Last night I pulled 12 Steps for the Recovering Pharisee (like me), by John Fischer, off the shelf to read. This book proclaims in the sub-title that its about 'Finding Grace to Live Unmasked'. So far, having read the Introduction and the Table of Contents (in which he names the '12 Steps'), I think he's on to something.

Here are the steps he offers:

Step One: We admit that our single most unmitigated pleasure is to judge other people.
Step Two: Have come to believe that our means of obtaining greatness is to make everyone lower than ourselves in our own mind
Step Three: Realize that we detest mercy being given to those who, unlike us, haven't worked for it and don't deserve it.
Step Four: Have decided that we don't want to get what we deserve after all, and we don't want anyone else to either.
Step Five: Will cease all attempts to apply teaching and rebuke to anyone but ourselves.
Step Six: Are ready to have God remove all these defects of attitude and character.
Step Seven: Embrace the belief that we are, and will always be, experts at sinning.
Step Eight: Are looking closely at the lives of famous men and women of the Bible who turned out to be ordinary sinners like us.
Step Nine: Are seeking through prayer and meditation to make a conscious effort to consider others better than ourselves.
Step Ten: Embrace the state of astonishment as a permanent and glorious reality.
Step Eleven: Choose to rid ourselves of any attitude that is not bathed in gratitude.
Step Twelve: Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we will try to carry this message to others who think that Christians are better than everyone else.

I received the following in an email today. I'm wondering what others think........

My family has been attending a new church for about ten months. We don't agree with some of the pastor's teachings (I've been down the "works" path and refuse to go back) but we are there mainly to give our children a church family as they have many friends in our homeschooling community who go to that church. I feel I get my spiritual nourishment from many different places and I didn't have a problem not getting "fed" at "church" so to speak.

Well, a few months ago during a camping trip it came out that I didn't agree with everything the pastor said. I tried to downplay it because this is a small, close knit church. I knew from my past church experiences that there was no sense in expressing my differences to church leadership because they would not change. They worship their pastor and believe what he says is not to be questioned.

After Bible study Wednesday night the pastor asked me to stay behind and everyone left. There was just the pastor, another man and me (my husband was not there that night). The pastor told me that I needed to decide if he was going to be my spiritual teacher. He used Hebrews 13:17 to tell me that I needed to obey him -- that even if I disagreed with him I needed to trust him. And if I did disagree, I needed to be quiet about it.

A couple of weeks earlier he had given a sermon (directed at me) about how there was someone in the group who didn't agree with what was being taught and who was causing problems. He said that "this person" needs to repent.

Responding to his interrogation on Wedensday night, I told the pastor I really didn't look at him as my spiritual mentor, although I loved and respected him and his walk with the Lord. I didn't say anything negative. I told him I didn't think it was a problem for people to discuss what they believe or discuss other scriptural viewpoints -- because "iron sharpens iron." But he made it very clear that Hebrews 13:17 commands me to come "under him" and to be quiet. He said that he does not want division in his church. He also advised me to stop listening to sermons from other pastors and teachers so that I wouldn't get confused. I told him I didn't feel confused at all. God is HUGE to me and doesn't fit into any box. I love what God is doing in everyone's life and I love learning and growing. I don't want to be limited to one man's teaching.

So, with all that said, what do you think about my "submitting" to the pastor?

Dietrich and Jace's perspective on their new brother?

Yeshua,

One side of my conscience tells me to leave well enough alone while the other side won’t allow me any peace until I’ve given you my perspective. The only thing I know for certain is you have created quite a stir in Jerusalem.

Yeshua, I really wonder if you realize the harm you’ve caused by your provocative actions of late. I know you felt obligated to upset the applecart, but do you really think your approach is effective? You know that inwardly I agree with everything you teach. You also know, based on the conversation we had a couple years ago, that I honestly believe you are a true Rabbi. No one can accomplish the signs and miracles you have accomplished unless YHVH is with him. I haven’t changed my opinion. I know much of what you say is true, but your approach is too abrasive. Quite simply, Yeshua, you are causing more harm to your own message than good; not to mention the confusion you’re causing in our culture.

I would be the first to admit, Yeshua that we have many, many things we need to change. I would also admit that I think the merchandising at the temple around Passover has gotten a little out of hand lately. However, I (and a small group of concerned council members) have been taking steps to change this. We are being effective, little by little. I even noticed marked improvement this year. Of course, you wouldn’t have noticed since you didn’t take much time to look around when you arrived. You seemed like you already had your mind made up when you walked through the temple gate.

