Comments on: For All Frustrated Perfectionists!

By: Caffeinated Thoughts - » Twenty Items of Interest (v.22)

Caffeinated Thoughts - » Twenty Items of Interest (v.22) — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 17:36:17 +0000

[…] 16. Are you a frustrated perfectionist? Then you need to read this. […]

By: MikeMcK

MikeMcK — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 01:23:17 +0000

Like most emergents, Brown twists it to make it about him. It has nothing to do with him or his success or "responsibility".

By: steven

steven — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 18:45:20 +0000

what could you possibly see wrong with this interpretation?

By: MikeMcK

MikeMcK — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 12:37:48 +0000

Guess not.

By: MikeMcK

MikeMcK — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 00:42:25 +0000

I must have missed that verse, Chuck. Would you mind pointing it out to me?

By: Charles

Charles — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 20:47:45 +0000

I think Jesus' explanation of the parable in Matthew 13 is all about what Steve is saying. The Word is spread everywhere, but because of the 75% who refuse to see or hear, even what meager understanding they have, will be taken from them, and the sower doesn't need to feel responsible for that. Otherwise, the sower will probably get discouraged and hang it up or end up living vicariously through someone else (probably a syndicated preacher), other than Jesus.

By: MikeMcK

MikeMcK — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 16:13:39 +0000

Steve, have you ever actually studied the parable of the seed and the sower? It doesn't have anything even remotely to do with what you're saying.

By: Kim

Kim — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 12:06:29 +0000

Steve, kindred spirit,
I met you a couple years ago at a conference in Philly. The topic was on anger. I remember thinking…."Where has THIS man been?" "Why aren't there more of him!" "Would he adopt me?" Now…that is not to say the trinity needs expanding. =) It is to say that I wish there were more of God's sowers in the business of assisting the "captives to freedom"! We had "small group" last night. 6 , I'll be nice and say, "seasoned couples". We've been meeting over 2 yrs. We love each other, and most times are gracious, and committed to growing in the Lord. Often, as I did this morning, i will spend time inspecting the seeds. Steve, thank you this morning for triggering tears and laughter at my silliness! Your thoughts…what the Lord shows you…often lightens my heart and reminds me who's who. Thank you for helping me to release my fingers and let the seeds sift through, back to their intended place…in His hands. May God richly bless you!

By: Bonla

Bonla — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 22:30:11 +0000

Thanks for that. Each time I "discuss" scripture with my neighbor, I come home feeling like I should not have said this, or, I should have said that. Well, you reminded me of who is in charge.

By: Don

Don — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 14:04:56 +0000

Maybe I've gone from perfectionism to escapism, Steve. I've thought about that parable and have figured that it's God's deal. He made the seed and the soil. If he wants to see good seed go to waste, it's his prerogative. You've got me thinking now…what is my part of the picture? Am I sower, seed, or receptacle? It may be that I am just a part of the muscle on the arm that sows. Suits me. Hosanna!

By: Sowing without having to see fruit « A Ruach Journey

Sowing without having to see fruit « A Ruach Journey — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 04:35:49 +0000

[…] — ruach Thanks to Linda I decided to check out Steve Brown's blog and I appreciated his post today on the parable of the sower in Mtt 13. What a freedom there is when we discover (and daily remember) that it is not about nor up to […]

By: Frank

Frank — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 17:02:04 +0000

Sometimes you infuriate me, Steve, this time you fed me, humbled me, lifted me up. i spend 30 yrs pastoring small churches - I'm doing counseling now and often (for some sick reason - masochism?) yearn to pastor again. When I review my ministry I have many times felt like a failure (pond scum). But I tried to be faithful and tried to lift Jesus up. Thanks for the encouraging word.

By: Paul

Paul — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 06:40:27 +0000

Good stuff. Thanks.

By: klab

klab — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 18:22:40 +0000

thank you for feeding me today

By: MikeMcK

MikeMcK — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 12:57:34 +0000

Hey, Steve,

Could you please complete the following verse:

[Christ] must ________ but I must ________.

By: Roger Smith

Roger Smith — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 12:42:37 +0000

As a missionary on the field I was encouraged and humbled. This post came at a good time to give me persepective again. It seems harder to accept the "lean times". I heard, or read somewhere that it is our same pride problem that makes us blame ourselves for lack of visable results or that pats us on our own backs for results when they come…

By: For All Frustrated Perfectionists « Ponder Anew

For All Frustrated Perfectionists « Ponder Anew — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 02:46:32 +0000

[…] out Steve's latest post; it's classic Brown– may help somebody's heart […]

By: Mike Maroon

Mike Maroon — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 16:31:18 +0000

This moved me beyond words. Thank you for allowing God to use you to remind me who I really am. I can relate to the part about feeling like "pond scum" way more than I can relate to expanding the Trinity. Today my Father reminded me who I am and why I'm here. Thank for reminding me. Now, what did I do with those seeds……

By: Charles

Charles — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 16:26:00 +0000

That was steak and potatoes.

Steve, retirement is not an option.

He asked me to remind you.

By: jason

jason — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 16:03:39 +0000

I always enjoy when someone interprets a passage in a less conventional way. It reminds me why we, as Christians, should be in the word daily. Thanks for being faithful to deliver.