tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-575514155486283253.post1940104947683981343..comments2023-07-19T18:07:56.603-04:00Comments on Progressive Christian Reflections by Chris Glaser: What Jesus WantsChris Glaserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05053827119412315808noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-575514155486283253.post-29340198425892216962018-07-16T03:42:25.901-04:002018-07-16T03:42:25.901-04:00You must address at some stage why the inauthentic...You must address at some stage why the inauthentic self is chosen, when it clearly does not make me happy, while the authentic @Christ Within@ offers everything.Eddie at MINDwellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05531924576188633119noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-575514155486283253.post-11844803029926463272018-03-19T15:48:37.037-04:002018-03-19T15:48:37.037-04:00I agree, Phyllis! Sorry for the delay responding t...I agree, Phyllis! Sorry for the delay responding to this. I often take the weekend off from the internet. Chris Glaserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05053827119412315808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-575514155486283253.post-31317101031931677822018-03-16T02:17:08.058-04:002018-03-16T02:17:08.058-04:00Part of the problem, is that we usually authentic ...Part of the problem, is that we usually authentic and inauthentic at the same time. If you wait to act, til you have a single (pure) motive you would never act. I think God is very accepting of us multi-motivated humans. Still worth working on!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14281124149923438524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-575514155486283253.post-18350155906986219932018-03-14T17:32:57.715-04:002018-03-14T17:32:57.715-04:00This is a very meaningful and helpful reflection f...This is a very meaningful and helpful reflection for me, Steve. Thank you! One thought that comes to me, not to detract from your realization of your "authentic self." Your/our desire to comfort others is also your/our authentic self. The realization that we are not fully "that" is also honest and real and sincere.Chris Glaserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05053827119412315808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-575514155486283253.post-66616368528997249002018-03-14T15:20:06.714-04:002018-03-14T15:20:06.714-04:00Chris,
Your blog today reminds me of how, in rece...Chris, <br />Your blog today reminds me of how, in recent times, as well as during my preaching days, I sometimes hear myself saying words that are meant to comfort, inspire, or convey understanding, but I don't quite believe them, or even believe the voice I say them in. They seem to come from an inauthentic me, just being words that I THINK will comfort, inspire, or convey understanding. Oftentimes they do, which I consider the grace of God working in the other's life. It certainly keeps me humble when I recognize an inauthentic expression of myself in my efforts to be Christ's presence through people. So I take great comfort in the notion you beautifully describe here, that I will not be asked, "Were you Christ?" but, "Were you Steve?" It's only when I recognize that inauthentic self, when I step back from him, and stop and connect with the truth in and of my heart and experience that I once again become authentic. Then I am so much better able to be Christ's presence through people. This is a long way of saying your blog today touches me deeply. Your blog often does, but particularly so today. Thank you so much for your inspired writing, Chris.<br />Faithfully,<br />SteveRev. Steve Pietershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01537241310419285847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-575514155486283253.post-38407323660038812282018-03-14T09:12:11.276-04:002018-03-14T09:12:11.276-04:00J. Barrie Shepherd sent me this comment and gave m...J. Barrie Shepherd sent me this comment and gave me permission to reproduce it here:<br /><br />Chris:<br />thanks again for more probing, provoking stuff today.<br />Early in my wrestling with and about a sense of call to ministry I argued with a good friend (still friends today by the way, he served churches in Scotland, as an RAF Chaplain during the Irish "troubles" and finally in far western Canada.)) about my role in preaching. He believed that a sermon should avoid anything personal but should only serve as a clear unimpeded window to Christ. I contended - and have since vigorously practiced - that God created us flesh and blood individuals and that the best way to communicate to other flesh and blood individuals was to be one to them. Our shared human experiences not only can, but must be the basis for much of our preaching. The Word becoming incarnate was all about that very thing.<br />Thanks for sending me down this well worn path again today.<br />Blessings on you and your vital ministry.<br />Barrie <br />Chris Glaserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05053827119412315808noreply@blogger.com