Bearded, Crude and Honored

I just have to get in on the conversation....in some way. There is no sense repeating the resounding appeal for freedom of speech, so I won't go on and on about that. There is no sense in trying to convince people of the living and inspired Word of God being truth...that is the Spirit's job. And there is no sense in trying to talk people into believing you can disapprove of something and still love at the same time...they don't WANT to believe that. 

No, my many words won't change much. Still, there is that insatiable desire to say something...while there is still the freedom to do so. To feel the freedom of expression without too much fear of hurtful reactions. Now that is something worth talking about. Lack of fear. 
I don't watch much Duck Dynasty, but just enough to know that these people are pretty real, pretty happy, happy, happy and pretty fearless. To have the guts to go on national television as a Bible believing, Jesus loving, duck killing, anti-razor family, with cameras following the intimacies of daily life is beyond my timid imagination. It is no surprise at all to me, that Mr.Phil made this statement. In fact, I was kind of waiting to see how long it would take before someone asked him about this issue. As expected, he stood firm and blunt on his loyalty to the Word of God. I'm stunned at the public surprise. 

I admire anyone, whether I agree with them or not, who has the courage to speak the truth of what they believe (for the record...I agree with Phil...and the Bible...and Jesus). They might not say it as gracefully as I would like, but at least they are saying it, not hiding in the shadows, hoping someone else will take the bullet for their freedom. God calls us to be courageous. We deny Him in so many ways, so many times and yet He continues to give us opportunity to show courage and trust in Him. To beat the fear. 

Mary was afraid. She was about to be seen as an adulteress. The evidence would be clear and yet accusations untrue.
"But the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.'" Luke 1:30

Favor with God. Not with ratings, TV stations, polls or public opinion. That's the assurance of  safety. Courage comes from knowing God is pleased with you. Not how perfectly you said something or how well you perform nor how many people stand with you...but with your heart. When He knows you love and trust Him more than anything, especially your own understanding,..enough to throw everything on the altar of uncertainty...He shows up for you bringing peace and power unmatched. 

The Christmas story has a lot of fearful people in it...Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, even King Herod. He sends bright and powerful messengers of hope to His timid but willing children. There is no guarantee of the outcome you like, but there is a guarantee that you'll like the outcome. The cure for fear is faith, not loop holes, compromise and avoidance. Funny...the shepherds had the honor of being Jesus first friends. I think Phil would've fit in quite nicely with that group of roughians. God honors those who honor Him. Even  bearded, crude and politically incorrect ones.





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