RECOVERINGPHARISEE

Rebranding II

Posted by Bill | Filed under Musings

A few weeks ago I wrote about how I had failed over the years in rebranding myself.  For the most part I would come away looking foolish to those who really knew me.  I contended that it could be dangerous to rebrand if nothing changed.

Rebranding is ok sometimes …

My sister, who grew up in the same legalistic dysfunctional family, said, “Rebranding is ok sometimes if it helps get you down the road doing the mission you need to do. The focus just needs to be in getting the job done…”

So I’m rethinking the rebranding process.

After all, by saying I’m a “recovering pharisee” aren’t I rebranding myself once again?  For the better?  I’m admitting that I am a “rough draft” that is in need of rework.  Perhaps what you knew as Bill was in error and I today I am “new and improved.”

So yes, I am still an unfinished product but perhaps I need to quit apologizing for my flaws.  After all, it IS my flaws that continually remind me that this journey isn’t about me nor is it over.

“The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him.  … Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it.  Don’t let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.”  – portions of Romans 12, The Message translation

I look at the Apostle Paul who emphatically stated, “O wretched man that I am.”

Here was a man who had done so much for God but still saw his flaws.  He was himself a recovering pharisee.

If a mentor to many could publicly write that he was wretched, who am I to believe that I’ve arrived?

I hereby present the same problem-prone legalistic dysfunctional person to the public but hopefully in a more transparent honest way.

And this time I’m asking for a little help.  I’m asking for accountability for my actions.

When you see me step out of line don’t assume I have recognized my error.  Tell me.

Perhaps in a private email or instant message or face-to-face.  Always with love.

But tell me.

Comments (4) | July 15th, 2010

4 Responses to “Rebranding II”

1. Patti Smith Says:
   July 15, 2010 at 9:22 am

   Pastor Bill,

   It doesn’t matter how long we are on this journey, we all make mistakes. I know you are headed in the right direction. Thank you for being so open and transparent. As you said, it is not about you anyway. Just let the love of God shine through you and you will be loved and accepted by others, but remember not everyone will approve of you. What really matters is that you are approved by the Father!

   Phi 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before you.

   Continue growing in Christ. Remember, old things are passed away, behold all things are new. There is now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus. Let go of the past, it is what it is, “the past”. Just learn from it and move on. Let Christ live in you. Remember, the Holy Spirit will always keep you in check, just yeild yourself to him.

   BTW, I loved the video clip of the piano. I would have been one of the adults playing on the keyboard.:)

   blessings,

   Patti Smith

   Reply
2. Katherine Says:
   July 16, 2010 at 8:24 am

   As a closet perfectionist, i struggled with never achieving perfection as a Christian. No matter how hard I tried, I would fail somewhere along the way. In talking to God one day, He gently reminded me that one day I would achieve perfection if I endured ’til the end and in that “transformation” that only He can do in us I would achieve perfection through death or the rapture. Until then I will continue to walk with Him following Christ, learning every day.

   Reply
3. John Says:
   July 16, 2010 at 11:04 am

   Bill, don’t blame yourself for your actions. I think it’s awesome that someone (especially in ministry) actually admits they’re human. I wish more people would do that.

   Do we blame dogs because they sniff each others’ butts or lick up their own vomit? No, it’s in their nature. That’s what dogs do. Does God blame us for the way we are? No, it’s in our nature. That’s what humans do. It is in our nature to make mistakes.

   “There is none righteous. No, not one.” Romans 3:10

   We can pretend to be Holy all we want, just like the Pharisees. We may as well say we are the most handsomest person on the planet. God knows better. He knows what’s really inside. It’s so amazing that, in all of that, God still loves us.

   You are right, the past is the past, and like yourself, we are all “Recovering (insert past here) Whatevers.”

   “…being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed.” Romans 3:24,25

   Reply
4. Jacqueline Jakeway Says:
   July 17, 2010 at 10:20 pm

   Once again, you have written a blog that makes me think… LOVE IT. You are amazing dad…flaws and all… LYTIAB!

   Reply