Balls and Strikes!

I got sidestepped. A month ago I got interrupted by Covid. I was fully vaccinated and boosted, but it hit me hard. It took a couple of weeks to get free. But the horrendous coughing took me to the hospital with a hernia issue. So I have repairs scheduled. The after-effects left me horizontal and thinking. I am more conscious of my age. I am a recovery person and a faith person. The podcast speaks from that dual identity. I am a pastor’s kid and a sailor. I am a college graduate and a service guy. I am a sinner and a saint. And more and more I am just an old guy with shrinking options,

As I pause to talk to my boss more and more I realize that I do have one thing which I will have as long as I can type. I have a voice. It really is immaterial who and how many listen. My job is to speak honestly about my experience as I walk with my boss. This is not easy and chances it may not tickle peoples’ ears. But there is a chance I will say what he wants me to say.

I have not figured out why He cares little if we agree with Him. We care if we like what we say and others like it too. It is a hard pill to swallow that what we say matters not as much as what He says. We are geared to care much more of how we are known in our circle of people than the circle which is inhabited by our faith. We care much more about the opinions of our tribe than extended family in recovery or faith.

I have made big mistakes when prefaced by ‘what will they think?’.

Truth is not guided by the politically correct answer. Truth is not defined by an accurate opinion poll. Truth is not defined by a popular pastor with a library of books. There is only one opinion that matters. When God the father, God the Son, and God the Spiirt speak the issue is closed. But for us it not so simple. And here is our common problem. We all demand veto power.

There is a saying in a hymn. ‘Trust and obey there is no other way’

Here is the battleground at the junction of faith and recovery.

But there is a fly in the ointment. We are the fly in the oinment.

Bothj faith or recovery are the problem. We will not allow anyone to call balls and strikes.

In the end we are what God says we are. A stiff necked and rebellious people.

We always kill the umpires.

So be gentle I will try to call the balls and strikes and explain why.

It is on you what you do.

In the next podcasts I will talk about calling ball and strikes!

Sweet God, protect me from my beloved brethren!

Mercy! Spoken in my most snarkiness!