Pride Without Shoes by Pastor Brice

About half way through my Lent journey this year the Lord began to raise an awareness that He wanted to work on pride in my life. Not the type of pride I take in my wife that helps me cherish her as an undeserved gift. Nor the pride that swells in my heart when Owen accomplishes a great feat – like counting to ten with only one hand…1, 2, 3, 9, 10 – amazing!

No. The pride God is dealing with is much more sinister. If this pride were a botanical disease it would attack the plant’s roots, choking its ability to absorb nutrients, causing decay and eventually a funeral.

When God slowly lifted the curtain to reveal I had a pride problem I was surprised. After all, I’ve always prided myself on being humble. But the Master began to slowly point out that somehow an unhealthy judgmental attitude had entered the back door of my personality, took his shoes off, and decided to stay a while. How do you get rid of an unwelcome guest? Pride is sort of like the Cat in the Hat. He causes a big mess.

As I asked the Lord how pride was evident in my life he pointed first to the freeway. Why was it I was getting so ticked off when people didn’t drive the way I thought they should? Often my anger at other drivers because they don’t obey certain traffic laws isn’t righteous anger like Jesus driving the money changers from the temple (I would sometimes like to take a whip to the driver of that red car…simmer down now!).

My anger was a symptom of an underlying attitude malfunction. This attitude was evident in other areas as well, far from the freeway. You see my heart was eager to point out others faults and quickly judge their actions with no real interest in their well being or offering encouragement. In some devious way it seems I was looking for a way to prop myself up by leaning against the pile of what I perceived to be the shortcomings of others. Pride was encouraging me to think too highly of myself and too little of others.

The Lord brought me to the familiar teaching in Matthew 7 about judging others. Jesus asks, “how can you say to your brother, ‘let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye?” Good question, don’t you think? Jesus continues, “first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye (emphasis added)”

The issue is not that I am prohibited from exercising judgment on issues and even people’s behavior. As Christian brothers and sisters we are called to encourage, correct, and hold one another accountable to our commitment to Jesus and the life He calls us to live (1 Cor 5.12). There’s an order to things – a “first” and a “then.”

The issue is whether I’ve “first” taken a hard look in the mirror and seen myself in the full light of my own shortcomings (Rom 3.23). Praise God, my failures aren’t the end of the story because Jesus’ grace covers them. And “then,” with an eyeful of Jesus instead of timber, my pride is removed and an attitude of true love blossoms. Now, I am ready to try and lend a hand to someone else.

When my heart is calibrated properly on the great grace I’ve received in Jesus and I allow the Holy Spirit room to operate inside me, then I’m ready to love the people around me in Jesus’ name. It’s time for me to help pride get his shoes back on and show him the door!

A Planted Seed by Aurora C.

My dad was in the Air Force in the 1960's, and when he
went through training, he was stationed in Kansas and
had a girlfriend named Dianne. They dated a bit while
he was in training, then haven't seen or spoken for 45
years.

Well, my Dad (a well-known artist, google Kent
Twitchell) just got this email the other day. I
thought it was really neat. It's rare we get to see
the trees of the seeds we've planted along the way. My
dad was 19 years old when he planted this seed, and
now at 64 he knows that through others' work, that
seed has taken root and grown.

Here is the e-mail....

I did a Kent Twitchell search on the internet and could not believe my eyes. For over an hour I have devoured the information about you. I knew you were a good artist but WOW.

Who am I? Well, to take you back to Hutchinson, Kansas 1961, I am Diane Mallory. Don't faint on me now. Over the years I wished that I knew how to contact you, but today was the destined day.

The reason and only reason that I am writing you is to thank you. Thank you from the deepest being of my God given soul. I owe you my life. Do you remember the night you confronted me about my salvation? It is one of the clearest memories I have. You came looking for me at the local "bar" that everyone went to. And standing there in the doorway you asked me if I was saved. To rid you I said, "Of course." Needless to say God used you a second time, the first when you took me to the Baptist church you attended in Hutchinson and sitting in the balony I heard the gospel. I didn't go to church after that, but in November 1972 (at the age of 30), a pastor took me through the scriptures and showed me that I was a sinner (which I knew) but that I could be cleansed and given a new life in Jesus Christ. I knew then that my deeds were not going to get me there. It was the most beautiful day of my life. Didn't attend church for almost 2 years, however as time went on, it became a central part of my life. I have been divorced a couple of times, and have been single since 1979. Raised two children and have 6 grandchildren. I have thought of you hundreds of times over these years wishing I could contact you to say thank you. Instead I just prayed that God would let you know somehow.

A couple of weeks ago my Pastor, in his sermon told us that we should write a person that had a significant influence on your life. Tonight I just googled your name. Now is that a God thing or what. Here I thought I would have to write a letter to God and have Him deliver it.

For the past 12 years I have had a ministry in my church as a youth sponsor to junior high girls. God has entrusted me with 7 girls (7-9 th grades) to teach biblical principles and to be a Godly influence. That really needs working on :) But I am so thankful for my savior.

I trust that you have a wonderful family. Be sure and let them know that because of you, myself along with my children, my mother, my grandchildren, and others that will come behind us, will be spending eternity in heaven. May God richly bless you.

Diane ( I still have the picture that you drew from a photo of me)