bit more haha. We do indeed depend on God, in a sense, everything traces back to depending on him, and praying to him for help and confidence through these challenges were put through, and believe me, he will see to it that they are answered :) I believe that the challenge we face is having all of those dependencies on school, debt, and so forth, yet still being followers and preaching the gospel in our own way. You say that you want to be removed from what you think you know of the Bible, but isn’t it all right there? The Bible is the word of God, the more you make yourself aware of what the Bible contains, the more you learn about God and the closer you can learn to be with him, why would you want to remove yourself from that? I’m not disagreeing with what your saying, I’m simply, as a follower and believer of God, challenging you. I realize you probably have enough challenge on your hands, but I figured I’d thrown this is to boggle the mind a little bit more haha. We do indeed depend on God, in a sense, everything traces back to depending on him, and praying to him for help and confidence through these challenges were put through, and believe me, he will see to it that they are answered :)

]]> Comment on Mormonism on the Go by Jonathan Reyes http://blog.jonathanreyes.com/2010/07/18/mormonism-on-the-go/comment-page-1/#comment-25 Jonathan Reyes Wed, 21 Jul 2010 08:10:32 +0000 http://blog.jonathanreyes.com/?p=527#comment-25 Dude, I couldn't relate to you more. I know exactly what your describing. For me, letting them into my home was a huge test on my faith, because I know that these gents are super educated-- to the point where they have been through many questioning, many doors in the face, etc. But I also found that those are the times when you grow, when you are tested that is-- It is when you are at your weakest and most vulnerable that you grow. But like the dude you were talking about that was in the checkout, he wasn't in a weak spot with his faith-- he was in a rock-solid position and wasn't open to listening... I would have done the same friggin thing if not punch him hahaha j/p. But I know your heart dude, you are an awesome dude-- I would challenge you to question them with love on their faith. Once they respect you, they will ask you questions and you will be able to share about your faith too ;) You going to go skydiving with us"?!?! haha Dude, I couldn’t relate to you more. I know exactly what your describing. For me, letting them into my home was a huge test on my faith, because I know that these gents are super educated– to the point where they have been through many questioning, many doors in the face, etc. But I also found that those are the times when you grow, when you are tested that is– It is when you are at your weakest and most vulnerable that you grow.

But like the dude you were talking about that was in the checkout, he wasn’t in a weak spot with his faith– he was in a rock-solid position and wasn’t open to listening… I would have done the same friggin thing if not punch him hahaha j/p. But I know your heart dude, you are an awesome dude– I would challenge you to question them with love on their faith. Once they respect you, they will ask you questions and you will be able to share about your faith too ;)

You going to go skydiving with us”?!?! haha

]]> Comment on Mormonism on the Go by Brad http://blog.jonathanreyes.com/2010/07/18/mormonism-on-the-go/comment-page-1/#comment-23 Brad Wed, 21 Jul 2010 05:15:48 +0000 http://blog.jonathanreyes.com/?p=527#comment-23 This is my first post so bear with me :) After having read this, I felt guilt envelop me, because I've yet to display this sort of hospitality for those whom come knocking at my door, wether they be Mormon, Jehovahs witnesses, etc. I don't know if Im alone on this, but I avoid that sort of confrontation at almost any cost, and in a sense I've been rendered guilty and that much less intellectual. I believe this sort of attitude was sprouted from me years past when something I never thought could affect me has come to fruition in present day, and to my astonishment, even as I sit here devouring my milk and cookies, this post above by Jon has brought it to my attention. To explain what happened, I need an audience with open ears and being unbiased, so here I go. I'd say around four years ago I was working at my grocery store when a guy came through my line with a hat that said Christ is Lord, and other things that may have represented religion/Christianity. We had a completely casual conversation about what I can't remember, though I do remember that it was no means about God or any of the sort. By the time it was time for him to take his groceries and move on with his day, he said to me, "I guess the point in my story is to know that Jesus Christ is Lord and He died for our sins" and he began to rattle off quotes from the Bible and I told him, "Im sorry sir, but your story had nothing to do with God in any way, shape or form." and still he pressed even over my voice more things about God, holding up the next person in line. I finally said to him, "I am Christian, and Im well aware that he has died for our sins, and by no means do I appreciate your hostility. Have a great day." He finally left, and I was left with this bad taste in my mouth. I have never had that happen to me. Never should anyone preach in the way that he did, with such hostility and being so forceful with the Lord. That alone has left me with the idea that when I see these people come to my door, that they are there to shove their ideas, thoughts, and beliefs down my throat like that man did that one day. By no means is that what they really intend though, because all I ever get from them is a friendly smile. After having read this, I have a completely different outlook on those whom come knocking on my door, because they honestly want to talk about God. I think Jon is brilliant in the idea that we should not only have those discussions, but learn from them, and take them to our friends and family. Not to be cliche, but knowledge certainly is powerful, and its effective in serving God, i mean, education or bust!!! So, Jon, Im praying with and for ya, and for everyone else for that matter, so that we may learn more about all that we can, and better ourselves when serving God :) Cheers! This is my first post so bear with me :) After having read this, I felt guilt envelop me, because I’ve yet to display this sort of hospitality for those whom come knocking at my door, wether they be Mormon, Jehovahs witnesses, etc. I don’t know if Im alone on this, but I avoid that sort of confrontation at almost any cost, and in a sense I’ve been rendered guilty and that much less intellectual.

