Ego

Kopp Disclosure

(John 3:19-21)

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"Professors and pastors don't practice what they preach.  Everything they do is for show.

They talk in hushed gawwwd tones and wear expensive robes and love to be first in line

at the potluck and sit on stage.  They enjoy attention and really like to be called

reverend and doctor and...They want people to follow them more than...

Their offices are adorned with wall hangings in tribute to themselves.

Be careful about following them.

They talk a good line, but...

It's all spit and polish veneer.

Their lives are perpetual fashion shows...

But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and

those who humble themselves will be exalted...

O Jerusalem, America, Church,..."

Jesus

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The preceding quote draws upon Greek and many translations/paraphrases.

Of course, special thanks goes to Eugene who helped me to...

You may want to review the recent KD on Eugene.

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    Moments after arriving, I said, "Thank you, Dr. Peterson, for allowing us to..."

    He interrupted, "Please, Eugene."

    I guess that's what happens when you spend so much time in the book rather than in books about the book.

    The book is simple to understand.

    Apocalyptic.

    Books about the book are, most often, eisegetical; suggesting what was never stated to rationalize philosophy as theology.

    Simply, most of the problems in our world and churches have been generated by people who add to and subtract from what's in the book.

    Revelation 22:18-19.

    People who spend more time in the book than books about the book tend not to cross the border into blasphemy: "I know that's what Jesus and the Bible say; but I think..."

    People who spend more time in the book than books about the book don't revise Genesis: "So man created God in man's image.  In the image of man, man created God."

    People who spend more time in the book than books about the book are, more often than not, humble before God...and each other.

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    I did not acquire "advanced" degrees to learn anything.

    My favorite poet (John David Burton) was/remains right: "Years of school prompt my distrust of and disinterest in the academic."

    I just wanted to be called doctor...and get a bigger church that paid more.

    Somebody's gotta minister to the rich.

    God never calls us to smaller and less; or, at least, that's what I was taught in...

    Reverend has always sounded a tad presumptuous to me.

    Besides, doctors get better seats in restaurants.

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    When I was in my early 30s, I was a real senior pastor.

    Four associate pastors under me with an average age over 50.

    Sooooooo ego gratifying.

    BTW, what's up with solo pastors having "Lead Pastor" or "Senior Pastor" on their calling cards?

    Really?

    Geez.

    BTW, are you thaaaaaaat comfortable referring to yourself as "lead" or "senior" pastor?

    Feel comfortable in those chairs fit for a king in the chancel?

    What about, uh, Jesus?

    Staying with ego, I wasn't ready to be a "senior" pastor when I was in my early 30s.

    Proved it.

    Come to think of it, I'm still not.

    Ever since I sat with Eugene, I've had to admit I'm just scratching the surface of my relationship with Jesus.

    Really!

    How else can I explain being such an egomaniac?

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    I've had the privilege of close relationships with three primary translators of major Bible translations: Bruce Metzger (RSV), Ralph Earle (NIV), and Eugene (The Message).

    As I look back because I didn't get it when I was close to them and I'm only scratching the surface since, all of 'em were far more humble than me and most others who have benefited from Him through them.

    Maybe it's because they spent more time in the book than books about the book.

    I think so.

    David was right.

    God inhabits...

    Blessed is anyone who "wraps" herself/himself around Him.

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    Kathie, webmaster of this site, picked up something on "Bobby Kopp" and sent it to me.

    "Bobby Kopp is a term used when something is stolen; or when you yourself would like to steal something.  It is a very popular expression in the Catskills of New York.  It started when a guy stole lyrics from another band and claimed them as his own.  'Dude, better watch out or he'll Bobby Kopp your keys...I'll Bobby Kopp your hat if you're not careful...I was just Bobby Kopped!'"

    Whoa.

    Anyway, I've been called many things over time; usually by people who leave the church because I took it from them and gave it back to Jesus.

    Recently, or since October 2011, I've been struggling with how I identify myself.

    Pastor Bob.

    Dr. Kopp.

    The Rev. Dr. Robert R. Kopp.

    Or to quote..., "He's a real..."

    I wrote a letter to the NRA: "Freedoms removed are rarely restored...Aren't the owners of 'Gun Free' zones liable for damages for injuries and deaths because they have prevented citizens from exercising their constitutional right to arm and protect themselves while enabling evildoers to take advantage of such soft targets for their mayhem?"

    Criminal/Terrorist/Islamofascistnutball: "Hey, see that little sticker!  It's a Gun Free zone!  Let's go for it!"

    San Bernardino survivor: "I've learned the only way to stop bad guys with guns is good guys with guns."

    Duh.

    Well, in the past, I would have signed...

    Today, I just sign Bob Kopp.

    If I have to explain that to you, you wouldn't get it anyway.

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    My study was a shrine...to me.

    Diplomas.

    Books upon books upon...

    Why?

    Ego.

    Adornments to show how...

    You know what I mean.

    They all came down not long after October 2011.

    One robe left...for funerals and weddings only.

    One stole given to me by Andrea Swedlund in memory of Paul.

    A few clerical collars.

    Why?

    Pictures.

    Everything else - trophies, doctor caps with gold tassels, robes with the stripes that don't heal, stoles, hoods, plaques, you name it - thrown out or sold or stored for my sons to throw out or sell after I'm assassinated or fulfill the hopes of people who hate me for going helmetlessly through life and ministry.

    It all started not long after October 2011 after being interrupted by Eugene.

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    He keeps interrupting me.

    Get it?

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1 Timothy 3:6

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Blessings and Love!

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Look up!  Stand up!  Speak up!  Act up for Jesus!

Salt!  Shine!  Leavenate!

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