I Love Straight Talkers

"Who speak peace to their neighbors, but evil is in their hearts." Ps 28: 3

I'd like to put a slight twist to the application of this text to suggest that sometimes this evil hides not so much in the heart of individuals, but is inherent in their actions. Hence, while they are speaking or acting in "love," they are but working to the sure ruin of the one being related to.

In my experience I've found it far more comforting and profitable to interact with persons who not have striven to be so politically correct as they have been keen to provide honest feedback to me. They don't just try to spear my feelings in saying, "good job," but they tell me where I've failed to meet expectations. In other words, they tell me how I can improve. Mind you, I'm not here advocating harshness and insensitivity. Jesus was never crass, but always truthful; we should be too.

Parents who give their children everything they desire, because they do not wish to have them cry or feel that they are not loved, do these children a grave injustice: life does not give us all we want; God does not give us all we want. When parents do this they are simply setting up their children for a future of rude awakenings and grave disappointments.

Many years ago I wrote a poem for who was then my "dream girl." Two lines in that poem said, "My mouth will speak constructively, though sometimes it'll seem to hurt/ But I only desire what's best for you, and as such my words will spurt."

This reading is based on Psalm 28.  To read and/or listen to Psalm 28 and to read other related blogs, please click here.

Like an Immature Schoolgirl Standing in the Rain

There’s often a thin line between love and infatuation, for often they are found doing the same things – only with different reasons and motivations. 

I watched her and shook my head, with a slight tint of “grown-up” arrogance – for I had thankfully outgrown the folly of youthful infatuation. You see, this school girl was standing in the rain, talking to a man sitting in a car. They had been there a while (before the rain started). Her body language betrayed her emotions and desperate desire to deviate this common man’s attention from his many interests in many of her female peers. If she won, she would secure the coveted ride in his posh car. So she stayed in the rain to make that winning impression. I knew of her and her dad. I knew that if he saw her he would be livid. Then I got to thinking…. 

What if I could love God like that; being too caught up with Him to be bothered by the flood rains of enemies and troubles of every sort? What if I didn’t fear the consequences of serving God: never “qualifying” for promotion, never being accepted in certain circles, inviting the wrath of someone’s interest that is frustrated by certain decisions that I make. Or maybe it is writing a letter to a national newspaper that articulates views that go counter to a certain powerful sect of society. What if my only care in the world is to seek the face of the Lord? 

Father in Heaven, with a deep longing inside I join the Psalmist in saying, “Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me,” (Ps. 27: 7). Help me to see the enemy in the worldly ambitions, in the social pressures, the economically challenging times, and to not be so caught up in overcoming these as I’d be blinded by my all-consuming desire to be with you – with the seemingly carefree desire of an immature school girl standing in the rain. This I ask you in Jesus name, amen.

Hear Oh Lord - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhmC_3sGgNc

This reading is based on Psalm 27. To read and/or listen to Psalm 27 and to read other related blogs, please click here.

My Life an Essay; Christ, my Editor in Chief

In Psalm 26 David is seemingly enumerating all his "good" qualities as if to beat his chest in pride. But could he simply be expressing what he desires his life to be and is inviting God to evaluate/edit him?

Whenever I write something I always strive to do my best, but I know only too well of my infallibility; I don't always write down exactly what is in my head - some words are usually left out, sometimes appropriate punctuation is missing. What I've often had to do is explain to my supervisor/editor what I intend to say. This helps him/her to know what to look for and how therefore to analyze what I've written.

Now, because I strive to become the best writer I can be, I relish any kind of critiquing/feedback I get. One notable editor/mentor that I've had would always send me back to redo what I write. I never get daunted, I just listen carefully to what he says and strive to produce the goods. And what a relief when he nods his head in approval.

The Apostle Paul in writing to the Corinthians shares the idea of followers of Christ being epistles/essays, "Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart." In this case Jesus Christ is Editor in Chief, and getting His nod of approval is what I/we must earnestly need. What a day it will be when Jesus, our Judge/our Editor in Chief comes and says to each of us, "Well done, good and faithful servant...!"

Father in Heaven, we recognize that we are all epistles, know and read of all men. May all that other see in us be such as would lead them to glorify You, now and always, amen.

This reading is based on Psalm 26.  To read and/or listen to Psalm 26 and to read other related blogs, please click here.