Comments on: Nasty Lurkers … http://tinasharp.voxtropolis.com/2006/03/01/nasty-lurkers/ the thoughts, ideas & random ramblings of christina sharp Fri, 09 Jan 2009 10:02:14 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: John http://tinasharp.voxtropolis.com/2006/03/01/nasty-lurkers/#comment-131 John Fri, 31 Mar 2006 21:33:57 +0000 http://tinasharp.voxtropolis.com/2006/03/01/nasty-lurkers/#comment-131 Wow! I am excited to have discovered "blogging," Alex McManus, Dean Sharp, their passionate wives, Niza and Tina and living the Mysterious Christ path. I knew I wasn't alone! I just didn't realize there are LEADERs living and breathing and in Los Angeles, CA. I look forward to meeting some day soon, and sharing the Mystery---as wherever two are gathered the sharing becomes alive and recognizable. As for any "lurkers"-- We are all searching or lurking for CHRIST TO ENTER OUR LIVES. When he is recognized the Mystic life becomes alive and a world opens and continues to prove to us that through sign after sign after sign that more is going on than meets the eye. God IS communicating to us in every moment. Look around, listen and take notice as you are a fingerprint on the hand of God. Uniquely original and with God wherever he touches. So see as I.....or don't. It's all in the details. Have a glorious day. Wow! I am excited to have discovered “blogging,” Alex McManus, Dean Sharp, their passionate wives, Niza and Tina and living the Mysterious Christ path. I knew I wasn’t alone! I just didn’t realize there are LEADERs living and breathing and in Los Angeles, CA. I look forward to meeting some day soon, and sharing the Mystery—as wherever two are gathered the sharing becomes alive and recognizable. As for any “lurkers”– We are all searching or lurking for CHRIST TO ENTER OUR LIVES. When he is recognized the Mystic life becomes alive and a world opens and continues to prove to us that through sign after sign after sign that more is going on than meets the eye. God IS communicating to us in every moment. Look around, listen and take notice as you are a fingerprint on the hand of God. Uniquely original and with God wherever he touches. So see as I…..or don’t. It’s all in the details.
Have a glorious day.

]]> By: ERO http://tinasharp.voxtropolis.com/2006/03/01/nasty-lurkers/#comment-127 ERO Sun, 26 Mar 2006 02:28:53 +0000 http://tinasharp.voxtropolis.com/2006/03/01/nasty-lurkers/#comment-127 LOVE THE SKIT... People who write like that are just... well... really cool. LOVE THE SKIT… People who write like that are just… well… really cool.

]]> By: tina http://tinasharp.voxtropolis.com/2006/03/01/nasty-lurkers/#comment-122 tina Sun, 19 Mar 2006 10:13:33 +0000 http://tinasharp.voxtropolis.com/2006/03/01/nasty-lurkers/#comment-122 David (Mercury), is this a Mosaic skit? I like it ... it makes a good point. So, what made you post this? David (Mercury), is this a Mosaic skit? I like it … it makes a good point.
So, what made you post this?

