• Who Should Leave Comments on This Site?

    So you’ve visited this site before, but you haven’t left a comment. Maybe you’re not real comfortable with blogs yet. Maybe you don’t realize that bloggers L-O-V-E comments as much or more than blogging. Maybe you just don’t know how fun it can be to get plugged into an online community where you can discuss things at greater length than Facebook or Twitter.

    Should you leave a comment? For the purposes of commenting on this blog, there are three types of people in the universe:

    1. Critical Debater

    2. Contributer

    3. Seeker

    I’m open to all people leaving a comment, but types 2 and 3 are ESPECIALLY welcome! ;)

    I say this because these are the types of people who are genuinely looking to help or be helped. Type #1 probably THINKS they want to help, but in reality they just beat people over the head with Scripture and generally make people feel bad. No bueno, holmes.

    How Do I Know Which Type of Person I Am?

    Let’s look at each type briefly so you’ll know who you are in the social system of RenewMyMind.com. Read through each description first before you decide which most resembles you. And if you still can’t tell, leave a few comments on the site, then ask me. I’ll be happy to tell you! :)

    Type 1: Critical Debater

    You get angry when people innocently misrepresent Scripture. Or you disagree with them and make belittling statements in addition to correction. You find yourself getting into heated arguments over the gifts of the Spirit what it means to be “saved.” You end up walking away from discussions because you can’t control your temper. Or people stop talking to you because they feel criticized and belittled.

    Congratulations! You’re a Critical Debater. Your comments MAY be allowed on this site, depending on circumstance. But no promises. You are the type who contributes the least to our community, and will be welcomed somewhat cautiously into the fold.

    Type 2: Contributor

    You don’t care if everyone thinks you’re a Scripture Guru. You will kindly provide correction when Scripture is misquoted or misinterpreted, but you leave room for the possibility of being wrong also. You know you’re infallible, and you don’t assume you’re smarter than everyone else here. You respect and honor other commentors, and you genuinely try to provide additional insight and resources to those seeking help.

    Congratulations! You’re the most helpful type of person on this site! Please come back and visit and get to know our community. We want you to provide additional points of view and expand upon explanations we or others might have left half-baked.

    Type 3: Seeker

    You’ve got more questions than answers. You’re here because you did a Google search for “how do I renew my mind?” or a friend sent you our way to get some help. You know you’re not living a life of purity and power like the first century believers did in the book of Acts, and you’re not sure why. There’s some sort of disconnect, and you’re hoping to find some answers. You are willing to make changes in your life because what you’re already doing isn’t working on some level. You’re not sure if it’s safe to put your real world questions in a blog comment, because it makes you feel more vulnerable than is comfortable.

    So glad you’re here! This website was built for you! We don’t consider ourselves special or better than you. But sometimes we get revelation from God, mentors, or godly friends that we know will be really useful for other people too, and we want to share!

    We’re seekers like you, and we’re building a community that helps each other, encourages each other, and corrects each other lovingly and humbly. And we are very cautious with our correction, because we know how many people have been chased away from churches and Christian individuals because of harsh replies and critical responses.

    We aim for the marriage of love and truth. As I said in a blog comment elsewhere:

    But this is why we need a marriage of compassion and truth. Without truth, our love bails people out of their problems and set them up to make the same mistakes again. It is an irresponsible parent who solves all his children’s problems because he loves them and doesn’t want them to experience loss or hardship.

    On the flipside, without loving compassion, truth is harsh, judgmental, and impossible to live up to. We try to hold people to a standard that doesn’t allow for mistakes and we have no viable solution for people who make mistakes.

    Both options fail to produce the desired outcome: parents being loved and healed and restored and children being loved, provided for, raised to be responsible, loving, and godly adults and future parents.

    Truth without love condemns and kills. Love without truth pacifies, enables, and corrupts.

    I don’t think Jesus laid aside His morals to love people. But his love was a purer quality than ours often is. Sometimes our “love” is trying to force-mold people into our agendas. Jesus’ love was so freeing and without condemning judgment that prostitutes, cheaters, and philanderers felt valued, loved, and inspired to repent from old wicked ways.

    So welcome to RenewMyMind.com, and I hope you choose to get involved in the comments on whatever level is most REAL and AUTHENTIC for you.

    *photo by Dave_B_