SSB Sunday Gathering

SSB Gathering – February 15, 2015

Kathi

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Spiritual Sounding Board – This is your place to gather and share in an open format.

 

larches

 Larches at Lake Ingalls Trail, Washington

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Philippians 2: 1-11

(1) If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,

(2) then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. (3) Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.

(4) Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also the interests of others. (5) Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus;

(6) Who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, (7) but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

(8) And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross! (9) Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,

(10) that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, (11) and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

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Feel free to join the discussion.
You can share your church struggles and concerns.
Let’s also use it as a time to encourage one another spiritually.
What have you found spiritually encouraging lately?
Do you have any special Bible verses to share, any YouTube songs that you have found uplifting?

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photo credit: Brian Bonham

24 thoughts on “SSB Gathering – February 15, 2015”

  1. Julie Anne, As always, What a wonderful way to start the day. God painted such a beautiful area there in Washington and it looks so warm. It is -12 degrees and high winds in my area this morning. So they says that it feels like -33. I’m praying that my car will start. If not, I will praise the Lord for all he has done for me right where I sit.

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  2. This passage in Philippians is one of my favourite passages of Scripture it speaks so much of the humility and the love of our Saviour. It was this passage four years ago tomorrow that set me on my journey, I was attending a board meeting and the minister used this verse in such a manipulative manner that it made me physically ill. Thank you to all of you at Spiritual Sounding Board you have such courage and your courage helps me to stand strong and to keep going. God bless all of you.

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  3. rhondajeannie,
    Sometimes I have to reread a passage of Scripture to see how it could be twisted and manipulative. I reread this and see how where it could be used against you. I have learned that the only one that I have to be like minded with is Christ. It is good if you can be like minded with others around you, but never at the expense of going against what Christ would have you to be. God bless you as well.

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  4. Brenda, Kathi gets the credit for this morning’s post (and her husband is the amazing photographer). I’m so grateful for her help while I’ve been pretty swamped this term at school.

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  6. Brenda – Believe me, I wrestled with putting up this verse because I know how it can be twisted. But I so appreciate the words in verse 1 – encouragement, comfort, fellowship, tenderness and compassion. Being like-minded in these things is what we are asked to do because they embody the nature of Jesus. There are many leaders who can learn a lot from these characteristics as well as verse 4.

    I’m glad you appreciate the photos. My husband has a good eye and tries to convey what he sees in front of him. It’s a hobby that helps his creative juices flow.

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  8. Brenda – All I can say about your weather is, I’m sorry. Yuck! I hate to tell you that it’s been in the 50’s in Oregon and all of our bulbs are blooming. Unbelievable for February. I keep think that we’re bound to get a cold snap any moment.

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  9. rhondajeannie – It was good that you were able to see through the manipulation and make your way out. It’s hard to do when you’re so entrenched in a group. Peace to you as you continue on your journey.

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  10. When I read that passage I am struck by Christ’s humility and how he did all that for us, his beloved creation. He didn’t have to do anything to save us, yet he did everything to save us.

    How a preacher could – with a clear conscience – use that passage to manipulate people is beyond me. The passage embodies the opposite of manipulation. It’s a total expression of God’s love in the flesh, literally because Jesus took on flesh for us all.

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  11. I am asking prayer for a young friend of mine. As a new believer, she married a very charismatic preacher. Inside of five years he has beaten her, shamed her, has cheated on her and is addicted. Of course he takes no blame. This is the second marriage he has ruined. She is brave and has spoken out. They have two young children and he is trying to cover his butt and gaslight her. Why does ministry draw in so many narcissistic men? I have let her know about this site and WW to help her see she is not alone. I am praying that she is treated kindly by those around her and keeps harmful people away as she disengages from this harmful man. (We now live in different cities so we don’t see each other).

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  13. Ann, you can also send her my email address so she can be a part of the private forum. There are many there who would provide support and encouragement to her – some coming from similar experiences.

    It’s so sad to hear of another abusive clergy and a mom trying to stay strong and protect herself and her children. My email: spiritualsb@gmail.com

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  14. Ann,
    I will pray for her. I would also recommend A Cry for Justice blog. There is a wealth of information on domestic violence there and written by Christian people.

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  15. Tim,
    “How a preacher could – with a clear conscience – use that passage to manipulate people is beyond me.”

    They don’t do it with a clear conscience. They do it with no conscience. What we see as Christ’s love and our encouragement to imitate what he has shown us, they use to control and oppress another person into their own standards.

    Liked by 3 people

  16. Thank you for the encouragement. I confronted the minister, one on one, as per scripture about this and many other goings on. He said that he searched the scriptures to find a passage that suited the situation. No leading of the Holy Spirit here.

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  17. ‘It is -12 degrees and high winds in my area this morning. So they says that it feels like -33’.
    Sorry Brenda it was 33oC (91.4oF) down-under yesterday. With the temperatures you are having I would never ever leave the house. Stay warm in God’s love.

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  18. rhondajeannie,
    I really shouldn’t complain this has been a fairly mild winter in comparison to last year. I just don’t handle it as well as I did in my younger days. I dream of a land where it is not too cold or too hot all year long. I believe that will come in eternity in the presence of the King.

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  20. This is a cry out to any and all prayer warriors.

    My daughter just called and said she is 9 weeks pregnant. I am shouting Hallelujah’s and a little worried at the same time. She and her husband had accepted that they would never have children, but are thrilled. She is in the high risk category and lost a baby to sudden infant death years ago. She is now 36. Please pray that the Lord allows her and the new little one to make it through this safely and in good health.

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