blogging from the paradox.

Anyhow, I woke up kind of late this morning. Not really, but I did need to open the office today as our office manager is off. And I need to be here when they deliver the toner cartridge for our office copier which is OOC.

So I thought... "Hey, it's Friday, nothing is happening at the office, no one is around, I will be in my office behind my computer all day anyway... I will wear shorts and sneakers."

Then I got to the office and the first message was from someone reminding me of a very important meeting at 10 around an important employee issue that involves people from other "formal" type agencies. So, I guess I will be rocking the "business Reeeee-ally casual" look for it. Oh well!

Other than that going through Romans 14 today has convinced me that there is no spiritual ministry of criticism. I was convinced before, and now I'm really really convinced. I like this... (via "the message"):

"Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don't see things the way you do. And don't jump all over them every time they do or say something you don't agree with—even when it seems that they are strong on opinions but weak in the faith department. Remember, they have their own history to deal with. Treat them gently."

Then

"None of us are permitted to insist on our own way in these matters. It's God we are answerable to—all the way from life to death and everything in between—not each other. That's why Jesus lived and died and then lived again: so that he could be our Master across the entire range of life and death, and free us from the petty tyrannies of each other.

So where does that leave you when you criticize a brother? And where does that leave you when you condescend to a sister? I'd say it leaves you looking pretty silly—or worse. Eventually, we're all going to end up kneeling side by side in the place of judgment, facing God. Your critical and condescending ways aren't going to improve your position there one bit."

I guess what someone will resort to is "Well, they aren't my brother, they're a) heretic b) unbeliever c) false prophet d) of the Devil e) __________" Which leads to a bunch of other stuff... but I wont get into that now... That's another post.