Here is a little trick that our bad wiring plays on us. We slap a label on someone—adoration or disdain—and instantly convince ourselves it arises from pure, razor-sharp logic — Objective. Fact-based. (Only if we’re awake enough to notice we’re even judging.)
I feel a warm glow? Clearly, s/he’s radiating virtue. A cold sneer? Obviously, s/he’s objectionable. Maybe even dangerous.
Sure, the quick label works for the rare saint or monster. But most humans? Muddy mixtures. Only under pressure do the hidden extremes flash. Otherwise, the surface remains calm enough, and that’s good enough.
A fleeting resemblance to someone in the past—a smirk, a stride, a timbre—drags up an old ghost. Gossip turns whispers into poison streams. A cherished grudge or shiny ideology tilts the scale.
Or maybe breakfast just sat wrong, and today everyone pays.
And unhealed scars and unforgiven resentments? They lurk, coloring every glance. We arrived pre-loaded. Then we cherry-pick “evidence” to match the mood already simmering inside.
Deeper into a relationship, subtler twists and variations creep in. Will s/he back me against my rival? Does s/he soothe my raw nerves and indulge my sensitivities? Do our secret schemes align? Does s/he polish my image for the tribe?
Such questions dwarf any real measure of character—integrity, kindness, purpose. Yet we insist to ourselves, smugly but secretly: “I like good people. I reject bad ones.” We spotlight virtues in favorites, flaws in foes. Half-conscious impulses ward off any contrary evidences. It is a kind of discrimination, bias, prejudice or even bigotry, but it is a rare person that recognizes this, especially when the heat is on.
Even the “I’m not judgmental” crowd keep their pronouncements within the safe zones: race, gender, lifestyle irregularities, class. Some who are most active in what is called social justice can be very mean-spirited indeed when their focus strays off their habitual public compassion. It is a human plague, and we are all carriers to some degree.
One remedy exists. Outside the Kingdom of God, the machinery grinds on. Each one’s unique grumbling feeds the status quo. But within the Kingdom of God, forgiveness makes the mirror bearable. And transcendent power makes spiritual transformation inevitable.
(If that last line sounded like religion, try to hang tough in the midst of habitual defenses. It’s not about religion. This is something kinder and fiercer. More soon.)
Tell us about your first day at something — school, work, as a parent, etc.
My first day out of the womb, I was totally blinded by all the bright lights. Kind of a rude thing to do to someone who had only seen pitch dark his whole life. Then when I began to see, I noticed that everyone had covered their faces with masks. I assumed that there was some kind of rule against me seeing their faces, but then I got a glimpse of myself in one of those mirrors up on the wall. Shocking: I was by far the ugliest living thing in my known universe. Why no mask for meThen they cut off my food supply tube, and you would not believe what they replaced it with. The whole experience was disgusting. And circimcision? Don’t get me started. No wonder we all end up in therapy.
What is something others do that sparks your admiration?
When a person is obviously being falsely negatively criticized by someone with “issues,” but remains calm and respectful, even if applying a little appropriate correction.
I need to take some time now in this quiet place with all the noise and struggles left outside. Some pieces of my soul are out of Your control, But I want You for my Friend and Lord. I need You now to
Take all my life. Take it into my life. Take what I’ve kept from You and all that chains me inside. Precious Lord, the time is right. I’m ready to give up the fight. Your children die in order then to rise.
I need to take some time now in this quiet place. I need to know exactly who I am. With hungry souls to feed, and my own soul in such need, No human strength is strong enough, and none is needed.
Take all my life. Take it into my life. Take what I’ve kept from You and all that shames me inside. Precious Lord, the time is right. I’m ready to give up the fight. Your children die in order then to rise.
I and an acquaintance are conversing pleasantly. Suddenly, and with seeming innocence, a new topic is introduced, a controversial subject about which we disagree. Imagine the sort of sentences that might trigger the change:
-Did you see [insert politician’s name here]'s speech last night? -People need to think it through better when it comes to [insert controversial social issue here]. -You’re not really a [insert membership in a political party, religious tradition, offensive occupation, or activist cause here], are you? - There's no way I’m attending that [reunion, wedding, funeral, family event, etc. -The government needs to do something about [insert one of the innumerable possibilities here].
You get the idea.
