The Kingdom of Heaven

Most of the places I could find "kingdom of heaven" (okay, all of them... my reference Bible didn't direct me to the one you used, but I vaguely remember it - can you give me chapter/verse?) in Matthew were decidedly in reference to the Kingdom of Heaven as "Heaven" or the Millenial kingdom. So they were referencing a specific place/time. However, in answer to your "what do I think of the kingdom of heaven within you", I think it's in reference to either the Holy Spirit within us (a bit premature, since as it was Jesus speaking, the Holy Spirit hadn't been given yet), or the timeless nature of eternal souls. All times are now to the eternal... I've also heard that Jesus was refering to Himself, so He could have been saying "the kingdom of Heaven, aka Me, is in your midst, right now and you're too blind to see it".

I feel badly because I have so few answers for you. I am seeking, you see... and perhaps I'm seeking in directions other than strict answers. Answers interest me, but they don't form my heart at this time. Please forgive? The answers I have are the answers of faith. I think I'll make an effort to bring forward some of the things that are speaking to me just to bring them up, as you are with the Mennonite notes.

As you continue with your discussion of Mennonite practice... I guess I should say that the Baptists at least seem to regard the Mennonites as really intense saints of the Lord. It's not impossible for a Baptist to agree with the points that you've made - in fact it's even likely. But (sigh) I think they're more likely to feel that those are technicalities and not bring them into daily life. We have fallen off from the high standards of the faith, I'll be the first to admit that. Ah well, all of us serve a purpose, and we do bring plenty of evangelical fire to the table. :) Teenagers! (Which is what most of us evangelicals are spiritually - teenagers).

Therefore, I believe that the "God first" is something we don't bother to say, as it's assumed to be understood by those taking oaths. (BTW I don't consider the Pledge of Allegiance an "oath", I'd call it an affirmation. An oath of service is an oath though). You are allowed to affirm here as well, I don't know if they offer it up straightaway, my courtroom knowledge is limited to the television set, and frankly I don't watch that much TV. (Would I personally swear an oath on the Bible - yes. Why? Because it *would* make it more serious to me, and I would take an oath sworn on the Bible more seriously. Whereas Jesus says let your yea be yea and your nay, nay... you are also allowed to take oaths, Paul took a Jewish vow in the Temple after he was converted. You're not required to take oaths, ever - but you're to know that having done so, they are now much more serious than they'd be to an unsaved person). (And of course... if we lived in a society that felt that their yeas were yeas and nays nays, why those would be oaths enough. There's a good reason to think that the sermon on the mount might be in reference to the Millenial kingdom!)

Speaking of which, I did a bit of looking 'round. The sermon I mentioned was Dr. McGee, but it's well buried on the archives in his site. I'll keep looking, and maybe I can find his book on Matthew or Luke and give you a quote directly from there. :)