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Tax Man
with our attitude in prayer. THE STORY OF THE TAX MAN AND THE PHARISEE (from Luke 18) He told his next story to some who were complacently pleased with themselves over their moral performance and looked down their noses at the common people: "Two men went up to the Temple to pray, one a Pharisee, the other a tax man. The Pharisee posed and prayed like this: 'Oh, God, I thank you that I am not like other people--robbers, crooks, adulterers, or, heaven forbid, like this tax man. I fast twice a week and tithe on all my income.' "Meanwhile the tax man, slumped in the shadows, his face in his hands, not daring to look up, said, 'God, give mercy. Forgive me, a sinner.'" Jesus commented, "This tax man, not the other, went home made right with God. If you walk around with your nose in the air, you're going to end up flat on your face, but if you're content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself." -- (from *THE MESSAGE: The New Testament in Contemporary Language,* by Eugene Peterson, NavPress, 1993) [What would Jesus say about our quickness to criticize others, what I call the "us-and-them" factor?] NOW THE FREE OFFER!!!!! For the last several years I have been a happy subscriber to the MARS HILLS TAPES, a bimonthly audio magazine of contemporary culture and Christian conviction. The 90-minute cassettes are produced by Ken Myers, author of *ALL GOD'S CHILDREN AND BLUE SUEDE SHOES.* The topics range from history to literature, from philosophy to art criticism, from entertainment to politics -- always interesting, always intellectually challenging (for me). Ken has agreed to send a FREE SAMPLE TAPE to anyone that wants one. Just send me (by e-mail) your name and mailing address and I'll forward the information to the folks at MARS HILL AUDIO. No obligation. If you'd prefer to handle it on your own, you can call them at 804-984-0400 and ask for the FREE SAMPLE TAPE. (that's not a toll-free call) Have a great week, Chip |