A hard worker has plenty of food, but a person who chases fantasies ends up in poverty.
Proverbs chapter 28, verse 19; from the New Living Translation (NLT)
Once again the issue of raising the national debt ceiling is making the news. This issue keeps coming up again and again and again. Makes me wonder: Why haven’t they figured out that fiscal irresponsibility ain’t working? Claims are made that if it isn’t raised, government will have to shut down. This sounds like a great upside and some really good news to me! I just looked at a website that does a second-by-second amount of our national debt. Currently it is 31.4 Trillion Dollars, and rising every nanosecond. In just 2 years it has gone up more than $3 Trillion dollars. In 2 years the government has spent more than $3 Trillion Dollars more than it has taken in revenue.
I cannot legally spend more money that what is in my accounts. If I do, I am charged a fee and expected to make good my overdrawn amount. The bank never says, “Tell you what, don’t worry about the overdrawn amount. We will even put a ceiling on how much you can be overdrawn! And when you reach that ceiling? Oh, we will just raise that ceiling! And what if the bank and every bank did that with every single account holder? The result would be The Great Depression on steroids and performance enhancing drugs. So why not take the overdrawn amount of the Federal Budget each time the government spends more than it has from the Representatives and Senators salaries, even the President’s salary?
OR. . .if I owned a business. Suppose one month I don’t have enough to cover my expenses. So I borrow money to pay my suppliers and employees. And suppose this keeps happening. What happens to my business? It’s not rocket surgery or brain science to know what happens. I close up. Or what if I buy a house with borrowed money–but then don’t make any payments on that mortgage? (This happens more than you may realize!) What will the mortgage company do? They are going to foreclose on that house and I have to get out! Hey! What if we kick to the curb all federally elected officials when they try to spend more than our government takes in? I kinda’ like this idea!
Point is, they can’t keep firing up the offset and Intaglio presses each time the government needs more money. Enough is enough is enough is enough! Raising the debt ceiling is a habit now–a habit that needs to be broken! Otherwise, this nation will go the way of the Dodo bird. These asinine decisions are nothing but fantasies–and unrestrained fantasies leads to disastrous consequences.
Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water?
James chapter 3, verse 11; from the New Living Translation (NLT)
Isn’t it ironic that in this season of discernment, that our Jurisdictional Conferences have been busy electing new Bishops? Or is it just me? This function is akin to selecting a new Captain as the Titanic begins to slip into the ocean. Now, be it known unto all that I never give up hope until there isn’t a snowball’s chance in you know where. Though I am making my move, I am reserving the final decision until there is no hope for the United Methodist Church. I am holding on to my credentials at least until 31 December 2022, just in case. And though the event I am about to address is just one event–it points to the greater problem within the United Methodist Institution.
It is beyond me how some people think. Or what they use for thinking! Case in point: Hypocrisy To A New Level. In the South Central Jurisdiction of the UMC, Rev. Stan Copeland accused 3 Bishops of causing harm to the UMC because they were not making it difficult to impossible for churches in their Conferences to disaffiliate. Well, read it here: https://www.umnews.org/en/news/three-bishops-accused-of-aiding-disaffiliation
And I want to ask Bro. Stan: Why invoke our Discipline now? Bro. Stan, haven’t you been paying attention to the actions and words of other Bishops? You want to declare (not accuse) that 3 Bishops are harming the United Methodist Church by not publicly denouncing the Global Methodist Church. According to the United Methodist News Service you. . .well allow me to quote what was written: “Copeland said they have harmed The United Methodist Church by acting in support of churches disaffiliating and need to be held accountable.” Held accountable?
Bro. Stan, if you had called for Bishops to be held accountable 20 years ago–held accountable to our Book of Discipline, their ordination vows, and to the Bible, none of us would be here watching that snowball in you know where melting into oblivion. My Brother, remember those words of James. It would do you well if you followed that counsel. I haven’t given up all hope–but it’s melting away very fast.
1 For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. 5 A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones. A time to embrace and a time to turn away. 6 A time to search and a time to quit searching. A time to keep and a time to throw away. 7 A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak.
