Ragamuffin Soul - Latest Comments in Ragamuffin Soul » Donald Miller Shall Pray…Amen

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » Donald Miller Shall Pray…Amen

dee dee — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 16:42:44 -0000

i actually think it took guts to say yes. to know the perceptions that people have and to choose not to be defined or ruled by them shows real courage. my question is this: had miller prayed at the rnc, would this post or these comments even be in existence right now?
as i re-read this comment i can't help but chuckle. knowing the perceptions that people will have after reading it. trying to decide if it's a good idea to post it. and then re-reading and realizing that i now have to. ha!

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » Donald Miller Shall Pray…Amen

Adrienne — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:15:33 -0000

There are ethics and conflicts of interest associated with a lot of careers. If I were caught stripping, I would lose my state teaching license. Lots of careers, including newspaper publishers and ministers, have limitations on some of the opinions they can act on. God isn't limited by that.

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » Donald Miller Shall Pray…Amen

Adrienne — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 15:39:41 -0000

Dave wins. God works.

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » Donald Miller Shall Pray…Amen

Mike — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 13:40:30 -0000

99.9%? Really? That's probably more than the Democrats believe about themselves in their own pub. Interesting.

I vote for Strang. I don't think it will be difficult to find someone to pray considering it was an "Interfaith" representation. I agree that a Christian should represent and offer a sincere prayer, but when it comes right down to it, they would be just a pawn in a big "look how spiritual, tolerant, and open we are to faith" game. Complete BS. Strang chose not to play and I commend him for it.

Both conventions are a big show and I doubt the sincerity of either. However, we should still show up to both with the authentic banner of Christ.

If Obama wants to display his Christian faith in action HE should have offered up a prayer. But I guess that would have hurt his credibility with his supporters.

Personally if I had to make the decision, I would choose to pray at both conventions or not at all. I don't believe in partisan prayer used for partisan means, which will ultimately divide people.

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » Donald Miller Shall Pray…Amen

kevin — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 12:54:36 -0000

patrick
very well said
and that viewpoint or worldview is what i beleive is what is missing most in the church today.
accepting substitutes or symbols in place of reality, indeed leads us down a path that encourages pleasing man over God.

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » Donald Miller Shall Pray…Amen

Patrick Loyd — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 12:51:39 -0000

No, you don't represent Buckhead Church but Christ Jesus himself. Christ IS the church. Buckhead is but wood, steel and concrete and is but a hollow, shallow space if not filled with people who will take every opportunity to worship Jesus, praise Jesus and share Jesus with the world. To some, it may have been but a simple prayer fit into the program but it was more than that...it was an opportunity to share our love and faith with a nation. It was an opportunity to pray for our nation and our leaders. Who knows, the simple mention of the word, Jesus during that prayer may have caused a lost soul to get down on his/her knees and accept Christ as their personal Savior. We don't know how people are being convicted at any given time.

I work for Child Protective Services, and I represent the state of GA. but if someone I am working with asks me to pray for them, I do it. At that moment, I am a representative of Christ and it is a divine opportunity to minister to that family. If the state found out and I was fired, so be it. I worship a mighty Lord and He will provide. I am concerned only about pleasing Him at that moment.

Truthfully, if you were called to give that prayer, I believe you would have. I believe you, and most other disciples of Christ would have recognized the importance of being used by God in that moment, however small or brief.

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » Donald Miller Shall Pray…Amen

Scott — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 19:58:13 -0000

I have no problem with praying for somebody of a different political persuasion, but that's not the issue. The Democrats pick who gives the prayer based on political calculations designed to draw in more voters. Strang just didn't want to be a pawn in that game, and I salute him for it. If I remember correctly, he was going to do it, until he realized it would be televised. It serves a different purpose entirely when it's televised.

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » Donald Miller Shall Pray…Amen

Karen — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 18:41:34 -0000

Jackie said it. I respect all the opinions here, too. I think both guys did what they needed to do (Strang and Miller)

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » Donald Miller Shall Pray…Amen

Helen — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 18:02:49 -0000

I am learning that in the end it's really not important what we think we ought to do but what the Holy Spirit thinks we ought to do...Leaning not toward our own understanding, but letting the Lord direct our path...Sometimes He asks us to do things that maybe don't make sense at first glance or won't make us popular with one group or another. I respect each man for his decision. And I hope that they not only thought about it with their minds but also with their Spirits tuned into the One who knows the Way.

I hope and pray that Miller's genuine faith has an impact on anyone who might need a touch from their Father who loves them with an audacious, crazy love.

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » Donald Miller Shall Pray…Amen

Bridge — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 17:32:36 -0000

Oh, and Miller's prayer is on his own website. www.donaldmillerwords.com

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » Donald Miller Shall Pray…Amen

Bridge — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 17:31:40 -0000

It seems strange to me that these two key voices of the modern church didn't mention praying about the request to pray. I think that's the first thing I'd have done...with my liberal leanings and my old-school conservative family. But my gut's with Donald Miller - if they ask you, then show up and pray. Donald Miller is looking awfully good these days...a little distracting from his prayer.

