Patheos - Mark D. Roberts - Latest Comments

Re: A Miraculous Cure for Bug Bite Itching? This Remedy Really Works!

Eustacius — Sat, 28 Aug 2021 18:34:05 -0000

I'd seen a post by a German doctor who documented the use of heat for wasp stings. Since I've been stung 2x in the last five days, I ordered a heat pen. Well, today, a Yellowjacket stung me over the ear. No heat pen. Was going to use a hot spoon when I thought of the hairdryer. Hadn't tried a hairdryer before. I've applied the heat about 4x now and so far there is no swelling and I'm moderately anaphylactic (arm will swell). Also took a load of Vitamin D and magnesium. I believe in the natural world, so will see how this works. Had used hot shower water for poison ivy itch.

Re: A Miraculous Cure for Bug Bite Itching? This Remedy Really Works!

ANDREAB1 — Mon, 09 Aug 2021 22:29:15 -0000

I just tried it. I hope it works !

Re: A Prayer for Memorial Day

John Donaldson — Tue, 25 May 2021 15:01:48 -0000

Great prayer.

Re: A Miraculous Cure for Bug Bite Itching? This Remedy Really Works!

Rick Chance — Sat, 20 Jun 2020 01:39:27 -0000

Yep, it works. Was looking around to see if anyone knows WHY.

Re: How Does God Guide Us?

BB — Tue, 18 Feb 2020 04:28:04 -0000

Hi Pastor,

I am hoping you will continue your discussion on how God guides us. Can you please share the links to your other posts?

Re: Astounding Freedom: A Reflection for Independence Day

Tom Krayg — Fri, 05 Jul 2019 07:27:41 -0000

Happy birthday USA you are 243 years old today.
Like in a marriage, a lot is known about what's wrong with one and or both of the partners. But no matter what, you still love each other and you learn how to work through it all. We need to be patient with our faults and remember self government is the first government practiced in a successful society of free men and women. May the wisest of us hold ourselves to the integrity of our example to first respect others, rather than expect others to change. Golden Rule pure and simple.
God bless America. Faults and all just like God loves us.
Happy 4th to you all

Re: A Simple “Thank You” That Makes a Big Difference

Rhonda Diane Lucas-Wright — Thu, 27 Dec 2018 16:15:15 -0000

Great article on Thanksgiving. More of us should be thankful to those who work hard. Even a simple gesture can make a huge difference in lives of others. Bless those around you with a smile and gratitude.

Re: How to Make Your Job So Much More Than Just a Job

Brian Wood — Sat, 01 Dec 2018 07:55:36 -0000

Thank You, I hope our paths will cross again. Till next time, make it a wonderful day!!
Best Regards,
Brian Wood

Re: Grace Will Find You Out

Theodore A. Jones — Sun, 25 Nov 2018 16:34:17 -0000

"For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous." Rom. 2:13

Re: Eugene Peterson When Nobody Was Looking

jeff q — Thu, 25 Oct 2018 09:46:33 -0000

Almost exactly sixteen years ago I attended a small gathering of pastors at a retreat at which Eugene was the guest speaker. I was alone and knew only one person at the retreat. I had just recently been “downsized” out of my associate pastor position, and felt completely out of place. During a brief conversation with Dr. Peterson the first day he asked where I was pastoring and when I told him my situation and the questions it raised about being called to pastoral ministry he looked me in the eyes and said, “You are a pastor.” The next morning he invited me to join him for breakfast and later gave me his mailing address (he didn’t have email at the time) and encouraged me to write any time. If there is such a thing as a giant of humility, Eugene Peterson is it.

Re: Eugene Peterson When Nobody Was Looking

Kobukvolbane — Wed, 24 Oct 2018 16:37:21 -0000

What a sweet, sweet memory for both you and your son. Thank you for sharing it.

Re: Eugene Peterson When Nobody Was Looking

Jeff Borden — Tue, 23 Oct 2018 17:21:06 -0000

I was "Nathan" on an occasion with Eugene and wife, Jan. The same gentle and genuine attention you described was also shared with me. It was then and there I determined, "this is the kind of pastor I want to become." Still learning...

Re: Eugene Peterson When Nobody Was Looking

nakedpastor — Tue, 23 Oct 2018 13:24:52 -0000

Beautiful. I had the chance to chat with him a few times too... me... just a country pastor... and he focused on me like I was someone of value. Remarkable! Thanks for sharing your story.

Re: Leaders Need a Great Heart

Brian K — Tue, 16 Oct 2018 10:45:12 -0000

"Emotional intelligence" is a phrase stupid people love to throw around.

Re: Sexual Harassment – Why It’s Wrong and a Compelling Vision of a Better World

James Parson (Zero-One-∞ Rule) — Sun, 23 Sep 2018 18:31:20 -0000

I wonder what the author thinks now.