Ecclesiastes chapter 5, verse 1 and verses 5, 6, & 7 from the New Living Translation
Since when did Accountability become a cuss word? If you haven’t noticed, that’s how Accountability is treated in these times. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines Accountability as “an obligation or willingness to accept responsibility or to account for one’s actions”. Notice that according to Mirriam-Webster that there should be a willingness or at the very least, an obligation on the part of every human being to be responsible for their choices. There is a plethora of examples where Accountability is a cuss word that should never be spoken in public. But I choose the example of my beloved tribe, the United Methodist Church, where Accountability is both obviously and painfully thrown away like last week’s leftovers.
My Tribe is in a tither. Some want to make it about human sexuality; but the truth is it’s all about biblical authority in all matters of faith and life. Our stance since 1976 is that all persons stand equally in need of God’s Grace, and all (I mean ALL) persons are of sacred worth, but homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teachings. However, leadership at all levels have openly violated this stance–nearly all without being held Accountable for their choices. And in those few cases where there has been an alleged Accountability, they’ve been slapped on the hands by a feather. But most have been operating freely in disobedience to both our Doctrinal Standards and The Bible.
So, now many pastors and congregations are entering into a discernment process on whether or not to remain in the United Methodist Church. Those of us who believe the time as arrived to part ways (hopefully as still friends) have been called misinformed, misogynists, homophobic, promoters of slavery, hateful, mean, and ugly. But the worst insult is that we don’t understand Jesus and the Bible. But many, who consider themselves moderate or progressively-moderate, tell us that it’s OK and acceptable for us who embrace Scriptural Authority and Holiness Of Heart and Life, to stay United Methodists.
In fact, some have started a website called Stay UMC. A good friend of mine is an active part of this group. They want us to know that there’s no need to part ways because there’s room for all of us. And isn’t that what Jesus wants? To stay together with all of our differences? Not really. The Bible calls for unity–and there can be no unity without Accountability! For you see, Accountability is one of the signs of the greatest kind of love. We all need people who will love us enough to hold us at arm’s length and speak the truth into our lives.
And though they say it’s not necessary to leave–we have these words above from Solomon–words about the right times for certain things. Notice Verse 5: “A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones. A time to embrace and a time to turn away.“ Then look at Verse 7: “A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak.“ The United Methodist Church has reached this time. Without Accountability, every person is free to do whatever they want. And the results are an institution built around and based upon Irresponsibility. And for over 4 decades, many in the United Methodist leadership has considered Accountability a cuss word. And the time has come–to refrain from embracing and to speak out. Doing these things is painful and will result in a lot of name-calling. For my fellow United Methodists, you have a choice–either live in mutual Accountability or embrace Irresponsibility. And the crazy thing is–there would be no disaffiliations if only there was Accountability!
Welcome to another “Saturday Fair Tale”. Once upon a time there was a kingdom, and The King that ruled it was unique. Unlike the other kingdoms ruled by kings who did not care about his subjects, This King cared deeply for his citizens. Whenever one of His citizens had problems, and they would bring them to Him, He always helped them through whatever issue they were facing. He never turned away anyone.
The King wanted the very best life for His citizens. And to ensure their best life, He wrote laws and rules that were for the benefit of His citizens. Because He is The King, He wisely never asked the citizens for their input. You see, The King was very wise–wiser than anyone and everyone else. His laws and rules were not intended to deprive His citizens of joy and life. To the contrary, they were given to enable them to live the very best life. Now, one of His rules was no one could wear a Yellow Feather in their hats. And because The King was so very good, most did not question the rule.
But one day, a citizen by the name of Gray thought about the rule of no Yellow Feathers. Gray loved Yellow Feathers. He thought that the rule was rediculous. One day he said to himself, “I bet the Yellow Feather Rule was made a long time ago, and The King didn’t understand how some of us felt about Yellow Feathers. I feel like it’s OK to wear a Yellow Feather in my hat.” So, he did. It was obvious when he walked down the street that he was violating The King’s rule against Yellow Feathers. Soon others who liked Yellow Feathers saw his courage and decided they would wear Yellow Feathers.
