Tracy's thoughts

I'm not sure about knowledge vs influence. Just like this Davinci Code movie. To go or not to go. Should I attend and have it be an opportunity to open lines of communication about Jesus? Should I not go, and keep my $ from going to the film? Does the end justify the means?

The Holy Spirit convicts me when I am doing something under the influence of culture. Every day this happens to me.

It's Jesus + 0 that gives me eternal life. How am I showing that appreciation for His grace and mercy?

I agree with you, Tom. But I did not mean to imply we should "save" a culture, just try better to understand it in order to communicate with the people in it. So, my struggle resides more in how we go about "understanding" a culture. Does that make sense?

Thanks for writing, Tracy. It brought out some strong feelings that take me a little different direction. I guess I don't feel that God has asked us to "save" a culture -- just people. So we need to know PEOPLE. How? spend time with them, ask them questions, invite them to play racketball or go for a walk. Maybe I'm "no fun" because I know so little about the latest TV show, but then on the other hand I'm honored that sometimes they come to me when they're going through a tough time or have relationship issues to talk about. And I think some people at Grace have recently proven that God will use them to reach others in a culture and language that's very different from their own. So I say embrace life, and don't focus on where the "lines" are. Rather, focus on whatever's true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy, to paraphrase a favorite saying. Good night!