I have been fortunate most of my life not to be aware of many of my enemies. I say "not aware", because I am quite sure that there are plenty of people who don't like me - I just don't know who they are. Similarly, there are people that I don't care to spend time with. I wouldn't really call them enemies, more just annoying. Said another way, they don't do anything for me. As I have gotten older, I find it easier to be "nice" to them when I am around them. I can pretend that they aren't annoying for a bit. I believe pretending to be nice is better than being mean. But then, when I am outside their presence, they are the butt of my conversation with those inside my comfy little circle. My true feelings show.
Getting Deeper with Tom
If you clicked on the GettingDeeper link looking for the SpotOnTheLake Water Depth Guide, this ain’t it. This blog gives our lake community, and anyone else that might be interested, a chance to share ideas about things that matter.
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
A Peculiar Sort
Thursday, March 20, 2025
Sibling Revelry
One of the classic books on Christian discipleship is Dietrich Bonhoeffer's "The Cost of Discipleship". I read it several years ago, but I am reading it again now. Chapter 9 is entitled "Brother". I have two brothers, and many of us have at least one, so it should be relevant to a lot of us, right? But I was a little taken aback when the first verse of the bible reference was talking about how we shouldn't murder people. When I was younger, I may have thought I was mad enough to murder one of my brothers, but never seriously considered it. In Matthew 5:21, Jesus says, "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgement." Of all of the laws and social issues that are debated every day online and around the water cooler (do those even still exist?), I believe "not murdering" is considered by all, except the deranged, to be a good idea. But verse 22 continues, "But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgement." So Jesus is taking the Old Testament commandment, "do not murder", and extending it to "do not be angry". While we may agree that anger is also something to avoid, unlike murder, most of us feel some level of anger almost every day. OK, that gives me something to work on that I should be able to manage. Try not to be angry with my two brothers. I talk to them and see them regularly, but certainly not every day, so I should be able to handle that most days. But it is somewhat unsettling that Jesus is not just talking about not being angry with our siblings. We are all God's children, and we are invited to be the adopted brothers and sisters of Jesus. If we choose that, we must also choose to try to follow him and his teaching. Think of who makes you angry. Remember that they are a child of God. Try not to be angry with them today. I will try, too.
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
Tom Cruising
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
What goes around...
Thursday, February 20, 2025
Love Is In The Air
.png)
Thursday, February 13, 2025
Careful Consideration