tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538825134834187144.post8838608744278515453..comments2023-06-01T10:52:44.280-04:00Comments on The Gospel-Driven Church: Men in CarsJaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07454966527986478217noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538825134834187144.post-8939948884671424992011-06-09T06:56:23.323-04:002011-06-09T06:56:23.323-04:00So interesting, I have noticed this and commented ...So interesting, I have noticed this and commented many times at our office where we rent mostly lower income properties, and rent storage units and moving trucks. I've specifically noticed the woman is almost always driving and the man waits out in the front passenger seat.w2wkbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06423926154086228291noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538825134834187144.post-64765576992304378512011-05-29T19:30:42.092-04:002011-05-29T19:30:42.092-04:00We own lower-income rental properties and have not...We own lower-income rental properties and have noticed a parallel phenomenon. When the rent will be late or a partial payment with excuses, usually the woman comes to our door or phones. Yet in the very same couple, when payment is in full and timely, the man brings it by. Typically the woman are also the ones who bring us forms to sign for housing assistance.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538825134834187144.post-7936702298067968642011-05-29T07:41:42.291-04:002011-05-29T07:41:42.291-04:00From my experience in crises pregnancy work, I kno...From my experience in crises pregnancy work, I know we must consider that the man giving her the ride was not a father or a guardian or a protector...the man may have been her abuser. Sin runs deep and wide and overflows lives filled with pain. These two were drowning victims. Our protests may not reach them, but I know our prayers will reach the Lord.Annisanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538825134834187144.post-53606830663854966262011-05-28T20:27:48.953-04:002011-05-28T20:27:48.953-04:00Similarly, the "but for the grace of God"...Similarly, the "but for the grace of God" quote shouldn't be used to judge others as somehow being unenlightened, unappreciative and somehow beneath us.<br /><br />And yes, there are a great number of people who have faced hardship and to whom the church, I believe, calls us to serve such that they may have adequate resources to land on their feet again.prinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03208208987226715826noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538825134834187144.post-15418320450418212072011-05-28T11:45:45.205-04:002011-05-28T11:45:45.205-04:00I agree, I just think we're often too quick to...I agree, I just think we're often too quick to pull the 'there but for the grace of God go I' card in response to unacceptable behavior.Larryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13662331921001438396noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538825134834187144.post-6245658279872613492011-05-28T11:26:52.122-04:002011-05-28T11:26:52.122-04:00We certainly see plenty of folks who are abusing t...We certainly see plenty of folks who are abusing the system, not merely using it. And part of the interview process is identifying those people and helping them beyond just giving them food.<br /><br />But can we all agree that there are some men who would be glad to provide for their families, but can't for a variety of reasons? I don't believe the truly poor are in mind in those verses.Jaredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07454966527986478217noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538825134834187144.post-53847309456324768112011-05-28T11:19:01.776-04:002011-05-28T11:19:01.776-04:00"There but for the grace of God go I" is..."There but for the grace of God go I" is true in all situations. But for the grace of God I'm not a serial killer. However, Paul, who considered himself the chief of sinners also had no trouble saying that those who don't work should not eat and one who fails to care for his family is worse than an unbeliever.Larryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13662331921001438396noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538825134834187144.post-36473671821553153362011-05-27T20:26:28.606-04:002011-05-27T20:26:28.606-04:00I don't want to start a debate in your comment...I don't want to start a debate in your comment section, Jared, but I had to say, after coming out of two back-to-back abusive relationships followed by a period of recession-related unemployment, I kind of resent the whole "we" suggestion in Orual's comment. It bothered me too much to not say something... *blushes*prinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03208208987226715826noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538825134834187144.post-76772951448217051552011-05-26T20:33:20.579-04:002011-05-26T20:33:20.579-04:00We're saying manhood is at the crux of this sc...We're saying manhood is at the crux of this scenario, which seems true enough. Yet, there may even be something more here. Prin eludes to it. A Christian view of work and responsibility has been lost on our country- at the corporate leadership level, as well as the entry level worker.<br />The leaders in this country want all the work outsourced. And our workforce is either unemployed or underemployed. it's chronic.<br /><br />The aversion to work and provide has over taken our country.. Goodbye Protesant work ethic. (Though I also suppose work and manhood are linked together).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538825134834187144.post-88700249370365923862011-05-25T21:57:12.463-04:002011-05-25T21:57:12.463-04:00Prin, doubtless there are some who go to the food ...Prin, doubtless there are some who go to the food pantry as a result of foolish choices. But often, that is not the case. It is only by the grace of God that you and I are not forced to go to the food pantry to feed our children--not by our own efforts. And who can say that tomorrow we will not be in their place?Orualnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538825134834187144.post-2709931961345470592011-05-25T18:32:07.674-04:002011-05-25T18:32:07.674-04:00Orrrrr why not tell the men to take better control...Orrrrr why not tell the men to take better control of their own lives so the women they love aren't put in that situation at all?prinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03208208987226715826noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538825134834187144.post-64374716138195030232011-05-25T18:14:44.495-04:002011-05-25T18:14:44.495-04:00I'm sure selfish interests and dishonesty are ...I'm sure selfish interests and dishonesty are also issues in food pantries, but what Jared is getting at here is a separate issue that speaks of the lack of biblical manhood in our society.<br /><br />Offering a snack or coffee to lure men into accompanying their female significant others will not fix the fundamental issue. The issue at heart is that these men are not swallowing their pride and taking the responsibility to lead and protect their families. Which may or may not be why they find themselves asking for food at a food pantry in the first place.<br /><br />I see this same theme in other arenas and think it must be addressed with a biblical understanding of manhood and womanhood.Andynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538825134834187144.post-67071222104075050392011-05-25T10:52:35.674-04:002011-05-25T10:52:35.674-04:00As a man who also volunteers at a food pantry, we ...As a man who also volunteers at a food pantry, we do not have the same issue. <br />We have more issues with honesty and people looking out for their own self-interests. As people select thier own food from the shelves. And no matter how often I repeat the attitude of, "Be considerate of others, if you see two boxes of something you like. Take one and leave one for someone else. That gets ignored quickly. <br />You may try doing something to get the men out of their cars. Try offering a snack or coffee to those who come.Rob and Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02219340752387357124noreply@blogger.com