Politics as life

  The old man got up from his chair and answered the door. The man he knew, but the woman he didn't. Joseph spoke first and said, we are caught out in this storm, this is my friend... A friend of yours is a friend of mine the old man interrupted, Come in brother and sister, you look cold, go and warm yourself by the fire. You look weary from your journey, come in, you'll dine with me and stay the night, it is too cold and rainy night outside. 

  Does the little story above seem dated to you, one that for those of you of the faith must think, Surely, that scene is a biblical one, and certainly not of today. Surely, this is not a tale from today. The sad reality is that you would be correct, and in today's toxic environment, nothing like this could take place. It should they'd say, but it doesn't. Right again. 

  Today, the constant pressure of politics we as believers see clearly in the outside world, but not among God's people. Funny, but two rights don't make a wrong necessary. But what the church should be, and what it is becoming, show that the stench of politics and the gains we see in them has infected the church too. Certainly, a governing body of some sort is necessary, and so there is that need for order. But far too often, even in the non logistical needs of the church, the Pastors, their assistants, deacons, and so on, also obviously, are needed, but often have personal goals. Hopefully, those placed in the positions of teaching the flock are concerned only in pleasing God first and foremost, which thankfully, most everyone of them would say that that is their desire. But more often by the day, it seems like other reasons also are becoming subject to the politics of the church. Interestingly, it is always the people who have been in a church and reading scripture longest, who feel the need to strive for a title of sorts, be it of any description. From the pastor on down, some get so caught up in labels and titles, that they lose sight of the fact that they are meant to serve. A title of any sort doesn't define a person. Think about it, even in the world, where they worship the letters attached before or after a man's name as something that sets them apart, and therefore to be listened to, because obviously, they are smarter. Certainly that is true to a larger extent, but I have run into quite a few who seem to have alphabets attached to their names, but in reality, are dumb as posts. 

  Hopefully the point is obvious to you. The stench of politics, and the envy and other problems that the outside world encounters because of political disfunction, are expected in the world, but have no place in the church. Serve the Lord wherever he places you, and strive for nothing, other than to follow his lead.

Tested Truths: RAGE!

Tested Truths: RAGE!:   Lately, my biggest personal demon, Rage, has re-surfaced. It came out from the grave I thought I had buried it in long ago. But here is t...

RAGE!

  Lately, my biggest personal demon, Rage, has re-surfaced. It came out from the grave I thought I had buried it in long ago. But here is the strange part, it came out at church. It is the only part of me that I fear. Because as egotistical as this must sound, there is nothing else I fear. 

Just writing about it now, I can feel it dissipate slowly, I can feel myself calming, and still wary that it lies now just under the surface. I must return rage to its cage, because nothing good has ever happened to me when rage was in control. The politics of the day annoy me, and I do get angry like you or anyone else at certain things. But it never comes near the limitless destructive power of full throated rage. So, as I'm still shaking in my type fingers a bit, lets take a deeper look at rage together. I mean you've read me this far, Why not go on? somewhere there should be a drum tap and small cymbal crash sounding. Anyway,

  Confusion is one of the big factors in rage. Most fights are needless, as more often then not, a mountain was made of a mole hill, and a simple calm conversation will kill the beast. I try to keep my life as simple as I can, and so for one thing, I don't insert myself into other people's business, and that includes on spiritual matters. That for me is more annoying than maddening, as someone has decided that it is their job to keep you on the straight and narrow. The arguments among God's people always seems to occur when someone in the group insists in dragging everyone into the weeds of men's doctrines. 

  In a more general sense, if you take a moment to collect yourself and think about what it is you are about to say to someone, before you look to accuse, this is the way to beginning to get a hold on it. Rage is best described as an emotion out of control. But anger, extreme anger, angry anger, are not only allowed if the matter at hand is righteous anger but the Lord understands. See the whip of cords Jesus used in the market place that day. Whether caused by an attack upon your honor by being wrongfully accused, or any other matter that can arise when people interact in a group setting, once you allow that anger to rise to rage, danger is close at hand. In short: Righteous anger=Good, wrongful anger=Bad.  Thank you for your kind consideration in the matter.

Eric Metaxas Media Reel

Tested Truths: Challenge

Tested Truths: Challenge:   When all else fails, we will rip the horses' eye. Jim Morrison. Never did understand that one.    Like everything else, thoughts sw...

Challenge

  When all else fails, we will rip the horses' eye. Jim Morrison. Never did understand that one. 

  Like everything else, thoughts swirl in your mind. You choose which one to pluck from the swirling winds. Look at it for a bit, and think to yourself, this one seems interesting. But then you spot the trail of another subject on the inside of the storm, and near the center of the eye of the storm. And so you toss the one aside that you had just been thinking of, and look now only at this new one you've plucked from the clouds. 

  And so it was, but thankfully, is no more. Woke up real early this morning, and I thought about catching that worm, but as it turns out, that worm was turning. People speak of their head's spinning, but what is really reeling is their minds. But here's the thing, too many thoughts left untended, (sorted), will interfere with even the most mundane of muscle memory and daily rituals, like making a cup of coffee. 

  Making a cup of coffee, thats simple enough right? Well, .. usually. When you mind is spinning without a point of focus and a stable base, making coffee can become quite the challenge. 

Royal Flush

  Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary, I thought and thought until at last I had a theory. 

  Miss jointed thoughts all come together at one place, and it is thee place to be. All who are hip to the truth, hang out at the Revelation Bar and Grill. In it, should you have the courage to venture in, you'll find the brightest of the bright, those who are known to exude the light of wisdom wherever they go. It is I should mention, quite an exclusive club, even though it is open to all. But most are unaware that this club even exists, and go whizzing by the place, riding just as fast as they can ride. They are all hell bent for leather, on the international highway known, as the highway to hell. And if you were able to stop and ask one of these fools and ask them why they are in such a rush, to get to a place that no one knows, you will most likely get a blank stare, because they themselves have no idea. Just following the crowd some would say before rushing off yet again. 

  Caught up in the moment they are, caught in the madness of now. In to big a rush to stop for a while, and maybe even smell the sweet orchids that grow on the sides of the highway near Revelation's watering hole. Sadly, Americans in this throng of humanity are the ones who set the tone. Because if we as Americans choose the narrow path rather than the expressway, the others will follow suit.