Experience has taught me that, if allowed to continue according to the conventional pattern, this conversation will soon become unpleasant and unproductive at best. At worst, it will become a playground for the wicked spirits that delight in windbag fury among the humans, futile ego-wars of words (and eventually, bullets).
Why does this happen invariably? Because the words and language of such conversations are rarely if ever able to move the participants closer to their shared, wounded, defensive humanity. Such arguments are simply the brandishing of fragmentary shields and swords - protecting only the most shallow of hidden agendas.
We are treading water in a great ocean. The energies, biases, and vague inward conflicts behind and beneath human consciousness: they are an ocean - deep, dark, mysterious, and dangerous. Words are the constantly shifting shimmers of light that dance on the surface of that ocean. Most of the time, and even on the lips of a great orator, words can only dance and glimmer, only hinting at what is really beneath.
If we are to move toward the better world most of us say we want, words are necessary, but they are far from being enough. And that includes the words that we say to ourselves as our own thoughts and ideas bubble to the surface. How can we not believe them, as a fundamentalist believes hers book. Each of us is a fundamentalist in the presence of hers culturally reinforced orthodoxies. “You will be like God, knowing good and evil,” said the serpent when tempting Eve. And the fact is, we are made to be godly in many ways, and to be wise about what is needed in our sphere of influence. But see how the serpent speaks in a way that dances on the surface of the ocean like shimmers of light, and leads humanity into every manner of self-destruction – justified by sophisticated sounding arguments. "When the woman saw..."
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Christ Jesus, I have wasted so much time and energy with words: adding them to my munitions, stockpiling them into ever changing combinations. And calling it learning. Or even wisdom. Then I bring them all into a battle that no one can win, except in delusional pretentiousness. Others might even praise me for the effectiveness of my word making. But it is mere word making nevertheless, impressive only at the shallow level at which conventional perception comfortably luxuriates.
Christ Jesus, may I please have some entrance into the resources that fueled Your way in awkward or dangerous interactions with others? You had a message, which was Yourself, and You had great wisdom to share. Your own presence and your way with people gave Your words true power. “The words I speak to you are spirit and truth.” I have spent too much time on the words, and far too little on belonging to The Word "that became flesh and dwelt among us." I want to partner with you now in beginning to correct that imbalance.
It seems that such a gift is unlikely to be misused. The very desire for it arises from a distaste for cheap personal triumphs. Please be increasingly the third – the Primary – participant in my conversations.
Thankfulness, Gratitude, A new joy, shared with the giver of something undeserved. How easily the word passes through the semi-conscious mind with little notice. How habitually taken for granted as a concept, no matter how thinly practiced. That is remarkable, really.
How often am I like Eve in the garden - unable to take my gaze away from that one tree, in order to turn and celebrate a whole garden of delights?
See how I take routine, constant pleasant things – good things – for granted to the point of complete entrenched unawareness.
While all the while, the occasional pebble in the foot • or the intrusive driver • or the muggy day • or the rainy day • or the temporary soreness in the elbow • or the critical look from a stranger • or the “failure” of (whatever we think of as) God to “answer” a “prayer”
Essential invitations to deeper kinds of life, or competence, or even joy, these occasional thorns and distresses can grow within me, like grains of sand into vast treacherous deserts.
Then...
Along comes the apostle Paul (for example) in the New Testament and his seeming obsession to constantly remind those who will listen - regarding thankfulness, both intentional and spontaneous:
One of the great failings of corrupted humanity in general is their neglect of thankfulness, Rom_1:21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Producing thankfulness in those he served was a primary goal of his efforts. 2Co_1:11 you also joining in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many. 2Co_4:15 For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God.
His own secret inner life was subject to sudden eruptions of thankfulness. 2Co_9:15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
Genuine thankfulness is a component of effective prayer Eph_1:16 I do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; Phm_1:4 I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers, 1Th_1:2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers.
The great contrast and warfare between two spiritual climates in routine human experienceEph_5:4 and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. Col_3:16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Thankfulness gently dominates the human life that God intends. Eph_5:20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; Col_3:17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. 1Th_5:18 in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 2Th_1:3 We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren,
True Christian (and human) growth cannot but involve gratitude Col_2:7 having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude. 1Ti_4:4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude;
Thankfulness is a major bridge between faith and transformation. Heb_12:28 Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe
There is a strong sense in which those outside of Christ Jesus really cannot be expected to have the most profound forms of intended human thankfulness. Heb_13:15 Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.
