Perfecting Imperfections

tumblr_mazkrcz1wj1rzapx4o1_500

Did you ever feel like you’re striving for Perfection but you aren’t exactly sure what that is? For some of us it seems like a futile effort that can never be attained. For others, like me, it drives us nuts. I remember being perfect for a short time in 2007, April 7th, to be exact— from 1:14-2:01 p.m. But it passed.

Perfection, at least on this planet, is a myth.

So for those of us still striving toward Perfection, the perfect look, the perfect hair, the perfect family or job or whatever, allow me to pass on what I’ve learned about how to be IMPerfect.

Please note— I have not learned this from any of my friends. I have spent years developing my own imperfections all by my widdle self!

Here are 10 Precepts you can follow to truly develop your own imperfections.

1.      Always make the same mistake at least twice— that way, you will be able to make it perfectly the next time.

2.      When it becomes clear that you are definitively WRONG about something, learn to implicate others in a complimentary manner. Bringing others in on your failures builds comradery.

3.      That being said, never, NEVER own up to your failures, mistakes, or “misspeaks.” It’s not your fault.

4.      Never, ever try anything NEW. You could fail. Let someone else try it first: then fail.

5.      Tell the truth only when it reflects positively on YOU. Truth, remember, is convenient.

6.      NEVER seem perfect. Every day, dress or act in some way that others can find fault with you. This way you can seem imperfect and still maintain your superiority.

7.      Make little mistakes to seem human.

8.      Tell people little about yourself; your insecurities and screw-ups are closer to the surface than you think. Hide them.

9.      There is absolutely no answer to a pretentious, bombastic self-aggrandizing personality.  Assert yourself!

10.  If you are not sure about something, speak with more authority.

Following these 10 basic precepts will assure your status as an ingenuinely imperfect person. Your perfection will remain intact within.

For what it’s worth,

  Gary

Cotton Candy Christians

cotton candy, christians, muslims, real, faith, genuineAbu Bakr al Baghdadi, the recognized leader of the new Islamic Caliphate-without-borders, accused those Muslims who do not support ISIS’ interpretation of the Qu’ran, as being “cotton-candy-Muslims.” His disgust with the mediocre state of Islam today drew him to support, sponsor, and now lead the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.

His vehement declaration about Muslims drew me to ponder whether or not evangelical Christians in the West could be accused of being cotton-candy-Christians? How could normal people spot a cotton-candy-Christian? Some thoughts—

1.      Uses religious phrases to sound Christian and fit in.

2.      Cannot communicate in normal speech patterns to normal people.

3.      Freezes up when a “non-Christian” asks them about their faith. Gets all tight. Falls back on some pre-scribed formula.

4.      Remembers wrongs. Does not forgive, but pretends to.

5.      Knows little to nothing about what’s going on in the world but judges it nonetheless.

6.      Great at quoting Scripture, even when inappropriate.

7.      Is afraid of everything and everyone outside their Christian Bubble.

So then I wondered, How could a normal person spot a genuine Christian? Hummm, let’s see… .

1.      Their inconceivable capacity to forgive others.

2.      Enjoys the company of normal people.

3.      Celebrates life!

4.      Does not judge anyone. Anyone. Leaves that to God.

5.      Is gracious to a fault, sacrificing their own livelihood for that of others.

6.      Weaves their faith into conversations without intent; rather, with aplomb.

7.      Gives God room to work. Doesn’t strive to “close the deal.”

There are probably many more observations of a cotton-candy Christian and a genuine Christian that could be added to this appraisal. Please send your thoughts on this to me. But, for now, I will leave you with this—

Which list more closely describes your faith?

For what it’s worth,

  Gary

#protestant #consultations http://ow.ly/

#protestant #consultations http://ow.ly/Vyb8p

http://ow.ly/VyaZY In recent days there

http://ow.ly/VyaZY

In recent days there have been many events and ideologies that have shattered whatever semblance their might have been to American pluralism. We truly are not so much a melting-pot as we are a patch-work quilt, attempting to be knit together when the threads that bind us are thoroughly tattered.

We’ve been coming apart for a long time. Party lines and religious affiliations are now at a fever-pitch to destroy the progressive pluralism to which America had finally arrived.

If you are one of those who pray, do so with sincerity of heart and genuine faith in a real God. Then, get up from your knees and ACT!

If you have no faith in transcendence, then burn your life out with acts of mercy, boldness, and bravery.

The world needs you both.

#thoughtsandprayers

Rosa Parks, Tim Tebow, and Cultural Condemnation

rosa parks, civil rights, tim tebow, olivia culpo, communication, loveOn a cold December day, today, 60 years ago, Rosa Parks (Feb. 4, 1913 – Oct. 24, 2005), an African American, in Montgomery, Alabama, refused to give up her seat to a white man in the colored section when the whites-only-section was filled. For this simple act, she was arrested and branded as a criminal. It is without dispute that her courage sparked what we now call the Civil Rights Movement.

