The Unworthy Saint

How wonderful it would be to hear Christ say “Amazing, your faith is amazing” like he did to the Roman officer. (Matt 8:5-13)

I can play the man game. I can fake an orgasm. I can bust balls, slap butts, pinch nipples and give noogies – but can I really connect? Can I confess? Can I really love them as I should?

It’s ok to be critical of sin if there’s some hope of reform. If there is no hope of reform, there’s no use in being critical of sin – it becomes wasted energy stolen from the pursuit of God by Satan. To be critical of sin without the ability to change is simply just being critical.

Ex: The guy who cusses you out on the road, who you say “that’s horrible, sinful” – you’ll never talk to him. Ever. So if you dwell on his sin, it’s wasted energy and, thus, of the Devil.

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”
-Jim Elliot, Through Gates of Splendor

I’m sitting in a smoky room, wrist resting on the edge of the folding table. My chips are piled high in mountains of red and blue. The dealer is flipping cards across the table. I have my two in hand. Just before I go to look at my hand the dealer stops me. He leans over the table and whispers “Bet everything… trust me. You don’t need to look at your cards. If you bet it all, you’ll win.” I ponder for a second. And another second. And another… What a crazy idea – that I’m guaranteed to win in I just go all-in. It’s that easy. But what if he’s wrong? I’d lose everything. But he says I’ll win, I just have to go all-in.

It’s hard to do. All-in-faith. If I die to myself, give up my life, give everything to Christ, go all-in, I win. Period. Guaranteed. But I have to have faith to risk it all. I have to have faith to go all-in. But if I go all-in, I’m guaranteed to win.

Pray for me, I’m trying to go all-in. All-in-faith.

Our lives are so unnatural. Are we supposed to be using electric bulbs to light up the night? Gasoline and automobiles? Rockets to go to the moon? Is this really the best thing? Are we really supposed to sleep on pillowtop mattresses? Are we supposed to get comfortable here?

Sometimes I concentrate – like frozen orange juice in the can.

I find I enjoy the warmth of the noon hour on these Summer days if, and only if, I’m enjoying the warmth of the noon hour. But, if I’m doing anything else besides enjoying the warmth, there’s no enjoying it. If, for instance, I’m playing disc golf, I resent the heat. I curse it. But, perhaps there’s an in-between. Perhaps I can learn to multi-task – to enjoy the heat and do whatever else it is that I’m doing. A challeng no doubt.

“thanks; I was starting to write this bitch for myself and I thought ‘man, this thing I’m carving looks suspiciously like a wheel.’”
- Daniel Heath

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I ran across this quote earlier today when I was looking for info on the datediff function. I thought it was hillarious. I’m guilty of reinventing the wheel over and over again. I’m fine with it though, I feel like I learn alot from reinventing over and over again. I feel like it keeps me on my toes. But I loved the words he chose – because I get the “hmm…this is starting to look like a wheel” thought too…

Dear Mr. Chin’s Twin,

Forgive me for not knowing your name. It’s just that I never want to know your name, nor do I ever want to see you again. Your are quite unsightly. You are not welcome! Please leave. You’ve been hanging around for a year or two now, getting a little bit bigger as you go… this is becoming unacceptable. So I feel I must make a stand, do the right thing.

You have 9 days to leave Mr. Chin’s Twin. If you have not gone in 9 days certain plans will be set into motion and measures will be taken against you. On your way out please share this message with the Lovehandle twins and their friend Mr. Bellyfat.

Thank you.
Philip Likens

PS. Just to clairfy, I beleive Father Time and the Junk Food Gang invited you around, but I did not. You were never welcome, I’ve just now decided that you should go.