Don't Shoot Yourself In The Foot

One of the most commonly used colloquial sayings we have in American culture is, "Don't shoot yourself in the foot." The thrust of this pearl of great wisdom is simply this: Avoid doing that which is only going to hurt yourself.

One of the most frequently viewed videos on YouTube.com shows a DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) agent speaking to a crowd of teenagers and adults about the dangers of drugs and guns -- a noble effort to be sure. As the agent brings out a handgun which he says is unloaded, he assures them he is the only one in the room "professional enough" to handle such a weapon (scroll down to watch the video).

You can probably see where this is going. Almost as soon as those words had left his lips, the gun discharged (yeah, it was loaded after all). The stunned (and probably deafened) crowd began to stir in confusion and alarm. The agent began to limp, suggesting he had shot himself in the foot.

A painful way to get the message across.

As he continued to lecture, the agent asked for an assistant to hand him an assault rifle he had brought along. The prospect of this man handling an automatic weapon in a room full of parents and their children sent the crowd into a mild frenzy. You see, although the motives and message of this DEA agent were commendable, his own lack of care in the very matters on which he lectured destroyed his credibility with that group.

Jesus said...

Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.
Matthew 7:1-5, ESV

How effective will our efforts to win the souls of men be if our own soul lies in peril? Before we can effectively be about the work of helping others to see the urgent need of salvation, you and I must concern ourselves with the task of purifying our own minds through submission to the will of God.

To do otherwise would just be shooting ourselves in the feet!

r2

Coming Clean

You may have heard the news that broke yesterday about track and field legend, Marion Jones. Ms. Jones has finally admitted to using performance enhancing drugs prior to her truly golden performance (three gold medals, five medals in all) at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.

For several years, Jones has adamantly denied using such substances. In 2004, she held a public press conference in which she strongly urged her fans and the public to trust her word.

The news of her admission yesterday makes every one of her denials and appeals to the public for trust seem exceedingly shallow and blatantly dishonest. To make matters worse, Marion is now claiming she must have been given these substances against her will and without her knowledge. She claims the drugs must have been contained within what she thought was merely flax seed oil.

But this is hardly a new song. Over the past few years with the increasing steroids in sports scandals, several athletes have used the same unlikely, and quite frankly, unbelievable excuse. For an elite athlete to claim that he or she does not meticulously monitor what goes into the body that provides their livelihood is simply inexplicable.

My family lived in Southern California during the early 1990's during part of my middle and high school years. During that time, my dad and I attended a high school girls' basketball game in which Marion Jones was playing. She was one of the most gifted and dominant athletes I have seen in any sport at any level. Marion went on to star as the University of North Carolina's point guard, leading that team to a National Championship during her freshman season. Of course, her track and field accomplishments at the highest level speak for themselves.

The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and snare of death.

Proverbs 21:6, ESV

What is most sad about this story is Jones' lack of honesty. For her fans (like me) and those who admired her talent and work ethic, the tainted shadow she now casts on the sports world is bad enough; but to add to that blatant dishonesty and outright lack of regard for the justice system merely pour salt in the "open wound."

Could you estimate the number of lies that have been told by human beings throughout the history of the world? Do we even have a number that goes so high? Now, how many situations and lives have been improved by all those lies? Not a single one. Lives are ruined and trust vanishes when lies are told.My friend, be resolved to always tell the truth, no matter what!

Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight.

Proverbs 21:6, ESV

Take A Lesson From The Roadkill

There are few things in life more distasteful than a man who refuses to take a firm position. Living in the "gray area," "straddling the fence," and "standing in the middle of the road" on any important issue seems to be more popular than ever in this "uber-politically-correct" world in which we live.

How does your opinion of an individual change when you find out they have been "playing to both sides?" It is hypocrisy at its very height. Why is standing in the middle of the road dangerous? For one thing, you are in danger of getting knocked down from the traffic on both sides. Take an lesson from our little friend in the photo above!

Another reason that certainly bears our consideration is that such a non-committal, cowardly way of thinking greatly displeases the Lord. Consider his words...

And Elijah came near to all the people and said, "How long will you go limping between two different opinions; if the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him." And the people did not answer him a word.
1 Kings 18:21, ESV

So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.
Revelation 3:16, ESV

History's greatest men are those who have dared to commit to a cause. The has-been's and never will be's of the ages are replete with those who were not committed enough to any cause to stand up and fight.

Are you "limping between two opinions?" Quickly vacate the "middle of the road," for that is truly the worst place you can be!

r2

Unfeigned Faith

When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that is in thee also.
2 Timothy 1:5, KJV

Most English-speaking Americans do not utilize the term "unfeigned" on a regular basis. We might be more inclined to say, "sincere," as the English Standard Version so translates. Obviously, this sincere faith is a very commendable attribute; it is something to be desired by the people of God today. Here is just a handful of items entailed in this idea of sincere faith:

1. A firm stand for righteousness (Ephesians 6:13-18)
2. A life that triumphs over sin (1 John 5:4)
3. A heart indwelled by Christ (Ephesians 3:17)
4. A life growing in spiritual attainments (2 Peter 3:18)
5. A consistent walk of good report (Hebrews 11:1-2)
6. A life lived to please God (1 Thessalonians 4:1)

I am thankful for you who live "sincere faith."

R2