Yeshuah, you have given yourself a bad name. Solomon said we should desire a good name yet it seems like you’re insistent upon ruining your own reputation in an attempt to expose our Jewish system as hypocrisy. There is no such thing as a perfect religion. Surely you would know that, Yeshua, with all the travelling you’ve done. We don’t even claim to be perfect but we’re doing the best we know how. Do you not believe that we spend time reading and studying the Torah in an attempt to make sure all we’ve been taught is accurate and preserved in its purest fashion? You seem intoxicated by change for the sake of change. Yeshua, as I’ve stated to you before, I don’t believe change is bad but we must move carefully. We have rabbi’s and elders who have lived this way all their life. Are you saying they’re wrong?

Another thing you may have missed seeing during your episode yesterday was the children. Yeshua, they were thoroughly confused. I personally saw one group of boys who had just come through the Bar Mitzvah ceremony within the last week watching. Soon afterwards I overheard them talking. They understand the disrespect you blatantly showed toward (ultimately) YHVH, but also our temple, our customs, the feast, the priests. Yeshua, what if every young Jewish male decides to take matters in his own hands from now on? Can you imagine the confusion and chaos that will result? We have these things in place for the purpose of maintaining order. You should know as well as anyone that YHVH Himself set these things in order when He spoke it to our brother Moshe. Yeshua, why do you think you should single-handedly lead a revolt against such long established customs? Also, why do you seem to gravitate to the largest gathering of people to make your scenes? Do you need a crowd’s attention in order to feel as though you’re making your point, and what’s the point in randomly misquoting the Torah?  Yeshua, examine your heart, are you sure its pure?

Also, do you realize that many, many people had to leave the temple after your tirade yesterday? There were people who had travelled many days to reach Jerusalem to celebrate Passover, but when they finally came to the court of merchandising they found no lambs, no doves and no grain. Yeshua, they couldn’t bring their own animals for the sacrifices; they intended to purchase a sacrifice here. You, Yeshua, have robbed them of the opportunity to obey YHVH’s direct command. Quite simply, you have caused them offense. You have caused them to sin. Do you really believe you’re being effective? Must you always use such disrespectful behavior to make your point? Do you realize that it will be impossible to restore order in the temple in time to offer the sacrifices this year?

Another thing I’ve never mentioned is your tendency toward disrespecting the Shabbat. After yesterday’s episode I heard many people talking about your many episodes of healing, travelling and even harvesting grain on the Shabbat. Do you honestly believe we have been doing it wrong all these centuries?  

Yeshua, I’m pleading with you. Please reconsider your approach. Not only are you causing confusion and contention among the common Jews, you’re also creating a nightmare for the elders and priests. Give us some time, Yeshua, I can see positive changes being made. We each need to exercise patience with one another. I sit on the Sanhedrin council, trust me, Yeshua, good things are happening. No, they’re not happening rapid enough to suit your desires (or even mine for that matter), but good things are happening, nonetheless!

I care for you, Yeshua. I respect you. I know that much of what you say to and about us is true. I also know that if you continue on the path you’ve chosen you will find yourself on the unfortunate end of an execution stick. Then what, Yeshua? Wouldn’t it make more sense to calm down a little and work within the system guidelines to reveal truth? Don’t you think that will be more productive in the end? Doesn’t it seem more consistent with the nature of YHVH to move slowly, cautiously, intentionally rather than impulsively and recklessly?

Yeshua, I’ve only written this because I care. I want to see change as bad as you do. I DO see change and I thank YHVH for it! Please consider these things.

May YHVH bless you and keep you, Yeshua.

Nicodemus

When a person walks in (true) faith it often looks irresponsible. It appears illogical. Every level-headed explanation appears forgotten and ignored.

Did it make sense for Abram to leave his home country? Where you goin, Abe? I dunno, wherever God tells me to. God called you to leave here, but you have no idea where you're goin? Yeah...

Did it appear responsible for Moses to lead the children of Israel directly to the Red Sea with the Egyptian army in hot pursuit? What about all the women and children?

Could it be logically explained that Joshua wanted to simply walk around Jerico once a day to 'take the city'? About Thursday or Friday they're gonna meet us on the back side, Josh, and we're gonners.

Did Gideon appear responsible when he used the unique military selection method God told him to use? And then to shave his army down to 300 going against the Midianite army? And then he told them to take lamps? Excuse me, Gideon, have you lost your mind?

David? Did he appear like a lad of great faith or an illogical, irresponsible youth to Saul and the Israeli army when he chose to go against Goliath with a sling? That giant will surely eat David for lunch!

Faith often looks to the bystander as irresponsibility. More often than not it has no logical explanation. Beyond that, the logical mind often comes to the exact opposite conclusion than the move of faith.

Is it logical or responsible to turn down a legitimate job offer making 50% more to do the exact same job as currently, especially when the current situation is causing serious budget strains?