Da Word... 242! Truth is tough

Tolerance, in this day, is pushed like crazy.  The unfortunate thing about tolerance is it tends to condone behavior or ideologies that are just plain wrong!  You know it, and I know it.  But for some reason, in the name of tolerance, we ought not to do anything about it.  But what is peace if the existence that allows peace is a lie? That is no existence.

From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.

- John 6:66

So my man J was at a synagogue in Capernaum.  He was teaching about seeking after food that can bring eternal life.  In other words, he began teaching more about he and the Father, and how the Father has promised to raise up all whom has been given the Son for the will of the Father is that none are lost who have been given.  Now while teaching, my man J says some things that are pretty hard to take.  Basically J is making some HUGE claims and stirring some you know what.  But J, at the same time, is being real.  He isn't sugar coating.  And as a result, people are grumbling, upset, and nearing offended.

It gets to a point where these kats just can't take it anymore.  It's a hard teaching to take because it also requires people to level up.  Not to mention, my man J didn't hesitate to say things that called some of them out.  He mentioned that though these people had seen miracles FIRST HAND, they STILL did not believe!  So in verse 66, we see that desertion begins to take place.

Here's the thing, if these disciples deserted their leader, one whose miracles they witnessed first hand no less, what makes us think we won't experience similar results in any endeavor that we might lead?  That's right, when we stand up for a particular cause, when we draw our lines in the sand, when we take up the path of reality and truth there will be those who defect.  Not only that, it may even give rise to opposition.  

As they say, it can be lonely at the top.  See, the person at the top doesn't have the luxury of tolerance.  To guide the ship, he or she must make hard decisions. But it shouldn't only be the person at the top.  Every single one of us should also look reality in the face and make those tough decisions.  What do you stand for and where do you stand?  Let it be known, in ways that are constructive.  We can't live in a bubble... there is no life in that.  So, burst that bad boy and get to livin'.  Yeah, it may hurt at times, but it also paves the way for the best of times.

G-bless,

   - patrick

Da Word... 241! Got Idols?

For some reason, we have this tendency to fall in love with a thing and before you know it, we are consumed by that thing.  Did I say consumed?  No, I meant controlled or even fallen a slave to!  You know what I'm talking about, heh heh.

You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols.

- Paul (1 Cor. 12:2)

This chapter of Corinthians is focused on spiritual gifts.  However, this verse in particular, though written as an introduction, jumped out at a brutha.  Besides the sarcasm (the pointed description of "mute" idols, heh heh), it struck a chord.  See, Paul pointed out that somehow or other, people are influenced and/or led toward becoming infatuated with an idol.... and mute ones at that!  What possible sense does that make?  Worshipping some item... crafted by the hand of man no less... that can't even speak!  Why?

It's easy to get influenced, especially if we already have a proclivity towards a certain area.  In this day an age, with technology growing at an insane clip, there is always something new to dig our hands into.  Not to mention no shortage of product evangelizers.  It's no thing to try things out.  It is a thing, however, when we get addicted.  When we start paying more attention to some piece of technology, some tv show, or the latest threads than to our own well-being, we begin to develop idols in our lives.  If we aren't careful, those idols, those lifeless things, will begin to run our lives, reigning as master.  Pretty soon we may begin to neglect our very health or those relationships that mean the most to us.  And that... is jacked.

Did you know, work can be your idol?  If it's all consuming and all you do is eat, breathe, and sleep your work, that could be an issue my friend!  Life isn't about work and work alone.  It's hard to keep that perspective though since society is structured such that many large incentives are placed around the idea of work.  The supposed key to our livelihoods and standard of living are perceived to be intimately connected with work.  So it makes sense then to pour all we have into work.  But as is the case with all things, balance is key.  What does it profit a man that he gain the whole world but lose his very soul?

Let's keep the idols in check and pay careful attention to what we allow to influence us and lead us.  We are not meant to be slaves to things of our creation.  Keep first things first, invest in people and  your relationships.  But most of all, get to know Pops above.  Homie's got this insane way of helping a brutha maintain perspective ;-D

G-bless,

  - patrick