July 4

Kopp Disclosure

(John 3:19-21)

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    Many Americans have always wanted a king.

    Admit it.

    Even today, many Americans worship British royalty and...

    Makes Him wanna puke.

    The Biblically literate and spiritually sensitive know all about that.

    He's never been big on idolatries.

    Fortunately, President Washington resisted the tempting offer.

    I'm not so sure about...

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    It's nothing new.

    Goes way back.

    Many people have this hallucination that kings really care about their subjects.

    "Nanny State" sounds good to 'em.

    "Give me a six-pack and Sunday Night Football and you can have my liberties!"

    They forget God's warnings about kings.

    People to Samuel: "Give us a king like other nations!"

    Samuel to people: "This request bothers me.  You are to have but one Sovereign."

    God to Samuel: "They are not rejecting you.  They are rejecting Me.  Warn them about what will happen if they get a king."

    Samuel to people: "If a king rules over you, things will be different from now on...Your labors will be for the king...You will fight wars for the king...The king will take your land...The king will rule over your children and you will essentially become his slaves...You will have no privacy and no private property...The king will live better than you at your expense...You will not be able to protect yourselves...One day you will cry for mercy from God to save you from the king that you have chosen for yourselves; but be assured, God will not hear you on that day...You will get what you wanted...a king to rule over you."

    People to Samuel: "Give us a king like other nations!"

    God to Samuel: "Give them a king."

    If you don't know the rest of the story, start in 1 Samuel.

    It's nothing new.

    Many people want a king.

    They forget Pharaoh, Saul, and their successors like...

    Fortunately, President Washington resisted the tempting offer.

    I'm not so sure about...

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    NSA.

    IRS.

    Maybe we already have a...

    I don't know.

    I hope not.

    I pray the increasing numbers of dissidents and prophets and whistleblowers and...are all wrong.

    The Cowardly Lion: "I do! I do! I do! I do!"

    Questions.

    Why is Edward Snowden sooooooo dangerous?

    What does he know that they don't want us to know?

    Why does our government on both sides of the aisle treat me like a baby who isn't mature enough to know what's behind their XXX adult decisions for/against me?

    Why do I feel like a big fix is in?

    Why does this make me think of Richard Nixon, Spiro Agnew, and the Pentagon Papers?

    Why is Woodward without Bernstein getting upset?

    Why are those closest to...sooooooo concerned and upset about Edward Snowden and threatening Russia, Iceland, Ecuador, and...?

    Why do I think no sane insurance company would offer any policy to him right now?

    Why is you know who talking about global warming when...?

    Why don't I trust anyone in D.C. anymore?

    Why do I think we no longer have a two party system in...?

    Why do I think Will and Ariel Durant's conclusions about a civilization's life-span has just...?

    Why don't more Americans seem to care about all of the snooping and sniffing and...?

    Hmm.

    I guess more than less really want a...

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    I think I'm gonna pray more than party on July 4.

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Blessings and Love!

Truth About Troubled People

Kopp Disclosure

(John 3:19-21)

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    Some things aren't that complicated.

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    Many people are flushed, rushed, and razzle-dazzled.

    Stressed out.

    Transferring that stress to others; or as a shrink said to our ego-satiating doctoral study group in the late 70s, "Troubled people tend to be constipated.  That's why they dump on you."

    Stressed out.

    Internalizing in self-destructive ways; or as Mark Hopkins wrote recently, "Last year, across the nation, 38,364 people committed suicide...Research tells us that one in seven of our youth report having thoughts of suicide...The question perplexing the experts is 'Why?'...What is creating the stress that makes suicide a better alternative for the afflicted than living?"

    Stressed out.

    I heard a talking radio head say 75% of Americans take prescribed or non-prescribed/et/illegal meds because they are sooooooo stressed out.

    The diagnosis and prescription aren't that complicated.

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    Troubled people are not that intimate with Jesus.

    People get better when they get closer to Jesus.

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    Jesus promised, "Come to Me, everyone who is weary and burdened, and I will take care of you."

