Jul. 18, 2005 - Shall we Sin that Grace May Abound?
After reading AgentTim's recent post on the Party Gospel http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/AgentTim/, I had to offer my two cents on this subject. I agree with Tim 100%. There is a huge difference between sinning w/ unbelievers to show them you're "normal" and ministering God's grace and love to those who need it.
I've been doing a lot of research on horse racing chaplains lately. (Yes, you read that sentence correctly!) These men minister to the people who live and work on the racetrack - people who are in desparate need of spiritual guidance and leadership. They are all trained and ordained through the Race Track Chaplaincy of America (RTCA), a non-profit organization that is run by a group of dedicated Christian professionals. In a recent interview with a chaplain, I brought up the issue of being a Christian and working on the track, and his answers came to mind when I read Tim's post.
"I don't drink with the boys or go out and gamble on someone's horse if they tell me it's going to win. I have to be an example of what is right, someone that people can look up to. It's not an issue of having a 'holier-than-thou' attitude, it's an issue of impacting someone's life for better or for worse. Often, I'm the only example they have to look up to. If I destroy a recovering alcoholic's commitment to sobriety because I have one beer and he thinks, 'Well, the chaplain had a drink last Wednesday, so it'll be okay if I have a few..." then I'm going against my comittment as a Christian to 'make up my mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in my brother's way.' (Romans 14:13) I don't pretend that gambling is okay. When people say, 'Oh, you're the chaplain! Give me a hot tip! [for a horse that will win a race]' I say, 'You want a hot tip? Keep your money in your pocket!' But I'm not going to abandon the work that the Lord is doing at this track just because there's gambling here."
"1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! 2 How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? 20For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. 23For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6, various verses).
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Post A Comment!
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Sep. 12, 2005 - Untitled Comment |
| Posted by gottsegnet |
| chaplains at the race track? I never had heard that before, but it sounds like a good place for a ministry... |
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Oct. 22, 2005 - Untitled Comment |
| Posted by TOSPUBLISHER |
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/joyousheart/36428/#c54880
Read this. :-) |
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Nov. 6, 2005 - Untitled Comment |
| Posted by writingdown |
Wow, that's actually total news for me. But it's good, really good. Thanks for sharing too, I appreciated your thoughts.
(and of course if you don't know my name, this is the results of my random blogging) |
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Nov. 18, 2005 - Juggling with Hamsters |
| Posted by dearLordifeellikeawhale |
Claire,
I just wanted to thank you personally for your entry for my book 'Juggling with Hamsters. Raising amazing kids without chasing your tail'. The book is now with the publisher and contains your entry. I really warmed to you through that piece, I'm sure the readers will also. Thanks!
love
Jane |
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Dec. 3, 2005 - IMPORTANT ROCK FOR LIFE REQUEST |
| Posted by shootingstarr |
There is some thing that I hope you all do. That would be that you go to the web site below and sign the petition that you see. There is a senator of the U.S. Supreme Court and he is making a decision to stop the legal right to abort. This a very important issue and every signature will be needed. I want to encourage everyone who reads this to sign. If you are against abortion you know how important this is. I hope and pray that you will all sign and I pray that this senator makes the right choice and goes through with this and saves many lives. PLEASE HELP AND BE A PART OF THIS!!! the address is
http://www.approvealito.com
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Jun. 14, 2006 - Now I have to go read AgentTim... |
| Posted by mamma1420 |
| As a pastor's wife, I agree wholeheartedly! Come by and visit sometime. Blessings, Jessica. |
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Jul. 2, 2007 - Hello |
| Posted by rjdjohn316 |
you are Eric's sister right? I found you off my sis's, Amanda's, friends list so I added you to my friends!
I haven't gotten a comment from your at all, although I've left him a few, but I would love it if you left me just one comment! I would be honoured!
Rachel |
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Nov. 22, 2007 - What a great ministry! |
| Posted by smokeybutter |
We should all remember to pray for the men and women in the "trenches", those whose goal is to impact lives for Christ and are working toward that goal in an environment that is not God friendly. May God multiply the seeds they are planting a hundred fold, and may they continue to walk in purity before those to whom they are ministering.
Blessings,
Miss |
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About Me
Here I am with Patrick Healy and Anthony Kearns (of Three Tenors fame), after an impromptu serenade. "Happy Birthday" sung by Anthony Kearns... it doesn't get much better than that!
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