Lessons for Living

Too Narrow to Hide

Can I hide my sin behind a hypocrite?

behind fence postWe humans have a disposition to hide behind the failings and shortcomings of another.

That is, we try to.

It really is a dumb effort.

But we’re still prone to try it.

Somehow, we seem to think another’s flaw provides us with the flawless excuse.

Another’s gossip and evil surmisings are too narrow to hide my vengeful thoughts or fight-fire-with-fire speech.

Someone’s hypocrisy is too narrow to hide my apostasy.

Another’s wrong is too narrow to hide my unforgiveness. In fact, my own hurt at another’s misdeed is too narrow to hide my unforgiving spirit. Read it all

Know Who You’re Talking To?

How frequently I forget The Jesus Option in my long-running woes and spur-of-the-moment desperations!

How easily I pray a bit and quit!

How often I petition God earnestly…while suspecting He doesn’t have in mind to satisfy my need!

Now, reading this a few minutes ago, I don’t know what to make of it:

If you and I knew who Jesus was—really, really knew—would we pray differently? […]

He commended people who gave Him no rest in these concerns.

Two blind men gave Him no rest. They cried out to Jesus, and not only did He ignore them, He walked into someone’s house. They had to barge in after Him before they got satisfaction Matthew 9:27-31.

The Syrophoenician woman gave Him no rest. She begged to the point of harassment, and Jesus gave her no encouragement. But she would not be put off until she got satisfaction Mark 7:24-30.

Maybe Jesus was waiting to see how badly they wanted what they wanted, and how strongly they believed He was both merciful and able.

What is it that you wished for today that you kept to yourself and didn’t even think to pray for because you didn’t believe God would be willing to grant it?

Once again, many thanks, Andreé Seu (‘If you knew’).

Quiet, Silent Drowning

Yesterday I posted an urgent-must-read piece about drowning in water.

The take-away lesson: Not all people who are drowning look like they are drowning.

The same applies to other kinds of drowning.

  • Drowning in debt
  • Drowning in despair
  • Drowning in doubt
  • Drowning in delinquency
  • Drowning in …

They can no longer help themselves.

Nor can they reach out for someone else’s help.

And they even seem incapable of crying out.

Might someone near you be drowning … and you don’t realize their mortal danger?

When you do realize they’re drowning, will you rescue them?

May God sharpen my vision, increase my awareness, and deepen my compassion.

Feds Must Speak Plain English

Feds must stop writing gibberish under new law

One of my first thoughts upon reading that headline: “Yeah, right.”

Reflecting current family realities, another thought wasn’t long in coming: “Where do I apply?”

My thoughts aside, here’s some of what Calvin Woodward had to write for the AP:

The federal government is rolling out a new official language of sorts: plain English.

That’s right: Pursuant to regulations promulgated thereunder and commencing in accordance with a statute signed herein by President Barack Obama, the government shall be precluded from writing the pompous gibberish heretofore evidenced, to the extent practicable.

That sentence contains 11 new language no-nos.

Obama signed the Plain Writing Act last fall after decades of effort by a cadre of passionate grammarians in the civil service to jettison the jargon.

It takes full effect in October, when federal agencies must start writing plainly in all new or substantially revised documents produced for the public.

The government will still be allowed to write nonsensically to itself.

Now that is a funny line. And telling, too. But never mind. Read it all

Above all, love God!