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Blessings and Love!

Truth About Troubled Churches

Kopp Disclosure

(John 3:19-21)

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    Some things aren't that complicated.

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    Many churches in America are troubled.

    10+ churches close their doors for good/bad/ugly every day.

    The diagnosis and prescription aren't that complicated.

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    Troubled churches have not been loving Jesus by loving like Jesus.

    Churches get better when they start loving Jesus by loving like Jesus.

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Blessings and Love!

Elephants in the...

Kopp Disclosure

(John 3:19-21)

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Doggerel to Gospel

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    Exposing elephants in the...are attempts to tell the truth to a world, country, and church that have grown accustomed to lies.

    Patrice O'Neal comes to mind.

    He told the ugly truth through uncouth humor to self-deceiving people who prefer pretty lies.

    Jesus: "The truth will set you free!"

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    Tiger Woods marries/dates the whitest women that I've ever seen.

    When it comes to violating civil rights and ruining America, BBPBHO is GWB on steroids.

    Mainline denominations have more money, property, and assets but far fewer folks in weekly worship and soup kitchens than sideliners and emerging churches.

    "Rules for pastors: First year? Shut up and listen...Ordination is not a right...You probably weren't God's first choice either...You're not good at everything...That was a good sermon; but so what?...Be ready to discard cherished presumptions...If you're worried about losing your job, you're in the wrong business...Only people are sacred, never things...You better learn how to wait...You're not in charge...Screw church quarrels - care for children instead...There is no day off...Avoid confusing the institution with the Church...Don't expect the grass to be greener, or purer - never found a holy church yet..." (Bob Andrews).

    Most problems in churches go back to 'em not loving Jesus by loving like Jesus; and most problems in churches begin to disappear when they start loving Jesus by loving like Jesus.

    "People don't come to church for preachments, of course, but to daydream about God" (Kurt Vonnegut).

    "If your pastor were the CEO of IBM, how long would he or IBM last if he truly believed Dell, Apple, and H-P computers were all fine and IBM is not necessarily the best?" (John Hastings).

    The NSA is crippling 911 # revenues.

    Democrats are Republicans who hide greed better.

    Republicans are Democrats when it comes to mindless party allegiance; noting both would vote for Satan if nominated by their parties.

    "Barack Obama has an impeachment-proof situation: Joe Biden" (Bob Stier).

    "The first white President chopped down a cherry tree.  The first black President is chopping down the whole country.  Am I a racist for saying that?  How can you call me a racist when my taxes pay for illegal immigrants and unemployed minorities to have welfare, health care, child care, food stamps, and free education at every level?" (Eric Felack).

    Liberals aka so-called progressives live in the ozone layer of reality with two feet planted in the air; looking like they've seen a vision of God or didn't make it to the potty in time.

    Conservatives aka so-called traditionalists/religionists hate to see anything happen for the first time; which is why they murdered Jesus.

    "1492 - The teachers told the children that this was when their continent was discovered by human beings.  Actually, millions of human beings were already living full and imaginative lives on the continent in 1492.  That was simply the year in which sea pirates began to cheat and rob and kill them" (Kurt Vonnegut).

    Most Americans will give up their liberties for a six-pack and Sunday Night Football.

    "The United States of America is now going to be called the United States of China" (Don Greenhow).

    "My kids will never know what the good old days were like" (Eric Felack).

    While it may come as a shock to the DAR and other rednecks, all Americans started as immigrants.

    "I just love the intolerance of the tolerant" (Bob Andrews).

    There is a drug problem in America because lots of Americans like drugs and lots of the "good" guys are making as much $ off it as the "bad" guys.

    "Legalize marijuana; but give exclusive rights to Wal-Mart.  Hell, 90% of their customers use it now" (Eric Felack).

    Muslims who really wanna follow their leader must murder people who don't really wanna follow their leader to please him.

    Really, he set the personal example and exhorted his disciples to follow his example.

