Things I Think
1. I woke up this morning and prepared for my podcast with Phil Naessens…only to find that my Skype account had been hacked. What all the hacking attempts on our media tell me is that we are making an impact and that we dare not stop. We won’t have a podcast today, but we’ll be back soon. Thanks for the encouragement, jackasses!
2. The new Colonel for Kentucky Fried Chicken totally creeps me out.
3. Last weeks stories on Gospel For Asia and Mike Kestler left me exhausted… after all these years, I still suffer from the cognitive dissonance created by knowing what should be and knowing what is. My saving grace is the local church I’m a part of…my heart breaks for those whose local church created the dissonance.
4. Please spare me any more pious emails stating that people should only be looking to Jesus and not at rogue pastors. While there is some truth to that it’s often hard to see Jesus when the pastor is blocking the view with a ten foot video screen showing himself…
5. Football is back and I’m grateful for the distraction…
6. Yes, there is grace for pastors and religious CEO’s who sin. It’s the grace one receives when one confesses, repents, and receives forgiveness. It’s not grace that allows them to keep sinning without censure. That’s not grace, it’s enablement and idolatry.
7. To truly enjoy a super hero movie, one has to consciously suspend disbelief. You must do the same to believe anything in Charisma magazine or the Elijah List…
8. The political season is upon us…I’m still waiting for a candidate with rhetoric and a plan…
9. Being angry and staying angry alone will never bring change to anything but those who weary of your constant anger. It takes work and hope to bring real change. I cling to hope like a child to its mother.
10. Recently, I was watching a discussion on Facebook about some theological issue…and a pastor referred to a website as part of his “research” on the matter. That website blamed everything wicked in the world on the influence of the “Illuminati”. When I got done laughing and feeling real pity for his congregation, it struck me that we have become so desperate to find villains that we create them out of whole cloth. There is no surer path to defeat than in failing to properly identify the enemy. My search usually begins in the mirror…
I usually avoid national politics but found myself watching the Fox debates. I think I could, with a clear conscious, vote for any of the Repubs except Trump. I may learn something about a candidate that disqualifies them, but so far, none of them appear to be anti-christs.
Hillary is an anti-christ. This go-round I will make an attempt to find someone to vote for to thwart this evil woman. Frankly, I was somewhat relieved when I heard some of the Repubs speak. Better than I expected.
Xenia,
Although I didn’t watch the debate, I also am of the same mind at this point that I could vote for any of the Republican candidates except Trump. Although I may have agreement with Trump on some issues and do not like political correctness (which Trump certainly is not), I think the man is a horrible human being and do not think I could ever vote for him. If the election ends up being Trump vs. Clinton without a credible third candidate of any kind, I would probably have to sit it out.
I have a significant dislike for politics and so I don’t follow everything super close. As I learn more about some of the other candidates, I may rule them out, too. But I know enough about Trump at this point that I could not vote for him in good conscience.
I know we have at least one Bernie Sanders fan among us…
That really sucks that we won’t have a podcast this week…..I was all set to unveil the results of my first Fantasy Football draft that just took place this morning.
Next week 🙂
Michael Amen to #6’s and #10.
With respect to #6 we can say that there is no Grace without repentance. Thus Grace has nothing do to with sin, when the sin is not corrected. In fact……….. it is a denial of it.
Francisco…exactly!
Sort of on topic with #6 –
I was thinking about the phrase “I’m not here to judge or condemn anyone” as it was being said by a Christian friend of mine. I wonder if we need to think through that better, as it is something that sounds spiritual but isn’t entirely accurate. Seeing how John 3.18 says that apart from believing in Jesus Christ I stand condemned, judged entirely on my own, I don’t need any help in being in condemnation, but I wonder if when I say “I’m not here to condemn”, do I inadvertently distract from the urgent truth of standing in condemnation apart from Christ?
Rob,
It’s a good point and I would say yes…and no.
The problem we have is that we are usually condemning someone for something specific…as if they would not be under condemnation already without Christ.
Thus, we lead some to believe that without said specific sin they would be fine…
#3
Ahhhhh the local church…..so wonderful! Challenging but refreshing; a real key to my sanity!
#4
“10 foot screen”
I expectorated violently laughing at that one.
Wipe off screen, keep reading….
Additionally,
Where does the definition of “legalism” come from that defines it as “any church policy or practice that one does not like about external commitments or actions?”
My in laws church requires it’s members to serve in any capacity for 1 hour per week, such as being greeters. It’s a big church. If people want to be regular attendees that’s fine, but it’s what people are expected to do there.
Now that’s not OUR churches standard, but it’s not legalism (“the doctrine that salvation can be gained through works”) that I’ve seen defined anywhere.
Shoot, I’ve even used “legalistic” to describe people who think womens’ dress lengths need to be thus-and-so. Yet I don’t find any definitions that meet these criterion (unless either of the churches above say you aren’t SAVED if you don’t ______–which Isn’t the case).
Can someone help a dictionary using Brutha?
Disdain Phariseeism JTK
JTK,
I define legalism as any man made rule to which obedience is allegedly required to find favor with God.
Good stuff all around Michael. At work so cannot comment at length on any item, but just wanted to say…let’s forget about Johnny Football (as in Johnny Manziel sp?), and bring on…
Teddy Football!!!
(as in Teddy Bridgewater!)
Dan,
I will say the amen to that one!
