From Gary... Crazy

Be prepared; life will hand you all sorts of crazy things!!!  So, why not combat crazy with crazy? No, I am not talking about genuine insanity, but rather of the ability to just "shake things up a bit" in difficult situations; to think outside the box, to be a bit unpredictable.  The Apostle Paul did and this passage from his second letter to the Corinthian church shows it...

2 Corinthians, Chapter 11

 16  I say again, let no one think me foolish. But if so, yet receive me as foolish, that I also may boast a little.  17 That which I speak, I don’t speak according to the Lord, but as in foolishness, in this confidence of boasting.  18 Seeing that many boast after the flesh, I will also boast.  19 For you bear with the foolish gladly, being wise.  20 For you bear with a man, if he brings you into bondage, if he devours you, if he takes you captive, if he exalts himself, if he strikes you on the face.  21 I speak by way of disparagement, as though we had been weak. Yet however any is bold (I speak in foolishness), I am bold also.  22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I.  23 Are they servants of Christ? (I speak as one beside himself) I am more so; in labors more abundantly, in prisons more abundantly, in stripes above measure, in deaths often.  24 Five times from the Jews I received forty stripes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I suffered shipwreck. I have been a night and a day in the deep.  26 I have been in travels often, perils of rivers, perils of robbers, perils from my countrymen, perils from the Gentiles, perils in the city, perils in the wilderness, perils in the sea, perils among false brothers; 27 in labor and travail, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, and in cold and nakedness. 

  28  Besides those things that are outside, there is that which presses on me daily, anxiety for all the assemblies.  29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is caused to stumble, and I don’t burn with indignation?  30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that concern my weakness.

To boast without boasting, to prove your worthiness by being humble; now there is one crazy way to think.  But, then again, sometimes you have to shake things up a bit, just to get through to some people. Paul did just that- and it worked!!!  However, just think a bit about what he did- reread verses 22 and following.  You would think he would have given up, but he didn't. Crazy, right? No, for he believed Jesus who spoke to him (Acts 9). Perhaps, we would look at things differently if we actually believe what we read in our Bibles? Anyway, I like Paul's flexibility of reasoning and hope you do as well!!!  You may never be a "star" like Bugs Bunny, but if you do what you can for God in heaven, you may just be one of the brightest stars in heaven- and that is much higher goal anyway!!!