Re: How Can I Really Love My Real Neighbors?

Realist1234 — Wed, 27 Jun 2018 06:21:40 -0000

Assuming Jesus was a carpenter, I would assume He made whatever was ordered by customers.

I was a bit of a grouch when I made my initial post, but I still think my point was valid. Perhaps as well as admiring your neighbour's garden, to show love towards them, God wants you to knock on their door when you next pass, and tell them what you've said on this blog - how beautiful it is and how it enriches the neighbourhood?

Still, Ive booked an appointment to have my plank removed...

Re: How Can I Really Love My Real Neighbors?

markdroberts — Tue, 26 Jun 2018 18:41:04 -0000

Agreed. I doubt Jesus meant this. But do you not think creating beauty for others is one way of loving them? Do you think Jesus loved his own neighbors by making beautiful furniture in his first career?

Re: How Can I Really Love My Real Neighbors?

Realist1234 — Sun, 17 Jun 2018 17:40:18 -0000

I doubt when Jesus told us to 'love your neighbour as yourself' He was thinking of 'keep a nice garden' which, lets face it, people tend to do for themselves, not for others. Rather 'I don’t know who lives in this house' speaks volumes.

Re: How Can I Really Love My Real Neighbors?

jh — Sun, 17 Jun 2018 14:00:30 -0000

Be considerate. Take the time to look beyond yourself and go "Would I like it if this happened to me?" If more of us did this, there would be fewer people who decide to stop at the exit of a grocery store and hinder people who also want to leave and can't... because that person thought "what a wonderful place to stop and check my receipt."

And sometimes, take a glance at the big picture. Sometimes, stopping and pulling over so that another vehicle can pass a congested street, makes your life easier as much as it made that other driver's life easier. Just because you have right of way doesn't mean that you necessarily need to enforce that right. Sometimes, humbling yourself makes your life just a little bit easier.
(I'm not advocating to be a doormat. But there are some situations where taking a step back will help you go two steps forward in the long run.)

Re: The Gospel in a Nutshell – Tim Keller Nails It

Dan — Thu, 17 May 2018 10:25:14 -0000

God loved His creation and sought to restore it from its brokenness. Jesus came to redeem a lost people. Like a great physician, Jesus sought out the sick and infirm and ministered to them. This is the Gospel. You can have eternal life with the Creator of the universe. This Life is in His Son Jesus. Believe in Jesus, in His works, His claims, and His death and resurrection. Follow Him and learn from Him. Then live a life worthy of your calling in Him.

Re: Work, Justice, and Rest – A Biblical Basis

Realist1234 — Tue, 15 May 2018 16:57:13 -0000

If you're paid to work a certain number of hours per week, then why would any employer expect their employees to work beyond those hours? Checking work emails is work. That's abuse of power. Sadly it is a typical attitude in the US, where there are no statutory paid holidays etc. Thankfully the UK and other countries are slightly more progressive.

Re: Preaching to Yourself and the Example of Bill Hybels

Realist1234 — Tue, 15 May 2018 16:49:14 -0000

Are you British by any chance, like myself? Most Americans wouldnt use that word lol.

As for rationality, I think you'll find many Christians are very rational, highly educated and intelligent. The existence of God and rationality are not mutually exclusive. Indeed some would argue the former has led to the latter.

Re: Why I Don’t Like Work-Life Balance Either

Realist1234 — Tue, 15 May 2018 16:42:52 -0000

I find it pretty disgusting when billionaires ($132 billion at last count) talk about work/life balance when all those people employed in his Amazon warehouses are effectively treated like human automatons. Ill pay attention to him when he changes his employment practices which have made him the wealthy man he is, and pays proper taxes.

Re: Preaching to Yourself and the Example of Bill Hybels

Chris — Tue, 01 May 2018 08:04:23 -0000

"Do you ever wish preachers would preach to themselves?"

They already believe something that most rational people consider to be bollocks… Spouting more bollocks to themselves would be pointless.

Re: Preaching to Yourself and the Example of Bill Hybels

Jeff Tomes — Mon, 30 Apr 2018 16:59:15 -0000

One heavy hearted Christian's view: we have no greater enemy to the Church than the hyper-consumeristic evangelical industrial complex star studded milieu that we have created. Nothing against any Pastor but they have entered a game with the odds stacked heavily against them. Aspiring to be the multi-venue, blogging, conference speaking, big salaried influential author has some big time considerations for the individual soul. Of course when stuff happens EVERYBODY knows about it. If one wants to be a public Christian intellectual-God's speed.
If one wants to be a pastor, be a pastor. Here's hoping that we can roll some of this back so that when the Temple comes crashing down as few people as possible get hurt.