Grace Church Seattle Blog Comments http://www.graceseattle.org/common/rss2/?&channel=blog_comments&category_id=3440748 Syndicated BLOG Comments from Grace Church Seattle. en-us Copyright 2013 Grace Church Seattle Mon, 20 May 2013 06:36:53 -0700 office@graceseattle.org (Grace Church Seattle) Michael Subracko http://www.graceseattle.org/3627351 For those who don't know, we are moving because are building is being torn down for a new development. 

]]> Fri, 05 Apr 2013 15:51:32 -0700 http://www.graceseattle.org/3627351 Michael Subracko jeremiah.symeon http://www.graceseattle.org/3588364 I couple of related reflections from my tradition:

Sacred space:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HznbG5qD_A

Beauty in worship:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA13oSF-wXA

God bless your community as you celebrate, this weekend, Christ "risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life" (from the Eastern Orthodox Christian service of Easter/Pascha).

-j.s.

]]> Sat, 30 Mar 2013 10:38:14 -0700 http://www.graceseattle.org/3588364 jeremiah.symeon Wayne http://www.graceseattle.org/3603277 Great piece, Brad. Not sure if you remember me, but we met once through our mutual friends Alan and Laurie. So glad to see you found Grace Seattle.

Peace,

Wayne Larson

Redeemer PCA

Des Moines, IA

]]> Sun, 17 Mar 2013 06:27:54 -0700 http://www.graceseattle.org/3603277 Wayne Bob Montgomery http://www.graceseattle.org/3556762 I think the benefit of talking about honesty is that the concept/definition is constrained to some extent by what the bible says, which can prevent discussions from going off the rails.

I don't reject the use or discussion of the term authenticity, I just think that the concept can easily fly away in weird directions.  I just read the book "Everybody Loves Our Town" and it's striking how much the "scene" (i.e., being authentic; not selling out) controlled people - ultimately, it was very hurtful (or destructive) to the relationships and friendships in the book.

"Honesty" unbound by love can, of course, be equally destructive - but I suppose the point is that honesty is directly addressed in the bible and the boundaries, conditions, requirements, the value of it, is there.

Just some thoughts.  And also, if you haven't read "Everybody Loves Our Town," you should.  Brilliant, brilliant book.

]]> Fri, 21 Dec 2012 13:23:36 -0800 http://www.graceseattle.org/3556762 Bob Montgomery Michael Subracko http://www.graceseattle.org/3556762 Interesting question Bob. 

I guess the benefit is that we deal with a concept that is somewhat popular right now in our culture and give it a better, more Christian-informed meaning. 

I think this is important because many, at least in my experience, misunderstand authenticity. 

Do you think there is benefit to talk about honesty instead of authenticity?

 

 

]]> Sat, 10 Nov 2012 21:12:25 -0800 http://www.graceseattle.org/3556762 Michael Subracko Bob Montgomery http://www.graceseattle.org/3556762 What is the benefit of focusing on a word like "authentic" to get at this concept rather than a more biblical word like "honesty"?

]]> Sat, 10 Nov 2012 07:57:19 -0800 http://www.graceseattle.org/3556762 Bob Montgomery Jess http://www.graceseattle.org/3556762 Hey just seeing if this works...

]]> Sat, 10 Nov 2012 07:50:27 -0800 http://www.graceseattle.org/3556762 Jess Hope http://www.graceseattle.org/3504669 There is great tension between personal suffering and having joy for others. I look forward to the coming weeks of encouragement, and to the baptism of baby Hannah. 

]]> Wed, 22 Aug 2012 12:07:58 -0700 http://www.graceseattle.org/3504669 Hope Ryan Phelps http://www.graceseattle.org/3492543 Excellent post. Clear, concise, and a much needed reminder today as I plan. 

Though it sounds like Jess is hard to work with.

]]> Thu, 21 Jun 2012 07:52:26 -0700 http://www.graceseattle.org/3492543 Ryan Phelps Tom Cannon http://www.graceseattle.org/3491118 Good stuff John. This record is on regular rotation in our house.

]]> Wed, 13 Jun 2012 10:53:50 -0700 http://www.graceseattle.org/3491118 Tom Cannon Samuel http://www.graceseattle.org/3481698 I think social media (and technology as a whole) are working to solve the problem of lonleliness, but are inadvertendly widening the gap. We aren't lonely because of facebook, we're lonely because we're afraid of being rejected, shamed, and betrayed. Being known is just too costly. Facebook/Twitter just afford us the public canvas to post and say what will show just enough of ourselves to keep us coming back.

]]> Thu, 19 Apr 2012 14:25:44 -0700 http://www.graceseattle.org/3481698 Samuel Michael McManus http://www.graceseattle.org/3477527 Well said. I've walked by homeless people for as long as I can remember, often with annoyance and a "go get a job" mindset. I had a pretty life-changing experience a few months ago when I volunteered with an organization that helps these individuals transition from the streets to homes. Out of the 20 or so people I worked with, about 15 of them had developmental/mental disabilities. They were on the streets because nobody was willing to help. A few of them lost their parents (their caretakers) and had nobody else to turn to. Long story short, the experience opened my eyes to how easy it is for us all to jump to conclusions without understanding the problem--much like the lesson taught from Ben's story.

On an unrelated note, I want you to know how excited I am about Grace Church. I'm moving to Seattle from Portland in July and am looking forward to worshiping with your congregation. I've struggled finding a church in Portland for the last couple of years. The Presbyterian churches are very open minded, but very traditional in their services. They also attract a more aged congregation, which is great, but not ideal for a 20 something like myself.  The contemporary churches I've found are more geared towards my age group, though they preach intolerance, etc. (Mars Hill, etc.). I'm excited to see what Grace Church has to offer.

And you have a blog and a Twitter account?! Impressed :)

]]> Sun, 25 Mar 2012 12:38:14 -0700 http://www.graceseattle.org/3477527 Michael McManus mark d http://www.graceseattle.org/3468685 Great thoughts!

We are the masters of deconstruction, as important as that step might be, we follow a creator God. 

God is good!

]]> Wed, 29 Feb 2012 11:00:16 -0800 http://www.graceseattle.org/3468685 mark d