Do The Truth Quietly Without Display.

I Am Deeply Distressed By What I Only Can Call In Our Christian Culture The Idolatry Of The Scriptures. For Many Christians, The Bible Is Not A Pointer To God But God Himself... God Cannot Be Confined Within The Covers Of A Leather-bound Book. I Develop A Nasty Rash Around People Who Speak As If Mere Scrutiny Of Its Pages Will Reveal Precisely How God Thinks And Precisely What God Wants.

The Fierce Words Of Jesus Addressed To The Pharisees Of His Day Stretch Across The Bands Of Time. Today They Are Directed Not Only To Fallen Televangelists But To Each Of Us. We Miss Jesus' Point Entirely When We Use His Words As Weapons Against Others. They Are To Be Taken Personally By Each Of Us. This Is The Form And Shape Of Christian Pharisaism In Our Time. Hypocrisy Is Not Hte Prerogative Of People In High Places. The Most Impoverished Among Us Is Capable Of It. Hypocrisy Is The Natural Expression Of What Is Meanest In Us All.

The Story Goes That A Public Sinner Was Excommunicated And Forbidden Entry To The Church. He Took His Woes To God. 'they Won't Let Me In, Lord, Because I Am A Sinner.' 'what Are You Complaining About?' Said God. 'they Won't Let Me In Either.

In My Experience, Self-hatred Is The Dominant Malaise Crippling Christians And Stifling Their Growth In The Holy Spirit.

Define Yourself Radically As One Beloved By God. This Is The True Self. Every Other Identity Is Illusion. God's Love For You And His Choice Of You Constitute Your Worth. Accept That, And Let It Become The Most Important Thing In Your Life.