04.11.05
Humbleness
At last Thursdays Real Life meeting I was excessively rude. There was a speaker, her name slips my mind now, who spoke using Bill Bright’s circle analogies. The whole time I was laughing, joking, and not trying in any way to be polite to the fact that she was exceedingly nervous about what she was doing. I was so out of place, that she actually called out me and the people sitting around me for being disruptive.
Afterwards I was ranting about what I saw wrong with her talk when Jason O’Rourke jumped into the conversation to rebuke me and the person that I was talking to. He made a point that I had not taken the time to consider because I was too caught up in my boastful knowledge of doctrine. I failed to realize that all the doctrine and head knowledge I have has gotten me no where in my search for God. All it has done is make me boast in myself and my understanding. My behavior on Thursday made that obvious.
Janiece posted a solid entry on her blog about the same night. She made a great point about the necessity of rebuking one another. I would add to her post that we should not only rebuke one another when we are out of line but also when we are steering in that direction. I myself am so far from God and yet, somehow, I came to be proud in my knowledge of the bible. How ironic is that. How can I find God when I am seeking pride and recognition along the path?
I would like to apologize to the speaker personally. If anyone knows her name or how I can contact her, I would greatly appreciate it. I still think that some of what she was saying was a little off the mark, but, none the less, I owe her a whole hearted apology.
As well, I owe an apology to everyone I interfered with by my immature actions. As Jason noted, there might have been just one person who was truly influenced and moved by what was being said that night. If I disrupted that for anyone, I apologize.
CLP Said:
April 11, 2005 at 7:39 pm
You aren’t, and never have been far away from God; and your “head knowledge” has not been in vain. You could find out how to get a hold of her through Melissa.
Steve Capenos (Steve-O!) Said:
April 14, 2005 at 7:30 am
Hey Perry,
Its Steve Capenos! I love you brother and I am incredibly humbled by your act of humility. Like Chris said, you are not far from God because God is never far from you. It would be too much for your mind to handle if you became aware of every little thing God saves you from on a daily basis and the awesome experiances and encounters He blesses you with. I myself am blessed by knowing you. It is refreshing to see such a demonstration of brokenness… and this comming not from a seminary scholar or a world renown Christian (Not that there is such a thing), but from a genuine seeker, like yourself.
If you need to ever get a hold of me for ANYTHING, please feel free to either call or e-mail.
937-367-5994 OR Godspropertyman@yahoo.com
Grace, Peace and Rice Krispies, I’m off to class!
Steve-O! =)
Terrence Phillip Said:
April 21, 2005 at 2:24 pm
My friend, if the Holy Spirit has pricked you conscious and has led you to believe that He has more work for in you to do (”far from God”), who am I to say other wise? Praise the Lord! I praise Him for His Mighty hand on your life. I Praise Him for His humbling grace that allowed a rubuke to open you eyes. Keep that Spirit of Humility, but consistantly throwing yourself on the cross of Christ. He will reveal Himself to you in ways unimaginable, and will create a Perry Poteet that you can only dream of. Blessings