Comments for Living the "3 Simple Rules" http://brobob53.wordpress.com Learning to live the Methodist "General Rules" Sat, 07 Feb 2009 17:38:06 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on My Encounter with a Needy Person by Neal Robinson http://brobob53.wordpress.com/2008/07/21/my-encounter-with-a-needy-person/#comment-16 Neal Robinson Sat, 07 Feb 2009 17:38:06 +0000 http://brobob53.wordpress.com/?p=39#comment-16 Hi Bob! I just found your blog site on Radically Altered. I have always enjoyed your messages at Chapelwood. I especially remember the sermon on the great reversal and the director's cut on the Christmas story. I minister to street people on the weekends and I have been doing so for 2 1/2 years now. PB&J's, water, oranges, prayer, and fellowship are what I take with me. I give money when the Spirit tells me to. I have found that the gift most appreciated is the human contact. To ask their name, and remember it if possible (my challenge), and look them in the eye affirms them as a brother or sister. They live in a ether world where they are mostly ignored or despised. For every 100 people that I meet out there there are 100 different stories of circumstance. I used to judge easily. I can't do that anymore. Lord, let me just love and give and let You sort out the rest. Gentle Blessings, Neal Hi Bob!

I just found your blog site on Radically Altered. I have always enjoyed your messages at Chapelwood. I especially remember the sermon on the great reversal and the director’s cut on the Christmas story. I minister to street people on the weekends and I have been doing so for 2 1/2 years now. PB&J’s, water, oranges, prayer, and fellowship are what I take with me. I give money when the Spirit tells me to. I have found that the gift most appreciated is the human contact. To ask their name, and remember it if possible (my challenge), and look them in the eye affirms them as a brother or sister. They live in a ether world where they are mostly ignored or despised. For every 100 people that I meet out there there are 100 different stories of circumstance. I used to judge easily. I can’t do that anymore. Lord, let me just love and give and let You sort out the rest.

Gentle Blessings,
Neal

]]> Comment on The End of My Experiment…The Beginning of a New Way of Life by Scott Endress http://brobob53.wordpress.com/2008/08/05/the-end-of-my-experimentthe-beginning-of-a-new-way-of-life/#comment-14 Scott Endress Wed, 06 Aug 2008 19:38:31 +0000 http://brobob53.wordpress.com/?p=53#comment-14 Thanks for doing the blog! I agree- this works best in a covenant group. I admire your doing the series and the personal journey blog. Both were nicely done. Thanks for doing the blog! I agree- this works best in a covenant group. I admire your doing the series and the personal journey blog. Both were nicely done.

]]> Comment on My Encounter with a Needy Person by Fred http://brobob53.wordpress.com/2008/07/21/my-encounter-with-a-needy-person/#comment-12 Fred Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:59:20 +0000 http://brobob53.wordpress.com/?p=39#comment-12 Bob, For a number of years (and I'm not proud of this) my standard operating procedure to the homeless who were looking for handouts was to simply ignore them and walk on by. Because I continue to grow in my relationship with Jesus Christ, I've totally changed my approach. I now ask the individual for his/her name. Almost 100% of the time they will tell you their complete name; e.g., John William Doe. I then ask them how their relationship with Jesus is. So far, my experience has been that they will tell you where they are, good and bad. I then ask them how I can pray for them when I have my nightly prayer time. Most of the time the prayer list is not extensive but it is on target. I will then give them some money. I tell them that they can obviously spend it on what they want, but the decision for its use is between Jesus and them. I then suggest the money might be used to alleviate some of the stress contained in their prayer request. Not as dramatic as your story about Leroy, but a shock to me nonetheless, is a time I used this approach in a grocery store parking lot late one night. "Robert" approached me looking for bus fare to a homeless shelter. When I ultimately asked him how I could pray for him, he told me, then held my hand waiting for me to pray for him right then and there in the parking lot. I have to tell you that one of the things runnning through my mind was, "what if a neighbor sees me standing here holding another man's hand?" Fred Bob,
For a number of years (and I’m not proud of this) my standard operating procedure to the homeless who were looking for handouts was to simply ignore them and walk on by. Because I continue to grow in my relationship with Jesus Christ, I’ve totally changed my approach. I now ask the individual for his/her name. Almost 100% of the time they will tell you their complete name; e.g., John William Doe. I then ask them how their relationship with Jesus is. So far, my experience has been that they will tell you where they are, good and bad. I then ask them how I can pray for them when I have my nightly prayer time. Most of the time the prayer list is not extensive but it is on target. I will then give them some money. I tell them that they can obviously spend it on what they want, but the decision for its use is between Jesus and them. I then suggest the money might be used to alleviate some of the stress contained in their prayer request.

