Got a call from Carla’s brother today.  He was just rubbing it in.

He and some friends own a commercial greenhouse – for their own use – and he just came back from helping out. 

HE will be eating tomatoes by the end of the week.  His tomato plants are over six feet tall, filled with tomatoes, which he will have some by the end of the week......while it is still April.....and I could see that great big smile on his face as he was telling me. 

I didn’t offer him any bacon.

John 6:64-69  But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.

⁶⁵ And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.

⁶⁶ From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

⁶⁷ Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?

⁶⁸ Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

⁶⁹ And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

As Christians we determined that Jesus was indeed the Christ, just as those disciples that stayed with Him believed.

Why then do we not act like it?

I get so frustrated with myself, I know better, yet, I still have times where I lapse and just can’t focus on being a ‘good’ Christian.

I have never been a touchy feely kind of guy.  But I do understand the need to give comfort to those that are in need of it. 

All too often, however, my judgmental nature comes out and rather than trying to look at the person through Christ’s eyes, I point out flaws and the need to improve.

There is a young football player that has just about ruined his chances of ever playing football again.  He is talented and has/had great promise.

But instead of practicing his profession, he has turned to friends that use alcohol and drugs.  He is very much on the party scene and now one can get to him – not his parents, former coaches or his agents – it doesn’t appear that any of his friends, or at least very few, are trying to get his squared away.

He has all but ruined his chances of playing professional football, indeed he is in danger of losing his life.

Still, he parties.

In the early stages of his career people said, ‘he is just a kid,’ he’ll be all right once he settles down.  However, he has never settled down long enough to get his life together.

I don’t have much use for people like this; they suck the air out of a room, have to be the center of attention and don’t really care about anyone else.

He has assaulted his girl-friend and has recently been arrested for the assault.  He knew it was going to happen, yet, he continues to party.

His dad recently made a comment that he is concerned that he won’t make it to his next birthday – yet, he parties on.

The young man is addicted.  He is addicted to the lifestyle if not the alcohol and possibly other drugs.

His agents insisted he get professional help by checking into a Rehab Center or they would can him.  Still he parties on, and they indeed fired him; first one and then the other.

He has lost all endorsements.  The National Football league is looking at his actions and will more than likely suspend him – IF he can ever convince a team to take him on and then hold onto him while his suspension is served.

He needs help.  He needs prayers and most of all he needs Jesus.

Yet, I hear his name and shake my head.  He is an idiot.  He has thrown away his life and a chance of making a very good living because he refuses to seek help.

I don’t have a pony in this race.  I am not spending a lot of time worrying about him; yet, it bothers me when I hear his name that I don’t have compassion, only a form of anger and disgust.

That anger is because there are thousands of young people out there who are far younger behaving themselves, going to college, in the service, holding down good jobs, marrying and having children.  Yet, he was getting a pass on his behavior because ‘he is just a kid.’

There are young people who are active in their churches and communities.  The same age and younger, but they are responsible adults and he kept getting shrugged shoulders and ‘he is just a kid’ excuses for his behavior – behavior that is now dangerous not only to him but to others.

MY problem is, all too frequently I take that attitude of disgust with me.  I get frustrated when I see people destroying their lives and rather than reach out to them, I ignore them, or if I do think to say a prayer, or offer help, it is cursory.

Walking in the name of Jesus requires me to walk as He walked.

He has big shoes to fill and I feel like a two year old, putting on daddy’s shoes and stumbling as I try and walk.

I do know that He is willing to work with me.  That He is searching my heart and reminding me of my responsibilities to Him in the way I treat and respond to others.

I am so thankful that He is willing to forgive me and help me see others as He sees them, even if it is taking a lifetime for me to get that perspective.

Later, Art :-)