]]> By: mercury http://tinasharp.voxtropolis.com/2006/03/01/nasty-lurkers/#comment-121 mercury Sun, 19 Mar 2006 06:32:57 +0000 http://tinasharp.voxtropolis.com/2006/03/01/nasty-lurkers/#comment-121 just a thought... MAYA is sitting down studying a bible. GREG walks up to her. Greg: Thanks for being willing to talk to me. Sam said you guys might be able to help. Maya: How can I serve you, brother? Greg: Oh. Right on. Greg (cont’d) It’s my cousin, he’s in the hospital from a stab wound. Now, I’m not usually into organized religion, but right now I’ll take all the help I can get. Change- shifts through material? Maya: Wait, you’re not a believer? Greg: In what? Maya: Before we step any further into it, I have to ask you a very important question. Greg: Shoot Maya: If you died tonight do you know where you’d end up? Greg: Uh…probably Rose Hills Memorial. That’s where uncle Burt ended up- Maya: No. I’m talking about in the sweet by and by. Greg: The sweet what? Maya: Pearly gates or Lake of Fire. Greg: I’m sorry I- Maya: If you died would you go to Heaven or Hell?! Greg: What does me dying tonight have to do with my cousin?- Maya: Today is the day of Salvation. Greg: Oh got it. He searches his pockets. Greg (cont’d): I already gave to you guys over the holidays, but here’s a quarter. She pockets the quarter and keeps moving. Maya: God cannot not help you unless you are part of his flock. Greg: His what? Maya: So, you think you will go to heaven if you died tonight? Greg: Sure, I guess. Maya: Ha! We’ll see, if God asked you “why should I let you enter the pearly gates what would you say?â€? Greg: Is this a riddle, I think I know this one? Maya: Just answer the question Greg: O.K, I guess I’d say…I’m nice to old people and …I’m pretty handy with gates? Maya: Good works! (thinks he got it right) Greg: Thanks, what’d I win? Maya: No heathen, it means you answered wrong. Greg: I did? Maya: For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Greg: Oh, others didn’t get that right either? Maya: Listen, in order for me to help you, you need to be justified and then sanctified by the Holy Ghost. Greg: Sounds scary but if it’ll help my cousin I think I’m up for it. Stretches out his hands Greg: Ok, sanitize me Maya: I can’t do it for you, you have cry out to Jesus, the Lamb of God. Greg: Wait a minute, God’s got pets? Maya: BLASPHEMY!! Greg: What’d I say? Maya: That may be the unpardonable one. You may have just damned yourself to hell. Starts racing through her bible. Greg: Is that serious? Just tell him I like Lamb. Uh…no don’t tell him that. Maya: It’s better if you sit and gnash your teeth right now. Greg sits down. Greg: Did you say gnash?! She locates the passage in the bible. Maya: Oh you’re saved! Greg: I am? Maya: Saved not SAVED. But you need to call out to Jesus for the redemption of your sins. Repeat after me, Oh lamb of God. Greg: Oh Lamb of God Maya: Louder Greg: Oh lamb of God! Maya: Wash me in your blood! Greg: I don’t want to be washed in blood, what kind of religion is this? Maya: No, it’s not like that. You are asking Jesus Christ to come into your heart. Greg: How is that not bloody? Maya: If you’re not washed by the blood, you cannot become part of the elect of God. Greg: I’m not even running. Hey, I can appreciate animal sacrifices as well as the next guy, but I had no idea it was so…involved. I can’t do this. Maya: (indignant) You mean you don’t want to repent of your idolatrous, evil ways, throw yourself on the mercy seat of the Lion of Judah, the Horn of Salvation and join the Redeemed of God? Greg: I don’t even understand a word you are saying! I just wanted for you to pray for my cousin. Maya: Oh…I get it. Greg: Whew…finally. Maya: You are incapable of hearing the truth. The Gospel is veiled to all those who are perishing. Greg: You mean you won’t help me? Maya: If you don’t have ears to hear, God can’t help you, and if he can’t, neither can I…um…good luck with that. Fade Lights just a thought…

MAYA is sitting down studying a bible. GREG walks up to her.

Greg: Thanks for being willing to talk to me. Sam said you guys might be able to help.

Maya: How can I serve you, brother?

Greg: Oh. Right on.

Greg (cont’d) It’s my cousin, he’s in the hospital from a stab wound. Now, I’m not usually into organized religion, but right now I’ll take all the help I can get.

Change- shifts through material?

Maya: Wait, you’re not a believer?

Greg: In what?

Maya: Before we step any further into it, I have to ask you a very important question.

Greg: Shoot

Maya: If you died tonight do you know where you’d end up?

Greg: Uh…probably Rose Hills Memorial. That’s where uncle Burt ended up-

Maya: No. I’m talking about in the sweet by and by.

Greg: The sweet what?

Maya: Pearly gates or Lake of Fire.

Greg: I’m sorry I-

Maya: If you died would you go to Heaven or Hell?!

Greg: What does me dying tonight have to do with my cousin?-

Maya: Today is the day of Salvation.

Greg: Oh got it.

He searches his pockets.

Greg (cont’d): I already gave to you guys over the holidays, but here’s a quarter.

She pockets the quarter and keeps moving.

Maya: God cannot not help you unless you are part of his flock.

Greg: His what?

Maya: So, you think you will go to heaven if you died tonight?

Greg: Sure, I guess.

Maya: Ha! We’ll see, if God asked you “why should I let you enter the pearly gates what would you say?�

Greg: Is this a riddle, I think I know this one?

Maya: Just answer the question

Greg: O.K, I guess I’d say…I’m nice to old people and …I’m pretty handy with gates?

Maya: Good works!

(thinks he got it right)

Greg: Thanks, what’d I win?

Maya: No heathen, it means you answered wrong.

Greg: I did?

Maya: For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

Greg: Oh, others didn’t get that right either?

Maya: Listen, in order for me to help you, you need to be justified and then sanctified by the Holy Ghost.

Greg: Sounds scary but if it’ll help my cousin I think I’m up for it.

Stretches out his hands

Greg: Ok, sanitize me

Maya: I can’t do it for you, you have cry out to Jesus, the Lamb of God.

Greg: Wait a minute, God’s got pets?

Maya: BLASPHEMY!!

Greg: What’d I say?

Maya: That may be the unpardonable one. You may have just damned yourself to hell.

Starts racing through her bible.

Greg: Is that serious? Just tell him I like Lamb. Uh…no don’t tell him that.

Maya: It’s better if you sit and gnash your teeth right now.

Greg sits down.

Greg: Did you say gnash?!

