House Church Talk - agenda

[Dan Beaty]

David M,

Your point on unity is so important. The Lord has provided a great
opportunity for us to listen and learn from one another, and possibly even
bring balance in our thinking. I know I have personally benefitted from so
many brothers and sisters from differing backgrounds that I have met in the
various HC conferences and on the internet.

It is interesting that I often find more in common with those having
differing doctrinal beliefs these days. This is mostly in the area of mutual
respect. Often I am more comfortable with those who have a vision and a
desire for unity, who can also accept our differences, than with those who
agree with me doctrinally, but have no desire to get along.

For example, it just makes me cringe when my fellow charismatic/pentecostal
brethren are rude, crude and un-Christlike to those who do not speak with
tongues. I know this only widens the chasm, and gives us all a bad rep.

Lately I have been realizing that division and error is everyone's problem.
Even the prophets Daniel and Isaiah saw themselves as part of Israel's
problem. Isaiah cried, "I am undone! I am a man of unclean lips and I dwell
among an unclean people!"

Daniel indentified with the sins of the previous generation, crying out to
God for forgiveness:

"We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and
have rebelled.... Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant,
and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that
is desolate, for the Lord's sake.  O my God, incline thine ear, and hear;
open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by
thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our
righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies.

O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for
thineown sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy
name."

Sometimes I feel so helpless when the enemy begins to work his division
among us. But we need the hope of the prophets when they cried unto Him who
is able to restore His Church and present her unto Himself without spot,
error, division -- for His Name's sake and glory.

Dan B.