Comments on: Legalism Vs. Love and Truth http://thechristianmeditator.com/myblog/2009/06/11/where-does-the-church-get-off-being-legalistic/ Christian Meditation & Other Spiritual Disciplines Tue, 20 Mar 2012 04:35:24 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: KD http://thechristianmeditator.com/myblog/2009/06/11/where-does-the-church-get-off-being-legalistic/comment-page-1/#comment-111 KD Fri, 28 Aug 2009 04:04:46 +0000 http://thechristianmeditator.com/myblog/?p=266#comment-111 I like the visualization of Anonymous (June 12th), it's put in us to be creative, we are the image and likeness of God, the Creator. I've imagined myself in my favorite childhood place, a park that I lived near. I felt so happy and carefree, even when I had some bike crashes there, I felt like I was being watched over. It was like a little bit of Heaven to me. ;) I like the visualization of Anonymous (June 12th), it’s put in us to be creative, we are the image and likeness of God, the Creator. I’ve imagined myself in my favorite childhood place, a park that I lived near. I felt so happy and carefree, even when I had some bike crashes there, I felt like I was being watched over. It was like a little bit of Heaven to me. ;)

]]> By: KD http://thechristianmeditator.com/myblog/2009/06/11/where-does-the-church-get-off-being-legalistic/comment-page-1/#comment-110 KD Fri, 28 Aug 2009 03:56:28 +0000 http://thechristianmeditator.com/myblog/?p=266#comment-110 I think it is okay to meditate, because there are different kinds of meditation. Even the Bible says to meditate on God's Word. How can we even apply the Word of God to our lives by only memorizing it in Sunday School or Bible Camp if we don't find the meaning of it, who it was written for, and many other important things? It's not just a magazine on a coffee table, it's a buried treasure inside of a book, and we are the treasure hunters! When we come to the treasure, it's a time to relish. That is how I see meditation in regards to the Bible. It's not to empty your mind or not even use it, just the opposite. It's getting insight and finding your way, and finding that secret place and dwelling in it as much as you need to. Meditation is more like a vehicle that helps us get there. So, here's the key, what are you waiting for? :) I like this blog! I think it is okay to meditate, because there are different kinds of meditation. Even the Bible says to meditate on God’s Word. How can we even apply the Word of God to our lives by only memorizing it in Sunday School or Bible Camp if we don’t find the meaning of it, who it was written for, and many other important things? It’s not just a magazine on a coffee table, it’s a buried treasure inside of a book, and we are the treasure hunters! When we come to the treasure, it’s a time to relish. That is how I see meditation in regards to the Bible. It’s not to empty your mind or not even use it, just the opposite. It’s getting insight and finding your way, and finding that secret place and dwelling in it as much as you need to. Meditation is more like a vehicle that helps us get there. So, here’s the key, what are you waiting for? :)
I like this blog!

]]> By: Dani http://thechristianmeditator.com/myblog/2009/06/11/where-does-the-church-get-off-being-legalistic/comment-page-1/#comment-96 Dani Fri, 17 Jul 2009 21:29:45 +0000 http://thechristianmeditator.com/myblog/?p=266#comment-96 Many Christians also forget that often the gay couple down the street with six adopted kids doesn't need to be loved into Christ because they are Christians too! It's such a common assumption for people - "I believe that what so-and-so is doing is wrong, therefore they don't have a relationship with God - and I have to find some way to get them there!" It takes people's attention away from their own relationship with God and their own spiritual path. Like they say in classrooms: eyes on your own paper! We can't worry about what your neighbor thinks the answer to question 20 is... we need focus on what our own answers are. Many Christians also forget that often the gay couple down the street with six adopted kids doesn’t need to be loved into Christ because they are Christians too!

It’s such a common assumption for people – “I believe that what so-and-so is doing is wrong, therefore they don’t have a relationship with God – and I have to find some way to get them there!” It takes people’s attention away from their own relationship with God and their own spiritual path. Like they say in classrooms: eyes on your own paper! We can’t worry about what your neighbor thinks the answer to question 20 is… we need focus on what our own answers are.

]]> By: Apostle Steward http://thechristianmeditator.com/myblog/2009/06/11/where-does-the-church-get-off-being-legalistic/comment-page-1/#comment-48 Apostle Steward Tue, 30 Jun 2009 03:26:49 +0000 http://thechristianmeditator.com/myblog/?p=266#comment-48 I agree totally. Keep up the good work I agree totally. Keep up the good work

]]> By: Rhonda http://thechristianmeditator.com/myblog/2009/06/11/where-does-the-church-get-off-being-legalistic/comment-page-1/#comment-41 Rhonda Thu, 18 Jun 2009 21:45:33 +0000 http://thechristianmeditator.com/myblog/?p=266#comment-41 Yes, I have had several readers make the same comment. I shall. Yes, I have had several readers make the same comment. I shall.

