First, sorry for the delay in blogs to you the blog-o-sphere. It's been a jam packed weekend with moving someone's house (lame, but what are friends / brother's-in-law for right?), swimming, lakes (Rox is a champion swimmer) and Father's day. But I'm back in the saddle and here we go:

I've been on a bit of a kick recently. I've been reading some of the smaller letters of the Bible (Philemon, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Colossians, etc). I had the thought this weekend that I would read Romans because of it's influence in the church. Romans has been THE book for nearly all of the Church Fathers (guys who made a big impact). While I was reading, I came across yet another passage that sparked my interest and got me thinking.

Romans 2:17-24 (ESV)
¹⁷ But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God ¹⁸ and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law; ¹⁹ and if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, ²⁰ an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— ²¹ you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? ²² You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? ²³ You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law. ²⁴ For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”

Maybe it's because I find myself in a town soaked with Christianity. Maybe it's because of the Christian heritage of our nation. Or, it simply could be that everyone in our country (and for the most part, a good majority of our world) know what it means to be Christian and what Jesus believes. Therefore, everything about Christianity seems to be understood by everyone. Everyone knows we don't steal, curse, smoke, chew or hang with women that do (a line my pastor uses). Yet, it seems that sometimes, we slip one past the goalie. For how much we speak against some things, it seems that we can "get one in" when people aren't looking. But EVERYONE is watching. And just like what Romans says, imagine what that makes Jesus look like.

I've found over the years (as limited as 24 can be, and 9 in Christianity) that people are cool with you believing whatever you want to believe. It doesn't matter what it is. As long as you aren't damaging people around you or putting people in danger, you can basically believe whatever you like. EVERYONE HATES HYPOCRITES. No matter who you are, when you are two-faced, it drives you crazy. One of my pet peaves is someone lying to my face. If that happens, may God isnpire me to have mercy. So when this passage hits home, do you because of us (you and I), the name of God is being blasphemed amongst our world because of what we "preach" (whether you are a preacher or not) and how we live? It's enough to inspire you to think. And that is a great means to an end for me. And if you have time, jump into to a couple of Paul's letters (listed above) and see what happens when you take the whole thing in at one time. It's a doozy.
----------------
Now playing: ESPN Radio