Why do you ask us what we think when all you do is tell us what to think?

It is interesting that the news industry pronounces the results of polls of the opinions of Americans to find out what they believe or choose.  That seems OK, except that it is the news industry that tells Americans what to believe.  In our time of soundbites, crawlers, headlines, and 24/7 flashes the industry discourages thoughtful analysis.  In addition, the emotion encouraged by the same industry discourages deviation from the "party line(s)" being advocated by individual media.  Essentially, the news media has created a self-licking ice cream cone.

Sorry, I just can't stop myself...

I even find a strange release when I start my confession with "I can't believe what an idiot I was"...or have been......or am....

Disarms critics too, the worst they can do is agree..

Upon further consideration...

Back to that cowardly way of confessing without taking responsibility - we see other versions - like "I am sorry if I did something wrong..."  ..or..."I am sorry if I offended you...".  These are making it YOUR problem if YOUR think I did something wrong, and can count as an apology because I said I am sorry.

Of course, in some ways you indeed are sorry....

Anyway, another is one we've heard recently "I admit I had a lapse in judgement...".  Close to a confession, but not actually saying I WAS WRONG.

Seems a good way to really confess is to say "I was wrong, I shouldn't have done that, I am sorry I did..."

An I am sorry if it offends you that I am pointing this out....I am sure the devil made me have this lapse in judgement and make an unfortunate choice...

On being mealy mouthed/

Somewhere in the 70's comedian Flip Wilson developed a tagline "the devil made me do it" as a routine in his appearances.  This phrase quickly saturated the American lexicon, and became a more nuanced way of confessing "I did it, but its not my fault".

I have many children, and remember well when another version of this excuse-making entered our household.  Entering the house after school, one would start explaining "you should have seen what the other kids got on the math test"....how many "f's" there were...as a prelude to the announcement she had a D or F, but it wasn't really her fault...

There are some more modern versions of this same "nuanced confession" tendency today.  One is being "radicalized".  As though an individual had little choice, he or she, like walking through a rain shower produces wetness, got "radicalized" by being in the presence of some nefarious teaching.  The person didn't make choices, the person was "radicalized".  The devil made them do it.  Not their fault.

Another one relates to "desire".  A person cannot help their behavior because of "desire".  Often included in sexual behavior, in a way of excusing one from observing accepted moral behavior, the excuse "I was born with this or that behavior" really means "I like doing it, and my liking it trumps right or wrong" (or, in some cases, defines right and wrong).  Of course it isn't hard to take this to its logical conclusion.

I suppose there are mitigating circumstances to all behavior, right or wrong.  In addition, I am sure "right" and "wrong" norms morph with time and culture.  Understanding that, it is still true that we make daily choices.  As I grab a handful of chips in the middle of the morning, my desire overrides my knowledge of the effect on my waistline, the devil radicalizes my dietary choices, and I get fat. Shame.  Imagine how skinny I'd be if I made the choice based on the righteousness of healthy eating.

Back at-chya

Saw one of those sappy short flicks on FB that promoted giving and how life changing a single gift was, with the edict to remember and return.  The return was also life changing, but, due to circumstances, was much larger than the first gift it was in response to.  Despite the size, the impact on the recipient was similarly significant.

I remember 2 in particular - one gift of $20 and one other of $40.  I also remember a couple of people (families) who loved me for no reason.  I must ensure that, while I have little likelihood of returning to those individuals the impact their gifts made on me at the moment I received them, that the theme of my life be to have that same impact on others around me - that I don't measure the gift I give by the worthiness of those I give it to.  For me, that can only be energized by the God who loves me being present in my moment-by-moment.