Flattery gets you nowhere. Who said that? What were they thinking? My guess is that they felt flattery will take us in the wrong direction. I certainly am not dispensing such a thought, I'm just adding on to a great presentation.
Psalm 36:2 says:
For in his own eyes he flatters himself too much to detect or hate his sin.
At times I get pretty proud of myself. I meddle with my conscience enough so I don't feel bad doing things God wouldn't approve of. I'm a learned man who can decipher God's word incredibly to allow most anything. And, even if I'm not comfortable with my actions now give me some time and I'll come around.
How far have I fallen? I know I don't hate sin like I should, but have I flattered myself so much that I can't even detect sin anymore? Great spiritual men and women have taken steps backward in their godly lives because flattery has become much too convincing. So what kind of a chance do I have? I work at a grocery store, my Greek is Greek to me and I don't seek the creator for mercy near enough.
Help my pride to falter, my knees to bend and my heart to break because I'm afraid flattery will take me where I don't want to go.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Friday, February 17, 2012
Percentages
Why am I uncomfortable with this occupy wallstreet craze? Do I feel sad for people down on their luck? Maybe I have a hard time seeing successful businesses and entrepreneurs being beaten down when they provide opportunity for people like me. Could I be having a pride issue problem? Hopefully three negatives make a positive!
How could I be part of this ninety nine percent? There must be a problem with the percentages. No, I have to be a ninety nine percenter, but I think there may be a definition problem. If I heard it right, the ninety nine percent are all of us who have been demeaned by the rich and terrible one percent. Isn't it nice to be a part of the majority? Why occupy wallstreet? Why not pound the pavement? It may be true, the calculations are off because the wrong factors were defined.
Desperation changes us. We lose our jobs, the bills continue. We divorce, responsibility still lingers. We abort, what could have been still gnaws at us. We change jobs, there are still people to deal with. Instead of allowing myself to grow through trials, I miss the opportunity and climb down the stairs into the pit of discouragement. Soon the heat gets colder, the lights get dimmer and the food becomes tasteless. Down in my heart I know my surroundings haven't changed so much but my ability to function has disappeared. If I don't check myself, I begin to blame others and feel mistreated. Surely I'm not that much different than anyone else. We all strive to do better, to move to the next level, to press on to greater things...don't we?
There is the defining factor! I'm part of the one percenters who are actually the ninety nine percent. The very few 99% who are actually the 1% are in more trouble then they think. They have given up and want someone to rescue them. Their gifts and abilities are being cut short because the pit of discouragement is swallowing them. Our wonderful country has provided a helping hand to pull me up the stairs and get me going again. Lately, however, the hand no longer helps, instead it holds me back to feed on its morsels and lures me into dependence.
The one percent spends it's time complaining and dragging us down. They have nothing to offer. Don't quit. You've got what it takes. Come with me up the stairs, out of discouragement. Sharpen your abilities and help this country be great. Be part of the ninety nine percent who strive to do better, move to the next level and press on to greater things.
How could I be part of this ninety nine percent? There must be a problem with the percentages. No, I have to be a ninety nine percenter, but I think there may be a definition problem. If I heard it right, the ninety nine percent are all of us who have been demeaned by the rich and terrible one percent. Isn't it nice to be a part of the majority? Why occupy wallstreet? Why not pound the pavement? It may be true, the calculations are off because the wrong factors were defined.
Desperation changes us. We lose our jobs, the bills continue. We divorce, responsibility still lingers. We abort, what could have been still gnaws at us. We change jobs, there are still people to deal with. Instead of allowing myself to grow through trials, I miss the opportunity and climb down the stairs into the pit of discouragement. Soon the heat gets colder, the lights get dimmer and the food becomes tasteless. Down in my heart I know my surroundings haven't changed so much but my ability to function has disappeared. If I don't check myself, I begin to blame others and feel mistreated. Surely I'm not that much different than anyone else. We all strive to do better, to move to the next level, to press on to greater things...don't we?
There is the defining factor! I'm part of the one percenters who are actually the ninety nine percent. The very few 99% who are actually the 1% are in more trouble then they think. They have given up and want someone to rescue them. Their gifts and abilities are being cut short because the pit of discouragement is swallowing them. Our wonderful country has provided a helping hand to pull me up the stairs and get me going again. Lately, however, the hand no longer helps, instead it holds me back to feed on its morsels and lures me into dependence.
The one percent spends it's time complaining and dragging us down. They have nothing to offer. Don't quit. You've got what it takes. Come with me up the stairs, out of discouragement. Sharpen your abilities and help this country be great. Be part of the ninety nine percent who strive to do better, move to the next level and press on to greater things.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Commitment
Do you remember back in grade school when all the kids get together to play a game and "picked" sides? I wasn't horrible at games or sports but I was a bit chubby. Chubby didn't translate well into team sports in my day. My feet would kick quite a bit of dirt while the captains decided who had to take me. But you know what; I would show 'em I'd stick around till they picked me. I'd show them I was a good choice.
Don't let it be unstated...I am a wonderful Swede. I can be somewhat stubborn. Not that I mean to be. I don't think it's because I love to be right as much as it's no fun to be wrong. Maybe that's why Valentine's Day is my least favorite day...I'm stubborn. Hallmark continues to make my life uncomfortable. Why do I have to convince someone who is incredibly special to me that she is incredibly special? Does that mean that she doesn't think that I think she's special anymore? If that's the case a box of chocolates won't solve anything. Don't panic, I'm not a complete loser. I get the whole coochy, coochy, cooh, lovey, dovey, doeh stuff but it's just one more day for me to remember...and forget. These special days bring much expectation putting a spotlight on my inability to accomplish such perfection.
I may not be good at this Valentine's stuff but I will continue to be stubborn and show you I was a good choice. I may never make your coffee strong enough or buy the right flowers for your bouquet, and the chocolates I give you will most likely be waxy, but my commitment to you will always be strong till death drags me from you.
Happy Valentine's Day
Don't let it be unstated...I am a wonderful Swede. I can be somewhat stubborn. Not that I mean to be. I don't think it's because I love to be right as much as it's no fun to be wrong. Maybe that's why Valentine's Day is my least favorite day...I'm stubborn. Hallmark continues to make my life uncomfortable. Why do I have to convince someone who is incredibly special to me that she is incredibly special? Does that mean that she doesn't think that I think she's special anymore? If that's the case a box of chocolates won't solve anything. Don't panic, I'm not a complete loser. I get the whole coochy, coochy, cooh, lovey, dovey, doeh stuff but it's just one more day for me to remember...and forget. These special days bring much expectation putting a spotlight on my inability to accomplish such perfection.
I may not be good at this Valentine's stuff but I will continue to be stubborn and show you I was a good choice. I may never make your coffee strong enough or buy the right flowers for your bouquet, and the chocolates I give you will most likely be waxy, but my commitment to you will always be strong till death drags me from you.
Happy Valentine's Day
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