bdentzy - thoughts for the journey - Latest Comments

Re: I Wanna Grow Up – Tell Me How!

bdentzy — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:14:38 -0000

Excellent post yourself, Ron. Thank you for sharing yours. It inspired me.

Re: I Wanna Grow Up – Tell Me How!

Ron Edmondson — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:11:24 -0000

I love it! Thanks for sharing and linking to me. Great thoughts.

Re: Are You Wasting Resources?

bdentzy — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:07:34 -0000

Daniel,
Thank you for your comment and question.

I'm hesitant to put anything regarding specific ministries because my purpose was to ask people to evaluate the ministries in which they or their churches (if they are in leadership) are involved. I was absolutely NOT referring to missions, discipleship, evangelism, prayer, etc. But I can see where I left the door open to heading down that path. Thank you for bringing that to my attention.

Ministries I'm referencing would be more specific and would be a particular MODE of missions, discipleship, benevolence, etc. Springing to mind might be offering a food pantry to people who don't actually need food - which might drain financial and human resources in the church as well as undermine the spiritual growth and work of Christ in the lives of those receiving ministry. In the right context (or as directed by God) this might be a viable and fruitful ministry. (I mention this because I am involved in the benevolence ministry of our church and continually seek God's direction on a case-by-case basis to ensure that I am being effective. Obedient first, wise second.)

I feel I must emphasize this again that I am not trying to take the place of God and tell you that you should drop a ministry. If you are directed by God to do something, its perceived effectiveness is not something for me to evaluate.

Which brings me back to the comment about unmanaged systems and my concerns about mentioning any specific ministries. Anything I might mention could be perceived as a system in itself. What we really need is for people to spend time with God to understand where he is directing them and their resources.

Systems can be right and good. But we must not pass off to systems the work that God has entrusted to people. And in all things do what God has directed.

Thank you again for bringing this up.

Re: A Word from God is Precious

Daniel — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:04:57 -0000

You're safe using the word "nature" in reference to God - you are in good company with Paul, the Author of Hebrews, and Peter (Romans 1:20, Hebrews 1:3, 2 Peter 1:4). :-)

You made a great point with this post. God does speak to us. God speaks to us through His Word, through fellow believers...He's even been known to speak through donkeys.
Also, as our minds are further renewed by the Word, we think more as He would have us think. We have the mind of Christ, and by faith we are able to please God and draw near to Him, delighting to do the things that He delights in.

Re: Are You Wasting Resources?

Daniel — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:53:39 -0000

Good point about the need to evaluate the use of resources. We do need to.

What kind of ministries are you referring to when you mention ones we put in motion and then forget to re-evaluate? It seems that the places the church ought to spend the most resources ought to also to never end. I'm thinking missions, discipleship, evangelism, prayer ministry, etc.

Re: Are You Wasting Resources?

bdentzy — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:44:39 -0000

Thanks Chuck. I appreciate your comment and your prayers.

Re: Are You Wasting Resources?

Chuck Balsamo — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:32:47 -0000

Epic blog Bryan! Wow, the times I have wasted myself trying to HELP GOD, when he already had everything WELL COVERED! Sometimes, life and success is not a matter of what we can DO FOR GOD but how we can TRUST HIM to DO FOR US.

Well written... love your style! I'm gonna pray for you this morning Bryan... and for all your blog pals! Hope you guys and gals FEEL THE DIFFERENCE all day long!

Re: Are You Wasting Resources?

John Key — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 19:25:38 -0000

Good word and well said.

Re: A Word from God is Precious

bdentzy — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 08:43:31 -0000

Thank you Don. You're very kind.

It seems as though staying on the "straight and narrow" path requires more than rules. Too far to one side or the other and we're in a spiritual ditch ("God doesn't speak any more" or chasing after people to "get a word"). Honestly, either of these extremes break my heart both for the people involved and for God, who so desires this relationship - a place where we know and trust him in the middle of our "divine tension".

I appreciate your encouragement. Thank you again.

-- Bryan

Re: A Word from God is Precious

Don Dudley — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 08:03:02 -0000

I have to agree with your post. Today, many have started going back to a more reformed theology and also believing in cessation-ism. This includes a ceasing in hearing God speak (so why pray?). However, there is also massive "prophet abuse" going on as well.
It is really an interesting dichotomy. How do we draw a biblical line and really focus on what God is say? You nailed it with "an investment of time in prayer, Bible study, and relationship with other followers of Jesus of Nazareth."
Good work
-Don-

Re: Marriage Retreat Weekend

bdentzy — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 07:57:41 -0000

In case there's any confusion - I have the best wife EVER!

Re: How Can Spouses be Good to Each Other?

bdentzy — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 07:57:06 -0000

Thanks Steve. I'll have to check out that book. Sounds like a good (powerful) read.

Re: How Can Spouses be Good to Each Other?

facebook-668782315 — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 14:49:06 -0000

I agree with the importance of Love Languages, but add Personality styles. Personality Plus, by Florence Littauer, transformed our marriage (actually every aspect of my personal and professional life). You're also spot on about bragging. Sadly, it's all to easy - and common - to do the opposite.

Re: How Can Spouses be Good to Each Other?

bdentzy — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 18:15:42 -0000

ejes,
Thank you for your comments. I'll certainly have to agree with you about communication. That is something that my wife and I try to do. You'll have to ask her how well I do at it.