]]> By: Mike http://thechristianmeditator.com/myblog/2009/06/11/where-does-the-church-get-off-being-legalistic/comment-page-1/#comment-38 Mike Thu, 18 Jun 2009 02:51:37 +0000 http://thechristianmeditator.com/myblog/?p=266#comment-38 Hey, nice post, really well written. You should post more about this. Hey, nice post, really well written. You should post more about this.

]]> By: Mike http://thechristianmeditator.com/myblog/2009/06/11/where-does-the-church-get-off-being-legalistic/comment-page-1/#comment-30 Mike Fri, 12 Jun 2009 21:13:44 +0000 http://thechristianmeditator.com/myblog/?p=266#comment-30 Hey, nice post, very well written. You should post more about this. Hey, nice post, very well written. You should post more about this.

]]> By: Suzanne http://thechristianmeditator.com/myblog/2009/06/11/where-does-the-church-get-off-being-legalistic/comment-page-1/#comment-29 Suzanne Fri, 12 Jun 2009 16:57:34 +0000 http://thechristianmeditator.com/myblog/?p=266#comment-29 Although, it also makes me sad when I read your blog - I am not surprised. I have friends in my life who always feel it is their duty to point out if I am going down an unChristian path. Some examples of this are: 1) going to a naturopath along with my regular doctor 2) using affirmations (it is like chanting to them) 3) Yoga moves and poses- actually it is stretching 4) Meditation - being still with God I tell them I will pray for them and they can pray for me. Is our God that small and Satan that big that we cannot be open to others? I also tell them if they really felt that strongly about using words that relate to Eastern religion and feel it is unChristian - they should not be using the words, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday or... the months of the year or... the planets name for they are all named after pagan Gods. In many people I find that religion is what is keeping them from the relationship with Christ. With this being said, we will keep praying they get set free from a bondage they do not know they are even in. It was once said to me. Relationship with Christ is like the bread and Religion is like the jam. You need the bread to live, the jam can enhance the bread. Please know you are not alone on your quest to make a difference. I, like you retreat to the peace I find through Christ. Although, it also makes me sad when I read your blog – I am not surprised. I have friends in my life who always feel it is their duty to point out if I am going down an unChristian path. Some examples of this are: 1) going to a naturopath along with my regular doctor 2) using affirmations (it is like chanting to them) 3) Yoga moves and poses- actually it is stretching 4) Meditation – being still with God

I tell them I will pray for them and they can pray for me. Is our God that small and Satan that big that we cannot be open to others? I also tell them if they really felt that strongly about using words that relate to Eastern religion and feel it is unChristian – they should not be using the words, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday or… the months of the year or… the planets name for they are all named after pagan Gods. In many people I find that religion is what is keeping them from the relationship with Christ. With this being said, we will keep praying they get set free from a bondage they do not know they are even in. It was once said to me. Relationship with Christ is like the bread and Religion is like the jam. You need the bread to live, the jam can enhance the bread.

Please know you are not alone on your quest to make a difference. I, like you retreat to the peace I find through Christ.

