Comments for BERNARD SHUFORD

Comment on People by Bernard Shuford

Bernard Shuford — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 21:37:07 +0000

Hey, Mandy, thanks for the thoughts

Comment on People by mandythompson

mandythompson — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 16:22:29 +0000

Wow. These are great thoughts. I’ve often wondered how I can best “love” the world – serve the world – and show the world – with the talents that I have. I’ve been in some form of ministry for my entire adult life, and Have never really focused on evangelism. My service has always been to minister to the church – through music – through counseling – through mentoring.

Not to say I don’t have influential relationships with those who would consider themselves outside of the church, but the VAST majority of what I do is extending the grace and love and mercy to those within the Body of Christ.

I have yet to reconcile if this is me living my fullest potential as a member of the Body, or if I’m spending too much time in the Holy Huddle.

Comment on People by Bernard Shuford

Bernard Shuford — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 03:43:17 +0000

Thanks so much for visiting, Dana. I really appreciated your post on Jason’s blog.

Comment on People by Dana

Dana — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 03:28:20 +0000

I agree, we’re not working very hard to get the message out. And I have to wonder, about the part where you said we’d rather fuss with each other… We’re not working hard to love those outside of our circle, and when those outside our circle catch a glimpse of us fighting inside, I wonder if might look so unappealing that they might just decide that taking their chances might be better than spending an eternity with us. I have to agree with you that that is “love” being re-defined and not the kind of love talked about in the Bible.

The church definitely needs new PR! Thank you so much for your kind words on my post over at Jason Boyett’s blog. I’m bookmarking you!

Comment on Motives by Bernard Shuford

Bernard Shuford — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 11:56:35 +0000

True, all. Yet, here’s what I see… It’s clear that the motive of the disobedient person is wrong, because otherwise they wouldn’t be disobedient. In a comparison there, of course the obedient one “wins”.

However, I believe that Jesus looks beyond strict obedience to the matter of the heart. Not only does he want obedience in action, but I believe he wants an obedient heart – a heart that obeys because it loves him. “If you love me, keep my commandments.”

If our heart is rebellious and doesn’t want to obey, it is still better to obey than to disobey. But better yet would be to obey with good motive.

And I’m not even sure what “good motive” really means.

Comment on Motives by JamesBrett

JamesBrett — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 18:38:58 +0000

i guess i just think that if you are obedient to do something you wouldn’t otherwise like to do, your motives are, while not necessarily good, certainly better than he who is disobedient.

if i only speak to tanzanians out of a sense of responsibility to share Christ with them, despite the fact that i don’t love them, certainly my motive (wanting to do what’s right) is better than my motive would be if i said, ‘forget it, i’m going home.’

if i wanted to cheat on my wife and only didn’t, because i thought of how sad i would be if she did the same, my motive (empathy) is certainly better than my motive for going ahead with it.

if i only read the bible because i feel guilty if i don’t, surely my motive (doing something i know is good even though i don’t want to) is better than my motive for watching cartoons instead.

maybe it doesn’t work in every situation, but it certainly seems to work the majority of the time.

Comment on People by Bernard Shuford

Bernard Shuford — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 14:55:21 +0000

Thanks, Bill.

Comment on People by Bill (cycleguy)

Bill (cycleguy) — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 14:39:45 +0000

Fantastic thoughts Bernard! I often think about what Jesus must think when we huddle together in our little christian cliques and keep the greatest message in the world to ourselves while feeling really smug that we are staying “pure.” You nailed it here my friend.

Comment on Motives by Bernard Shuford

Bernard Shuford — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 13:53:58 +0000

I see that story as being about externals, or maybe even good intentions. Or it can be read to be a lesson that our initial rebellion doesn’t have to trap us in disobedience. But I don’t really know that, in this particular example, “motive” is being addressed. Are you seeing something I’m missing?

Comment on Motives by JamesBrett

JamesBrett — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 13:00:47 +0000

so this one guy had two sons, and he told them to go and do something. one said he would, and left but never was obedient to the father. the other told his father he refused to do as he was told, but later did it anyway.

the son who was obedient was much “closer” to correct than the other.