4/22/2009 10:35:00 PM

:O

It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.

For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.

Philippians 1 and Matthew 7, respectively.

Paul... you are one cool guy! "Because of this I rejoice." That's insane. And when Jesus gave that sermon, I always imagine him affectionately but firmly chastising his followers. I don't know why I think that. Maybe from watching some Jesus movie when I was a kid? Matthew 7 totally saved my butt today when I was working with one of my patients for the last time. She came in all pissed off about everyone... I started getting pissed off at her for being so judgmental... and then this verse came to me. And I began to see her as someone who was really "lost and harassed, like sheep without a shepherd." And although I did not lose the thought that I still think she is misled, I was able to have more compassion for her and responded to her differently. Despite my 'Christian' tendency to want to nail in her head the 'reality' or truth of the situation.

The way that God works sometimes does not fit into my nice-and-clean box I have defined for him.

And this is the verse that brings tears to my eyes, every time I read it and think about the state of the church and the hope Jesus had for us:
"Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one." - John 17:11

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