No.2…….The Col.is definitely creepy.. Oh let’s not forget about the Burger King looking thru your bedroom window.
Sorry about the podcast… I really look forward to that on Mondays.
Thanks, Dude…we love doing it.
“I know we have at least one Bernie Sanders fan among us…”
Count me as another, right Anne? 😉
http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0868/3032/products/midnightnavy_mens_bernie_1024x1024.jpg?v=1431801608
Yep, I’ll miss the podcast today. I was looking forward to firing it up & do some chores.
Thanks, AA…hopefully we’ll be back soon.
Michael,
Unfortunately, I’ve got more experience with “uncalled” CC guys than active, unfortunate because there’s a lot of pain, but I’ve learned how to help and encourage them and the eventual others. Oh, and apparently “poison” according to an expert on me and my/our past, though we’ve never spoken.
Here’s what I hope you remember, though when reading the OT, many focus on the most visible and ironically evil people, He always had a remnant-those with whom He would carry on His work. They were lonely, depressed, (probably would’ve been sued had that been available at that time).
You and others may be small in numbers, those are God’s favorite.
And remember, there’s only 3/1 of Him!
: )
#2 ME TOOOOOO!!!
UnCCed,
I just finished teaching Amos… and even in judgement, there will always be that remnant. Thanks for reading and being an encouragement.
G – 🙂 you noticed, huh? LOL!
Anne, London,
I’ve got the grey version of the t-shirt in transit, ETA this week. =)
i was going to think on the things Michael thinks today, but decided against it… 🙂
but
i guess what will decide who i vote for is, “can he control congress?” and do i approve of his mindset/intelligence? it’ll be Hillary v Bush, tho
2 names I can definitely do without… bush & clinton
What do you mean football just started? The Timbers have been playing since March! 🙂
If it’s Hillary vs. Bush, I will continue my tradition of not voting.
I would vote for Huckabee or Cruz.
I imagine it will be Jeb Bush. I’d vote for him over Hillary. Not thrilled about another Bush but anyone but Hillary. If the Repubs don’t choose Bush I can’t imagine who they would choose in his place. If they choose Trump then the country has completely lost its marbles.
I would vote for Hillary just to get the woman for president off the table in my lifetime. There is not much difference at all between any of the candidates other than their rhetoric.
They all take the payoff and they all protect their friends and they all cut deals that no one understands.
But hey, I spent Friday down in Del Mar playing the ponies – I have just as much luck there as I do picking candidates … none.
I agree on Colonel Sanders. He is really creepy. Like he might jump out behind a bush and shout, “Boo!” creepy.
The election is an “Illuminati” plot.
i thought my daughter was over reacting to the Kentucky Colonel, but i see she’s not…
BTW – if no one stops Trump and the Republicans still shoulder him aside (good idea), he will run as an independent. splitting the conservative vote and MLD will get his wish… and it probably doesn’t matter, they’re all puppets that are blind to the strings that the rest of us -finally – are seeing
it IS all a plot – the devil’s cosmos diabolicus
i like the Bush’s for next door neighbors (if i could afford their neighborhoods), but George Jr.’s march into Iraq was naive, at best, he should have listened to his father, who knew better… they’re all puppets, i tell ya … well, some are deluded and i guess that’s another problem altogether…
5….I tried watching the Vikings- Steelers game.. it helped me go to sleep early.
Trump is the best thing going… Do you really want another Bush or Clinton ??? The other GOP’s don’t have a chance!
Perhaps the reason that some evangelicals don’t like him is because he’s not afraid to tell it like it is, which something they’re not used to doing.
G, I was talking about the kfc wannabe.
London,
My bad
To me Trump is the political equivalent of Jan Crouch….both are crazy inside and out.
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=photo+jan+crouch&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0CCEQsARqFQoTCITsrY6doccCFZPugAodcdEImA&biw=1183&bih=645
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=photos+donald+trumps+hair&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0CCEQsARqFQoTCLb4_Z2doccCFUSUDQodWHAHSw&biw=1183&bih=645
Nonnie, you got me cracking up!
While you can’t always judge a book by its cover, there is a reason that a book cover looks the way it does. I avoid opening plenty of books after checking out the cover art alone.
Nonnie,
…and both have BAD HAIR!
Bernie Sanders is your ultimate political nutcase. And you really to start making fun of these politicians looks? C’mon. We’re bigger than that, no?
Scott, it was just a little levity.
I , for one, am not bigger than making fun of politicians looks.
trump doesn’t care that he is alienating many potential GOP voters each time he plays to his ‘base’ because he will likely walk away to an independent ticket leaving the repubicans smoking rubble in his rear-view mirror. The man’s only alegience is to himself. He’s not as drawn to public service as to public adulation.
true.
And his hair looks like a rubber Beavis wig. (That was for Scott 🙂 )
just because you’re crazy doesn’t mean you’re not smart lol
and furthermore,
remember Chauncey Gardiner and beware…
Most really smart people are a little crazy.
I’m all for levity. You should see the photoshopped picture of Trump I sent to Michael today. It’s a hoot.
I’m not a Trump supporter. I pretty much have given up any hope that anything meaningful (to me) can be accomplished through the political process. They’re all a bunch of phonies. Our nation is fast approaching anarchy which will probably lead to civil war again. I don’t see any Lincoln’s on the horizon though.