 

Our world today would find this action ludicrous. Yet, in American culture of 1955, this was an act of defiance; defiance that declared I am an American too, with rights and responsibilities just like you. And all she did was stand up, or, sit-down, for her right to a seat on a bus. For this, she raised the ire and spite of much of our country.

 

Just this past Thanksgiving, a former Bronco’s QB, Tim Tebow, stood up for his right to refuse to have sex with his now former girlfriend, Olivia Culpo, this year’s reigning Miss Universe. Once again, our nation rises in protest as his Christian faith takes a stand on pre-marital abstinence, in opposition to our pervasive, permissive cultural standard. For this, Tebow has raised the ire and ridicule of a large part of our country.

 

So…, have we really come so far? Comments welcome.

 

 

For what it’s worth,

  Gary

Ditch your evangelism

-get a life800px-solasean_0001

The first step is learning to listen. The first step in bringing people to faith in Christ is to get to know them. BUT before that, we need to understand how they see us. One of the ways we can do this is to is to ask them.

So today, start by asking.

  1. What do you enjoy the most about your life?
  2. What is the most fun thing you’ve ever done?
  3. Tell me about your childhood. What was it like growing up?
  4. What has been your experience with Christianity, good and bad?
  5. Describe your beliefs now. What does your faith offer you that you believe Christianity does not?
  6. If you could change one thing about Christianity what would it be?
  7. If someone could do something that would really cared about and loved you, what would that be?

Will you be able to just listen? Will you try to argue them into belief?

Do your best to simply listen.

Gary

 

Serenity

reverie_preview

Serenity
Even the word feels good as it rolls off your tongue-  s  e  r  e  n  i  t  y. Like a magic word that calls forth a Genie from a bottle, the word beckons us to come apart to a peaceful place, to find solace, to rest, to be waited upon by a flood of servants! Or merely to be able to close our eyes on a warmed beach under a palm tree, or in a chaise lounge at a mountain retreat.
The serenity I need I find in front of a warm fireplace at the confiscated Lakehouse, deep within the Fall/Winter woods of northern New Hampshire. It is there that I contemplate the deeper questions of life-  like…, why my navel is an inny, or how did I ever wind up with such a wonderful wife. Or why God has honored us with His blessings and the privilege of serving others?
It seems that every now and again I push myself so hard that I border on collapse. Such was October, and September, and the prior Summer en toto. I don’t notice it so much as my wife. When she puts her foot down, “That’s it. You’re about to give way to the pressures of caring for people. You’re LEAVING! Go to the Lakehouse and get some rest!” Thus, I go! Granted, it’s only a day or two, but that’s enough for me, I think.
If you haven’t gotten the point of this emPulse yet, let me make it perfectly clear. Any of us can get caught up in the business of life, and work, and family, and other people, especially on a day when we are excited (or forced) to be around friends and relatives stuffed with turkey, so unsuspectingly, that we forget to take care of ourselves-  our bodies, our emotions, our spirits, our souls. We start to come apart because we have forgotten to come apart to take care of ourselves. Fortunately, I have a wife who knows when I’ve had enough…, even though I am clueless to the actuality. Don’t lose yourself to the importance of life. Remember to view yourself as expendable. Don’t lose yourself to the importance of life. You will be missed when you get away; but you will come back a renewed man, a refreshed woman.
A little serenity goes a long way to clear the mind and restore the soul.
27Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.
I do not give to you as the world gives.
Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
–           John 14:27 Christian Bible
Have a good Thanksgiving.
 
Gary

I love Charlie Sheen

378976-1g

My love for Charlie Sheen

Sometimes I think our whole world has gone crazy. Throughout my life I have loved so many people—both men and women. I dated at least 26 women before I married my wife. Since then I’ve loved at least that many more. And the men? Really? I’ve lost count. My wife, Starr, is absolutely OK with all of it. Of course, none of my relationships involved sex. But I still loved intently.

Charlie has loved so many women it’s out of control. He’s been out of control, in control, then out again, then in again, so many times. It’s unimaginable.

Yet he’s the one who gets condemned and told, “You got what you deserved.” “You reap what you sow.”

Here is a man who has just been told he has the HIV virus and the first thing that comes to people’s minds is he deserves it. Incredible!

Let me ask you, do you want to get what you deserve? I certainly don’t. A lot of my Christian friends ask me if I’m looking forward to heaven. I tell them that I’ll be damn lucky (Calvinisticly speaking) to squeak in by a side door. I deserve to have my ass fried in hell for all eternity. But God has never played fair with me…, or you, or Charlie.

Cut the guy a little slack! He doesn’t deserve this.

For what it’s worth,

  Gary