A concluding thought:
The fact is that a persistent sense of “righteous” entitlement pervades conventional human nature in its current form. It is so persistent – our nature is so infested with it – that we cannot notice it with much objectivity or accuracy. Without God's merciful assistance, it would be like a person in lifelong darkness trying to perceive who or what is there with herm in the room.
Take note how your surrounding culture seems hell-bent (literally) on making sure only the negatives - or mere trivial positives - are emphasized, even though they are far outweighed by reasons to feel grateful.
You know what is so great about a raging, multi-headed, all-consuming (for many) public controversy around the bad acts of some bad person conspicuous enough to hold the attention of the hordes?
Simply this: the rest of us get to breathe a little easier for a while. And some of the wisest among us know not to underestimate the profound meaning of that gift. Here are some factors I invite you to consider along with me:
• At least for now, pointing fingers are too distracted to point in my direction (for whatever reason, valid or otherwise) ...
• Not that I have done anything all that bad of course. Even when fingers point at me, I am clearly nowhere near as bad as that guy… Plus…
• I have some pretty good explanations for any of my questionable actions, if people would care to listen … And anyway...
• Even if I were somehow the cause of some fuss, I know I’m basically an okay person, I mean, that guy knew he was bad, right?
• So to summarize, the fact that all this negative attention gets to focus for a while on one bad person at the center of a million questions and conclusions given to us by people who themselves are of questionable character and motivation – it kind of takes the pressure off.
In fact, now that I think of it, we’re all generally getting along better with each other. As long as I have anything close to a functioning conscience, joining others in turning up the heat on someone else is a bit of a spiritual vacation.
When the subject of “religion“ arises, my experience is that most people will simply call themselves “spiritual.“ I am in the habit of asking such people if they can define for me what a “spirit” is. No person that I have asked this question has ever been able to give any answer, whether accurate or inaccurate.
I conclude that what people mean when they call themselves “spiritual“ is something like “there are things about me that are really great, and sometimes I think about or do things that seem connected to that greatness.” There might be some reference to some kind of “higher power” – also without any real clarity of meaning, or genuine motivation to go further.
In my view, this sort of lazy thinking, protected by a wall of culturally approved trivial distractions, is both toxic and dangerous.
There is at least one Spirit that has been rightly called Holy. I recommend caution for all other spirits with which one can be consciously or unconsciously connected.
"No statement is true in all contexts, including this one. Words are as hard as rock, but as flexible as water. If you feel the need to concur, the words will feel firm beneath your feet. If you feel the need to oppose, the words will submit to your magic.
Backstory: Back in the 70’s, Gary and I traveled together, performing often. We performed my own songs mostly, but Gary on occasion – not that often unfortunately – also wrote a couple songs, one of which was “Children,” a true classic, even if not widely known.
Our friendship ended quite a while ago, a matter that still saddens me. We are both considerably older now and have changed a great deal from those traveling days. We seem to have gone quite separate ways. He has no idea what a gift he was to me.
As I went on performing, usually solo, I continued to play that song. Then, as my experience of Christ progressed, it struck me how close in both lyrics and spirit the song was to the special meaning of children to Jesus in the New Testament. So I adapted the lyrics slightly and began singing the new version, with Gary’s approval. Not sure he’d be as supportive about it now, but I have been discouraged from calling to ask. In any case, I came across this recording recently, and was struck by it again, and struck also by a sense of mourning for that lost friendship with my treasured old friend.
To Gary, may you be blessed, and be vulnerable to the blessings when they come.
To everyone else, the song can now have a little more deserved attention. I hope it gives some goodness to you.
Lyrics (McIntyre and Eldridge):
Come to Me, all your children, For I hear you at your play. And those who reach up to Me, I will not cast away. Do you know how much you need Me? Do you know how much I care? My house was made for those like you, And I’d love to take you there.
Come to me, all you, children, And whisper in my ear – What you need so bad to tell Me, What I want so bad to hear. Do you know how much you need Me? Do you know how much I care? My house was made for those like you, And I’d love to take you there.