    Christians who really wanna follow their Leader must be willing to give up their lives not anyone else's life to save the lives of others/everyone to please Him.

    Really, He set the personal example and exhorted His disciples to follow His example.

    Lily: "And that's the truth!"

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    Now go back to the first section of this KD.

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Expose more elephants via reader comments!

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Blessings and Love!

Love-Bombing Disappointments

Kopp Disclosure

(John 3:19-21)

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    She came into my study about 30 minutes after worship as I was puttin' the last book into my briefcase and headin' for the door to get out of Dodge for some much-needed R&R.

    It happened almost 25 years ago; and my calendar hasn't been the same since.

    She pleaded, "I need to talk to you.  It's really important."

    Even a fool like me could see she really needed to talk to someone; and I guessed I was the...

    I pleaded, "Well, uh, O.K., but, uh, I've gotta, I, uh, mean, uh, I'm about to leave for, uh, and, uh,...Yes, O.K., uh, what is it?"

    She promised, "I won't take much of your time.  I just need to talk to you.  It's really important."

    She poured for just a few minutes as promised.

    Then we prayed.

    I walked her to the door, got into my car, and was gone for three weeks.

    From start to finish, maybe 10 minutes.

    I never saw her before and never saw her after.

    But when I got back, there was a package on my desk.

    It was a small framed poster: "No Kindness Shown No Matter How Small Is Ever Wasted!"

    Attached note: "Thank you for taking the time to listen to me.  I had decided to kill myself.  I changed my mind while you prayed.  Thanks again."

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    Two of my best buddies came in to share their disappointments with me.

    They asked if I'm ever disappointed.

    Response: "Oh, maybe just two or three times every day."

    That was last week.

    It's been the same since...ordination.

    Everybody's got disappointments.

    There are two ways to handle 'em.

    Grovel in 'em and give up.

    Ooooooor understand 'em all in a Romans 8:28 kinda way - that nothing happens to us that is not part of His plan in/for our lives as preface to experiencing His better than we could have ever imagined - and live triumphantly and expectantly and even joyfully with Psalm 37:25 kinda certainty.

    It can even mean allowing for more time to...

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    O.K., if you ain't got much faith, the preceding ain't gonna make much sense to you.

    Dig.

    Actually, stop digging.

    Climb.

    Read some more of the book.

    Pray more than before.

    Sing.

    Dance.

    Trust.

    Obey.

    Puhlease, don't tell me that you've been doing that; 'cause if you have, you haven't been doing that enough.

    Everything in Biblical/Christocentric/Pneumatic revelation says God graces/blesses/elevates/enlightens/encourages/enables/satisfies/secures anyone who takes the time to be with Him.

    So someone is lying if you're not...

    You/me/us/them.

    Or...

    No way.

    He is the way, the truth, and the life.

    So here's the naked reality.

    If you're more than momentarily - O.K., maybe a few moments longer - depressed/disappointed/defeated/deluded/disillusioned, it means ya ain't that close to Him.

    You can't be that close to Him and remain sealed in a stone-cold tomb.

    He resurrects.

    Be honest about it - the time being spent with Him.

    If you ain't, you ain't.

    If you is, you is.

    Take that grammar police!

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    Have you noticed how sooooooo many people are so cranky these days?

    I'm not just talking about Bill O'Reilly and Eric Holder.

    It's an epidemic.

    Sooooooo many seem to be bantering and moaning about someone or something or everyone and everything.

    Sooooooo many seem to feel entitled to comment, contend, criticize, and condemn.

    Steppenwolf: "We don't know how to mind our own business; for the whole world's gotta be just like us."

    Get a tattoo!

    Don't get a tattoo!

    With total disregard for the snowflake theology of Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12, sooooooo many want sooooooo many to be just the same as...

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    Not Jesus.

    He wants us to be free from all of that/them.

    He wants us to be sooooooo close to Him that we'll know His freeing truth - His best for us that never inhibits His best for others because He's not as double-minded as we are.

    All He asks is to love Him like He loves us.

    Agape.

