Let him who cannot be alone beware of community. He will only do harm to himself and to the community. Alone you stood before God when He called you; alone you had to answer that call; alone you had to struggle and pray; and alone you will die and give an account to God. You cannot escape from yourself; for God has singled you out. If you refuse to be alone, you are rejecting Christ's call to you, and you can have no part in the community of those who are called... Let him who is not in community beware of being alone. Into the community you were called--the call was not meant for you alone; in the community of the called you bear your cross, you struggle, you pray. You are not alone even in death, and on the Last Day you will be only one member of the great congregation of Jesus Christ. If you scorn the fellowship of the brethren, you reject the call of Jesus Christ.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945)
Hat tip to CQOD.
4 comments:
Wonderful to find this here. Like a lily on a dungheap.
Poppy, I find myself wondering why you continue to read this blog if you genuinely find it so offensive. It appears that you have made it your mission to find something unpleasant to say about almost every post. Could I humbly ask that you find a better way of expressing your opinions? I'm sure there are valid reasons behind your objections but your manner of conveying your feelings is preventing me from taking your view seriously. I'm sure John would say you are more than welcome to disagree with his views and to challenge them in fair debate. I also know that he doesn't seem too bothered by the unpleasant tone of your comments - but I am. I'm not sure what you are attempting to accomplish by being deliberately rude and I find your comments unhelpful.
On a more positive note your pseudonyms make me smile! I have to applaud your obvious love of P. G. Wodehouse - at least there both you and John are in agreement!
Thanks for taking the time to read this - I won't be making a comment like this again as I have made my views known to you in the past. I do however hope that you might consider how constructive your comments are before posting them online.
Thanks again,
Lydia
Thanks, Lydia, but I do have to take issue with you about positive comments. I have made complimentary comments about two of the last four items. That's 50%.
I agree with Lydia, Poppy. Your comments spoil Custard's blog for me (and for many others, I think). Nobody is asking you to agree with everything Custard says, and nobody is asking you not to post comments. But this is a Christian blog designed for discussion in a spirit of Christian charity. We all fail at this sometimes, but it seems as if you aren't even trying. It might seem clever at first to be able to make snide witticisms about everything that Custard says, but this is in fact a lot easier than thinking through the issues and trying to engage constructively.
On a positive note, your comments have made me think more carefully about whether I might be unintentionally hurting people's feelings in what I write (including this comment).
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