]]> By: anonymous http://thechristianmeditator.com/myblog/2009/06/11/where-does-the-church-get-off-being-legalistic/comment-page-1/#comment-28 anonymous Fri, 12 Jun 2009 14:07:24 +0000 http://thechristianmeditator.com/myblog/?p=266#comment-28 I think you have to take a good look at some of the links that you have on your site, because they do seem a bit suspect, your concept of meditation, is new to the Christians out there. Lack of understanding, is the main thing that prevents them from really participating. Control by Pastors over their congregation is a major problem, if they did not come up with the concept they will shoot yours down. Several years ago, the Holy Spirit gave me a tool, I call it "the throne room experience" The leaders of the church shut me down, basically told me to stop and desist with the practice. All it takes is for you to sit back and relax and imagine steps going up to heaven, you use your imagination to walk up the steps until you see two pillars, then you step onto a floor, and look into the room until you see Jesus sitting on the throne. Or you can see Father, it depends on you. I ask them to go to Jesus and sit by His feet, or worship Him or just go and talk to Him. The tool helps them to have a personal relationship with Jesus. But it also gives me insight into where they are spiritually. As I get them to draw me a picture of what they see and experience and the Holy Spirit then intreprets for me what they see. Like dream interpretation. He highlights areas in their lives where they struggle, e.g. if they cannot see the steps, they are very likely not Born again. If they see gates, or shackles then they have stuff in their lives that have not been dealt with. It is a great tool, just like your meditation but because they do not understand it they will shy away from it. If you change the wording, from meditation to soaking in the presence, they will probably accept it more. The problem with Christians are they are too lazy, or too busy to spend time with the Lord. The sad part is they miss out on so much. Don't give up but do consider changing the words as they do sound a bit new age. I think you have to take a good look at some of the links that you have on your site, because they do seem a bit suspect, your concept of meditation, is new to the Christians out there. Lack of understanding, is the main thing that prevents them from really participating. Control by Pastors over their congregation is a major problem, if they did not come up with the concept they will shoot yours down. Several years ago, the Holy Spirit gave me a tool, I call it “the throne room experience” The leaders of the church shut me down, basically told me to stop and desist with the practice. All it takes is for you to sit back and relax and imagine steps going up to heaven, you use your imagination to walk up the steps until you see two pillars, then you step onto a floor, and look into the room until you see Jesus sitting on the throne. Or you can see Father, it depends on you. I ask them to go to Jesus and sit by His feet, or worship Him or just go and talk to Him. The tool helps them to have a personal relationship with Jesus. But it also gives me insight into where they are spiritually. As I get them to draw me a picture of what they see and experience and the Holy Spirit then intreprets for me what they see. Like dream interpretation. He highlights areas in their lives where they struggle, e.g. if they cannot see the steps, they are very likely not Born again. If they see gates, or shackles then they have stuff in their lives that have not been dealt with. It is a great tool, just like your meditation but because they do not understand it they will shy away from it. If you change the wording, from meditation to soaking in the presence, they will probably accept it more.
The problem with Christians are they are too lazy, or too busy to spend time with the Lord.
The sad part is they miss out on so much.
Don’t give up but do consider changing the words as they do sound a bit new age.

]]> By: anonymous http://thechristianmeditator.com/myblog/2009/06/11/where-does-the-church-get-off-being-legalistic/comment-page-1/#comment-27 anonymous Fri, 12 Jun 2009 14:05:19 +0000 http://thechristianmeditator.com/myblog/?p=266#comment-27 It would be nice to hear some constructive feedback, hopefully other bloggers can reply without getting personal. I think it's really important for thoughtful comment to get heard about Christian legalism, because it is an issue putting some people off Christian beliefs, and turning some people away from the church because, unfortunately, they think all Christians fit into the fundamentalist camp, which I have found is just not true. The problem is how some people interpret The Bible, taking some quotes out of context, whilst ignoring other parts of it. I'm not 100% conversant with The Bible, as I'm fairly new to Christianity, but numerous people have told me that meditation is a Christian practice, when it is Christ-centered. It's just like the difference between Christian faith healing and dubious forms of healing, one is Christ centered and the other isn't, isn't invoking the name of Christ to heal letting the right spirit in, well Christian meditation is the same, if you're invoking Christ The Saviour and God, it ain't Satan, so if Christian fundamentalists believe in faith healing but not meditation, well, isn't faith healing supernaturalistic as well? I find it hard to believe that one could believe in prophecy but be so against Christ-centered meditation, your meditation cds invoke the Lord's name, and use Biblical quotes, so how can it be Satan? It's not like you're quoting from the Bhagavad Gita. I'd like to hear people's comment on this. It would be nice to hear some constructive feedback, hopefully other bloggers can reply without getting personal. I think it’s really important for thoughtful comment to get heard about Christian legalism, because it is an issue putting some people off Christian beliefs, and turning some people away from the church because, unfortunately, they think all Christians fit into the fundamentalist camp, which I have found is just not true. The problem is how some people interpret The Bible, taking some quotes out of context, whilst ignoring other parts of it.
I’m not 100% conversant with The Bible, as I’m fairly new to
Christianity, but numerous people have told me that meditation is a Christian practice, when it is Christ-centered. It’s just like the
difference between Christian faith healing and dubious forms of
healing, one is Christ centered and the other isn’t, isn’t invoking
the name of Christ to heal letting the right spirit in, well Christian
meditation is the same, if you’re invoking Christ The Saviour and God, it ain’t Satan, so if Christian fundamentalists believe in faith
healing but not meditation, well, isn’t faith healing
supernaturalistic as well? I find it hard to believe that one could
believe in prophecy but be so against Christ-centered meditation, your meditation cds invoke the Lord’s name, and use Biblical quotes, so how can it be Satan? It’s not like you’re quoting from the Bhagavad Gita.
I’d like to hear people’s comment on this.

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