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Next Week: Grace Group

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Next Week: Anna Brookens

We're always in need of more volunteers (greeters, media, music, nursery, etc). Talk with Pastor Chris about how to get plugged in!

What does it mean to be open-minded about spiritual things? Are you open-minded?

Facebook responses:

Joshua B. Hughes: I don't know for sure. I can tell you what I think though. I think it means to judge slowly and carefully when uncertain. Because I don't understand something doesn't make it wrong. I am required to judge whether something is right or not, but it shouldn't be frivolous and without thought. It would be unwise to let arrogance get the better of me.

William L. Duncan: “For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony born at the proper time.”

Jerad File: I think it was Chesterton that said that the point of an open mind is the same as an open mouth...it's meant to close on something.

Michael Carlson: It means to be open to things not seen. For example spiritual warfare. There's battle being waged all around us....to be aware of this we need to be open minded and aware to put on the armor of God daily.... The second example is modern day miracles....we need an open heart and mind to allow God to do his work among us

Shelly Sisk Austin: I guess it just means, I’m open to that. I’ll listen. But unless it’s backed by scripture you can’t believe everything you hear.

Tim Braun: In my humble opinion, I believe it means that even though my belief system is guided by Christianity, specifically "Lutheran" doctrines (justification by faith through grace primarily), I (and Christianity) may not necessarily have a lock on "rightness." That we have a God who is much bigger and greater than our mortal minds can fully comprehend and that there may be large elements and components of "Truth" in belief systems other than our own. Further, that there are spiritual and physical elements present in our universe that we cannot and will not fully comprehend until we leave this limited mortal existence. I hope that makes some sense.

Wayne Brown: Good timing on this question, Chris. I am preaching through Colossians and start chapter 2 this coming Sunday. To me being open minded about spiritual things means to listen to other speak about what they believe but do not be corrupted by worldly thoughts and deceptions. Take every thought captive to Christ.

As you stated there is some truth in most spirituality, but how much is just a twist of the truth of all things, Christ himself?

So that being said, I try to be open minded to all spiritual thoughts for then I can help the truth be known by keeping an open dialog. I don’t have to agree with someone to be able to dialog with them.

Travis Warner: I think whether open mindedness is a good thing or not depends on how one defines the terms. I will reiterate the Chesterton comment from above. We shouldn't be so open minded that our brains fall out. Some people may confuse the purpose of being "open minded." I believe some think being 'open' is the high ideal in and of itself. As the gentlemen above put it, the whole point of an open mind is similar to an open mouth... The open mouth closes around food for nourishment and the open mind closes around truth for nourishment as well. The only point of opening the mind isn't for the sake of opening it...but for the sake of truth. The openness is not an 'end,' it is a means to a higher end.

There are times in which, I assume, God calls us to a focused direction that will require discipline, perseverance, and other costs. To one degree or another, those times will require a more tightened mind. All of this is just to say that there is a limit to our open mindedness.

ON THE OTHER HAND, I think there is a just as common of a problem, if not more common, on the other end of the spectrum for us Christians. I think we are often very Fearful of having an open mind, and we end up with a more closed one than we can perceive. Hate is not the opposite of love. Fear is. Fear is also the opposite of Faith.

We do not allow much space for Mystery anymore. We have our Bibles after all. We do not think the same irony that overtook the 'right religious' folks 2000 years ago could be true for us. No one on planet Earth understood 1/100th of the scope of what Jesus was doing 2 millenia ago, but we never consider the possibility of being that wrong today in the 'right religion.' I think we Christians should 100% embrace truth. I think we Christians should 100% embrace Mystery.

In summation, there is no formula for openmindedness. There is no fool proof way to get the just right degree of openmindedness through all the moments of your life. Sometimes we will be too closed...sometimes we'll be too open. It is messy. Just like Grace. Just like Love. Just like People. If we carry the right desires in our hearts and minds coupled with the right humility...we'll be alright though.

“Blessed”
Luke 24:50-53

TONIGHT @ 6 pm: Community Thanksgiving Service
At South Fork United Methodist Church

Dec. 3 @ 5:30 pm: Christmas Meal
Make your best dish and bring plenty to share...and bring an empty stomach!

Dec. 5 @ 11:15 am & 7pm: Bowling & Bible
We're memorizing Psalm 23, verse by verse, at your own pace. Oh, and we also bowl. ($2)

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