Other citizens, who loved The King, began to question Gray about his decision to wear Yellow Feathers. Some would say, “Don’t you know that’s against The King’s rules?” And Gray would proudly say, “Oh, it’s OK! I feel like Yellow Feathers. It is how I was born!” And they would reply, “Don’t you know that one day The King is having an Accountability Day and He is going to judge everyone?” Accountability Day! If anyone was found to be living outside His Rules were to be forever banished from His Kingdom. Yes it was coming though no one knew when. But this didn’t bother Gray. He would always say, “Yes, but The King is good and loving. I love The King and I love His citizens. So, that’s all that matters. This, and how I feel.”
And then it happened!The King’s Trumpet blew and one by one, each citizen appeared before The King. Those who lived by The King’s carefully designed Rules, were welcomed and told they were no longer citizens, but His daughters and His sons. They instantly became princesses and princes. Amazingly, they became exactly like their King. But Gray noticed as he waited his turn, that some were being banished forever from The Kingdom. They started crying loudly as they were led away.
Gray became uneasy. He thought to himself, “I know I wore Yellow Feathers because that’s how I felt and I really loved them. I loved The King and His citizens, surely He won’t banish me!” When it became his moment to face The Accountability, he noticed The King looked sad. The King said, “Gray, you know I love you. I always have. But you chose to ignore my rule about The Yellow Feather. I know how you felt about Yellow Feathers. I know what you believed about Yellow Feathers. But you would not trust Me. Gray, I am sad to tell you, that you are forever banished!”
Gray wanted to argue with The King, but suddenly he realized that he was wrong. He pleaded with The King for another chance. He wanted to use all the reasons why he broke The Yellow Feather Rule, but the words just wouldn’t come. He felt guilty. And The King sadly replied, “Gray, you always had another chance before this moment. But Accountability Day ends another chance.” And as Gray was led away from The King, he knew The King was right. And to make Gray’s heart even sadder, and hurt even more, he heard the unmistakeable sound of Great Joy coming from within The King’s Palace. And Gray’s broken heart said to him: “If only I had trusted The King!”
This post may be offensive to pastors, but please read the entire post before making up your mind about me
A text message this morning got me to thinking. My thinking went way back in time–October 1974 to be exact. This was when I was appointed to serve 2 small congregations while I pursued licensing as a pastor at the ripe old age of 18 years old. I mention this because we all know that beginning at 18, we tend to be full of vim and vigor; or was the vim and vinegar? Come to think of it, the latter is more true for me than I want to admit. My thinking moved forward through all the years I served as a pastor all the way to right now.
And now? I have less vim, but at times, a whole lot more vinegar. If you have followed me here on this blog, you know it’s true. And you may wonder who is about the become the object of my vinegary thoughts. It is my profession–“the” pastor. I was trained in the classical model of “The Professional Pastor”. I had someone whom I thought was a colleague, tell me once after I made the decision to remain in serving small and medium churches as what we call a “Local Pastor”, “You really need to become one of us.” His poke was that until one was an ordained elder in the UMC, they weren’t really pastors. By the way, I was eventually ordained, but not to be “one of them”.
The text message from this morning, well, it brought me under conviction of the Holy Spirit. Stay with me a moment, especially if you are a pastor. And really hang in with me if you are studying to become a pastor. In reflecting over these past 46 plus years, one picture stands clear to me. The church in the U.S. has been in a steady decline; almost to the stage of an avalanche. There have been all kinds of explanations, even justifications (even though we can never justify decline) for this event. But the biggest thing is the placing of blame on this state of disgrace.
I realize that some of this decline is caused by Churchians and Tenured Pew Sitters who vainly think the local church exists for them–and who fight tooth and nail to keep their control. But from my perspective–we pastors share the major share of the blame. We were trained to be professionals rather than authentic people who are to be servant leaders. I remember an incident at my previous appointment. After a funeral in my first year, the family was gathered for a meal in the church fellowship hall. I noticed the tea glasses, water glasses, and coffee cups were nearly empty. Well, I proceeded to go to each table refilling their beverage of choice. One of the church members mentioned, “This is our new pastor.” and the response was obviously one of shock when she said, “Oh, really?” To my fellow pastors–if you expect church folks to do things you are unwilling to do or think it is beneath your training, then you’re in the wrong place.
