tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736097.post114676865257644319..comments2023-10-24T07:41:34.469-05:00Comments on Surprised by Joy: Soap Box Derbyannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15433802638860190900noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736097.post-1147099486044545182006-05-08T09:44:00.000-05:002006-05-08T09:44:00.000-05:00Thanks. I just read it. His was right on the money...Thanks. I just read it. His was right on the money. Thanks for sharing it.Keithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08751608263311019166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736097.post-1147055778762835432006-05-07T21:36:00.000-05:002006-05-07T21:36:00.000-05:00My friend Josh just posted a brilliant blog on thi...My friend Josh just posted a brilliant blog on this topic here: http://www.missionalminute.com/?p=34annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15433802638860190900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736097.post-1146937018278906412006-05-06T12:36:00.000-05:002006-05-06T12:36:00.000-05:00I myself am a recovered alcoholic and have been so...I myself am a recovered alcoholic and have been sober for 5 and a half years. The subject of alcohol is a very controversial subject in Christian circles. I attended an Assembly of God church for years and they smack of legalism. They "required" leadership to abstain from alcohol. <BR/><BR/>The Bible does not state at all that you should abstain from alcohol. The only thing the Bible speaks out against is drunkeness. Alcohol in moderation is okay. <BR/><BR/>Some people however cannot drink. I am one of them. Their filters don't work. They cannot stop. I realized that and the Lord got me though it. Now I can help others that struggle with the same problem because I've been there myself. <BR/><BR/>But for a church to "require" that you abstain from alcohol is legalism, pure and simple. Your Bible verses that you provided prove that. <BR/><BR/>Great post and great blog. Blessings to you.<BR/><BR/>KeithKeithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08751608263311019166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736097.post-1146870182976536702006-05-05T18:03:00.000-05:002006-05-05T18:03:00.000-05:00Maybe one of the oddest experiences I've had in Bo...Maybe one of the oddest experiences I've had in Boston was when we went to a pub with "the elders" (actually a steering committee made of men and women, since we have no elders) and all shared a pitcher of beer with our hamburgers as we discussed whether or not to hire a new minister. Yep. This is a Church of Christ!<BR/><BR/>Obviously, Boston is as wet as it gets, and I think the church we go to goes a great job of understanding that, even though everyone at our church grew up in Southern Churches of Christ and "dry" families. The great thing about that meal was that not everyone there had to share if they didn't want to. Some didn't. But those that did weren't shamed or stupid about it. <BR/><BR/>I think you're absolutely right, wet/dry/holy, it's an interesting question. Alcohol can have devastating consequences, and that should be respected. But senseless piousness can alienate and hurt people too. Just think how awkward it would have been if someone, on either side of the pitcher, would have made a big deal about it...Summerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13053786463771734529noreply@blogger.com