Posted by Tony B., et al on 8/8/2001, 3:08 pm

Posted by Tony B. on 5/26/2001, 1:35 pm Seems that what with all the people at RLA who used to run the tape library all being away traveling and no one else there being interested in keeping it going, and since there were a lot of people at New Heart—as well as other former Chapelites around the area—who were interested in listening to old Chapel sermons from before the days of Don Barnett's fall, New Heart decided to buy them all from RLA and set it up so people could check them out along with New Heart's sermon tapes (although they did it with an advisory warning that New Heart didn't necessarily vouch for everything that was said in all the Chapel sermons). Well, it turned out one day a robot came walking into the tape Library. "I'd like to check out a sermon about agape love," the robot said. "All right, the alphabetical index is over at that table," the person behind the counter replied, then asked, "Are you by any chance from Church of Agape?" The robot put its hands on its hips. "Well yes, in fact, I am," it said. "But I find it strange that you would ask me that—just because I asked for a sermon about agape love. If I had come in here asking for a sermon about the time Jesus said, 'I am the ressurrection and the life,' would you have assumed I was from Ressurrection Life Assembly?" "Well, no ...." "If I had come in here asking for a sermon about the verse where it says, 'When the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all united together in one place,' would you have assumed I was from the United Pentecostal Church?" "Well, no ...." the person replied. "And for that matter, if I had come in here asking for a sermon about the verse in Ezekiel that says, 'A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you,' would you have assumed I was from New Heart Worship Center?" "Well, no ...." "Well then," the robot demanded, "since all I did was come in here asking for a sermon about agape love, why did you assume I was from Church of Agape?" The person behind the counter replied, "Because you're a robot?" ---------- Posted by Steve M on 5/27/2001, 12:26 am , in reply to "The robot at the tape library" Nyuk, Nyuk, Nyuk. Clever and Witty. SM ---------- Tape Library at New Heart... in all fairness Posted by Dave Kenady on 5/27/2001, 2:24 pm , in reply to "The robot at the tape library" I appreciate your attempt at some humor. If I may make a few observations... If the tape library were at New Heart, this scenario would probably never happen because: 1)There are lots of folks at New Heart that know very little about the Chapel or COA, 2)From my observations, New Heart folks have a real heart of evangelism and caring for the community and missions. They would probably have a more positive approach. 3)I want to be fair about the people at COA, even though I have had my complaints (my recent conversation with EricO comes to mind). My own kids go to COA and they are not robots. In fact, they are quite a good testimony of the good at COA. To look at my kids is to say, "There must be something right going on over there," because my girls are the picture of balanced, happy, carefree, productive, positive young people. My oldest daughter is even dating a guy who has no connection with COA and had never heard of the Chapel until he met her. It appears to be no big deal to her. That tells me they can't be THAT exclusive, or if they are, they don't have the ability to hold the membership to that exclusivity. In fact, to be truthful, the last incident I recall actually indicts New Heart a little. My daughter became very good friends with a young woman who was the daughter of one of our former elders and teachers. They were very close. Her friend didn't attend COA, but started visiting with my daughter. Somewhere along the way, someone (not a leader) at New Heart warned this friend not only against COA, but against associating with my daughter. My daughter was very hurt and ostracized. The 2 are only now, 2 years later, patching things up and trying to pull their friendship back together again. Christians can sometimes be the stupidest creatures God ever put the breath of life in. ---------- Posted by EricO on 5/27/2001, 8:52 pm , in reply to "The robot at the tape library" I attend COA out of choice and God's calling, not obligation! I object to your statments, they are utterly stupid, foolish & mindless. ---------- Posted by EricO on 5/27/2001, 8:57 pm , in reply to "Re: The robot at the tape library" Statement above is directed to Tony B. not Dave. ---------- A mind is a terrible thing to waste. Posted by Steve M on 5/28/2001, 9:42 am , in reply to "Re: The robot at the tape library" Eric, I wish you could lighten up a little. We can sometimes benefit from looking at things dear to us through the eyes of others who don't share our passion. Personally, I wish that back in my CC days some of the CC critics who confronted me had greased the skids (to use a DB phrase) a little with some humor, rather than taking themselves so seriously. You and I met through our mutual friend, Steve Born, when we both lived at Highland Village Apts. I don't know you well; but I do believe you are an intelligent man - smarter than the average bear by far. For you to describe Tony's well thought out, creative piece as " stupid, foolish & Mindless" causes me to believe that you have indeed surrendered your rational faculties to another. What a waste! ---------- "well thought out, creative piece" Posted by EricO on 5/28/2001, 12:01 pm , in reply to "A mind is a terrible thing to waste." Criticizing through the use of sarcasm doesn’t cut it with me. I may be blunt the way I express myself sometimes but I try to get to the point. I don’t consider Tony's piece "well thought out", rather critical and defamatory. He is following the set trend and pattern of those critical of COA; in fact I would say he sounds more like a broken record constantly repeating itself, as if he’s following a set program, stuck in a loop. This type of posting is what I would expect from someone critical of COA. I believe the source of his criticalness and "creativety" in his posting originates somewhere else, on a spiritual level aimed at the church. I'm sorry that I don't share your humor in that posting. I'm afraid that when it comes to this bulletin board I am not in the Politically Correct Crowd! I just happen to be in disagreement with much of what is stated concerning past events and any criticalness pointed at COA. Therefore as long as Dave does not censor my opinions I will state my disagreements and objections. ---------- update on COA Posted by lanny on 5/28/2001, 8:17 pm , in reply to ""well thought out, creative piece"" I talked with some long time COA people that I met at the conference. There are some significant things happening at COA and we need to really pray that God will have his way. These people are not critical and they love COA. They just know there are some very difficult things going on. (It has nothing to do with connections.) I know we all have friends there and we certainly wish them God's best. Let's all pray more diligently for them for the next couple of months. Lanny ---------- You know... Posted by Sam Marmon on 5/29/2001, 10:41 pm , in reply to "Tape Library at New Heart... in all fairness" The issue is not black and white as the pro/con argumentalists would have it. COA for the most part is a wonderful church, with wonderful people who have great hearts for the Lord, including the leadership. Those who have something against the doctrine/leadership at COA have a point too, but you know, I really don't think its such a big deal to God as far as doctrine goes between the two sides. Jesus just wants people to be willing to love Him and live for Him, and everybody has some kind of issue that a close examination would reveal. As I feel, lets go on loving the Lord and He will eventually get us all straightened out. I can trust God to do the right thing with COA, thats why I can have peace in my spirit for those who I care about and love there.