Comments on: The Issue of Links Staying "As Is". And Church Tonight. http://www.donnypauling.com/blog/2006/10/02/the-issue-of-links-staying-as-is-and-church-tonight/ The Blog of Donny Pauling: former porn producer, changed by Grace and Love... Wed, 11 Jan 2012 01:17:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Seriously... http://www.donnypauling.com/blog/2006/10/02/the-issue-of-links-staying-as-is-and-church-tonight/comment-page-1/#comment-45 Seriously... Thu, 08 Feb 2007 06:06:33 +0000 http://donnysramblings.wordpress.com/2006/10/02/the-issue-of-links-staying-as-is-and-church-tonight/#comment-45 this was an interesting blog. i'm glad you posted honest feelings about your church's music. i personally don't believe that God tires of us praising Him. But a relationship with God needs time to build, just like any other relationship. I always figure that if I were just coming back into church I would not want to sing "God is great..." over and over just yet. I would rather sing to something i can relate to more like maybe the lyrics to the song "Shadow Proves the Sunshine" by Switchfoot. <br/><br/>anyway, my husband and i lead praise and worship at our church and we do "Shadow..."<br/><br/>I'm enjoying reading your blogs. You're in my thoughts and prayers! this was an interesting blog. i’m glad you posted honest feelings about your church’s music. i personally don’t believe that God tires of us praising Him. But a relationship with God needs time to build, just like any other relationship. I always figure that if I were just coming back into church I would not want to sing “God is great…” over and over just yet. I would rather sing to something i can relate to more like maybe the lyrics to the song “Shadow Proves the Sunshine” by Switchfoot.

anyway, my husband and i lead praise and worship at our church and we do “Shadow…”

I’m enjoying reading your blogs. You’re in my thoughts and prayers!

]]> By: Seriously... http://www.donnypauling.com/blog/2006/10/02/the-issue-of-links-staying-as-is-and-church-tonight/comment-page-1/#comment-8331 Seriously... Thu, 08 Feb 2007 06:06:00 +0000 http://donnysramblings.wordpress.com/2006/10/02/the-issue-of-links-staying-as-is-and-church-tonight/#comment-8331 this was an interesting blog. i'm glad you posted honest feelings about your church's music. i personally don't believe that God tires of us praising Him. But a relationship with God needs time to build, just like any other relationship. I always figure that if I were just coming back into church I would not want to sing "God is great..." over and over just yet. I would rather sing to something i can relate to more like maybe the lyrics to the song "Shadow Proves the Sunshine" by Switchfoot. anyway, my husband and i lead praise and worship at our church and we do "Shadow..."I'm enjoying reading your blogs. You're in my thoughts and prayers! this was an interesting blog. i’m glad you posted honest feelings about your church’s music. i personally don’t believe that God tires of us praising Him. But a relationship with God needs time to build, just like any other relationship. I always figure that if I were just coming back into church I would not want to sing “God is great…” over and over just yet. I would rather sing to something i can relate to more like maybe the lyrics to the song “Shadow Proves the Sunshine” by Switchfoot. anyway, my husband and i lead praise and worship at our church and we do “Shadow…”I’m enjoying reading your blogs. You’re in my thoughts and prayers!

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.donnypauling.com/blog/2006/10/02/the-issue-of-links-staying-as-is-and-church-tonight/comment-page-1/#comment-44 Anonymous Thu, 12 Oct 2006 19:54:08 +0000 http://donnysramblings.wordpress.com/2006/10/02/the-issue-of-links-staying-as-is-and-church-tonight/#comment-44 donny, try listening to some of rob bells messages. creative, insightful, inspiring<br/><br/>http://www.mhbcmi.org/listen/index.php donny, try listening to some of rob bells messages. creative, insightful, inspiring

http://www.mhbcmi.org/listen/index.php

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.donnypauling.com/blog/2006/10/02/the-issue-of-links-staying-as-is-and-church-tonight/comment-page-1/#comment-8330 Anonymous Thu, 12 Oct 2006 19:54:00 +0000 http://donnysramblings.wordpress.com/2006/10/02/the-issue-of-links-staying-as-is-and-church-tonight/#comment-8330 donny, try listening to some of rob bells messages. creative, insightful, inspiringhttp://www.mhbcmi.org/listen/index.php donny, try listening to some of rob bells messages. creative, insightful, inspiringhttp://www.mhbcmi.org/listen/index.php

