the virtual sol cafe: relationships continued

Hi Everyone!

So, we've been talking about relationships. We've talked about marriage and about close family and friends. This week, we're turning our attention to relationships with those outside that circle of closeness.

These are the dicussion questions that we are going to put out to everyone at this Sunday's Service. Take a look. Think about them. Find some scripture. Think up some thoughts and bring them with you on Sunday.

Enjoy!

*****

As Christians, what is our responsibility to "strangers" or people not within our close circle?

Should we be focusing more on in our own circle because we have more influence in their lives? Is it our responsibility to help everyone? What does that mean?

How does this relate to the idea of "Christian service"? What is the Biblical reason for this? Why would God wan us to spend time doing this?

What kind of relationships are we expected/supposed to build? Are we trying to "save" people who aren't able to themselves? Are we trying to be friends and invite them into our lives?

6 comment(s):

On Sunday, May 01, 2005 6:24:00 PM, Dave said...: I'm just sitting here at Dabar, while the sol meets thirty feet from me. We are discussing these very questions and inevitably our conversation turns to homeless people. Why do we always do that. I know they are so visible and all that, but I also know that most people think that they should help but when actually faced with such a person they are disgusted.

I would love to support an effort that would actually provide help to these people, but I dislike how we always use them as the token example of how christians should help others and then we do nothing. For them or for all the others that are financially well off but are emotionally or spiritually homeless.

Christ was revolutionary in his thinking. He regarded poor, young, unclean and immoral all as people. People who needed HIM, but still people. The only people he had little-to-no tolerance for was the hypocrits, the religious.

How do we start discussions that will lead us to such thinking? Are we the hypocrits, the religious? How do we become men and/or women that "walk before me(GOD) in integrity of heart and uprightness, as David your father did, and do all I command and observe my decrees and laws"
On Monday, May 02, 2005 6:28:00 AM, Alby said...: I think we do this because it's easier than tackling some of the other real problems. This isn't the entire reason, but part of it. Siometimes, I think it's because it's this HUGE problem that we can talk about but then we can also give ourselves an excuse when we dont do anything - it's such a big problem, I can't possibly make a change. That's synical, isn't it?

I'd like to know what we do for the people are nearer to us but not necessarily dearer to us (like our parents or best friends). how about the people close to us that hurt - we see them every day at work or at the bank or grocery store... what do we do for them? How do we build a relationship with them? How do we love them?
On Monday, May 02, 2005 6:30:00 AM, Alby said...: hmm... I'm going to clarify my last comment to say that "parents and best friends" are the "dearer people". So, my question was how do we deal with the people "in the middle" between homeless and family/friends.
On Monday, July 11, 2005 12:44:00 PM, steve the z said...: Have you ever disagreed with God? did you ever feel so opposed to him as you had to argue with him? Mad? ever been so mad at God you told him that He sucks? Has anything ever caused you to yell at Him? or even just not sincerely pray? to superficaially read the bible and coast? Have you been tempted to walk away because you couldn't take "the stuff" anymore? I have, I have yelled at him, been so angry that I have hit things. Asked why He wanted to take my purpose from me, the purpose I thought He had given me and was right? Am I alone? the wierd one?
On Monday, July 11, 2005 8:58:00 PM, the sol cafe webguy said...: Hey Steve the z,

Nope, you're not alone. That's part of the reason the sol cafe became, I think. To ask the hard questions, in relative safety, without fear of rejection. And "Just what in the he** were you thinking?" is perhaps the toughest one.

Part of the difficulty is bringing together the heart and the mind. I can intellectually see the reasoning behind free will, for example, and the chaos that is our world as a result. But to face the results in all its blood and gore and spit and piss can have no other reaction than confusion, possibly revulsion.

For what it's worth, I've been there. Part of me is still there. And as I've said on many occasion, and very loudly, God has got a lot to answer for when I see him.

Keep asking the questions. Don't shy away from the truth of your feelings, your search. I don't have any answers for you, except to say that it is still worth the quest.

Winston
On Tuesday, July 12, 2005 12:37:00 PM, steve the z said...: how do we know that God hears us? I know intelectually He cares, I even want to beleive that I have felt him move in my life. But somedays, sitting at a stop light, I catch myself having more determination to have faith than having faith. Yet, I keep coming back, maybe it's for the punishment (just kidding).

