Labels
One of the more ironic aspects of my life are the labels I end up getting from people that don't really know me. I almost never address this, because a self defense seems like poor form, but its late enough at night that I'll slip a clarification in :)
just for the record, I am not a:
1. Doomsday peacher - I think this is the best time to be alive. I can't wait for the future, I have a ton of hope, and I believe responsible choices never stop mattering. I encourage (and pay for) my kids to go to college, grow in their relationships, and eventually, move out :) (jk...Sam never wants them to move out)
2. A date-setter - this is one of the more frustrating ones. I have observed things happening that I believe fulfill prophetic promises in the Bible....these have implications....just like many witnessed Israel becoming a nation in 1948 and thought (correctly, Imo) it was a significant fulfillment of prophecy. That ALSO meant we were in a new season of time by implication. I believe the Arab spring and the removal of middle eastern leaders was also a significant fulfillment of prophecy that marked a new season of time. It is inherently connected, time wise, to other prophecies. Those dates I am way less sure of. I am a date observer, not a date setter. So are many others.
I have never...not one time...even within my own family...encouraged anyone else to see this my way. I think that would be silly. I don't think it is by any means whatsoever urgent to understand my understanding of the time, and say so literally every single time I have discussed it privately or publicly...I have an opinion. That's all. It's probably off somewhat, like most of my other opinions. I stick with it because it has helped me respond to Jesus with zeal. I like it.
3. An isolationist - I completely believe in unity, pray for it, preach it, and try to make choices for it. However, the one thing I seem to do that makes people isolate me is not back away from what I feel God is saying. I have never once asked someone to back down from what THEY thought God was saying and simply require the same liberty. I don't stay firm on my positions because I think they are right, I stay firm because I think I heard them from God. If I really believe I heard em, and then ignore them, what's the point of following God? I would just pick the smartest person I could actually hear and follow them. I take this God stuff pretty seriously. I actually really appreciate other people who do, too. I hang out with a bunch of them. They have their opinions, I have mine, and we all seem to still get along. I would love to get along with you, hear what you think, tell you what I think, and keep moving forward together. Unfortunately, not everyone feels this way...but some do! I really like them.
I believe in the church. I have no doubt that if I stay faithful, I'll be right where I need to be in the end.
I'm a good news people-get-ready end-time believer, who's learning more about the time everyday, and loves the idea of worshiping with other people who love God. If anyone tells you anything different from that, feel free to ask me yourself.
just for the record, I am not a:
1. Doomsday peacher - I think this is the best time to be alive. I can't wait for the future, I have a ton of hope, and I believe responsible choices never stop mattering. I encourage (and pay for) my kids to go to college, grow in their relationships, and eventually, move out :) (jk...Sam never wants them to move out)
2. A date-setter - this is one of the more frustrating ones. I have observed things happening that I believe fulfill prophetic promises in the Bible....these have implications....just like many witnessed Israel becoming a nation in 1948 and thought (correctly, Imo) it was a significant fulfillment of prophecy. That ALSO meant we were in a new season of time by implication. I believe the Arab spring and the removal of middle eastern leaders was also a significant fulfillment of prophecy that marked a new season of time. It is inherently connected, time wise, to other prophecies. Those dates I am way less sure of. I am a date observer, not a date setter. So are many others.
I have never...not one time...even within my own family...encouraged anyone else to see this my way. I think that would be silly. I don't think it is by any means whatsoever urgent to understand my understanding of the time, and say so literally every single time I have discussed it privately or publicly...I have an opinion. That's all. It's probably off somewhat, like most of my other opinions. I stick with it because it has helped me respond to Jesus with zeal. I like it.
3. An isolationist - I completely believe in unity, pray for it, preach it, and try to make choices for it. However, the one thing I seem to do that makes people isolate me is not back away from what I feel God is saying. I have never once asked someone to back down from what THEY thought God was saying and simply require the same liberty. I don't stay firm on my positions because I think they are right, I stay firm because I think I heard them from God. If I really believe I heard em, and then ignore them, what's the point of following God? I would just pick the smartest person I could actually hear and follow them. I take this God stuff pretty seriously. I actually really appreciate other people who do, too. I hang out with a bunch of them. They have their opinions, I have mine, and we all seem to still get along. I would love to get along with you, hear what you think, tell you what I think, and keep moving forward together. Unfortunately, not everyone feels this way...but some do! I really like them.
I believe in the church. I have no doubt that if I stay faithful, I'll be right where I need to be in the end.
I'm a good news people-get-ready end-time believer, who's learning more about the time everyday, and loves the idea of worshiping with other people who love God. If anyone tells you anything different from that, feel free to ask me yourself.
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