]]> By: Tim (Random Observations)http://tim.2wgroup.com/blog/ http://www.donnypauling.com/blog/2006/10/02/the-issue-of-links-staying-as-is-and-church-tonight/comment-page-1/#comment-43 Tim (Random Observations)http://tim.2wgroup.com/blog/ Mon, 09 Oct 2006 00:19:14 +0000 http://donnysramblings.wordpress.com/2006/10/02/the-issue-of-links-staying-as-is-and-church-tonight/#comment-43 About God 'wanting' praise. I used to get stuck on that too. Perhaps I can say something helpful. I hope I don't come across as "preaching", I'm just trying to explain something that helped me personally, so please be patient.<br/><br/>Part of the reason, I think, we get hung up on this is that we are in a completely different position than god. Sometimes what is wrong for us is right for god, because we're not in the same position, and we're not like 'him' in certain ways.<br/><br/>God is love, right?<br/><br/>Love rejoices in the truth, yes?<br/><br/>If a little kid did good at school, wouldn't you <i>want</i> to see that acknowledged and rewarded? If a man saved a life -- or a hundred -- wouldn't you want at least to see <i>that example</i> publicly praised, if not the person him/herself receive some appropriate praise and thanks?<br/><br/>The reason this is wrong for us to seek for ourselves is because we are selfish. When we seek praise, it is usually because we are being ego-driven.<br/><br/>But a universe-creating "God", if he is good at all, would not be selfish. So he would be as happy seeing "himself" praised as he is happy to see us praise <i>any</i> other good thing in life. (And in fact, the bible says HE <i>will</i> praise every good thing.) But it's not his fault he happens to be the very source of all goodness. When goodness is praised, however, we should also acknowledge the source. <br/><br/>One more point is that, frankly, we're not all that worthy of praise. Most things we do, if we're really honest, are motivated by a self-focused need, even if just a need to see ourself as a "good" person. But God ain't like that: the idea is there is something out there which <i>is</i> actually selfless.<br/><br/>A final thing is that it is beneficial for us.<br/><br/>"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things." (Phil 4:8)<br/><br/>Our messed-up brains need to be realigned with goodness and truth. Part of that truth -- a big part, in fact -- is the little detail that God is, in fact, good. So it's good to remind ourselves of that, and remind ourselves of our relative position in regard to that.<br/><br/>This may not make emotional sense right away. But, me personally, I could see that intellectually, as a kind of "math", it made sense, and the rest eventually followed.<br/><br/>Regardless: I hope I've not done harm by saying this, or made things worse in any way. I wish you the best in your new journey, friend. <br/><br/>I'll try to remember to pray for you a few times, but frankly, I usually suck at that.<br/><br/>God bless you.<br/><br/>- Tim About God ‘wanting’ praise. I used to get stuck on that too. Perhaps I can say something helpful. I hope I don’t come across as “preaching”, I’m just trying to explain something that helped me personally, so please be patient.

Part of the reason, I think, we get hung up on this is that we are in a completely different position than god. Sometimes what is wrong for us is right for god, because we’re not in the same position, and we’re not like ‘him’ in certain ways.

God is love, right?

Love rejoices in the truth, yes?

If a little kid did good at school, wouldn’t you want to see that acknowledged and rewarded? If a man saved a life — or a hundred — wouldn’t you want at least to see that example publicly praised, if not the person him/herself receive some appropriate praise and thanks?

The reason this is wrong for us to seek for ourselves is because we are selfish. When we seek praise, it is usually because we are being ego-driven.

