Are you in Bulgaria? If no, where? I’m in Ohio in the United States…but have a buddy that is leaving for Bulgaria with the Peace Corps in two weeks.

Bill

Thanks for stopping by. Yes, it really is amazing how much our way of living could change if we only let God do His part and we would strive to complete only what’s designated for us to complete. It’s a fine line, but it’s the perfect way (in my opinion) to let the seed grow in its own time and manner. We so often forget that we’re mere seed planters, not growers.

Very nice portraits on your site, as well

I’m glad you found useful insight among my thoughts.

Awesome insight! So many times we want to drag people to the cross–kicking and screaming! Imposing our views on others just doesn’t work.

I feel similarly when the Church aims to “rules” for the world. Currently, in the United States, we’re battling who can use the word “marriage”. In complete contrast, most of God’s laws, admonitions, and guidelines in both the Old and New Testaments were directed to HIS OWN PEOPLE–not the unbelieving individuals of the world. In fact, the more that we attempt to impose our values on the “World”, the more we heighten everyone’s resistance. Let us REST in our own beliefs–without the need to force them upon others.

Good news! When we do our part–and let God do his part–what a burden that removes from our shoulders!

Thanks for your insight! (And, awesome photography.)

As for our job description… Perhaps I didn’t make myself very clear. I don’t mean tell people about Jesus, then pick up and leave. I was referring to the fact that many many Christians today carry the responsibility for the growing of a person’s faith and their ultimate salvation as their own… When I don’t believe it actually is. Yes, of course, we must disciple, care for and nurture in all ways possible the people, but at the end it’s not up to us whether they’ll be saved.
If I’ve done the best I could in proclaiming the Gospel (here I include discipleship, etc.) and people still refuse it (as some surely will), then I shouldn’t take it as my fault. It’s the other person’s choice and it’s his/her responsibility as well, as to what happens as a result of this choice.

As for the disciples shaking their dust off – they did it as a way of showing the greatness of the responsibility which the people of the village have declined by opposing and persecuting Paul and Barnabas. In other words, through this they told them – it’s an important thing you’ve just rejected and you’ll be accounted for it.
I believe that Paul and Barnabas’ actions are part of what makes the Christian faith clear, as opposed to much of today’s Christianity – bendy and shaky, trying to be comfortable for everyone, so that it’s accepted well…

I surely hope, you didn’t mean, what this sentence literally carried. I dunno for you, but the gospel isn’t about “getting someone in heaven” or even in this reasoning, making sure you “get” something at the end.

The reason, you would carry on the message of Christ is to enable inner transformation in the heart of the individual. Our life experience on this earth is what if of concern, not some remote plausible ending.

What if there would have never been an heaven and life stopped after death? Would you have still carried the “gospel” ?

“It’s far beyond our job description to actually grow the plant and harvest the fruits.”

This is a bit easy Petar… you can’t blow up a message into the face of someone and carry out and not feeling like carrying on in that direction. The gospel in itself is an inert message, if not digged or lived. Surely you should not be hammering the head of someone, but if you plan an idea into someone else, you surely engage yourself and take part of “responsability” into what this person will do with this thought.

“If only we were able to shake the dust off when necessary.”

Petar, I surely get your “point”, even though I have to vividly disagree with this article, I advise you do some contextual and historical research on the village and situation in which both disciples and Jesus were… then maybe you will realize that your extended idea is thoroughly erroneous.

Don’t take the criticism harsh , it is all said in love.

Ali