Accidental Pharisees

Yesterday I read a book review at Challies-dot-com on the book Accidental Pharisees by Larry Osborne. I'll offer a few quotes from both Osborne and Rev. Challies...

"Osborne is concerned that a new kind of legalism is creeping up within Christianity—even Christianity that focuses on being theologically-correct and gospel-centered. He hears these constant calls for zeal and sees behind it all a subtle pride that will inevitably work itself out in legalistic ways."

It’s easy to see the scriptural misalignment in the crazy guy on the street corner with the “Turn or Burn” sign. The same with the cut-and-paste theology of people who toss out the Scriptures they don’t like. It’s also easy to spot it in the pompous coworker with a big Bible on his desk, a chip on his shoulder, and a tiny heart in his chest—the self-proclaimed great witness for the Lord—whom everyone tries to avoid and no one wants to eat lunch with. But we seldom see it in the mirror.

We don’t have freedom to lie, steal, slander, turn a deaf ear to the poor, hoard the gospel, worship idols, or fornicate. But we do have freedom in many other areas. And it’s this freedom that can drive the fledgling legalist within all of us crazy. Once the Holy Spirit places a clear call on our life to do something (or not do it), it’s hard for most of us to fathom why everyone else didn’t get the same memo.

I loved that last line "hard for most of us to fathom why everyone else didn't get the same memo." I know peace and joy, why wouldn't everyone else want to?!

The simple fact is that once we have found our passion, once we have found that implication of the gospel that stirs our hearts, we find it inconceivable that anyone else would have a different passion, that they can’t see things the way we do. And it is not long before we begin to criticize or exclude them.

Osborne describes a situation I know well. I've seen competition between churches, miscommunication between family members, and even disagreements over the "best" worship music stem from these tendencies. My first reaction to the book review was to think of the names of several people I knew who should read it!

"If there is any sin we can spot in others from a thousand paces but cannot see in ourselves even when staring in the mirror, it is pride."

Yesterday I complained about a co-worker whose lifestyle, work habits, and personality are not like my own. Perhaps "by accident" I was prideful and intolerant. How easy it is to fall into the trap of judgement.

What I Want Their Teachers To Know About Us, on the First Day of 2nd and 4th Grade

Dear Teachers,

I'm not confident that it is a good idea to share these things with you. So Instead of saying these things directly, I merely hope and pray that you know...

1. Our school clothes come from the second hand store. It's the only way I can manage to clothe this large family. By the time the uniforms make their way down to boy #4, the knees of the pants are threadbare and the rubber sole of the sneaker is already beginning to detach. Please don't let other children make fun of him.

2. My children ran wild all summer. They were unsupervised, covered in dirt, and loud. I believe that kids are "free" from the tyranny of schedules and jobs for such a short time during childhood so we "underschedule" summertime, or at least try to. It may take them a few days and a few good scrubbings to get all the grime and wild behavior out. 

3. I work a second, and sometimes a third job to pay the rising cost of tuition. 

I understand the school's need to fundraiser but please know, we are already tapped. Our family and social networks are very small. When school is off or a child is sick, I have to rely on the older children, who then miss days of high school.

4. Their hearts are tender. They are eager to please but they still make kid mistakes. Please don't be too stern or critical with them. Let them keep their childhood joy intact.

Thank you.

M.o.b.

Make a Move for Miley

I just read a blog post entitled "I weep for Miley." The author lamented Miley Cyrus' downward spiral and the degradation of our culture. It's a topic that has been on my mind since seeing the news coverage of the VMAs and a story about Simon Cowell's love child with the wife of his friend. 

What I appreciated about the piece was that the author "credited" the entertainment industry, producers, choreographers, advertisers and even viewers for the gradual acceptance of the type of dancing, lyrics, gestures, and costuming people are criticizing Miley Cyrus for. 

I was shocked when I heard a news anchor justify Simon's actions and the photos taken of the couple with the phrase, "but he's in love."

