Metanoeite LXXX

"Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks
why you're living the way you are, and
always with the utmost courtesy.
Keep a clear conscience
before God
so that
when people throw mud at you,
none of it will stick.
They'll end up
realizing that
they're the ones who need a bath."

I've learned a few things about dealing with the irascible and irreconcilable: (1) Trying to be rational with the irrational is illogical; (2) Don't get into tinkling contests with skunks; and (3) It's often better to talk to You about someone than to talk to someone about You.

"Creative neglect is the best way to love some people."

"Do not give dogs what is sacred; and do not throw your pearls to pigs.
If you do,
they will only trample on them, and then
turn and tear you to pieces."

Metanoeite LXXX

"Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks
why you're living the way you are, and
always with the utmost courtesy.
Keep a clear conscience
before God
so that
when people throw mud at you,
none of it will stick.
They'll end up
realizing that
they're the ones who need a bath."

I've learned a few things about dealing with the irascible and irreconcilable: (1) Trying to be rational with the irrational is illogical; (2) Don't get into tinkling contests with skunks; and (3) It's often better to talk to You about someone than to talk to someone about You.

"Creative neglect is the best way to love some people."

"Do not give dogs what is sacred; and do not throw your pearls to pigs.
If you do,
they will only trample on them, and then
turn and tear you to pieces."

Metanoeite LXXIX

"Some of us have been given special ability as apostles;
to others He has given the gift of being able to preach;
some have special ability in winning people to Christ,
helping them to trust Him as their Savior;
still others have a gift for caring for God's
people as a shepherd does his sheep,
leading and teaching them in the
ways of God."

Life and ministry are all about...

"Me."

"And whatever you do, in word or in deed,
do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father
through
Him."

Metanoeite LXXVIII

"I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made.
But I am well on my way,
reaching out for Christ,
Who
has so wondrously reached out for me.
Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means
do I count myself an expert in all of this,
but
I've got my eye on the goal,
where
God
is beckoning us onward - to
Jesus.
I'm off and running, and
I'm not turning back."

As another new year dawns, I look to our future more than my, uh, behind.

"That's My direction."

"I make everything new."

Metanoeite LXXVII

"Don't be afraid! I bring you good news of great joy for everyone!
The Savior - yes, the Messiah, the Lord - has been born!"

Our greatest enemies fall at Your coming.

"What a friend you have in Jesus."

"Lord, now I can die in peace! As You promised me,
I have seen the Savior
You have given
to
all people."

Metanoeite LXXVI

"He created them male and female."

If women could care less and men could care more, gender wars would cease.

"Don't confuse inspiration with indigestion."

"Admittedly, this whole thing is a puzzle - I mean Christ and the Church.
Anyway, you all - every one of you -
love your woman
as though
she were you,
and let the woman have respect for her man."

Metanoeite LXXV

"Seductions choke the Word."

Breaking promises to each other must cause concern about our devotion to You.

"You're making connections."

"As you do it to them, you do it to Me."

Metanoeite LXXIV

"Maranatha!"

Enfleshing design at first advent, You remain to enlighten, encourage, and equip for the last; knowing at last like the first and continuing of Your presence for peace on earth as it is in heaven.

"You're getting closer."

"I'm on my way."

Metanoeite LXXIII

"What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?"

Wicked weather enabled excuses for the seasonally spiritual and attendance suffered; yet those who worshiped confirmed Godliness exceeding casual appointments.

"Peace and unity are products of purity."

"Don't link up with those who pollute you.
I want you all for Myself."

Metanoeite LXXI

"No one will take away your joy."

The snarling skeptic scorned the satisfactions of simple faith evoking more than seasonal smiles and celebrations; so I asked, "If you're so right and we're so wrong, why aren't we as miserable as you?"

"Infidelity gnarls the soul."

"I have told you this so that you can share my joy,
and that your joy may be complete."

Metanoeite LXX

"No other gods, only Me."

Despite nearly four decades of decline precipitated by defiance against You as enfleshed in Jesus and explained in Holy Scripture, the old pastor implored the young pastor to ignore invitations to newer wineskins who herald You according to Your definitions with enthusiasm and without equivocation; betraying the emotional, intellectual, and spiritual paralysis of longing for the way things never were or maybe were but are no more.

"It's not that complicated."

"You cannot worship two gods at once."

Metanoeite LXIX

"God saw all that He had made,
and it was very good."

What is Your favorite color?

"Rainbow!"

"There is no difference. You are all equal."

Metanoeite LXVIII

Metanoeite (LXVIII)

"A double-minded man is unstable."

Ending a sentence with a preposition is like agreeing with the last person you've talked to...and ignoring wisdom: "You can't fix what you won't face."

"I'm not gray."

"When Jesus finished speaking, the people were simply amazed at His ideas,
for He was teaching them like He knew what He was talking about.
He didn't sound like their preachers."

Metanoeite LXVII

"Forgetting everything that lies behind and concentrating on what lies ahead,
I push on with all I've got toward the prize of God's invitation
to the high road in Christ Jesus."

The only way to control the backward look is to change directions.

"Whenever you're lost, turn right."

"Keep your eyes on Jesus."

Metanoeite LXVI

"If you prefer them over Me, you don't deserve Me."

Denominational pride is sin.

"So is yours."

"What's that I see in your eye?"

Metanoeite LXV

"If you don't have enough understanding, ask for it from God, who gives liberally
to everyone without scolding, and it will surely be given to you. But you must
ask in complete trust,
without any reservations.
For the man with reservations
is like an ocean wave
whipped and ripped
by the wind.
Such a fellow should not think for one minute
that he'll get anything from the Lord.
He's a fence-straddler and inconsistent in all he does."

She said I should and he said I shouldn't; and I'm tired of people who should on others.

"You should know then act better."

"Choose today whom you will serve...But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord."

Metanoeite LXIV

"Don't give pearls to pigs."

They were upset because she said too much; and now they're upset because she doesn't bother to say anything to them.

"It's a balancing...act."

"Just say what is true."

Metanoeite LXIII

"Oh, that he would kiss me...Let my love come to his garden and eat its choicest fruit...
I opened to my love, but my love had turned and gone away."

Unrequited longings provoke perditious passions.

"Tell Me about it."

"I sought the one I love; I sought him, but did not find him."

Metanoeite LXII

"No lies."

She talks pejoratively about others when with me and talks pejoratively about me when with them.

"Consistency isn't always a virtue."

"The tongue has messed up the body."

Metanoeite LXI

"Everyone who practices wicked things hates the light
and avoids it, so that his deeds may not be exposed."

Herod's strategies to kill anyone threatening his prerogatives and pride remind me of anonymity's darkest intent coupled with lack of courage for the candor of faithless convictions.

"My people hide nothing."

"You're here to be light,
bringing God-colors in the world.
God is not a secret to be kept."

Metanoeite LX

"They devoted themselves...and many wonders and miraculous signs were done."

Returning to You, our revival began.

"Revival begins when you return to Me and continues as you remain in Me."

"Tremendous power is made available through earnest prayer."