Raoul’s Two Cents: February 18, 2022

Bad Ambassadors

For the past few nights, I’ve been taking care of our 2 corgis because my wife (who usually does this) is visiting family in New York. I never realized how high maintenance these creatures are. They’re the complete opposite of independent cats. Corgis need to be pampered. And those puppy eyes get me all the time. I’ve had to wake up several times at night to let them out to the bathroom. Because of this, I’m tired when I get up in the morning and I’m half asleep during the day … including right now. So if I don’t make sense, blame it on the corgis.

I am part of a Viber group where someone regularly shares quotes from televangelist Joel Osteen. I know my friend means well (and maybe it’s just me) but the lavish lifestyle (ie. sports car, $120 million net worth, etc.) seems incongruous for a humble “man of God.” What really riles me up are the thousands who follow him. What do they see and what can’t they see that is so obvious?

I had a recent spite with someone who doesn’t really know me but just hated what I stand for. I suspect he had an encounter with another Christian who rubbed him the wrong way. Somehow that anger transferred to me. Can you blame him? Christians can be obnoxiously opinionated and insensitive.

If you are a non-believer please don’t assume all Christians are alike. We aren’t mindless zombies. We recognize the fakes too. And do talk to us about why we believe what we believe. Many of us are too shy to start that conversation because we have been rejected so many times before.

If you’re a believer, remember the awesome responsibility of representing Christ. I’ve actually told some other believers to stop proclaiming they were Christians because it makes the rest of Christiandom look bad.

Of course, this is just my opinion. I may be just as bad as the televangelist. Please point out the hypocrisy that you see in me.

TGIF people!

Raoul

“But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut off the kingdom of heaven from people; for you do not enter in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.” — Matthew 23:13

Joke of the Week

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena.

Video of the week

THINK ABOUT IT: Thanks to Rodney of Manitoba, B.C. for this reminder of how good things really are. It’s all a matter of perspectives.

SCAM: If you use QR code reader, you should be aware of the scams that use this code. Watch the video from Dr. Oz.

Parting Shots

Thanks to Rodney of Manitoba, B.C.

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA

Thanks to Mike of New York for this visual challenge. Click on the image to get an enlargement.

Thanks to Peter Paul of South Pasadena, CA