There were people along the path to production who could have held themselves, and these shows, to higher standards. 

It's up to every one of us to stop buying products (tv, movies, cable, clothing, cell phones, magazines) that sexualize children and promote the objectification of women. It's up to us to MOVE. 

Jesus gave the example when he drew a line in the sand. Love the sinner..hate the sin...and stand up against injustice. 

Get off the couch people and please, stop pointing at Miley Cyrus. Her performance didn't deserve a first, let alone, a second glance.

A Mind for Things

I'm not the kind of person who brags about purchases but...I have to say, I am so happy that we found a new (used) car for MrWestBerryDad. It's a sensible, comfortable vehicle with WORKING doors, windows, and air conditioning. It passes inspection. 

Yesterday (here I go again, bragging about a "haul") I found two beautiful botanical prints at the second hand store. They had been custom framed and they will be perfect in the dining room, once I'm done painting that same dining room. It is fairly rare that I make it into the second hand store. Rarer still that I find something that I'd want to live with. I try not to bring "things" home.

Part of the delay in painting the dining room and other projects is getting to the store to buy the supplies. I don't mind the work, it's the shopping I loath. 

I just don't have a mind for "stuff." It's exhausting to survey it, touch it, move it, and display it. 

There are three rooms upstairs that are currently full of boxes of stuff. We decided to rearrange my art studio and two back rooms. One room needs to look like a boys' bedroom before their principal comes for a home visit this Sunday. 

Wishing there was a "fairy godmother" to help me clean and organize. Wishing I could take some time off in order to gather up the time and energy to label, box, stack and ship (and burn!) some clutter. 

Wishing I could ignore stuff and sit down for the length of a movie or go visit a friend.

Too much to do.

Sugary Drinks

Insert Coca Cola logo (this function isn't currently working).

Today was one of those "afternoon slump" days. I'm helping out in the building I supervise, where we clock employees in and out by scanning their badges as they enter or leave for the day. It's not a particularly demanding task, but my eyes get tired looking at old, fuzzy monitors.

I walked over to the maintenance building and grabbed a half glass of Coca Cola. First let me say, I rarely, if never, drink soda. Can't stand the stuff.

But today, this Coca Cola reminds me of sitting on the porch of my grandparents' suburban home. Every afternoon, when I visited them on vacation, we would enjoy one bottle of Coca Cola and a Reese's peanutbutter cup. I was terribly indulged!

My grandmother loved petunias and she always planted a circle garden full of them around the flagpole in front.

We read and discussed the newspaper or chatted about literature.

The sweet, sweet summertime...in Penfield.

Two Obituaries

Our local Pennysaver happens to carry, alongside the announcements of auctions and fish fries, the week's obituaries. I always read this section, to be sure to learn of any deaths that have involved friends, family, or neighbors.

Last night I learned that two great women, both of them having influenced my life, had passed away.

It struck me that their obituaries appeared side by side. 

One obituary, for the woman I knew to be rather "contrary,"  was quite lengthy, listing her hobbies, volunteer positions, grandchildren...even her level of physical fitness! 

The other obituary, for the women I knew to be a deep thinker, a generous soul, and a tireless worker for The Lord, was quite short in length. There was no mention of the years she spent as a school teacher, her long letter-writing campaigns, or her work with the DAR. 

Now matter how my obituary ends up reading, I want to live like "Miss Betty," with her great mind, her sense of humor, and her beautiful smile.

My Homework Excuse

True Story.

This morning I was driving my husband's car to work. It's an old, used up Pontiac held together by bungee cords.

The roads were wet. When I hit the breaks for a yellow light at a busy intersection, the car spun out of control.

I didn't hit anyone, but the centrifugal force from the spin opened the back doors and all of the papers I was supposed to grade blew out. Some sheep registration certificates were lost too, I now realize.

I surveyed the long black skid marks and my students' papers flying over the highway. And then I put the car back into drive, got into the right lane,  and went to work.

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