Are You a Hypocrite?

I was reading Matthew 23 this week, in which Jesus issued a scathing rebuke to the scribes and Pharisees, calling them hypocrites. Hypocrite is a word which essentially means "two-faced." It is someone who is a pretender -- an actor -- but not the "real deal."

It's easy to call other people hypocrites, if they do not measure up to our expectations. However, I find the words of Jesus to be soul-searching. What if I am a hypocrite? How would I know?

Let me suggest nine diagnostic questions based upon the characteristics which Jesus attributed to the Pharisees in this passage of scripture. Ask yourself:

1.) Do I hold others to a higher standard than myself? (Matt 23:1-4)
2.) Do I seek honor and praise from men? (vv 5-12)
3.) Does my attitude and example hinder others from entering the
kingdom of God? (13)
4.) Do I use religiosity as a smoke screen to hide my own sins? (14)
5.) Are my "converts" ending up worse off (spiritually) than me? (15)
6.) Do I play word games in order to fenagle and manipulate things in
my favor? (16-22)
7.) Do I make a big deal over small matters of obedience while ignoring
those things which are HUGE in the eyes of God?
8.) Do I tend to focus on outward righteousness while neglecting the
inward condition of my heart? (25-28)
9.) Do I venerate men of God from the past while vilifying those whom
God has sent to us in our own generation? (29-36)

I'm not sure what the grading scale should be . . . but if you are answering "yes" more often than "no" to these questions . . . well, then you probably know how Jesus what Jesus would say . . . Hmmm . . . Let us pray!

Love & Respect, by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs

I'm reading a great book for married couples -- Love & Respect, by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs. It is probably the most insightful book in the field of marriage and relationships that I have read since Dr. Gary Chapman's 5 Love Languages. The basic premise of the book is that the primary need of wives is love, and the primary need of husbands is respect. The basis for this assumption is Ephesians 5:21-33 in which husbands are commanded to love their wives and wives to respect their husbands. Dr. Eggerichs convincingly makes the case that if this is what God commanded, then it must also be what men and women need. He also presents both anecdotal and scientific data that support this conclusion.

Having established this conclusion, the author then proceeds to spend a considerable amount of time giving practical advice to husbands and wives on how to put love and respect to work in the marriage relationship. This section of the book is very practical.

I highly recommend Love & Respect to all who are married or who hope someday to be.

Merry Christmas to All!

TO ALL MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS . . .

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Christ has Come!

Christ is Here!!

Christ is Coming Again!!!

Gloria en Excelsis Deo!

Why Joe is a Plumber - by Roy Exum

Roy Exum is a local writer who regularly submits opinion pieces to chattanoogan.com (one of our local online "newspapers"). I think this one is worth sharing with everyone.