    Taking the time to pray and work for the best for everyone no matter who, what, where, when, or why without the need or expectation for response, regard, or reward.

    Something/Someone that I almost missed 25 years ago.

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    BTW, whenever Jesus spoke, sooooooo many wanted to kill him.

    Guess who?

    The clergy, religionists, traditionalists, and...

    They didn't have time to...

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Blessings and Love!

Mindlessly Defined

Kopp Disclosure

(John 3:19-21)

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    Unlike my sister who says I look like my head is upside down or my mom who's asked if I've ever considered trimming the only hair that I can grow apart from the crop in my nose and ears or my wife who's been conspiring with Vicki against Karry and me about it, I really don't think anyone has the, uh, right apart from rudeness to comment on...

    Really, I've never told anyone that I don't like their attire, coiffured style/length/color, or even perfume/cologne when it could knock over a bull at fifty paces.

    You know the, uh, golden rule that, uh, I guess has been revised: "Stick it to 'em before they stick it to yu'uns."

    Buuuuuuut it was bound to happen.

    She/he said, "I really liked today's sermon.  I just don't like your beard."

    Response: "I'm gonna root for the Patriots now that they've signed Tebow.  They like him because of his intelligence, versatility, toughness, and..."

    Sometimes it's better not to take the bait.

    Just ask fish.

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    Confession.

    I'm not as mindless about hair and what I wear as some might...

    Really.

    Granted, can't do much about the head.

    An inheritance from Grandpas Jacob and Hayden.

    Monk cuts without razors.

    But when it comes to facial hair, I've had somethin' there for over forty years.

    Numbers 6...

    Lengthening a bowling ball noggin...

    Just don't like to shave 'cause of super-sensitive skin...

    Coverin' up zits...

    Wanna...

    Who cares?

    People who wanna control others with their cookie-cutter-non-Romans-12-1-Corinthians-12-truly-mindless-droneness-instead-of-divinely-ordered-diversity blandness with no faculties for distinguishing the important from the incidental, uh, care about...

    Sooooooo apart from ZZ Top aspirations and its garlic-like effect on the kinda seducers mentioned so often in Proverbs, facial hair has been a helpful instrument to distinguish people majoring in the minors of insignificantly superficial religiosity from saints who just wanna agape as the best way to honor Him.

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    You probably haven't read Fifteen Secrets for Life and Ministry.

    Though you probably don't, don't even pretend to feel badly about that.

    Sales for that one were even worse than sales for the last one that netted $18.66 in my last quarterly royalties check.

    Buuuuuuut you can still get a copy and read about all of the people who've been so unsuccessful, except for Pearl (Gotta read the book!), in trying to control me to conform me to their religion akin to Jesus' harsh words in Matthew 15:1-9.

    Really, why would anyone trying to point people to Jesus pay any attention to people substituting a stupidly navel-gazing religion about Him for an authentic relationship with Him confirmed by concentrating on important stuff like saving souls, feeding the hungry, housing the homeless, including those excluded by the country club and other fashionable..., and other Matthew 25 kinda stuff?

    Of course, many of today's clergy do that.

    They consider what people think of 'em when shopping for a car, seeing their stylists, choosing restaurants, hangin' out with less than pretty pewsitters/pulpiteers, "dressing" for worship, and...

    Kinda...

    I wrote a lot about that in that book before my latest that didn't sell well either.

    Hmm.

    Let's think this over some more.

    Matthew 23.

    Jesus.

    Specifically, I was presiding at a funeral for this guy's mother who introduced himself to me like this: "I want you to know I'm not very religious."

    Response: "Then you'll really like Jesus.  He wasn't very religious either.  In fact, when religious people couldn't get him to conform to their religion, they nailed Him for it."

    Selah juxtaposed to today's really, really, really religious churches often only coincidentally related to the Jesus who didn't fit in with the religious people of His day.

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    Let me get real personal about this.

    When I did cut off the fuzz from my face to placate Pearl - the rest of the story is in the non-best-selling book mentioned above that just preceded my latest non-best-selling one - an associate pastor came to me and wept.