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » Donald Miller Shall Pray…Amen

Vince — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 12:16:23 -0000

The worst part of it is the fact that we are even having this discussion. And the fact that Strang had to even weigh that decision.

It would be nice if Christians could do Christian things (pray) and not get rocks hucked at them by other Christians.

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » Donald Miller Shall Pray…Amen

Rich Kirkpatrick — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 11:18:35 -0000

Strang was smart. He wants to influence people not on his horse yet and would have built a wall by appearing. His magazine would be less relevant if did this. ;)

How about praying at BOTH conventions? Hmmm...

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » Donald Miller Shall Pray…Amen

anon. — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 09:43:46 -0000

wisdom.

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » Donald Miller Shall Pray…Amen

Les — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 09:29:16 -0000

To pray at a political convention is not an endorsement of a party. It is the endorsement of God before all men. If you think that it's wrong to pray at a convention and you do it anyway, that's a problem. It's a matter of the heart. Both guys are doing God's will.

I believe God does care about politics because politics springs from the heart. Politics is about people. God is about people. I just don't believe He cares what party I belong to.

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » Donald Miller Shall Pray…Amen

Mud Puppy — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 09:20:42 -0000

ps. I've always read Relevant as though it were a liberal publication anyway.

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » Donald Miller Shall Pray…Amen

Mud Puppy — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 09:20:06 -0000

Was is because he wanted to sell more magazines?

Was it because his dad publicly endorsed McCain?

I hope neither are true, but I'd pray with any and all parties if given the chance. It seems silly not to.

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » Donald Miller Shall Pray…Amen

Batsirai Chada — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 09:04:47 -0000

Jesus would probably go to the DNC, the KKK and the Wicca convention if invited.
Light must shine... No matter where - or what people thought.
He asks us to do the same... But of course, we need to be careful...

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » Donald Miller Shall Pray…Amen

kevin — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 03:52:28 -0000

aside from the prayer, what if Christ followers were known for simply that and nothing further? Would that not be more "threatening" than choosing a particular camp? I know this is not a very intellectually satisfying point or conclusion which is the point exactly. Any comments?

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » Donald Miller Shall Pray…Amen

Elissa — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 02:43:07 -0000

I think we should give the "more stones" award to whoever could pull off a use of the phrase "more stones" in their prayer... just sayin'! Honestly though, I'm of the mind that says neither political party is perfect. While the fact that it may be perceived as an endorsement certainly complicates things, I think we should let our light shine before ALL men regardless of their political position. In the end though I think who had "more stones" may be impossible for us to determine. It may have been easier for one to do what they did than it was for the other to make their choice - we can never know their hearts.

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » Donald Miller Shall Pray…Amen

Rachel — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 01:16:28 -0000

p.s. If you guys are really wondering why Cameron made the decision he did...read his blog on the issue.

relevantmagazine.com/relebl...

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » Donald Miller Shall Pray…Amen

Rachel — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 01:11:57 -0000

Both, I guess...but especially Cameron.

He kept the best interest of Relevant and the audience it represents in mind, and from what I've heard him say and write, he really didn't want all the press on this. I think the press kept it in pretty good proportion to reality, but still...most of the past few days, I wished they'd stop trying to make some big issue about it and let the man's decision respectfully stand. Cameron's a bridge builder, not a bridge burner. That alone should tell them what he's after.

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » Donald Miller Shall Pray…Amen

inworship — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 01:00:37 -0000

So we just bow to the almighty dollar instead of what we believe?

Andy, I understand why people do it. I don't understand why they keep doing it. If we are truly a figurehead, seems like their is some amazing opportunity to reshape how things are viewed instead of stay with the status quo. That's what I don't get. I can't speak fro Strand, but so many are fed up with all this them vs us stuff, so how are we going to change that? Not by staying with perception. My opinion.

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » Donald Miller Shall Pray…Amen

Andrew Doane — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:54:21 -0000

Forget the whole Christian/democrat issue:

What if the editor of the New York Times (I have no idea if he/she is a Christian or not) was asked to pray at the DNC?

Right or wrong, it would taint how some people viewd that publication ("He's just a shill for the left!")

If you don't care if people have that perception about your paper, then you'd probably go ahead and do it.

If you did, well, then you'd probably have a long debate in your head like Strang did.

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » Donald Miller Shall Pray…Amen

Eric Frisch — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:51:36 -0000

Just in case there hasn't been enough said on this... I think the whole perception that Democrats are "Godless" is pretty ridiculous. I'm a registered Republican, but I've found that most of my Christian friends are registered Democrats. In reality, we're all pretty moderate (postmodernism and all:-P). But either way it makes me sad to think that there are Christians who would think less of someone because they accepted an invitation to pray with a group of people who hold a lot of influence in our country right now. I do understand why Strang made the decision that he did, but in my mind, it would actually be more alienating to refuse to hang out with those folks than it would be to go and get a few people from "your side" mad at you. I don't think God cares much for our politics... the body of Christ should transcend these things.