Scripture
Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters! Let every person be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger.
~James 1:19, NET
Quote
There is a fierce storm of destruction in each of us; waiting for an impulsive moment.
~Ray Comfort
David said in Psalm 119, My zeal consumes me, for my enemies forget your instructions. The word ‘zeal’ can be translated a multitude of ways: passion, anger, jealously, envy, ardor are some of the synonyms. For those of us who are sand-choleric in temperament, the temptation to allow your zeal to consume you is very real and an every present danger. People like to pull my string just to see me explode. Like David, my strength is also my weakness. David hated his enemies. He despised those who despised God and who disrespected God’s word. A fanatic is a person who is more committed to a cause than they are to Christ. If we are not careful, we can let our zeal become a consuming passion. It is a good thing to be pro-life and there was a time in my life when this was a consuming passion. I am still pro-life but I do see the thin line between being more committed to a cause than to Christ.
Now some of the melancholics, and phlegmatic look down on people like me. I see their condescending eyes and I hear their snide remarks but their problem is a lack of passion. Sure, they don’t blow their stack but that is because they don’t care. I need less zeal and they need more. A hundred years ago, a transatlantic voyage meant a steam liner. These huge ships were powered by steam which meant there was a fire on board. Of course it was a controlled fire in a controlled environment. Obviously, a fire out of control would destroy a ship but a ship with no fire is dead in the water. We need zeal. Matter of fact, I can’t think of many things we need more but it must be under control.
Monday in the zoom meeting with the guy running for president of the SBC I shared my views on Russel Moore. I can’t remember the man’s name that is running but he had responded to every question by calling the person by name and speaking in response. He was very nice to Joe David but I went off on Moore, and the man went blank. He did not say a word. I do not regret doing it: I wanted him to know the resentment that Moore is causing. This man has served on the Executive Committee of the SBC and could be our next president: he needs to know how we feel at the grass roots level. I told him point blank, “Russel more infuriates me and he is an embarrassment to the convention.” He didn’t respond in any way: it was as if I had not said a word. I think he heard me but saw a danger in responding to my comment. I think he was wise to do so. I have no desire to be him because I have no desire to placate people or be politically correct. In my little world, I speak freely. I do understand what he is doing and it is wise but I’m not running for any office and I can speak freely without worrying about the press. If the Moore problem is not fixed, giving is going to continue to decline because people do not agree with what the man is saying and they want no part in CRT, social justice, and marxist communism.
Of course I digressed big time but folks like me need to imitate the snail and be slow to speak and certainly slow to get angry. I ain’t bragging: I am confessing. If you halo wearing introverts want to pray for me, I would appreciate the prayer…I need it! I would not be offended if all men everywhere prayed for me.
Unusual day yesterday. I rode with Joe David and Lori to Birmingham to see Larry and Thomas. We visited Larry first thinking he was the most critical. I guess we got to Princeton’s around 11:30 because Thomas was trying to eat his lunch. Thomas always smiles when we walk in but not yesterday. I knew in an instant that he did not feel good. We had a very short visit and prayer because I could tell that he was in pain and needed to rest. We had no idea that the LORD was about to call him home. He was promoted shortly after our visit. Larry was laboring to breath but fighting. Pray for both these families: Barbara and the children and Larry, Rhonda and their children.
When I got home, June had more bad news for me. Kay Edmonson fell at home and had to spend a big portion of the day at the ER. He is back at home. Pray for Steve. His plan is to let his dad stay there in the mobile home.
Tonight is our Town Hall Meeting at the POINT. I don’t know what will happen but I believe we will be electing a building committee to get started on our fellowship hall. We vote on Doug Seaver next Sunday to be our Praise and Worship leader. May the LORD grant us wisdom and understanding.
We have about 40 young people going to Scott Dawson’s Summer Beach Retreat. If you want to sponsor one of these kids, talk to Josh. My goal was 60 but I am thankful for 40. Our plan is to use these 40 young people to help us on the Mega-Youth Rally August 8th. That night our goal is to pack the house. Matter of fact, I would like to see us have to go to the parking lot. Please pray for these two youth events.