Why Joe Is A Plumber

by Roy Exum - posted December 12, 2008

His name is Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher, which probably means little to you, but when I tell you his moniker is “Joe The Plumber” you will immediately recall he was somewhat of a persona celebre in the recent presidential election. He is a guy who we were led to believe spoke for the heart of America when he worried about which direction our nation was heading and he endeared himself to a thirsty media crowd when he got into something of a banter with Barack Obama during a whistle stop in northeast Ohio. Well, the next thing you know some of John McCain’s handlers got him on their campaign bus and, much like you’d follow in a cheap Hollywood script, he relished his so-called 15 minutes of fame. The more Joe spoke, the prouder he became, but, as is often the way with a firecracker, the bang didn’t last for very long.
Earlier this week, Joe proved to all of us why he is a plumber when he snapped back at the hand that once fed him. In an interview, Joe Wurzelbacher boldly proclaimed that Sen. McCain made him so mad when the two talked about bank bailout he “wanted to get off the bus.”Of course, Joe didn’t get so very mad that he actually told the driver to pull over right then, instead coming with this revelation a good month after the election because – guess what – Joe The Plumber has a book coming out. Now let me say up front that I have never met a plumber who I didn’t adore. They have more common sense as a group than almost any other herd you can name and each one I’ve ever talked to shares in the belief that … well, stuff always flows downhill. My hunch, of course, is that Joe doesn’t lay much two-inch PVC or fix leaky faucets anymore.No, if he’s written a book in, what, just six weeks, he’s been a long way from that Stillson wrench and those blue jeans that always slide down just so when he’s under a sink. No sir, my man has now reached the literary stage in his life like some other big-time stars have found.The trouble is, he’s being coached by the same types that originally lured him onto the bus, those spin jockeys who have convinced him he has to start a ruckus in order to sell more books. Get the picture – this isn’t about septic tanks. Joe has to have more than a stopped-up sink to get the public to shell out $29.95, or whatever it is, for a hard copy.Remember Barbara Walters when she came out with her book early this summer? Oh, we all know who she is, but she needed a similar sales hook so, with nary a blush I’m telling you, she comes forth with the spice that she once had a torrid affair with a former senator. Forget the poor guy’s wife and family; Babs needed sales and did pretty well, for all we know. “Ba-ba Wa-wa” sure got in a lot of newspapers, a publicist’s dream, and the readers loved knowing the 79-year-old had once had a heart-throb for an African-American at that. I’m telling you, it doesn’t get juicer unless you’re a steak in Kansas City.Now old Joe is being led down the same path. McCain, the election’s loser, can no longer help him so, presto, there is the sacrificial lamb that some beady-eyed tout feels is necessary to embellish Joe The Plumber’s value to America. Forget that’s he’s just 34 and comes to us an expert on things because he was once a plumber – this is show business.You don’t believe any of that? Then try this: when conservative talk-radio host Glenn Beck was interviewing Joe on Tuesday, and asked what on earth McCain had said to get the plumber so riled, he wouldn’t say, hinting instead you needed to shell out $29.95, or whatever it is, for the hard copy. Honey, they don’t teach that course in marketing until you get to graduate school. Oh, I shouldn’t dump on the guy, especially when he’s trying so hard to work his angle, but it bothers my insides when people step on the very hands that helped them get this far up the ladder. And if his book is a flop, he can always go back to making house calls.Let me know if you find a plumber who will come out for $29.95, or whatever it is.

royexum@aol.com

Emerging from the FOG . . .

After over 2 months of silence, I am slowly emerging from the fog of another semester of seminary. It's not that seminary is my life--because it's NOT. I've also been busy with my church, trying to meet the needs of my flock. But the seminary portion of my life just sucks a lot of the extra air out of it. Nevertheless, I am so thankful for the opportunity I've had to continue my education. It's a great feeling to be adding new "tools" to my pastoral "tool box." But now, I'm kinda ready to finish this program and start trying out those new tools! It's hard to get them and use them at the same time. I now have one semester to go until graduation in May! Can't wait!!

Maybe I can catch up on posting some stuff before things rev up again in January . . .

"Waitin' On a Woman"

Patience has never been one of my strongest virtues. My wife would especially agree with this confession. Many times in our eleven years of marriage, she has heard these words come out of my mouth . . . "Honey, aren't you ready yet? We're going to be late!"

Well, I'm gradually learning to relax a little more about such things, and today I heard this song which perfectly describes what many a man has come to realize. You guys check it out and let me know if you agree! :)

Little Gasparilla Island

About a month ago, Sarah and I took some vacation time, and spent about 8 days on Florida's Little Gasparilla Island. LGI is one of the many barrier islands along the gulf coast, and is located just a little north of Sanibel and Captiva. This was our third time to vacation there, and we already wish we could go again. LGI has no bridge, making it accessible only by boat. We brought a weeks' supply of groceries with us, and did not leave until we were ready to come home! Once you arrive on the island, there are no paved roads, no traffic lights, and no stores or restaurants. Transportation consists of golfcarts or walking. Most people seem to find this unappealing . . . and we hope it stays that way so the few of us who enjoy the tranquility may continue to do so!

We enjoyed seeing lots of beautiful birds and other wildlife. Probably the most unique experience that we enjoyed was our interaction with the manatees.

While kayaking in the bay, we enjoyed a few "visits" with some friendly manatees . . .

This one seemed to seek us out . . .

It came right up to our kayak . . .

. . . and allowed us to pet it

. . . just like a BIG puppy dog!! :)

As you can see, it was very affectionate!

In fact, it actually played with our boat, pushing us around like it was a toy! We just sat there and enjoyed the ride, until he gave us a pretty good bump, and then we decided that maybe it was time to move on.

We also enjoyed lots of sand, sun, surf, seashells and sunsets!

This was one of the most relaxing vacations ever!