You Can Call Me Judah
May 16, 2019 10:58:02 #
You Can Call Me Judah
By Mark Landsbaum - May 16, 2019
Family and friends, you can call me Judah.
Like the chosen people of God, yours truly is a self-righteous, holier-than-thou moralizer whose hypocrisy makes him far worse than the people he presumes to lord over. Mea culpa, as our Catholic brothers say.
Forgive me Lord, for I have sinned. And sinned and sinned some more. If there’s anything consistent in this life of mine, it’s that I sin. It happens far more often than anything I do bearing resemblance to holiness or righteousness. Far more often.
Even when I reach the point of begging God’s forgiveness for my many disobediences, it is a self-centered desire on my part, rather than a desire to be right with Him.
It’s all about me, even in repentance. Even in asking God’s forgiveness.
In effect, I double down on my underlying sins by making repentance and forgiveness all about me, rather than all about Him.
It’s a fallen world and I am certainly a fallen sinner, which may explain why I have relatively less concern even in times of great depression, regret and fear for having first sinned against God, as the psalmist put it.
Even in those moments I too infrequently regret my transgressions for the proper reason. Sadly, my regret too often is for the damage I do to myself, and the potential harm I might do to loved ones, friends and associates.
Like Judah, when these moments of truth loom, I shudder at the prospect of God sending my own version of Babylonian hordes to humble and discipline me, as written about by the prophet Habakkuk.
I wonder if those receiving their just rewards in Judah at the hands of the Chaldeans 2,600 years ago were likewise sorrier for their own dire consequences than they were for how much they had insulted God.
Pridefully, in rare times like this I find some solace that I’m more concerned for the shame I might bring on loved ones and friends by their association with me, than with the just discipline I am about to receive. I deserve it. They don’t.
But even that noble sentiment falls short, as all my best efforts do. Why aren’t I more ashamed of how I’ve disappointed God than how I will disappoint family? I fear it means I’ve yet to learn this lesson. Again. It’s a fallen world.
Nevertheless, my prayer is that God spare my loved ones’ grief and disappointment, even if He will not spare me. That seems more noble. But of course, it still is to focus on the wrong target.
Why can’t I be more grieved about disappointing God, than I am about letting down wife and children, friends and fellow believers? Contrite as I may be, I’m still focused on the wrong object. Clearly, it’s a sign that God has a lot of work ahead in this sinner’s heart.
Thank you for bearing with me. My prayer is that this too will pass, that the Babylonians will be called off and God will extend more of the grace with which He’s so often undeservedly blessed me. But, as family and friends, I wanted all y’all to know.
By Mark Landsbaum - May 16, 2019
Family and friends, you can call me Judah.
Like the chosen people of God, yours truly is a self-righteous, holier-than-thou moralizer whose hypocrisy makes him far worse than the people he presumes to lord over. Mea culpa, as our Catholic brothers say.
Forgive me Lord, for I have sinned. And sinned and sinned some more. If there’s anything consistent in this life of mine, it’s that I sin. It happens far more often than anything I do bearing resemblance to holiness or righteousness. Far more often.
Even when I reach the point of begging God’s forgiveness for my many disobediences, it is a self-centered desire on my part, rather than a desire to be right with Him.
It’s all about me, even in repentance. Even in asking God’s forgiveness.
In effect, I double down on my underlying sins by making repentance and forgiveness all about me, rather than all about Him.
It’s a fallen world and I am certainly a fallen sinner, which may explain why I have relatively less concern even in times of great depression, regret and fear for having first sinned against God, as the psalmist put it.
Even in those moments I too infrequently regret my transgressions for the proper reason. Sadly, my regret too often is for the damage I do to myself, and the potential harm I might do to loved ones, friends and associates.
Like Judah, when these moments of truth loom, I shudder at the prospect of God sending my own version of Babylonian hordes to humble and discipline me, as written about by the prophet Habakkuk.
I wonder if those receiving their just rewards in Judah at the hands of the Chaldeans 2,600 years ago were likewise sorrier for their own dire consequences than they were for how much they had insulted God.
Pridefully, in rare times like this I find some solace that I’m more concerned for the shame I might bring on loved ones and friends by their association with me, than with the just discipline I am about to receive. I deserve it. They don’t.