She locates the passage in the bible.

Maya: Oh you’re saved!

Greg: I am?

Maya: Saved not SAVED. But you need to call out to Jesus for the redemption of your sins. Repeat after me, Oh lamb of God.

Greg: Oh Lamb of God

Maya: Louder

Greg: Oh lamb of God!

Maya: Wash me in your blood!

Greg: I don’t want to be washed in blood, what kind of religion is this?

Maya: No, it’s not like that. You are asking Jesus Christ to come into your heart.

Greg: How is that not bloody?

Maya: If you’re not washed by the blood, you cannot become part of the elect of God.

Greg: I’m not even running. Hey, I can appreciate animal sacrifices as well as the next guy, but I had no idea it was so…involved. I can’t do this.

Maya: (indignant) You mean you don’t want to repent of your idolatrous, evil ways, throw yourself on the mercy seat of the Lion of Judah, the Horn of Salvation and join the Redeemed of God?

Greg: I don’t even understand a word you are saying! I just wanted for you to pray for my cousin.

Maya: Oh…I get it.

Greg: Whew…finally.

Maya: You are incapable of hearing the truth. The Gospel is veiled to all those who are perishing.

Greg: You mean you won’t help me?

Maya: If you don’t have ears to hear, God can’t help you, and if he can’t, neither can I…um…good luck with that.

Fade Lights

]]> By: Lindsay http://tinasharp.voxtropolis.com/2006/03/01/nasty-lurkers/#comment-117 Lindsay Fri, 17 Mar 2006 04:54:34 +0000 http://tinasharp.voxtropolis.com/2006/03/01/nasty-lurkers/#comment-117 Hi everyone! I hope we don't spend too much time worrying about lurkers. That would make me sad. But I do feel defensive of you guys sometimes, Tina. But then I know you can handle it. Hi everyone! I hope we don’t spend too much time worrying about lurkers. That would make me sad. But I do feel defensive of you guys sometimes, Tina. But then I know you can handle it.

]]> By: Laurie http://tinasharp.voxtropolis.com/2006/03/01/nasty-lurkers/#comment-100 Laurie Thu, 09 Mar 2006 20:28:50 +0000 http://tinasharp.voxtropolis.com/2006/03/01/nasty-lurkers/#comment-100 Don't apologize, that was an awesome "vent"! Don’t apologize, that was an awesome “vent”!

]]> By: tina http://tinasharp.voxtropolis.com/2006/03/01/nasty-lurkers/#comment-98 tina Thu, 09 Mar 2006 18:02:23 +0000 http://tinasharp.voxtropolis.com/2006/03/01/nasty-lurkers/#comment-98 We have 2 -- Aaron, 20 years old and Jason, 18 years old. We have 2 — Aaron, 20 years old and Jason, 18 years old.

]]> By: Deana http://tinasharp.voxtropolis.com/2006/03/01/nasty-lurkers/#comment-97 Deana Thu, 09 Mar 2006 17:50:17 +0000 http://tinasharp.voxtropolis.com/2006/03/01/nasty-lurkers/#comment-97 wowie lady...how many kids do you have? i thought it was just Jason? wowie lady…how many kids do you have? i thought it was just Jason?

