I Have to Confess That This Woman Challenges Me...

Now, when I say that this woman challenges me, I should also let you know right off the bat that it is in a positive way... and she never even knows she is doing it.

I stopped by to see Mary Darby this morning. On her next birthday, she will be 97.   Even though it was an unscheduled visit, she somehow had a piece of homemade pecan pie and a glass of sweet tea that she had made herself ready for her "young" pastor as she calls me.  Both of which were EXCELLENT!  And in another moment of confession... I don't, as a rule, even like pecans or pecan pie.  I all but licked the plate... it was really that good.  

For some reason, I felt led to ask her permission to record our conversation. She gave me permission to do so, and I will share a part of the conversation on this blog for your edification.

I Confess... I've Looked In Some Wrong Places...

 A 2007 Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life found that when it came to questions of right and wrong, 59% of the people surveyed who were affiliated with mainline protestant Christian churches said they would most look to practical experience and common sense for guidance. Only 24% said they would look to religious teachings and beliefs. (I'm hoping that updated numbers may... be different, but that's not the trend we've seen recently so who knows...) I'm not a hater of logic, reason, or common sense... but I have to wonder about this.

I Have To Confess, I Have Sometimes Missed An Off Ramp...

If we focus solely on avoiding hell, we may have missed the point of Grace that makes life worth living.

I can stand completely still and not end up in bad places or situations; but the same is true of the good places and situations as well. OR to look at it scripturally... just because I'm not taking the wide gate and easy road that leads to destruction, doesn't exactly mean that I've begun to walk through the narrow gate and onto the hard road that leads to life. (Matt 7: 13-14) I wonder if some of those who don't find the narrow road aren't still sitting at the crossroads trying to not make the wrong choice?