Unhelpful signs, part 1

This theological train wreck is along Interstate 65 between Birmingham and Montgomery, Alabama. Yes, there's a hell; no, church won't save you from it; no, threatening people isn't how Jesus preaches Good News; and yes, crap like this makes my whole job harder. I wonder if the owner of this little piece actually knows Jesus. He seems to be on speaking terms with the devil, though...perhaps that's where he gets his information.

"Jesus said, "I am the Road, also the Truth, also the Life. No one gets to the Father apart from me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him. You've even seen him!" (John 14:6-7, The Message)

Fortunately for us, Jesus seeks us, finds us, meets us where ever we are and takes us to Himself.
.

Spellbound

Ever found yourself not doing something because you're subconsciously afraid of someone else? I don't mean the "ooh, he's gonna beat me up" thing, I mean more the fear we often associate with titles and authority: mother, father, boss, pastor, anyone with a rank or title on their name. Often we might confuse that fear with legitimate respect for someone. It might manifest itself as a reluctance to approach the person or ask them as perfectly reasonable question.

I woke up the other morning with the thought, "That guy (a friend of mine) is absolutely spellbound by her." What riveted me was that word spellbound. Spell, as in a witch casting it by invoking a demon. Bound, as in tied up and helpless. Actor, and action. And this guy doesn't have a clue that there's a spiritual force involved, so he isn't likely to escape until he recognizes and refuses that spirit. (In this case, he's a Christian. If he weren't, well, there's a Holy Spirit he would need first.)

A lot of us end up spiritual cowards in the presence of spellbinders, and that isn't what we're made to be. We're made to be free of such spirits, and to disallow their influence over us. Spiritually, that's the whole point of my book: quit letting anyone and everyone tell you that you're a peon, or ugly, or not-as-gifted. Do you still sin? Of course, and the Bible is pretty clear on what that is. Are you still worth Jesus' full and undivided attention? Of course, and the Bible is extremely clear on that, too.

On the other side of the coin, a lot of us just sort of naturally tap into decidedly unclean, unchristian spirits in the course of our lives: control, intimidation, manipulation. (A lot of this is miscalled management and leadership.) Almost without intending, we end up being spell-casters; spellbinders.

I have an unoriginal but better idea: Let's cast Holy Spirit and his results (love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, to name a few) on people, and "bind" (loose) them with that.

"Spirit-loosed." I like that. Be loosed!
.