Incognito

April 7, 2017
Great Pretenders
(Please skip if you don't like heavy stuff.)

What is the similarity between Bill Nye the Science Guy, Rock "the Hunk" Hudson and Milli "the pop star" Vanilli? Answer: They are/were all pretenders! All three are stage names.

Bill has no science degree. His formal education is mechanical engineering (true he was later given honorary awards as a scientist but he never really was). Rock was Hollywood's Mr. Macho but his homosexuality came out after his death. And Milli lip-synced his way to a GRAMMY winning song.

Nowadays looking the part is more important than truth. Many well connected and seasoned liars get away with it. Fortunately, many of the hypocrites are exposed and the scandal comes down hard. The news is rife with religious leaders who have fallen from grace; politicians who have traded their convictions because of the pressure to follow the party line; self-important reporters who over-glamorize their "eyewitness testimonies" even though they were never really there. Then there are comedians who make fun of others yet get all riled up when others make fun of them.

We common folk are not exempt either. Many of us drive big expensive polished cars that we can't afford. Many claim to be champions for the poor and urge people to give in front of the cameras while they themselves donate neither their time nor money.

I guess we all have our dark side. We are all sinful pretenders. So does this mean it's useless to try and be good? I guess so ... BUT only if being good is the ultimate goal. It really isn't. Being good is a product of something bigger.

In the first place, who decides? What is it to be "good?" Are the Ten Commandments the basis? Contrary to what many believe, the Ten Commandments were not given to impose so many rules to frustrate us. The commandments were given so that we may realize the inadequacy of our own strength; and instead point to a Savior who could ... and did.

Of course this is just me and what I believe ... a pretender ... just like you. This is the beauty of the Gospel. It is the good news: that despite who we really are, imperfect as we are, God gives us undeserved/unmerited GRACE and accepts us --- pretenders though we may be. God is good, and knowing God should be the ultimate goal.

"God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners" --- Romans 5:8

It's Palm Sunday weekend guys. I thought I'd do a little preaching. Hope you don't mind. Shabbat HaGadol Have a blessed Palm Sunday!

BTW
It's almost midnight and the late-breaking news is Trump launched a strike on Syria. Let's keep our focus on the Lord. I pray for sensible leaders. There will always be disagreement in any decision --- that's a given. Let's not focus on the little things. I pray that they do what's best instead of what is popular.

TGIF people!

Incognito
Contributed by Jeff of Pasadena, CA

Two priests decided to go to Hawaii on vacation.

They were determined to make this a real vacation by not wearing anything that would identify them as clergy. As soon as the plane landed they headed for a store and bought some really outrageous shorts, shirts, sandals, sunglasses, etc.

The next morning they went to the beach dressed in their 'tourist' garb. They were sitting on beach chairs, enjoying a drink, the sunshine and the scenery when a 'drop dead gorgeous' blonde in a skimpy bikini came walking straight towards them. They couldn't help but stare.

As the blonde passed them she smiled and said 'good morning, Father Oscar... good morning, Father Tony,' nodding and addressing each of them individually, then she passed on by.

They were both stunned. How in the world did she know they were priests? So the next day, they went back to the store and bought even more outrageous outfits. These were so loud you could hear them before you even saw them!

Once again, in their new attire, they settled down in their chairs to enjoy the sunshine. After a little while, the same gorgeous blonde, wearing a different colored skimpy bikini, taking her sweet time, came walking toward them. Again she nodded at each of them, and said 'good morning, Father Oscar... good morning, Father Tony!' and started to walk away.

One of the priests couldn't stand it any longer and said, 'Just a minute, young lady.'

'Yes, Father?'

'We are priests and proud of it, but I have to know, how in the world did you know we are priests, dressed as we are?'

She giggled, 'Father, it's me, --- Sister Catherine!'

Last Week's Mistake
Contributed by Tom of Pasadena, CA

Sorry. Last week, I put the wrong link for the video about "Our Blended World." CLICK HERE for the real link.

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