Itching Ears

My crazy friend John writes;

In California (Where else?) a weird news story surfaced about a teacher deducting points when students said, “God bless you,” after someone sneezed. Complaints, school board meetings and extensive press coverage followed. Religious and political leaders staked out their positions. More meetings will be required to get to the bottom of this issue. At the Pentagon, the decision was made that chaplains can perform same-sex unions; but they cannot perform same-sex marriages because of the “Defense of Marriage Act.” Chaplains find themselves pinched between military requirements, denominational rules, and their own conscience. Is this world
crazy or what?

The end of the world seems to be near: “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” (2Ti 4:3-4) Of course this is nothing new. Crazy people lived among us in ancient times as well. For centuries, people saw dragons and strange sea monsters where now we see UFOs and dead
celebrities. I heard Elvis was here during the cleanup after the storm.

So why can’t we simply live our lives using common sense, courtesy and the golden rule? Some say we all run on our emotions rather than logic. Some point to common flaws such as laziness, ignorance, and the fact that the average IQ is less than average (I didn’t know that.) The Bible suggests some not too different reasons: Everyone does what is right in his own eyes… We listen to teachers who confirm our existing prejudices… And we usually take the easy way out. Living a good life is hard. Living a good life as a good person is neither natural nor normal for human beings. We need good instruction, coaching and discipline. We need excellent parents, teachers, pastors, business leaders—we need a lot of help. Unfortunately we often say, “Right, and I’m ready to help!” Might it not be wiser for us to say, “Right, and I need all the help I can
get”?

Paul advised Timothy to watch himself, stay sober, and hold steady. My advice: If it
sounds crazy, it probably is crazy. Be still my itchy ears. Come soon, Lord
Jesus. Come soon.