Last week I asked you all a question about what freaks you out in church. The answers were diverse, and incredible. Some of you were totally freaked out by speaking in tongues, prophecy, laying on of hands, being “slain in the Spirit”, and so on. Others saw these things as being completely normal in a Spirit-filled environment. Many of you wanted to know what my take on these things was and I thought I’d provide you with an opportunity to hear it in the form of a podcast. I gave this message 3 times this past weekend at Vineyard Westside Church…some of your comments from that blog post even made it into the content of the message. Check it out if you’re interested.
For some reason, in the beginning, I say “uh” or “um” no less than 7,000 times. Sorry.
Anyone care to transcribe it for me?
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I will have to bookmark it for later. Can’t listen at work. It should be interesting, though.
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I can’t listen at work either, though I’ll have to remember to come back to it.
Meanwhile, those of you generous souls who feel like giving of your time, feel free to transcribe good Pastor Ryan’s words.
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after reading those comments i think i must be the only non religious person reading here. found you while you were staying w/ PW and i thought you were so cute and i checked out your site. At first the religion turned me off but the writing and pictures rocked and your love for your family shone through in a beautiful way. Also you dont shove your beliefs down peoples throat; simply reveal what yours are. i was too much of a wus and didnt want to insult people by saying pretty much all religion scares me in some way. But thats my viewpoint and probably the only one amongst your readers. Thought you’d like to hear that an atheist (or pagan) really enjoys your site.
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Fran says:
January 28th, 2010 at 5:18 pm
@jennifer caunedo, Religion is scary but Jesus is awesome!
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Dandy says:
January 28th, 2010 at 6:22 pm
@jennifer caunedo,
Your comment made me smile. Are you pagan? Because pagan is a religion and one with a lot of ritual involved. Just curious
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Amanda C. says:
January 28th, 2010 at 6:59 pm
@jennifer caunedo, I consider myself agnostic and really enjoy the site. So, you’re not the only non-religious one.
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melanie says:
January 28th, 2010 at 7:26 pm
@jennifer caunedo, Pretty much all religion and religious stuff scares me to death…and my husband is a pastor. There are a lot of freaky christians. Weirdos. There are some great ones out there as well, and one of the things that makes them different is the thing you have noticed – they don’t shove their beliefs down other people’s throats, they love others and are real, quality people.
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Dawn Marie says:
January 29th, 2010 at 1:46 am
@jennifer caunedo, Jennifer, When you se3e people like Ryan who are sincere, normal people who are talented and care about people, there is one common thread: It is not about religion for those people, it is about a relationship. Religion is easy to twist and abuse! Religion is easy to manipulate for a person’s own agenda. Religion can be used to justify anything. But when we throw out the rituals, when we throw out the status quo and really CHALLENGE what it is we believe, then it is all about having a relationship with a God who loves us and will never abandon us. He loves ME and I don’t ever have to feel alone again! Throw religion out! Have a relationship!
Jennifer, I also wanted to thank you for your comment. Honesty is always refreshing! You seem intelligent and well-spoken, and I wish you the most beautiful things in life! And since I will be talking to Him, I will ask Him to bless you!
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Tess says:
January 30th, 2010 at 12:02 am
@jennifer caunedo, I have the EXACT same story as you. I am not a big fan of religion (after it having it forced on me because of the area I live in) but I find myself coming back to Ryan’s site hoping for awesome new recipes and new pics of Allison, Ava and Finn. I just skip the stuff like this that doesn’t interest me and I do ok =)
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Bang on. When you spoke about how people are scared to open the gifts of God because they are scared of what they might be hit me so hard up side the back of the head! Thanks for posting this. More please?
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I am REALLY looking forward to this!
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That was fantastic! I really enjoyed it and gave me a lot to think about.
Thank you.
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Wow! That was an awesome message. I felt the annointing of the Holy Ghost the moment you began your message. Thank you for allowing God to work through you. I truly believe that it is His will for the gifts of the spirit to operate in the church and in our individual lives.
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Can’t wait to hear it – gotta wait for a quiet time without screaming kids… Thanks for posting the link!
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I listened and loved it! Sounds like a wonderful place to worship. I am LDS (mormon) and things are much more subdued, but before I converted, I was “non-denominational” and I loved the excitement and praise/worship music. I miss it every week (we sing to an ORGAN!).
Anyway, I actually converted after meeting with the missionaries for a LONG TIME and thinking about what they were teaching me about the Holy Ghost then reading with my Bible study group in my non-denominational church Acts 8 (their baptism was not complete until they had the laying on of hands by someone with Priesthood authority). I would love to know what you think about that some time… Where did that authority come from then (Christ right?), and where does it come from now?
Anyway… I became mormon over that chapter in the Bible I loved so much.
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Oooooooo I’ve been waiting for this! Listening now (while watching Iron Chef on mute).
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I counted only 6,689 “um” and “ah”s
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Great word! I love what you said about being more naturally supernatural, and also what you said about God being a gentleman – he won’t force himself on anyone. Thanks for sharing!
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[...] This Is Reverb » My take on that spiritual weirdness… http://www.thisisreverb.com/2010/01/my-take-on-that-spiritual-weirdness.html – view page – cached Last week I asked you all a question about what freaks you out in church. The answers were diverse, and incredible. Some of you were totally freaked out by speaking in tongues, prophecy, laying on of hands, being “slain in the Spirit”, and so on. Others saw these things as being completely normal in a Spirit-filled environment. Many of you wanted to know what my take on these things was and I… Read moreLast week I asked you all a question about what freaks you out in church. The answers were diverse, and incredible. Some of you were totally freaked out by speaking in tongues, prophecy, laying on of hands, being “slain in the Spirit”, and so on. Others saw these things as being completely normal in a Spirit-filled environment. Many of you wanted to know what my take on these things was and I thought I’d provide you with an opportunity to hear it in the form of a podcast. I gave this message 3 times this past weekend at Vineyard Westside Church…some of your comments from that blog post even made it into the content of the message. Check it out if you’re interested. View page [...]
That was fantastic! The timing of this message couldn’t have been more perfect for me. I haven’t really been “talking” to God lately since my husband’s death, but I have been listening. I really enjoyed your message – it gave me a lot to think about.
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Thank you for posting this podcast. My spirit really needed it. It was like a much needed drink of water.
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Thanks again.
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You are so gifted as a minister!!! I attend a Methodist church and long to hear our ministers tackle the complicated stuff I read in the Bible, but rarely hear mentioned in a sermon. What a tricky subject, but you even managed to make me laugh. At the same time, you managed to convince me of every word you said. Thanks so much. More controversial topics, please!!!
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Thank you for this Ryan. It was what I have been wanting to hear and needing to hear.
Can you possible suggest a study on the gifts of the spirits or Acts? This would be for a family home study and could be something I order or something available on line. Just wondering if anything pops into you mind concerning this if you could possibly post your answer here or shoot me an email???
Thank you again for Spiritual Weirdness!
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Ryan you have come a long way in teaching! I remember those first few messages when you were pooping in your pants. I thought you did a good job with this. I liked that you weren’t afraid the reference an unpopular image of Jesus. With eyes of fire and a tongue like a sword, coming not on a fluffy white cloud, but as a mighty Man of War. When He returns, many will be surprised!!
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