I believe this sort of attitude was sprouted from me years past when something I never thought could affect me has come to fruition in present day, and to my astonishment, even as I sit here devouring my milk and cookies, this post above by Jon has brought it to my attention. To explain what happened, I need an audience with open ears and being unbiased, so here I go. I’d say around four years ago I was working at my grocery store when a guy came through my line with a hat that said Christ is Lord, and other things that may have represented religion/Christianity. We had a completely casual conversation about what I can’t remember, though I do remember that it was no means about God or any of the sort. By the time it was time for him to take his groceries and move on with his day, he said to me, “I guess the point in my story is to know that Jesus Christ is Lord and He died for our sins” and he began to rattle off quotes from the Bible and I told him, “Im sorry sir, but your story had nothing to do with God in any way, shape or form.” and still he pressed even over my voice more things about God, holding up the next person in line. I finally said to him, “I am Christian, and Im well aware that he has died for our sins, and by no means do I appreciate your hostility. Have a great day.” He finally left, and I was left with this bad taste in my mouth. I have never had that happen to me. Never should anyone preach in the way that he did, with such hostility and being so forceful with the Lord. That alone has left me with the idea that when I see these people come to my door, that they are there to shove their ideas, thoughts, and beliefs down my throat like that man did that one day. By no means is that what they really intend though, because all I ever get from them is a friendly smile.

After having read this, I have a completely different outlook on those whom come knocking on my door, because they honestly want to talk about God. I think Jon is brilliant in the idea that we should not only have those discussions, but learn from them, and take them to our friends and family. Not to be cliche, but knowledge certainly is powerful, and its effective in serving God, i mean, education or bust!!! So, Jon, Im praying with and for ya, and for everyone else for that matter, so that we may learn more about all that we can, and better ourselves when serving God :)

Cheers!

]]> Comment on I seek the [worship] by Jonathan Reyes http://blog.jonathanreyes.com/2010/06/18/i-seek-the-worship/comment-page-1/#comment-18 Jonathan Reyes Tue, 22 Jun 2010 22:59:51 +0000 http://blog.jonathanreyes.com/?p=486#comment-18 Wohoo! I can :D Wohoo! I can :D

]]> Comment on I seek the [worship] by Jonathan Reyes http://blog.jonathanreyes.com/2010/06/18/i-seek-the-worship/comment-page-1/#comment-17 Jonathan Reyes Tue, 22 Jun 2010 22:59:38 +0000 http://blog.jonathanreyes.com/?p=486#comment-17 Can i leave gravatars? Can i leave gravatars?

]]> Comment on The Qur’an Perspective by Jonathan Reyes http://blog.jonathanreyes.com/2010/04/19/the-quran-perspective/comment-page-1/#comment-14 Jonathan Reyes Wed, 21 Apr 2010 08:22:15 +0000 http://blog.jonathanreyes.com/?p=397#comment-14 Nice dude, tx for the contrib. Nice dude, tx for the contrib.

]]> Comment on The Qur’an Perspective by jjirsa http://blog.jonathanreyes.com/2010/04/19/the-quran-perspective/comment-page-1/#comment-13 jjirsa Wed, 21 Apr 2010 02:24:38 +0000 http://blog.jonathanreyes.com/?p=397#comment-13 'People of the book' generally refers to people who follow any religion based on the God of Abraham, which should encompass Christianity and Judaism, but excludes Hinduism and Buddhism. - J ‘People of the book’ generally refers to people who follow any religion based on the God of Abraham, which should encompass Christianity and Judaism, but excludes Hinduism and Buddhism.

- J

]]> Comment on Where is the Enemy? by Bummer for the Easter | Thoughts of a Servant http://blog.jonathanreyes.com/2010/04/02/where-is-the-enemy/comment-page-1/#comment-12 Bummer for the Easter | Thoughts of a Servant Sun, 04 Apr 2010 09:27:44 +0000 http://blog.jonathanreyes.com/?p=326#comment-12 [...] it doesn’t seem like it– that’s the way it is.  In regards to my last post, Where is the Enemy, I have something to [...] [...] it doesn’t seem like it– that’s the way it is.  In regards to my last post, Where is the Enemy, I have something to [...]

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