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Enjoy! *** As Christians, what is our responsibility to "strangers" or people not within our close circle? Should we be focusing more on in our own circle because we have more influence in their lives? Is it our responsibility to help everyone? What does that mean? How does this relate to the idea of "Christian service"? What is the Biblical reason for this? Why would God wan us to spend time doing this? What kind of relationships are we expected/supposed to build? Are we trying to "save" people who aren't able to themselves? Are we trying to be friends and invite them into our lives? 6 comment(s): On Sunday, May 01, 2005 6:24:00 PM, Dave said... I'm just sitting here at Dabar, while the sol meets thirty feet from me. We are discussing these very questions and inevitably our conversation turns to homeless people. Why do we always do that. I know they are so visible and all that, but I also know that most people think that they should help but when actually faced with such a person they are disgusted. I would love to support an effort that would actually provide help to these people, but I dislike how we always use them as the token example of how christians should help others and then we do nothing. For them or for all the others that are financially well off but are emotionally or spiritually homeless. Christ was revolutionary in his thinking. He regarded poor, young, unclean and immoral all as people. People who needed HIM, but still people. The only people he had little-to-no tolerance for was the hypocrits, the religious. How do we start discussions that will lead us to such thinking? Are we the hypocrits, the religious? How do we become men and/or women that "walk before me(GOD) in integrity of heart and uprightness, as David your father did, and do all I command and observe my decrees and laws" On Monday, May 02, 2005 6:28:00 AM, Alby said... I think we do this because it's easier than tackling some of the other real problems. This isn't the entire reason, but part of it. Siometimes, I think it's because it's this HUGE problem that we can talk about but then we can also give ourselves an excuse when we dont do anything - it's such a big problem, I can't possibly make a change. That's synical, isn't it? I'd like to know what we do for the people are nearer to us but not necessarily dearer to us (like our parents or best friends). how about the people close to us that hurt - we see them every day at work or at the bank or grocery store... what do we do for them? How do we build a relationship with them? How do we love them? On Monday, May 02, 2005 6:30:00 AM, Alby said... hmm... I'm going to clarify my last comment to say that "parents and best friends" are the "dearer people". So, my question was how do we deal with the people "in the middle" between homeless and family/friends. On Monday, July 11, 2005 12:44:00 PM, steve the z said... Have you ever disagreed with God? did you ever feel so opposed to him as you had to argue with him? Mad? ever been so mad at God you told him that He sucks? Has anything ever caused you to yell at Him? or even just not sincerely pray? to superficaially read the bible and coast? Have you been tempted to walk away because you couldn't take "the stuff" anymore? I have, I have yelled at him, been so angry that I have hit things. Asked why He wanted to take my purpose from me, the purpose I thought He had given me and was right? Am I alone? the wierd one? On Monday, July 11, 2005 8:58:00 PM, the sol cafe webguy said... Hey Steve the z, Nope, you're not alone. That's part of the reason the sol cafe became, I think. To ask the hard questions, in relative safety, without fear of rejection. And "Just what in the he were you thinking?" is perhaps the toughest one. Part of the difficulty is bringing together the heart and the mind. I can intellectually see the reasoning behind free will, for example, and the chaos that is our world as a result. But to face the results in all its blood and gore and spit and piss can have no other reaction than confusion, possibly revulsion. For what it's worth, I've been there. Part of me is still there. And as I've said on many occasion, and very loudly, God has got a lot to answer for when I see him. Keep asking the questions. Don't shy away from the truth of your feelings, your search. I don't have any answers for you, except to say that it is still worth the quest. Winston On Tuesday, July 12, 2005 12:37:00 PM, steve the z said... how do we know that God hears us? I know intelectually He cares, I even want to beleive that I have felt him move in my life. But somedays, sitting at a stop light, I catch myself having more determination to have faith than having faith. Yet, I keep coming back, maybe it's for the punishment (just kidding). Post a Comment Links to this post: <$BlogBacklinkTitle$> <$BlogBacklinkSnippet$> posted by <$BlogBacklinkAuthor$> @ <$BlogBacklinkDateTime$> Create a Link [back to blog main page]