    She said, "If you're willing to change your identity for someone trying to control you with no connection to anything related to Jesus and the Bible, how can I trust you won't do that with your...?"

    That's why I don't pay much attention to anyone anymore who comments on stupid stuff like the only hair that I'm capable of growing.

    Aside from it being none of their business, it usually exposes their lack of being about His business.

    Colossians 3:1ff. comes to mind about now.

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Blessings and Love!

Scratching the Surface of Micah

Kopp Disclosure

(John 3:19-21)

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Scratching the Surface of Micah

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    "We must adjust," he said, "to changing times and still hold to unchanging principles."

    The 39th President of the United States said that during his inaugural address on January 20, 1977 at 12:05 p.m. from a platform erected at the East Front of the Capitol in Washington, D.C.

    That was a very important election in American history; as President Carter defeated never elected to VP or P Gerald Ford in the aftermath of the Watergate scandal.

    I remember how excited everybody was about him.

    There were even posters back then that seemed to beg, "We need J.C.!"

    Looking back, it was kinda obnoxious.

    Almost, uh, idolatrous.

    Almost like an edition of Newsweek that sported a picture of President Obama just after his re-election with the heading "The Second Coming."

    Ugh.

    Anyway, going back to similar idolatries in the late 70s swirling around President Carter, I was captivated by the opening sentences of his inaugural address: "As my high school teacher...used to say, 'We must adjust to changing times and still hold to unchanging principles'...Here before me is the Bible used in the inauguration of our first President, in 1789, and I have just taken the oath of office on the Bible my mother gave me just a few years ago, opened to a timeless admonition from the ancient prophet Micah: 'He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.'...I have no new dream to set forth today, but rather urge a fresh faith in the old dream."

    Amen!

    At least for that one shining moment of American history reflecting so many shining moments of American history when American Presidents, leadership, citizenry, and churches got it/Him, the answers to all of our dreams was God as esteemed by the overwhelming majority.

    God knows I don't know what's happened in America in the last half century; but God knows I even know we're distancing ourselves from Him and will continue our decline if we don't bridge that distance.

    That's the prophetic message of Micah that is absolutely consistent with the entire Bible's message from Genesis to Revelation.

    Get with God or suffer the consequences of not getting with God.

    Again, Micah's message is the same as the message of the entire Biblical revelation of God's will.

    He said bad things happen when we don't get with God: "All of this is happening because of the crimes of Jacob, the wrongdoings of the people of Israel."

    He said the government, citizenry, and America's churches are irretrievably apostate if they/we don't get back to God: "Her wounds cannot be cured..."

    He said we can recapture national health by returning to God: "But as for me, I will look to God...My hope is in God...God will save me...God will hear me..."

    He guarantees graces for those who return to God: "Is there any other God like You, who forgives...passes over...does not hold onto His anger forever...delights in showing love and kindness..."

    Getting back to President Carter's faithful inaugural address back in 1977 that needs reincarnation before it's too late, there is no mystery about how we get back to Him: "He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God."

    Simply, love Him by loving like Him as best exemplified in Jesus.

    And here's where Micah's optimism peaks: "But you, Bethlehem...From your people will come a Ruler who will be the shepherd of My people, Israel...He will feed His flock...They will live in safety...He will be our peace."

    In other words, those who get back with God and prove it by justice, mercy, and humility - loving Him by loving like Him - will experience the best of His messianic graces in Jesus.

    Again, I go back to those late 70s when expectations were so high during Jimmy Carter's run to the White House.

    Truly, if you recall and if you read the right history books that haven't been revised to exclude God, Jimmy Carter ran on Jesus!

    He ran as a man who wanted his country to honor Him.

    He knew the answer.

    It/He has not changed.

    That was Micah's prophecy.

    That's what the Bible is all about.

    That's the answer.

    He's the answer.

    No, not him or him!

    Him!

    Jesus!

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    ...to be continued...

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Blessings and Love!