Come to Me, all your children, For I hear you at your play. And those who reach up to Me, I will not cast away.
Those who, in this world are low, Your friends are very few, Those who have no glory: My kingdom is for you.
“Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” -Matthew 19:14
“Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” -Matthew 18:3
You can't fix a zombie with makeup or by making sure it's well-fed. Wealth redistributions, Reformed institutions: The walking dead still remain dead.
A zombie will get what it asks for, then go on demanding in swarms. It craves acquiescence. Your blood is it’s essence, and comes in a number of forms.
You can't fix a zombie by paying for “Give me my rights” show and tell. Exploit an election? That's no resurrection. Just wanderers under the spell of a garden hose pointed toward hell.
You can’t fix your car at the car wash, no matter what soap it provides, nor gaze at the sky with ordure in your eye. (You’ve grown use to darkness, besides.)
And you can't fix a zombie with makeup. That’s not where the deadness resides.
A “spirit” is a mind that needs no brain to function. There is oneHoly Spirit. He can provide a very healing and empowering interaction with your personal spirit.
Be very cautious in the midst of other “spiritualities.”
We are all bound to discover in time that the spiritual realm is actually more substantial and powerful than anything perceived in conventional experience.
"A mean and greedy deed, indeed. He would not heed the leader's lead. You plant the seed, then weed the weeds, So growth with speed can feed our need. It is decreed. All are agreed. A child could read the simple creed.
But he is of a hackneyed breed. A knock-kneed weakling weasel. We'd plead like feeble reeds, while he'd proceed unyielding, guaranteed, and freed in his mind to recede. He would not heed the leader's lead. A mean and greedy deed, indeed."
The phrase's current popularity is understandable, a representative component of the cultural spirit. Used in conversation, it is a summary form of:
"I am the only one who has had my unique set of experiences. Thus, any belief I express shall stand firm in the face of any disagreement as long as I wish it so.”
Note that this represents a certain attitude at least as much as a certain article of faith. More than simply “this is what I believe,” it implies (at least) something like, “any attempt to nuance or argue the matter further with me is likely to be met with a firm defense.”
There is at least one good reason for giving this approach a modicum of credibility. Unless all ideas and beliefs at all times are to be considered by all as merely theoretical or contingent, we must allow ourselves and others a degree of privilege to arrive at what we think of as “understanding” ...no matter how subjective another’s understanding of a thing may seem to be.
But why only a modicum of credibility? Why shall we not be as unquestioning of another's "lived experience" as s/he seems to wish us to be? The answer is: because we are considering here the realm of one person's subjectivity.
Subjectivity: One person's own unique experiences and the meanings assigned to those experiences, bound up in various ways with one’s individuality, unique awareness (“consciousness”), and giftedness, but which cannot but be in many ways inherited, unconsciously derived, unexamined, self-serving, and habitual.
If I am pursuing anything like adult functionality, or anything approaching wisdom for life, it seems best to give proper value and attention to my own unique experiences and the meanings assigned to those experiences.
It also seems vital to place such priorities not too high on the priority list, given the vast expanse if Reality about which I have little or no awareness, and the great value of all the "lived experiences" of the rest of humanity.
Teach me the language that apes silence Bring the sociology that integrates forgiveness and accountability Experiment within that science that pierces the shroud of engineered objectivity –
With instruments of neglected truth No mere rhetorical device No advancement for profit, masquerading as the next hypothesis
Toward people I like so much that they can’t possibly offend me
I want to learn from the true substrata The true black holes Create for me the essential holy visceral art
Men and women loving and learning together for some reason beyond ourselves
Philosophize out of emptiness Let us plod along together to the laboratory of terror And concoct something too Good to be unTrue
An advertising business that triggers humanity’s deepest hungry grudges or insecurities, then offers for sale a product or service to make them feel temporarily satisfied without any new self examination. 
Jesus reaches out to conservative Christians and invites them to transcend their defensiveness against the LGBT community.
Jesus reaches out to members of the LGBT community and invites them to transcend their defensiveness against conservative Christians.
In neither case is the primary issue one’s “beliefs.” The primary issues are (1) Our common Humanity, (2) Our common state of soul and culture sickness, and (3) Our common need to be rescued from #2.
For now, the greater burden of accountability is on those who claim Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
Fragments 
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