But a universe-creating “God”, if he is good at all, would not be selfish. So he would be as happy seeing “himself” praised as he is happy to see us praise any other good thing in life. (And in fact, the bible says HE will praise every good thing.) But it’s not his fault he happens to be the very source of all goodness. When goodness is praised, however, we should also acknowledge the source.

One more point is that, frankly, we’re not all that worthy of praise. Most things we do, if we’re really honest, are motivated by a self-focused need, even if just a need to see ourself as a “good” person. But God ain’t like that: the idea is there is something out there which is actually selfless.

A final thing is that it is beneficial for us.

“Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.” (Phil 4:8)

Our messed-up brains need to be realigned with goodness and truth. Part of that truth — a big part, in fact — is the little detail that God is, in fact, good. So it’s good to remind ourselves of that, and remind ourselves of our relative position in regard to that.

This may not make emotional sense right away. But, me personally, I could see that intellectually, as a kind of “math”, it made sense, and the rest eventually followed.

Regardless: I hope I’ve not done harm by saying this, or made things worse in any way. I wish you the best in your new journey, friend.

I’ll try to remember to pray for you a few times, but frankly, I usually suck at that.

God bless you.

- Tim

]]> By: Tim (Random Observations)http: http://www.donnypauling.com/blog/2006/10/02/the-issue-of-links-staying-as-is-and-church-tonight/comment-page-1/#comment-8329 Tim (Random Observations)http: Mon, 09 Oct 2006 00:19:00 +0000 http://donnysramblings.wordpress.com/2006/10/02/the-issue-of-links-staying-as-is-and-church-tonight/#comment-8329 About God 'wanting' praise. I used to get stuck on that too. Perhaps I can say something helpful. I hope I don't come across as "preaching", I'm just trying to explain something that helped me personally, so please be patient.Part of the reason, I think, we get hung up on this is that we are in a completely different position than god. Sometimes what is wrong for us is right for god, because we're not in the same position, and we're not like 'him' in certain ways.God is love, right?Love rejoices in the truth, yes?If a little kid did good at school, wouldn't you <i>want</i> to see that acknowledged and rewarded? If a man saved a life -- or a hundred -- wouldn't you want at least to see <i>that example</i> publicly praised, if not the person him/herself receive some appropriate praise and thanks?The reason this is wrong for us to seek for ourselves is because we are selfish. When we seek praise, it is usually because we are being ego-driven.But a universe-creating "God", if he is good at all, would not be selfish. So he would be as happy seeing "himself" praised as he is happy to see us praise <i>any</i> other good thing in life. (And in fact, the bible says HE <i>will</i> praise every good thing.) But it's not his fault he happens to be the very source of all goodness. When goodness is praised, however, we should also acknowledge the source. One more point is that, frankly, we're not all that worthy of praise. Most things we do, if we're really honest, are motivated by a self-focused need, even if just a need to see ourself as a "good" person. But God ain't like that: the idea is there is something out there which <i>is</i> actually selfless.A final thing is that it is beneficial for us."Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things." (Phil 4:8)Our messed-up brains need to be realigned with goodness and truth. Part of that truth -- a big part, in fact -- is the little detail that God is, in fact, good. So it's good to remind ourselves of that, and remind ourselves of our relative position in regard to that.This may not make emotional sense right away. But, me personally, I could see that intellectually, as a kind of "math", it made sense, and the rest eventually followed.Regardless: I hope I've not done harm by saying this, or made things worse in any way. I wish you the best in your new journey, friend. I'll try to remember to pray for you a few times, but frankly, I usually suck at that.God bless you.- Tim About God ‘wanting’ praise. I used to get stuck on that too. Perhaps I can say something helpful. I hope I don’t come across as “preaching”, I’m just trying to explain something that helped me personally, so please be patient.Part of the reason, I think, we get hung up on this is that we are in a completely different position than god. Sometimes what is wrong for us is right for god, because we’re not in the same position, and we’re not like ‘him’ in certain ways.God is love, right?Love rejoices in the truth, yes?If a little kid did good at school, wouldn’t you want to see that acknowledged and rewarded? If a man saved a life — or a hundred — wouldn’t you want at least to see that example publicly praised, if not the person him/herself receive some appropriate praise and thanks?The reason this is wrong for us to seek for ourselves is because we are selfish. When we seek praise, it is usually because we are being ego-driven.But a universe-creating “God”, if he is good at all, would not be selfish. So he would be as happy seeing “himself” praised as he is happy to see us praise any other good thing in life. (And in fact, the bible says HE will praise every good thing.) But it’s not his fault he happens to be the very source of all goodness. When goodness is praised, however, we should also acknowledge the source. One more point is that, frankly, we’re not all that worthy of praise. Most things we do, if we’re really honest, are motivated by a self-focused need, even if just a need to see ourself as a “good” person. But God ain’t like that: the idea is there is something out there which is actually selfless.A final thing is that it is beneficial for us.”Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.” (Phil 4:8)Our messed-up brains need to be realigned with goodness and truth. Part of that truth — a big part, in fact — is the little detail that God is, in fact, good. So it’s good to remind ourselves of that, and remind ourselves of our relative position in regard to that.This may not make emotional sense right away. But, me personally, I could see that intellectually, as a kind of “math”, it made sense, and the rest eventually followed.Regardless: I hope I’ve not done harm by saying this, or made things worse in any way. I wish you the best in your new journey, friend. I’ll try to remember to pray for you a few times, but frankly, I usually suck at that.God bless you.- Tim