Not as dramatic as your story about Leroy, but a shock to me nonetheless, is a time I used this approach in a grocery store parking lot late one night. “Robert” approached me looking for bus fare to a homeless shelter. When I ultimately asked him how I could pray for him, he told me, then held my hand waiting for me to pray for him right then and there in the parking lot. I have to tell you that one of the things runnning through my mind was, “what if a neighbor sees me standing here holding another man’s hand?”

Fred

]]> Comment on An Incredible Blessing by Scott http://brobob53.wordpress.com/2008/07/05/an-incredible-blessing/#comment-11 Scott Thu, 10 Jul 2008 00:57:02 +0000 http://brobob53.wordpress.com/?p=21#comment-11 I think these are the young men who have visited Chapelwood a time or two. It is good to know their connection. Your site looks great and I have your new posts on my home page! I think these are the young men who have visited Chapelwood a time or two. It is good to know their connection. Your site looks great and I have your new posts on my home page!

]]> Comment on The Experiment by Jacqueline http://brobob53.wordpress.com/about/#comment-9 Jacqueline Tue, 08 Jul 2008 01:34:51 +0000 #comment-9 I enjoyed your service on Sunday and reading your blog today. (By the way, it's the first blog I've ever read. You inspired me.) Thanks for sharing your experiences with us. As a working wife and mother, I really enjoyed your article today. Thanks, Jacqueline I enjoyed your service on Sunday and reading your blog today. (By the way, it’s the first blog I’ve ever read. You inspired me.) Thanks for sharing your experiences with us. As a working wife and mother, I really enjoyed your article today.

Thanks,
Jacqueline

]]> Comment on Doing Good to Your Family by Bob http://brobob53.wordpress.com/2008/07/07/doing-good-to-your-family/#comment-8 Bob Mon, 07 Jul 2008 21:51:32 +0000 http://brobob53.wordpress.com/?p=26#comment-8 Bob, Great job on Sunday! You're tying the 3 Rules to salvation was very important. When anyone talks about "rules", I am reminded by the comment someone once said that, "Rules without relationship create rebellion." I believe that to be true in all situations, whether they be parent to child, boss to subordinate, or God to his children. Without a meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ, the 3 Simple Rules will never have their maximum effectiveness. This thought led me to the following thought. In comparing "Almost Christian" to "Altogether Christian" you reminded me how much spirit of intent, or motivation, plays in our efforts to do good. If our motivation is out of love for Jesus Christ, then everyone involves wins; the recipient, the benefactor (who coincidently stores up treasure in Heaven), and the world. The biggest bang for the buck is that God is glorified at the same time. The same benevolent act done with the wrong motivation still results in the recipient benefiting, the benefactor may receive some applause here on earth (but that's the extent of the reward), the world my still benefit, but God is not glorified. These are the thoughts you stimulated this past Sunday. I am looking forward to this coming Sunday. God bless you. Fred Bob,
Great job on Sunday! You’re tying the 3 Rules to salvation was very important.

When anyone talks about “rules”, I am reminded by the comment someone once said that, “Rules without relationship create rebellion.” I believe that to be true in all situations, whether they be parent to child, boss to subordinate, or God to his children. Without a meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ, the 3 Simple Rules will never have their maximum effectiveness. This thought led me to the following thought.

In comparing “Almost Christian” to “Altogether Christian” you reminded me how much spirit of intent, or motivation, plays in our efforts to do good. If our motivation is out of love for Jesus Christ, then everyone involves wins; the recipient, the benefactor (who coincidently stores up treasure in Heaven), and the world. The biggest bang for the buck is that God is glorified at the same time.