I am convinced that Professionally Trained Pastors are the Achilles Heel of the U.S. Church. It did not happen overnight–it took centuries for this to develop and in 2021, we are reaping the harvest of this with declining congregations. When I began this journey, I thought my job was to herd them up and get them moving in the right direction under MY leadership. What I discovered was that this model was more like herding cats. So I started looking for a different model to emulate. Here’s what I noticed over the past 4 decades plus of noticing.
The Underachiever Model. This is the pastor who really doesn’t care about the flock, just the paycheck, and the next church.
The Don’t Rock The Boat Model. This pastor is focused on survival–their own and that of their family. These fear confrontation–and as such, cannot guide the church to where it needs to be.
Then on the opposite end is The Dynamite Model. I do not mean as in dynamic–but dynamite, C-4 explosives, and the like. They are convinced that their job is to correct the problems that they see as the real problems. Their definition of “real” problems are typically about 7 bubbles off plumb. They do catastrophic damage to a congregation and leaves the damage behind for the next pastor to deal with. And you can always count on The Dynamite Model to leave a few unexploded devices behind which will explode at the worst possible moment.
The One Issue Model. This pastor has defined the one issue that a church needs to address even before they arrive. They are convinced that their own wisdom knows which issue the church MUST address.
The Goodyear Blimp Model. I’m not talking about their physical size. It’s the size of their ego. It is large and very inflated. They want the church to know that they have the latest Rock Star Pastor. I once listened to a mega-church’s podcast of a worship service. Truthfully, I only listened for about 3 minutes. The person who was going to bring God’s word opened up that “their” pastor and wife would be back next week. And she said, “Let’s give a hand to Pastor ________ and his wife _______ and let them know how much we missed them. I changed to another podcast–it was about herding cats.
And last but by no means least, The Control Freak Model. Churches are not churches without them. Instead of checking the pulse of the congregation, they are putting the thumb down on folks. Nothing can be done without their permission. If something is done without their permission? Forget that adage that says it is easier to ask for forgiveness after the fact rather than seek permission first. Obviously, whoever came up with that adage never had to deal with The Control Freak Pastor. They make Kim Jong-un look like the second coming of George Washington.
Why do I say that The Professional Pastor the primary cause of church decline? I look at the first Models of the church. There was leadership, trained leadership–but that leadership did not get in the way of the church reaching thousands and thousands of people. Oh, for sure, when a local church lost its sense of its true mission, someone was there to set the record straight. And then turned them loose to be The Body Of Christ. No one had to ask permission to lift up the name of Jesus. No one had to ask approval to feed the hungry, take care of the widows and orphans, and bear witness to Jesus and the power of the Cross to save. No one waited for some Professional Pastor to do the work.
There is another Model, a Model that the U.S. church in particular needs today. I would call us The Pastor Model. This pastor guides the congregation into a deeper relationship with Jesus, first and foremost. Then The Pastor Model challenges and equips the Congregation to BE the Body of Christ. And when the Congregation wants to be that Body–he or she gives them PERMISSION to be the Body Of Christ. The congregation doesn’t have to ask The Pastor Model for permission to do anything that lifts up the name of Jesus–and lifts up the least, the last, and the lost. In recent years, when someone comes to me and asks, “Is it OK with you if I do this, that, or the other?”, my response now is: “If it exalts Jesus, if the honors God and the Holy Spirit, if it touches the least, the last, or the lost, then know you have God’s permission and that’s good enough. Now, can I help you or do I just need to stay out of the way?”
In my tribe, only Ordained Pastors can administer the sacraments–as if we are somehow more holy than anyone else. Local pastors can administer the sacraments ONLY in the church they serve. The irony of my tribe is that it also professes the power and importance of the priesthood of all believers. I guess all doesn’t mean all. Before this pandemic hit, there was a significant rise in the number of House Churches. These are homes where people are hungry for a deeper relationship with Jesus, a connection with other Followers, and believe that the Kingdom Of God is needed in their neighborhoods, towns, cities, communities, states, and nation.
To my fellow Pastors, encourage your congregations. Inspire your people given to your care (not your dictatorship)! Don’t be afraid to give them permission to be who God calls them to be, The Body Of Christ. Support them in what they do. Help them but only when asked. Praise them when they look like Jesus. And if they get off-mission–gently take them aside and remind them who WE BOTH serve. You can’t build someone up (remember Ephesians 4:11-12) if you constantly tear them down, or worse, never give them the opportunity to do the real work of Jesus Christ.