But even that noble sentiment falls short, as all my best efforts do. Why aren’t I more ashamed of how I’ve disappointed God than how I will disappoint family? I fear it means I’ve yet to learn this lesson. Again. It’s a fallen world.
Nevertheless, my prayer is that God spare my loved ones’ grief and disappointment, even if He will not spare me. That seems more noble. But of course, it still is to focus on the wrong target.
Why can’t I be more grieved about disappointing God, than I am about letting down wife and children, friends and fellow believers? Contrite as I may be, I’m still focused on the wrong object. Clearly, it’s a sign that God has a lot of work ahead in this sinner’s heart.
Thank you for bearing with me. My prayer is that this too will pass, that the Babylonians will be called off and God will extend more of the grace with which He’s so often undeservedly blessed me. But, as family and friends, I wanted all y’all to know.
May 16, 2019 11:21:28 #
Peewee
Loc: San Antonio, TX
bahmer wrote:
You Can Call Me Judah br By Mark Landsbaum - May 1... (show quote)
Ouch! You just nailed me with a direct hit. Thanks, Bahm, I needed to hear that!
May 16, 2019 11:39:37 #
Peewee wrote:
Ouch! You just nailed me with a direct hit. Thanks, Bahm, I needed to hear that!
I did as well that is why I posted it.
May 16, 2019 12:05:24 #
bahmer wrote:
You Can Call Me Judah br By Mark Landsbaum - May 1... (show quote)
Bam! Another good one bahmer.
May 16, 2019 12:13:54 #
May 16, 2019 15:16:25 #
Amen, bahmer,
There is greater truth in this humble confession by Mr. Landsbaum than those who are not Christians might realize.
No need to remind my family and friends, for they already know full well how blessed I was in earlier years to have avoided death or prison, and only through the grace of God that is extended to those with faith in Jesus Christ, was my family spared more humiliation than they endured.
Every Christian struggles, some more, some less, to continually walk in the spirit, and always through the strength He makes available to us.
As Christians, we are forgiven, but still subject to the human frailties of ego and self pride. The Holy Spirit indwells us, as guide, counselor, teacher and comforter, but does not possess us to the exclusion of our own free will.
To mimic song writer and singer, Toby Keith, too often, "I want to talk about me, me, me," instead of focusing on the gospel of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.
Our reward is in the inner peace our Lord delivers to us, and His quiet assurance that we are His, now and throughout eternity.
There is greater truth in this humble confession by Mr. Landsbaum than those who are not Christians might realize.
No need to remind my family and friends, for they already know full well how blessed I was in earlier years to have avoided death or prison, and only through the grace of God that is extended to those with faith in Jesus Christ, was my family spared more humiliation than they endured.
Every Christian struggles, some more, some less, to continually walk in the spirit, and always through the strength He makes available to us.
As Christians, we are forgiven, but still subject to the human frailties of ego and self pride. The Holy Spirit indwells us, as guide, counselor, teacher and comforter, but does not possess us to the exclusion of our own free will.
To mimic song writer and singer, Toby Keith, too often, "I want to talk about me, me, me," instead of focusing on the gospel of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.
Our reward is in the inner peace our Lord delivers to us, and His quiet assurance that we are His, now and throughout eternity.
bahmer wrote:
You Can Call Me Judah br By Mark Landsbaum - May 1... (show quote)
May 16, 2019 17:16:57 #
Zemirah wrote:
Amen, bahmer, br br There is greater truth in th... (show quote)
Amen and Amen thank you for that Zemirah
May 16, 2019 19:06:03 #
Thank you for all the excellent editorials you have been posting, bahmer.
They are of value to all who read them.
I hope you can continue to keep them coming.
They are of value to all who read them.
I hope you can continue to keep them coming.
bahmer wrote:
Amen and Amen thank you for that Zemirah
May 17, 2019 11:50:20 #
Zemirah wrote:
Thank you for all the excellent editorials you have been posting, bahmer.
They are of value to all who read them.
I hope you can continue to keep them coming.
They are of value to all who read them.
I hope you can continue to keep them coming.
I will try to keep them coming if my computer holds up that is. My computer is a Microsoft VISTA computer so that lets you know how old it is.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.