Also, I apologize that I didn't see you had left a comment before I claimed I was leaving the first comment.

It is unfortunate that my comments relating to my spirituality offended you. My readership is generally comprised of people following the teachings of Jesus. However, I did make certain to preface my remarks to ensure that those reading would know where I was coming from.

-- bryan

Re: How Can Spouses be Good to Each Other?

bdentzy — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 14:31:41 -0000

I'll go first. One of my Facebook friends wanted to make sure that we understand that talk can be cheap. That actions are important, too.

One of the ways that my wife recently showed me that she loves me was by doing the laundry. Normally I wash & dry the laundry (I know...not stereotypical "man's" work - but I'm OK doing the laundry). But last something came up last Saturday and I had to head out for a couple of hours.

When I returned home, Katherine had not only folded the previous week's laundry (I'm not perfect) but had also started two more loads of laundry while I was gone.

A small thing? Not to me. Katherine rocks!

Re: How Can Spouses be Good to Each Other?

ejes — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 13:32:20 -0000

Pray
* my spouse and I are not religious and find that you put this on here offensive
Read the Bible
* again, offensive
Learn Your Spouse’s Love Language
* already do
Encourage Your Spouse
* already do
Date Your Spouse
* already do
Brag on Your Spouse
* isn't "pride" a sin?

your list is incomplete.
Communication is most important, (not asking your immaginary friend for advise)
talk to your spouse, all the time, even if you don't think its sinking in... talk anyway

Re: Why do We Get Stuffitis?

Martina — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 16:27:43 -0000

Very true. Thank you for the reminder!

Re: Jesus is the Center

bdentzy — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 12:38:26 -0000

Jason,
Thank you for your comments. I've been trying to get my head around this for quite some time as well. To be honest, I haven't been able to come up with a way to express the transformative nature of the Gospel without diluting the work of Christ and introducing "works" as a component of salvation.

I think that this misconception is rooted in the idea that the forgiveness of our sins was both the point of Jesus's death, burial, and resurrection and the end of the deal. That misses the real point - our restoration into relationship with God through Jesus.

I still tend to view the transformative nature (both forgiveness and our lives being formed into the image of Christ) as a result or byproduct of the Gospel. But I would also ask whether we can really say that we have faith in Jesus if we don't believe with our whole lives. If we don't choose to actually follow him.

I'm interested in continuing this dialog - I'm certainly open to and would like additional input. I may also check out the book you mentioned (I have several in my queue at the moment). Perhaps God will expand my understanding!

Re: Jesus is the Center

CJsPJ — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 09:25:42 -0000

There's been some toying around with the idea that the gospel is not so much a message in the sense of words, but an entire lifestyle. Hugh Halter and Matt Smay get into this a little with their book Tangible Kingdom.

One of the things that has struck me the most in the last year is the concept of Christianity as lifestyle. Reformed Christianity has long held the view that when a person accepts Christ, they are not JUST ascribing to a certain set of beliefs, but are bring themselves into alignment with the full counsel of Scripture. Unfortunately, I hear way too many followers talking only about belief or only about action. In reality, both are modeled in Scripture and most would agree with that (I'm not claiming that faith is insufficient for salvation, just that the Biblical example a la James 3 is that a certain lifestyle accompanies true faith).

What worries me about some of the more traditional views of gospel is that many of them limit themselves to only the words. The message of God coming to earth in the person of Jesus, dying on the cross for our sins, and defeating death via his resurrection for our eternal life is the greatest message the world has ever encountered! But equally as good and beneficial is the lifestyle that results from that good news; so much so, that I'd be inclined to say that gospel is word AND deed. That's why I tend to talk about "gospel living"; the gospel has power by itself. But in the fallen world we live in we demonstrate just how incredible the gospel is through our actions.

Re: Give ‘em Something to Think About

whittmadden — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 13:52:16 -0000

I am enjoying your blog

Re: Spouses Be Good to Each Other

bdentzy — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:37:34 -0000

Absolutely. It was my pleasure to share a wonderful truth and the beautiful picture you painted.

Re: Spouses Be Good to Each Other

barbieloflin — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:24:22 -0000

Thank you, Bryan. Your endorsement means more than you know.

Re: Jesus is the Center

bdentzy — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 18:04:08 -0000

Elf0,
Thank you for giving me a chance to explain myself. Perhaps I didn't make it clear enough in my post.

I'm a little confused that you seem frustrated or upset by what I posted. I had no intention of providing new learning in terms of the Gospel message. In fact, I don't believe that there is anything I can add to what God has done. The core Gospel message has remained unchanged for around 2,000 years already.

But since you asked, I believe that this post does offer people something they may not have previously known. While my audience is primarily, if not completely, followers of Christ, it is possible that somebody who has not previously heard the Gospel message might find it here. But that's not really why I wrote this.

I wrote it because somebody asked what I believe is the message of the Gospel (you'll see that at the top of the post). That seems to indicate that there is at least one person who did not know where I am coming from. That being the case, I figured there might be others who were in the same boat and that maybe I owed them that courtesy.

Re: Jesus is the Center

elf0 — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:26:06 -0000

Wow, good job telling people what they already know. Seriously, does this post offer anyone ANYTHING they didn't previously know?

Re: Jesus is the Center

bdentzy — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 07:03:05 -0000

Thanks RavingEvangelical. I didn't do a great job of calling out the great price of the free gift that has been offered us while we were still sinners.