]]> By: dewde http://www.donnypauling.com/blog/2006/10/02/the-issue-of-links-staying-as-is-and-church-tonight/comment-page-1/#comment-42 dewde Fri, 06 Oct 2006 04:19:14 +0000 http://donnysramblings.wordpress.com/2006/10/02/the-issue-of-links-staying-as-is-and-church-tonight/#comment-42 LOL I love your honesty dude. Don't lose that. LOL I love your honesty dude. Don’t lose that.

]]> By: dewde http://www.donnypauling.com/blog/2006/10/02/the-issue-of-links-staying-as-is-and-church-tonight/comment-page-1/#comment-8328 dewde Fri, 06 Oct 2006 04:19:00 +0000 http://donnysramblings.wordpress.com/2006/10/02/the-issue-of-links-staying-as-is-and-church-tonight/#comment-8328 LOL I love your honesty dude. Don't lose that. LOL I love your honesty dude. Don’t lose that.

]]> By: Todd Porter http://www.donnypauling.com/blog/2006/10/02/the-issue-of-links-staying-as-is-and-church-tonight/comment-page-1/#comment-41 Todd Porter Thu, 05 Oct 2006 22:28:52 +0000 http://donnysramblings.wordpress.com/2006/10/02/the-issue-of-links-staying-as-is-and-church-tonight/#comment-41 As a pastor, I am so sorry that many churches in America suck and are desperately irrelevant. Just keep looking and you will find that right church that is filled with Christ followers instead of Christians. As a pastor, I am so sorry that many churches in America suck and are desperately irrelevant. Just keep looking and you will find that right church that is filled with Christ followers instead of Christians.

]]> By: Todd Porter http://www.donnypauling.com/blog/2006/10/02/the-issue-of-links-staying-as-is-and-church-tonight/comment-page-1/#comment-8327 Todd Porter Thu, 05 Oct 2006 22:28:00 +0000 http://donnysramblings.wordpress.com/2006/10/02/the-issue-of-links-staying-as-is-and-church-tonight/#comment-8327 As a pastor, I am so sorry that many churches in America suck and are desperately irrelevant. Just keep looking and you will find that right church that is filled with Christ followers instead of Christians. As a pastor, I am so sorry that many churches in America suck and are desperately irrelevant. Just keep looking and you will find that right church that is filled with Christ followers instead of Christians.

]]>