]]> By: tina http://tinasharp.voxtropolis.com/2006/03/01/nasty-lurkers/#comment-96 tina Thu, 09 Mar 2006 17:24:25 +0000 http://tinasharp.voxtropolis.com/2006/03/01/nasty-lurkers/#comment-96 Laurie, Yeah, sadly I admit I have been a pharisee too. I know I have wounded people with my arrogance and shaming words-- thinking I had it all figured out in the 'name of Jesus'. It grieves me. I guess that is why I am so sensitive to it when I see others doing it. One life-changing event for me was intentionally pursuing a relationship with my husbands ex-wife after years of strife. While she was still my 'enemy' I started loving her. I made mistakes but I have pressed forward. In the beginning, my motives may have been more about 'getting her saved' but now I love her unconditionally. She knows who I am and who I follow. She knows the gospel message. Now, the burden is between her and God. I am here to be His tangible hands and feet. Her salvation is not my problem. I am here to love her. And, I have to say that now, 3 years later, the healing that has been restored to our families is amazing. She has been open to conversations. I have seen her grow. I have grown -- maybe even more than her. She hates Christians for the most part because of how poorly we behave (although she walked as one for many years before she divorced my husband). Somehow, she still likes me. She may not totally agree with me on everything but we have a relationship where we allow each other to share. I don't know where she will ultimately land but what I do know is that she has listened to me because of how I have loved her. If I had continued to just point our all of her sins and tell her how she is going to hell she would have closed off to me forever ... it's so basic ... human nature. We are stubborn and proud and rebellious. Bashing people or taking pot shots isn't loving! Our oldest step-son is doing so much better now, too. One, because he sees two women who were bitter enemies actually loving each other. And two, because my husband and I love and accept him for who he is NOW and not for who we expect him to be. My hope is that through our sincere love he will find us safe people to explore life with. LOVE LOVE LOVE that is what I want to be about. Not everyone is going to believe. I am OK just loving people and if they want more they will come seeking more. It has played out over and over that way in our lives. My youngest son, Jason, has friends over all the time that like what they see and want more. They watch us love each other. They watch us as a community of Christ followers loving and serving together. Oh, how little we really understand about life (me included) .... Jesus cried out to us that the Kingdom of God is near ... not that the 'religion of Christianity' was near. He came to restore our severed connection to God -- to repair what was broken in the garden. He came to restore us to God and to each other. I believe this whole-heartedly ... I am a sinner. I am weak ... but I am a fighter. I will fight to be with Jesus for as long as I am on this earth. But I'll be damned if I shame others who don't believe what I believe. I will not be the same person tomorrow that I am today. I am in process. We are all in process. We all need room. We must stop making final judgments about people (me included!) When Christ-followers hurt other Christ-followers we do severe damage to the name of Jesus -- not to mention that those kinds of battles distract us from our real mission ... wow that was long ... just needed to vent I guess ... sorry Laurie Laurie, Yeah, sadly I admit I have been a pharisee too. I know I have wounded people with my arrogance and shaming words– thinking I had it all figured out in the ‘name of Jesus’. It grieves me. I guess that is why I am so sensitive to it when I see others doing it. One life-changing event for me was intentionally pursuing a relationship with my husbands ex-wife after years of strife. While she was still my ‘enemy’ I started loving her. I made mistakes but I have pressed forward. In the beginning, my motives may have been more about ‘getting her saved’ but now I love her unconditionally. She knows who I am and who I follow. She knows the gospel message. Now, the burden is between her and God. I am here to be His tangible hands and feet. Her salvation is not my problem. I am here to love her. And, I have to say that now, 3 years later, the healing that has been restored to our families is amazing. She has been open to conversations. I have seen her grow. I have grown — maybe even more than her. She hates Christians for the most part because of how poorly we behave (although she walked as one for many years before she divorced my husband). Somehow, she still likes me. She may not totally agree with me on everything but we have a relationship where we allow each other to share. I don’t know where she will ultimately land but what I do know is that she has listened to me because of how I have loved her. If I had continued to just point our all of her sins and tell her how she is going to hell she would have closed off to me forever … it’s so basic … human nature. We are stubborn and proud and rebellious. Bashing people or taking pot shots isn’t loving! Our oldest step-son is doing so much better now, too. One, because he sees two women who were bitter enemies actually loving each other. And two, because my husband and I love and accept him for who he is NOW and not for who we expect him to be. My hope is that through our sincere love he will find us safe people to explore life with.

LOVE LOVE LOVE that is what I want to be about. Not everyone is going to believe. I am OK just loving people and if they want more they will come seeking more. It has played out over and over that way in our lives. My youngest son, Jason, has friends over all the time that like what they see and want more. They watch us love each other. They watch us as a community of Christ followers loving and serving together.
Oh, how little we really understand about life (me included) …. Jesus cried out to us that the Kingdom of God is near … not that the ‘religion of Christianity’ was near. He came to restore our severed connection to God — to repair what was broken in the garden. He came to restore us to God and to each other. I believe this whole-heartedly … I am a sinner. I am weak … but I am a fighter. I will fight to be with Jesus for as long as I am on this earth. But I’ll be damned if I shame others who don’t believe what I believe. I will not be the same person tomorrow that I am today. I am in process. We are all in process. We all need room. We must stop making final judgments about people (me included!) When Christ-followers hurt other Christ-followers we do severe damage to the name of Jesus — not to mention that those kinds of battles distract us from our real mission …

wow that was long … just needed to vent I guess … sorry Laurie

]]> By: Laurie http://tinasharp.voxtropolis.com/2006/03/01/nasty-lurkers/#comment-94 Laurie Thu, 09 Mar 2006 14:51:00 +0000 http://tinasharp.voxtropolis.com/2006/03/01/nasty-lurkers/#comment-94 Hi Tina, found you through Niza! Yeah, me too, Dave. I've posted lyrics to a bluegrass song "Recovering Pharisee" on my site. It humbles me to remember where I've come from. I've read through the article and I was saddened and a little unnerved. This is exactly the type of situation Jesus had in mind when he prayed for us: I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. Hi Tina, found you through Niza!
Yeah, me too, Dave. I’ve posted lyrics to a bluegrass song “Recovering Pharisee” on my site. It humbles me to remember where I’ve come from.
I’ve read through the article and I was saddened and a little unnerved. This is exactly the type of situation Jesus had in mind when he prayed for us:

I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

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