For Christ's Sake, Shut Up!

Kopp Disclosure
(John 3:19-21)

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When in doubt, don't.

When the light is green, go.

When the light is red, stop.

When the light is yellow, stop and reflect some more before...

That's some of the best advice that's ever been given to me.

I haven't always heeded it.

Too bad; because what I've said and written haven't always been good.

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A friend bought a patch for his leather vest: "Shut Up and Ride!"

I saw one that I'll get next time: "Stop Whining!"

I think it was Francis who said, "Sometimes I use words when I preach."

A missionary counseled, "A life lived for Jesus speaks louder than any verbal testimony."

My wife says, "Too many words and not enough love."

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Recently, while lamenting the dysfunctions in our world, decline of America, and pret' near demise of my favorite ecclesiastical franchise, I got a tad too testy with a brother who wanted to have a meeting to discuss evangelism; and for mainliners and other relatives who don't know what that means, it's eternally more about pointing people to Jesus as Lord and Savior to save souls than trying to strategize to save institutions.

I started talking and writing about, uh, well, uh, it doesn't really matter because...

Most people have already made up their minds about just about everything; even if it's only coincidentally related to Jesus and Holy Scripture.

Abortion, human sexuality, marriage, and even Christology come to mind.

Lines have been drawn in the sand.

More talk ain't gonna change minds already made up.

That's why I'm really, really, really trying to spend more time in prayer; begging Him to help build broken bridges by turning hearts/heads/guts to Jesus through Whom reconciliation is still possible, needing to fill myself with much more of Him to squeeze out the poisons, and trusting increasing intimacy with Him will yield more Christlikeness in my talk and walk.

Indeed, and I may be wrong as some have already suggested upon hearing this suggestion, I think, with all of the dysfunctions and decline and pret' near demise of so much so previously treasured, we should stop all meetings for a while - government, schools, churches, you name it - and just pray, pray, pray, and pray, pray, pray, and pray some more until we get it/Him as His body if you know what I mean.

Seriously.

Again, confessing I may be wrong, I think we need to talk and write and meet less and, uh, well, uh, just hang out with Him until we remember/renew/revive/resurrect what made America and American churches so much better than the current versions.

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For Christ's sake, I've got to shut up if it has nothing to do with honoring Him.

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Blessings and Love!