If some pastor (or Churchian or Tenured Pewsitter) is upset with me, understand I will soon be 65, closer to the moment I stand before my Judge. The last thing I want to be held accountable for is my failure to speak the truth in love. So if you are offended–it is what it is. I still love you and my prayer for you is that your heart, mind, and eyes will be opened to the Mission God has called us to do.
Love God with all your heart. Love others the way Jesus loves you. And make sure all the glory goes to Him.
This is directed to all those angry posts on social media revolving around politics and political parties by those who self-identify as Christian. I have a question for you: “Do you think God is really glorified with those negative political posts? Do you think those posts reflect HIS Character?”
Truth time: You are dishonoring His Character and misrepresenting His Kingdom. Shame on you! Change my mind about this!
As of last night the CDC reports there are 122,653 of confirmed and presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 reported to CDC or tested at CDC since January 21, 2020 in the United States. This number is up from Saturday evening’s number of 103,321. People in the U.S. are panic buying. It started with toilet paper and hand sanitizer and now it’s milk, bread, eggs and God knows what else. People are scooping up self-rising flour who have never made a biscuit in their life! And the jury has reached a verdict.
Most people in the United States are found GUILTY of Having No Common Sense And Are Acting Stupid! It took the jury only 3 seconds to reach this verdict. When you consider the evidence it is no surprise at all. Just look at the evidence:
You ask a student “You have 3 apples and give 1 apple to your friend, how many are left?” and rather than the student imagine 3 apples, take away 1 and count what’s left, which is 1 then 2, 2 apples left, they have replaced it with common core math. To find the answer you take the circumference of Saturn, divide that by the number of species of ducks, multiply that answer by the temperature on the surface of Mercury, then subtract the number of Wal-Marts in the world, divided by 7.68345690 and subtract the number of people who will buy eggs today and Voila! The answer is 2!
Participation Trophies! You have achieved greatness by simply being present. Forget effort. Forget skill and ability. Besides, it’s plain meanness to reward success!
Entitlement has become the norm. Who needs perseverance? What’s the value in trying and learning from failure? You exist therefore you deserve!
Administrators tell teachers, “You have to teach for the state tests. Forget knowledge and wisdom–it’s the scores on those tests that matter most. NOT the students needs, but OUR need to score high on those tests!”
Many school systems have taken out vocational/technical schools because it’s more important for the students to go to college in order for them to ask “Would you like a fried apple pie with this order?” The number of high school students who receive a college degree looks great on the paperwork!
Speaking of college, OY VEY! Professors have concluded that they are the experts in their fields and are the sole depository of knowledge, and expect their students to be their little minions who perpetuate their jabber and twaddle. (if you don’t know the meaning of twaddle, look it up!) Cemetery Professors, excuse me, that should have been Seminary Professors, are the absolute worst!
And parents? OY VEY!OY VEY!OY VEY! They want to be their child’s friend! Great gobbledygook! This is enough evidence by itself to arrive at that Guilty Verdict!
Morality, what is right and wrong, good and bad, is determined by the individual rather than proven standards, such as the Bible. They even encourage their children to find their own gender rather than accept what nature gave them.
Consequences? What’s that? People are protected from the consequences of their choices and actions. There is always someone else, something else to blame. Oygevalt!Bupkes! That’s mishegas! It’s bupkes! Go ahead and kvetsh if it makes you feel better!(I love Yiddish!)
And finally, it’s more important to be kind than truthful–especially when truth hurts. A president once challenged this nation to be a kinder and gentler nation. Well, people accepted the challenge, and look at the mess we’re in!
Look at this nation now. More and more people are thinking more and more about themselves while thinking less and less about others. I heard one story of a shopper who was buying up milk. The business only allowed 2 gallons to be purchased. So she bought 2 gallons; then went back in a went through the self checkout with 2 more gallons. This continued until she had her minivan full of milk. Another shopper was doing the same with toilet paper until an astute associate saw what she was doing and cut her off!
