tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23191203.post2203112131974956024..comments2023-09-25T04:24:45.407-05:00Comments on The M Blog: Am I an evangelical?J. Guy Musehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17751691713410311094noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23191203.post-56474880812035021772007-08-20T08:33:00.000-05:002007-08-20T08:33:00.000-05:00Brent,Excellent observations. I think you are on t...Brent,<BR/><BR/>Excellent observations. I think you are on the right track about using labels to "judge people." We all do it, but your effort to not do so is something that challenges me personally. I think I will attempt my own experiment this coming week and try not to ask those kinds of questions that help me label someone into something they are not.J. Guy Musehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17751691713410311094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23191203.post-77083798113330881622007-08-18T10:53:00.000-05:002007-08-18T10:53:00.000-05:00Labels are nasty little things. They usually serv...Labels are nasty little things. They usually serve no other purpose than to dehumanize people: "Oh, you're a...." Now, I don't really have to take you seriously or deal with you as a person. Only people who wear my label get that privilege.<BR/><BR/>We also like to get each other's labels early in the conversation. That way we don't have to really listen to each other. We can just pigeon-hole each other into our presuppositions for that particular label.<BR/><BR/>When we meet someone, our brain puts that person on a "conveyor belt" and starts them on a journey towards their final destination (label) in our minds. Based on how they answer certain questions or react to certain situations they jump from one conveyor belt to another until they are narrowed down to a place on the shelf that holds all the other people with that particular label. I think it is a result of the fall and only serves to separate us from each other.<BR/><BR/>I have been making a conscious effort lately to not ask people that I meet "label" kinds of questions. Though this is very difficult and requires a conscience effort, I have been enjoying the fruit of getting to know people before they end up on their labeled shelf in my mind. Plus, they seem to enjoy not being painted-into-a-corner early on in the conversation. I have also noticed that they pick up on this and return the favor.<BR/><BR/>Maybe this has something to do with what Jesus was getting at about not judging people?<BR/><BR/>Your Brother,<BR/>BrentAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16159090580022670852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23191203.post-8483685921793817632007-08-16T23:04:00.000-05:002007-08-16T23:04:00.000-05:00Ha ha I am 251, yikes I better go and change that....Ha ha I am 251, yikes I better go and change that. I don't do much with my profile as I don't like to put much info about me out....hee hee. I sure don't feel 251. I have enjoyed reading your blog, I have a lot to read yet, but I am going to continue to do so a little at a time.<BR/>I can't wait to see more...Shipsstaffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15721165682404308998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23191203.post-35649132081552043632007-08-16T19:44:00.000-05:002007-08-16T19:44:00.000-05:00Bev,What a pleasant surprise! Thanks for stopping ...Bev,<BR/><BR/>What a pleasant surprise! Thanks for stopping by. Are you back in WI? I noticed on your profile that your age is 251. You sure looked a lot younger last weekend! :) It was indeed a good camp and enjoyed getting to know you along with some of our national missionaries whom I had never met. Stop by any time. I try to post 2-3 times per week. I look forward to checking out your blogs as well.J. Guy Musehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17751691713410311094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23191203.post-87080780313498432492007-08-16T18:46:00.000-05:002007-08-16T18:46:00.000-05:00HI GuyWow this post opened my eyes! All the time I...HI Guy<BR/>Wow this post opened my eyes! All the time I was in Ecuador I called myself Evangelical. Hmmmmm I Do like your term of Christ Follower. Thanks for the great post. I hope to keep up with your posts and you as time goes on. I really enjoyed the Encampament in Patate and meeting Edwin, Steve and You. Thank you for all your help and information! May God continue to bless you, your ministry and your family.<BR/>Bev from that unknown state of Wisconsin....Shipsstaffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15721165682404308998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23191203.post-325202282420711592007-08-15T21:57:00.000-05:002007-08-15T21:57:00.000-05:00Antonio,Sounds like you are on Facebook too? I've...Antonio,<BR/><BR/>Sounds like you are on Facebook too? I've enjoyed the lighter side of Facebook and keeping up with people in this way.J. Guy Musehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17751691713410311094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23191203.post-27292529619957280792007-08-15T21:36:00.000-05:002007-08-15T21:36:00.000-05:00Guy, I had that same problem and mine is actually ...Guy, I had that same problem and mine is actually blank. It is interesting seeing what others have put in place though.michttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01760452447058001899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23191203.post-38784234120275889902007-08-15T20:49:00.000-05:002007-08-15T20:49:00.000-05:00Alan and S.A.M.,Thanks for stopping by. In today's...Alan and S.A.M.,<BR/><BR/>Thanks for stopping by. In today's segmented and divided Church people are confused with all the terms and designations. The "Christ follower" terminology is the closest thing I can come up with that truly describes who we are. It seems all the other terms carry baggage and are misunderstood by most people who hear the terms used.J. Guy Musehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17751691713410311094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23191203.post-12102143225793547702007-08-15T20:46:00.000-05:002007-08-15T20:46:00.000-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17167344903480031386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23191203.post-30272719806226081632007-08-15T18:29:00.000-05:002007-08-15T18:29:00.000-05:00Amen Guy! I consider myself a follower of Christ a...Amen Guy! I consider myself a follower of Christ as well. In the eastern world where we are headed in South Asia, we Americans are considered "Christian" just by where we are from, and how we look. I cringe when I hear the term "Christian" used, though it is not bad. I have found myself using the term Christ follower much more when I teach or tell my testimony since ministering to the people of South Asia. I love the term, and I think it will stick with me.S.A.M.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07477542022662463975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23191203.post-82621128732225456172007-08-15T17:10:00.000-05:002007-08-15T17:10:00.000-05:00Guy,Great post! I pray that God help all of his ch...Guy,<BR/><BR/>Great post! I pray that God help all of his children to recognize that we are all part of the same (one) family.<BR/><BR/>-AlanAlan Knoxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07452247058550736803noreply@blogger.com