Getting up on the wrong side of the bed is a phrase that has come to describe a day gone bad. I would like to modify this with a new phrase ‘Getting up on the wrong side of faith’ (which from now on will be referred to as WSOFs) to describe moments of faith gone bad.
     The Crusades are a BIG TIME example of getting up on the wrong side of faith. The Salem Witch Trials were another not so bright and shining moment ‘executed’ (insert pun here) by organized religion. Dare I say Snake Handling is not on the radar of what the Lord intends.
     These are a few WSOF Hall of Shame moments while most WSOFs fly under the radar without the extreme consequences of misguided Crusades, Witch Hunts.. or snake bit parishioners.
     The following are a few every day WSOFs whose accumulative affect is definitely getting up on the Wrong Side of Faith as God intends.

1. LEGAL Beagles walk the straight and narrow of church rules spoken and unspoken, without real joy of the Lord in their lives. Legal Beagles confuse a TO-DO list faith walk or guilt driven service with heartfelt love & devotion.
   
2. DRINKING is not wrong.. This is a new WSOF movement in the church that is right in noting the Bible does claim drinking is wrong BUT.. drinking is a Pandora’s box of trouble in too many lives to be ignored. This was my WSOF moment for about 10 years until I it became obvious FOR ME it was a problem.
   
3. Low SELF-ESTEEM should not be confused with humility. Low self-esteem does not take into account God’s Grace, or our value in God’s eyes.
   
4. PRIDE should not be confused with confidence. Pride loses sight that our abilities and goodness are a relative and tentative state of being and a gift from God.
   
5. My GOODNESS is only as good as my best kept secret. If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to hear it.. did it make a sound? In the same way if I sin but no one knows… is it still a sin?
   
6. PANIC is getting up on the wrong side of faith. If God is for me, then who can be against me? Romans 8:31
   

These are just a very few WSOFs in a world of WSOF moments.

So the next time any of us wake up on the 'wrong side of faith', pray for a Godly perspective valuing each of His children. May God bless the rich and powerful, and the lowly and meek for His Glory as we are all ONE BODY MANY PARTS.. ALL IMPORTANT. Love God, love others.. the rest is trivial pursuit.

Jeff

There is an excellent song by Casting Crowns that I think fits our challenge on Earth.  Below are the lyrics which speak volumes all by themselves but I have slipped in a few cartoons that I believe fit in with this problem of the SLOW FADE.

"Slow Fade"

Be careful little eyes what you see
It's the second glance that ties your hands as darkness pulls the strings
Be careful little feet where you go
For it's the little feet behind you that are sure to follow

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray 
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
It's a slow fade, it's a slow fade

Be careful little ears what you hear
When flattery leads to compromise, the end is always near
Be careful little lips what you say
For empty words and promises lead broken hearts astray

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray 
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day

The journey from your mind to your hands
Is shorter than you're thinking
Be careful if you think you stand
You just might be sinking

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
Daddies never crumble in a day
Families never crumble in a day

Oh be careful little eyes what see
Oh be careful little eyes what you see
For the Father up above is looking down in love
Oh be careful little eyes what you see

My prayer is whatever is good, and holy, and perfect we dwell on these things, and NOT find ourselves on this slippery slope of compromise.  May God bless and lead us all on the right path.

Jeff