Scripture
Well, now I’ve done it! I’ve made a complete fool of myself by going on like this. But it’s not all my fault; you put me up to it.
~2 Corinthians 12:11, MSG
Quote
It is a poor dog indeed, that cannot wag it’s own tail.
~Naola Bailey
I do not know what laymen think of 2 Corinthians 11-12 but preachers should love it. I heard a riddle when I was a boy, “What barn yard fowl is like a preacher?” The answer is a Rooster: [1] His job is to wake folks up, [2] He does his job whether appreciated or not and [3] He is the main menu for Sunday dinner. Some years ago, someone came up with PASTOR’S APPRECIATION DAY and it caught on in places but most pastors never know what the day is all about. I am not complaining, I am just telling the truth. I am semi-retired and seventy years old, I can say whatever I want. I’ve heard the arguments, “We pay him a salary, what more does he want?” Well a little encouragement will not kill him. Think about this: Paul was very gifted but not a great speaker. He founded the church at Corinth but later they became enamored by the eloquence of Peter and Apollos whom they praised highly. On the other hand, they were critical of Paul. They accused him of being dishonest and for being in it for the money. Ironically, Corinth never paid Paul a red cent.
You know how all criticism gets back to the preacher. Someone always feels lead to share it with him. All this criticism got back to Paul and it hurt him deeply. In 2 Corinthians 11-12, this hurt comes out. Not only does he expose himself as being weak and sensitive; he then commends himself. In other words, he toots his own horn. He brags about his accomplishments. He realizes that what he has done is wrong and so he confesses, “I’ve made a complete fool of myself.” But he spoils his confession by saying, “You folks made me do it.” Paul probably never imagined these letters being published so that everyone is the world could see his weakness. I believe Paul’s weakness is recorded for a reason: to encourage other preachers. It encourages me to know that Paul struggled with the same things that I struggle with. Paul was hurt that amidst all the criticism, no one defended his honor. After all he had done for them, they threw him under the bus. After all, preachers don’t have feelings, do they?
June was telling me yesterday that they have a Lucifer march planned in Cincinnati Ohio. They are marching for one world government with Lucifer running the government. Folks, it is getting frightening. Ryder believes we are close to the end; he may be right. I do not want to live in a world that Lucifer runs.
First it was the virus, them racial injustice and BLM and now they are going back to the virus. Folks, they are going to crank it up again and they already have folks in the panic mode. I wish they had never interfered. All they did was delay the inevitable. You can’t stop the virus, it has to run its course. I am convinced as is most of the people whom I talk to that the whole thing is a conspiracy to oust our president. I’m not saying the virus is not real, I am saying that our health care led response is a conspiracy. There is no question that BLM is a conspiracy. Sorros and the Clinton’s should be arrested for treason. Obama is probably in on it as well. They are encouraging anarchy. For them, it is rule or ruin.
Headed to Athens today to build a shed: a little therapy for the mind. Cool weather for the next couple of days according to Big Mama. Good crowd at the POINT yesterday and great crowd at DBC last night.