Raoul’s Two Cents: June 23, 2023

Judging Book Covers

There’s a disturbing documentary available in Amazon Prime called “Shiny Happy People.” It’s about the Duggar family with 19 biological kids who go to a mega IBLP church headed by Bill Gothard. The outside saintly personas of both the family and Gothard hide the double lives of lust and greed. I highly recommend you watch it; but before you do, just keep a few things in mind.

Like most documentaries (just like social media) even if the events did actually happen, remember that the producers have their own agenda and they edit the story line (usually by omission) to develop a repugnance for the conservative, Bible-believing Christian church. If you didn’t know better, you’d come out thinking ALL churches are inherently evil. Please don’t throw the baby out with the bath water — don’t dismiss the value of the Bible just because of its misuse by the hypocrites. Christians are supposed to follow Christ not their fallible church leaders. The film is a good mirror to the goings on in churches.

We’ve been told not to judge a book by its cover. Yet we do it all the time. When people belong to a political party, we automatically believe they condone everything their party believes. Just because someone voted for Trump, it doesn’t mean he/she approves of his sexual exploits or his narcissistic behavior. Just because someone voted for Biden, it doesn’t mean he/she believes he’s a man of wisdom or that it’s okay to accept bribes. People have their reasons for their beliefs, it behooves us to understand why. If possible, indulge in discussions with the opposition and learn. And we should stop defending the people we look up to. Let’s call a spade a spade. And if they (or we) make a mistake, let’s admit it or we’ll never learn. I know it’s difficult — it’s hard for me too; but it’s the road to maturity.

And even if you find they really are complete idiots, remember: God still loves your idiot brother.

Of course, this is just me.

TGIF people!

Raoul

“It’s nice to be important. But it’s more important to be nice.” — Anonymous

“I tried to follow the science but it simply was not there. And then I followed the money and that’s where I found the science.” — Anonymous

JOKE OF THE WEEK

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA

Video of the Week

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, CA

Parting Shots

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, CA

Thanks to Dean of Vancouver, B.C.

Thanks to Maling of New Manila, Philippines

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA

Thanks to Richard of New Manila, Philippines

I found these

The Traveling Boy

My good friend (and jokester) Terry and I came up with these.