tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4097110489603528078.post2873026897988624691..comments2014-08-08T08:52:38.820+01:00Comments on Thoughts from a pastor: Where is my commitment?Jon Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16760231288856979224noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4097110489603528078.post-86991528424590661032012-08-14T22:12:08.397+01:002012-08-14T22:12:08.397+01:00There is a great deal of difference between compli...There is a great deal of difference between compliance and commitment in church life. You can find people who feel they ought to do things either by unintended pressure or they don't have the strength to say no. Compliance never lasts. Choice and freedom lead to true commitment and also they are the basis to the come through difficult times. The good Arminian in me senses God gives us freedom so he may have our true commitment. Thanks for your thoughts again. JJohn_Ahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04286729844281353694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4097110489603528078.post-49038930784805631242012-05-15T08:38:12.405+01:002012-05-15T08:38:12.405+01:00Hi Pastor :) I'm from Singapore, I should be a...Hi Pastor :) I'm from Singapore, I should be arriving to Newcastle by Sept 12th :) my course is for 2 years, so I'll be there till end June 2014 :)Maddyeline *~https://www.blogger.com/profile/17997015235714377474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4097110489603528078.post-48050125343716186862012-05-14T12:30:28.548+01:002012-05-14T12:30:28.548+01:00This comment has been removed by the author.Jon Cookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16760231288856979224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4097110489603528078.post-75689165462471519002012-05-14T12:27:23.469+01:002012-05-14T12:27:23.469+01:00Hi Maddy
Thanks for your thoughts. Where are you f...Hi Maddy<br />Thanks for your thoughts. Where are you from and how long will you be with us?Jon Cookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16760231288856979224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4097110489603528078.post-39589807471345093422012-05-10T07:46:44.772+01:002012-05-10T07:46:44.772+01:00Hi Pastor :)) before I give my 2 cents on your pos...Hi Pastor :)) before I give my 2 cents on your post, just would like you to know that I'm totally excited about visiting your church<br />coming Sept because of my overseas studies placement at Northumbria University..I'm really excited to immerse myself<br />in the anointed worship and leadship which God has graciously blessed your ministry with :) <br />While I was reading ur post, the first thing that came to mind is that commitment should not be a form of strive or demand of the flesh when we know that Jesus alone is our commitment, our seal, our cornerstone.. especially when we are conscious that Jesus is the supply of our strength, wisdom and favor because of His unceasing abounding grace towards us :) the demand is not on you but on God alone :) He who wills, will provide :) God performs, God gets all the glory! Dedication is the fruit of the Spirit, the fruit as the result of our intimacy with Christ :) A tree does not strive to bear fruits, it does not strive to survive as long as the tree remains rooted by the rivers of living waters and as long as the tree is conscious of who is the Gardener :) <br />The seasons of dryness and weariness is an indication that we should come back to the foot of the cross and allow Jesus to serve us, to wash our feet and to refresh us. He delights when we receive from Him so we should keep receiving from His zoe life. It's the Lord who works through us first before we work out what He has first worked in us :) you are the unceasingly fruitful tree in Christ!<br />You are blessed pastor to be leading this church :)) and very blessed to have been chosen by the Lord! Remember it's the Lord who has chosen you for this glorious destiny and if He has chosen you by His grace, He will sustain it and supply all that you need pertaining to life, godliness and ministry, by His grace too :)<br /><br />You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and I have appointed you [I have planted you], that you might go and bear fruit and keep on bearing, and that your fruit may be lasting [that it may remain, abide], so that whatever you ask the Father in My Name [as presenting all that I Am], He may give it to you. -- John 15:16 AMP<br /><br />You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. -- Psalm 139:5 NLT<br /><br />Be blessed Pastor :))<br /><br />In His love,<br />MaddyMaddyeline *~https://www.blogger.com/profile/17997015235714377474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4097110489603528078.post-81222643153358007132012-05-02T12:17:09.651+01:002012-05-02T12:17:09.651+01:00`Hi Autumn Observer, thank you for your comments.`Hi Autumn Observer, thank you for your comments.Jon Cookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16760231288856979224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4097110489603528078.post-73059490656759608902012-04-30T08:29:33.638+01:002012-04-30T08:29:33.638+01:00This is a good blog and will be an encouragement t...This is a good blog and will be an encouragement to some people. I also agree that for the most part commitment, perseverance and character are often interrelated but to imply that commitment is always a good thing and quitting is always a bad thing is an oversimplification and would like to make my own observations. <br /><br />Please note that my comments do NOT relate to any specific situation.<br /><br />1. Commitments can conflict and may have to be prioritised. In other words you may have to quit one cause because of a commitment to a higher one.<br />2. Quitting may seem to be the “easy” option but in some situations this may be a veneer and when fully considered remaining committed and persevering is actually taking the line of least resistance.<br />3. Sometimes quitting is the right thing to do but it can also be the most difficult thing to do and may take a lot of courage and effort to see through.<br />4. It is possible to lose a commitment and effectively quit without giving the impression of quitting.<br />5. When in any kind of community an individual’s commitment is a shared responsibility so quitting cannot simply be seen as something lacking in the individual’s character.Autumn Observerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13392963857532248095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4097110489603528078.post-53172209668566636932012-04-29T18:48:09.024+01:002012-04-29T18:48:09.024+01:00This comment has been removed by the author.Autumn Observerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13392963857532248095noreply@blogger.com