I got up this morning feeling fine, I got up with heaven on my mind, and, the song goes on and on. That's not a bad way to start
Wednesday,
May 6,
2026, or, any other day in my opinion. You do notice that I do have 'my opinion'. It shows up quite often here on the electronic page emanating from the ole blogger ranch. I've heard all my life about folks who are so heavenly minded they are no earthly good. And, while I clearly get the sense of what is said, I'm not sure I've actually ever met anyone that fit that description. I think I've mostly run into folks too much like myself, so earthly minded, it's a wonder God has made us fit for heaven. But, that would be me and my experience. Perhaps you've seen it differently. Now I'm sure that I am well aware of what a hypocrite looks like. No. I didn't ask you to bring me a mirror, but, I do agree that's how you could see one. All people I've known, even the most dedicated and spiritually minded, well, they had some chinks in their armor just like me, and, yes, just like you. Now there are some who are just out and out scoundrels. They use their church association to abuse or take advantage of others. I grew up around some like that. They were deacons on Sunday and come Monday at their place of business they wouldn't think twice of tricking any unfortunate soul. I know. I've got enough in my own life to say grace over, but, taking advantage of the downtrodden, that's pretty nasty stuff. It is. It really is. When we give off the wrong picture of what a true born again believer looks like, well, it confuses and causes others to get a distorted view. I, sadly have been there and done that. I can tell you this. When you get yourself rebuked by a lost person who reminds you how your actions are out of line with your profession, yikes, that hurts even now, just thinking about it. It reminds me of that fellow who was a believer but he took up with his stepmom and the Church was silent, therefore, the Apostle Paul told them that fellow had done something that even those in the pagan world would not tolerate. (Read about it in 1st Corinthians 5) The person who rebuked me was seeing the story I was living and it did not match what he thought Bible people were all about. My point: People are watching. They are. They really are.
I have no idea where all that came from except remembering good stuff is certainly sweeter than the bitter things that are, in fact, a part of life. I've been asked before: "You are talking about your life before salvation, right?" I would like to say yes but battling the flesh has been a part of my journey throughout my sojourn here on the planet. Before, during, and after. It has. It really has. But, I am sure each of those who read my blogs have their own battles. It comes with the territory. Right? I hear folks at times saying how they have been blessed to have never been tempted by a list of some of the more well known sinful behaviors. You know. The 'I don't drink, I don't cuss or chew, and, I don't go with the girls that do'. The way I read it from the source of all Truth and it reveals this: Hebrews 12: 1 from the Amplified Bible "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who by faith have testified to the truth of God’s absolute faithfulness], stripping off every unnecessary weight and the
sin which so easily and cleverly entangles us, let us run with endurance and active persistence the race that is set before us,..." (I added the bold) My reading of this text says we all have our race, mine is mine, yours is yours, and, things that would tempt me may not tempt you and the same says things that would tempt you may not tempt me. Therefore, we can never brag about how we've never done this, that, or the other because clearly there are the 'other things' that may impact our lives. No bragging. Just begging. Begging for the Lord's help each and every day. In case you wondered, that would be me. May God help us all is my prayer.
Amen.
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