From: "Tom Wells" <wellst@mercyships.org>
Date: Thu Jun 1, 2000 8:26 am
Subject: Re: [streams-online] Jesus as model
Ah....all the prayers we can muster, all the patience God will give. It's difficult to move from a general discussion on Christian development directly to specific applications. This is even more difficult the further removed we are from the situation.
I may once again be speaking out of turn, but I believe Christine's ongoing discussion is very general and foundational as opposed to directive. The principals she is speaking of provide both some of the parameters we must work within and reveal some of the foundational beliefs we must grow and develop within ourselves before we can begin to lead others into.
Development begins with me...and then if properly followed through affects those around us in an ever growing circle. Very much like a stone tossed into a pond.
That is so difficult for us Westerners to accept, we want a quick fix, apply the medicine and all is well. Sometimes God moves in that very fashion, but that is His mercy and grace, His power that transforms. We can at best partner with Him, prayer and obedience. Transformation can and does happen--The Sentinel Group have produced a fantastic video documenting several communities where that has happened.
Ug....O.K. I don't even like the way this note sounds -- like I'm preaching or something, forgive my lack of grace in writing, I really don't intend for this to sound so harsh......I'm still learning :>}!
