Friday, January 06, 2006

Am I Spiritual Enough?
I was reading a friends blog today and he mentioned how cool his pastor was, one of the main reasons was that the pastor mentioned John Wayne toliet paper being rough and ready, not taking crap off of anyone. I absolutely think that is hilarious! Crap is one of my favorite words, I struggle some times not saying it out of the pulpit, it really isn't a pulpit word I suppose, but it could be. I'm hoping Eugene Patterson will update the Message Bible and include it in the new version...do you think I'm spiritually deficient?
Do you think that there are times when we fail to reach unbelievers because they think we're so spiritual that they'll never attain their percieved level of our percieved spirituality? I'm not advocating loose conversation and most assuredly believe there should be a difference in us, and that we have swung the pendelum too far in many aspects. But I also think that being spiritual is not being inhuman, it's more of humanity attaining a goal of godliness...one day at a time. Perhaps in the future I'll mature and think saying crap isn't all that funny, but then...maybe not!
And for those of you who invite me to preach for you...I promise to be good...and for those that might have been thinking about having me and are now saying to yourselves...I'm not sure about this guy...I'm Ok...I promise!

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

LOL I have to laugh because I use the word crap all the time... and have had people get on to me for it... so been TRYING to say crud in it's place.. but man.. it's just not the same.

Maybe we should munch on a bar of soap? HEHEHEHEHE

Neil said...

I suppose there are places where it is unappropriate to say some things, I have friends that are uncomfortable with the word...so I don't say it around them. We had a young lady in Louisville say it three times in one sermon...some laughed and chalked it up to youthfulness, others couldn't hear the rest of her message because of it. So I do think using wisdom and considering your audience is important. But I still say it. My wife doesn't think it's a nice word and if she says it, you know she's wired...which if you know Julie, isn't very often...Me, I'm always wired!

Pastor Jeff said...

Crap away, Neil! I'll say it, but honestly, sometimes I feel like I'm cussing. But that's me. Hey, I've heard that in some countries they cuss in the pulpit. Oh, well, God bless.
~Jeff

Neil said...

Jeff, That's funny stuff! My wife basically feels the same way, and I assure you that I am in no meaning it to be profane, and would never say anything to be offensive to God or anyone else for that matter intentionally. Just read that blog and wanted to comment...hopefully not too personal. I think it is important that we guard our hearts, heads, and our hearers...so most of the time my usage of the word is around my family who knows my heart.

Anonymous said...

This brought up a memory to mind. When I went into labor with Kaylin, I knew that the Doctors and nurses knew that we were ministers. I knew that I was about to face some pretty strong pain, and have only heard of stories of what women do when they are in that kind of pain. I was determined to not say anything negative or degrading or just plain wrong and try to blame it on pain... so I determined in my heart to pray in tongues before I went into that hospital room.

I wish you could have seen the looks I got when I'd be praying in tongues with an intensity... I'm still not sure they knew what to think of me or what to say hahahaha. But I was glad that I had made that determination before hand.

Clay said...

jentezen franklin was the speaker on friday night of our conference and spoke some about balaam and his donkey. it was pretty funny... the crowd went wild...

Neil said...

Thanks Clay!

I love real stuff! I'm also extremely proud of you, you've become an awesome young man!

Neil