There was a time when you didn’t need a declaration from the government to stay at home if you were sick. It was called Common Sense and Decency! There was a time when people cared more about others than themselves. There was a time when valor and restraint were considered virtues. There was a time when hard work was noble and the dream people held dear. And there was a time when it was appropriate to call out, in a kind way, stupidity in others. Well. . . what can I say? Too many people are null and void when it comes to common sense–and are stupid, I say, absolutely stupid! They make the 3 Stooges look like clones of Albert Einstein.
Who would deny that the current state of the church, politics and society as a whole is in a state of unabridged and unequivocal chaos. Even the most self-deluded would have to admit this is our current reality. And when it comes to placing the blame…its not any better. On any given day and all day long, the long finger of blame is pointing somewhere. It’s like the Wheel of Fortune or Price is Right–there are lots of options on where to place the blame.
Conservatives are to blame. Progressives are to blame. The Democrats are to blame. The Republicans are to blame. Guns are to blame. Wussy-minded folks are to blame. Millenials are to blame. Baby Boomers are to blame. Professors are to blame. Parents to blame. Spin the wheel and find who to blame. Oy, oy, oy! It’s giving me a headache and makes me want to puke. It’s all Mishigas and Shmegegge. (I love Yiddish!)
But what would happen if we would do what David tells us to do? What would happen if we stopped spinning the Wheel Of Blame and took a long, hard and serious look at our own life?
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
Psalm 139:23-24 (NLT)
Are you willing to allow God to Search, Know, Test, Point Out what’s wrong in your own life? The Wheel Of Blame isn’t helping; so why not give this a full-on try. If we want things to change, then remember President Harry Truman’s personal mantra–THE BUCK STOPS HERE! Start and end each day with this Psalm. Allow God to Search, Know, Test, Point Out what’s going on with you. Don’t just do it to fill your heart and mind with guilt–but do it so that the last line in this Psalm becomes true in you: And Lead Me Along The Paths Of Everlasting Life. Just in case you’re so dense you haven’t figured out the Monday Musing Theme, allow me to put it succinctly–Focus on what God wants for your life, then allow HIM to lead you along The Path!
This morning I was thinking about something I was reading from a book and from the Bible. It started with Paul’s thoughts in Colossians chapter 3 verse 5–“So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.” (emphasis mine) The other was what an author wrote in a book I’m reading:
I have inquired before many church and parachurch groups regarding their plan for putting to death or mortifying“whatever belongs to your earthly nature” or flesh. I have never once had a positive response to this question. Indeed, mortifying of putting things to death doesn’t seem to be the kind of thing today’s Christians would be caught doing. Yet there it stands, at the center of the New Testament teachings.
The Great Omission by Dallas Willard (emphasis mine)
Today people are promoting the idea that God is love; certainly better than the old “God is a strict judge waiting to catch you doing something wrong so He can punish you.” God IS love; no argument from me here. But there is a growing number of people in the Western Church who have twisted this truth. They are saying and teaching “God is love and all we have to do is love God and love others. The way you love others is to accept them the way they are and not ask or expect them to change.”
Great googley moogley, geez Louise, Mother Francis, Judas priest, heaven’s to Betsy, What The What? And many are quick to point out how the theological progressives are pushing this agenda; and they are pushing it. Suddenly nothing matters that ought to matter. Right now I’m hearing some of the more conservative crowd shouting, “Amen! Preach it brother, preach it! We need more sermons on sin!” But…
What about YOU? Yes, YOU the reader! What are YOU doing to put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you? That’s part of the nature of sin–it lurks. The definition of lurking is “remaining hidden so as to wait in ambush”. If we, as followers of Jesus want to mortify things like the new sexual ethics (this is only one example) then we need to first mortify the earthly things inside of us.
“What earthly things?” you ask. OK, remember you asked! Things like feeling you are morally superior to others. Quickness to think the worst about someone rather than getting to know their story. Thinking your sin isn’t as bad as their sin. Compromising your values and integrity because it’s easier. Pew sitting every Sunday. Helping only those who are worthy of your help. Thinking that following Jesus is meant to be easy and comfortable. Thinking your views about the Bible are always right. Using the Bible as a baseball bat. Remember what Jesus said: “4 How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.”
So, please excuse me. I’ve got some mortifying to do of the earthly things still lurking in me. Maybe you could do the same?
Kingdom Pastor 