The same benevolent act done with the wrong motivation still results in the recipient benefiting, the benefactor may receive some applause here on earth (but that’s the extent of the reward), the world my still benefit, but God is not glorified.

These are the thoughts you stimulated this past Sunday. I am looking forward to this coming Sunday.

God bless you.

Fred

]]> Comment on An Incredible Blessing by Enna http://brobob53.wordpress.com/2008/07/05/an-incredible-blessing/#comment-7 Enna Mon, 07 Jul 2008 02:35:17 +0000 http://brobob53.wordpress.com/?p=21#comment-7 Hello! I just heard a sermon about Wesley's Three Rules this Sunday, my (third? fourth?) time in church. I recently thought about joining the Methodist Church, but decided to look into it further first. So far, I am liking what I see. I admire you greatly for the experiment with the Three Rules! I was thinking of doing something similar myself, especially since I have a TERRIBLE gossip habit. I hope everything goes easy for you (but not too easy! That wouldn't be any fun for your readers!) Good Luck and God Bless! Hello!
I just heard a sermon about Wesley’s Three Rules this Sunday, my (third? fourth?) time in church. I recently thought about joining the Methodist Church, but decided to look into it further first. So far, I am liking what I see.

I admire you greatly for the experiment with the Three Rules! I was thinking of doing something similar myself, especially since I have a TERRIBLE gossip habit. I hope everything goes easy for you (but not too easy! That wouldn’t be any fun for your readers!)

Good Luck and God Bless!

]]> Comment on An Incredible Blessing by Marian http://brobob53.wordpress.com/2008/07/05/an-incredible-blessing/#comment-6 Marian Sun, 06 Jul 2008 23:39:32 +0000 http://brobob53.wordpress.com/?p=21#comment-6 How nice to have the Iraqui students at your home for the 4th! That is quite diplomatic of your family and especially your daughter. But, my comment has to do with our first Sunday school class on the Three Simple Rules. The Faith and Life Class at 11:00 were wonderful! They really delved into the the first 5 questions on the list, but that is as far as we were able to go. Unfortunately time ran out and our discussion was limited, but very good. I made pocket folders with all the information for each couple or single person to take home and look over. I am looking forward to next Sunday. You know, I learned more than anyone by teaching this information - especially about grace and perfection. Thank you! How nice to have the Iraqui students at your home for the 4th! That is quite diplomatic of your family and especially your daughter. But, my comment has to do with our first Sunday school class on the Three Simple Rules. The Faith and Life Class at 11:00 were wonderful! They really delved into the the first 5 questions on the list, but that is as far as we were able to go. Unfortunately time ran out and our discussion was limited, but very good. I made pocket folders with all the information for each couple or single person to take home and look over. I am looking forward to next Sunday. You know, I learned more than anyone by teaching this information – especially about grace and perfection. Thank you!

]]> Comment on The Experiment by Spencer Lucas http://brobob53.wordpress.com/about/#comment-5 Spencer Lucas Tue, 24 Jun 2008 18:45:40 +0000 #comment-5 Great job on this blog!! I am very impressed. This has a lot of great information that I can't wait to continue reading. Please keep adding to this. Much love. - Spencer - Great job on this blog!! I am very impressed. This has a lot of great information that I can’t wait to continue reading. Please keep adding to this. Much love.
– Spencer -

]]> Comment on What Do the General Rules Look Like Today? by Bob Johnson http://brobob53.wordpress.com/2008/06/16/what-do-the-general-rules-look-like-today/#comment-4 Bob Johnson Mon, 23 Jun 2008 20:08:48 +0000 http://brobob53.wordpress.com/?p=9#comment-4 Yes, I read it and recommend it. While the author started out I think somewhat tongue in cheek, he learned — and shared with his readers — a thing or two along the way. Good book. Yes, I read it and recommend it. While the author started out I think somewhat tongue in cheek, he learned — and shared with his readers — a thing or two along the way. Good book.

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