Religopath

 

Scripture

All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step.

~1 Corinthians 9:25-26, NLT

Quotes

To finish, is to win.

~Morris Hill

This story goes beyond most of my readers history but I remember it well. In the spring of 1980, Rosie Ruiz became the first woman to win the Boston Marathon. She had the laurel wreath placed on her head and enjoyed the cheers of the crowd. It was an incredible feat but her glory was short-lived. Someone noticed the cellulite in her legs and questions were raised. No one could remember seeing her in the first 25 miles of the race and that is because she stepped into the fray after mile 25; she ran less than a mile. In spite of being renounced publicly as a fraud, she continued her charade. People who interviewed her walked away shocked because she would not confess her transgression but continued to act as if she had won the race. Finally they had her evaluated by professionals and found out that she was a sociopath. She had no conscience; no feelings of guilt or remorse.

Eugene Peterson, author of the Message, coined a new word…Religopath. He defines these folks as those who have no daily quiet time, no personal walk with Jesus and yet they show up on Sunday pretending to be disciples of Christ. They have lived as they please all week long and then jump in the race on Sunday. They will even take part in ministry activities as long as they are being seen and praised but in their private life, they have no time for Jesus. What is more shocking, their duplicity doesn’t seem to bother them. It is as if they are playing a part on stage and like the folks in Hollywood, they are nothing like what they appear to be. Personally, I had rather be real than be religious. The people I admire most are those with integrity.

Extra

I have a burden for Shohn and Clara. Clara is not doing well: severe headaches and unable to sleep more than three hours at a time. This means Shohn is not getting rest either. I can’t tell you how to pray, I don’t know how myself, but I am asking you to pray. I talked to Gregg yesterday; he sounds fine on the phone and I do think he is better. I have not visited Sarah since the stomach bug but will probably go today. Mrs. Willowdean is going to stay at Summerford. June and I were hoping she could go to the Terrace but they have opted to stay at Summerford.

April is upon us and the Dogwoods are in bloom. This little cold spell is Dogwood winter. It seems the Dogwoods are early this year. They usually bloom around Easter which is only two weeks away. Our fish fry at the POINT is Sunday night April 10 at 6:00 pm. I talked with Pat Smith yesterday and he will be there with his cookers. Kip is getting the fish and I ordered the shrimp. I love the fish fry and it will be at the Pavilion LORD willing.

 

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